To learn more about the Original Pawprints Business Opportunity please click here.
 1. How did such an interesting concept as Original Pawprints come about?
A. In 1974 we came to Morro Bay, California and opened our ceramic studio and gallery. When our friends had babies, we made ceramic hand and footprints for them as gifts. As one friend would show another parent their handprint, they wanted one as well. Everyone wanted one! Because the response was so overwhelmingly positive, we knew we could market these handprints. What started out as way to preserve lasting memories for our friends grew by popular demand into a thriving business. Our ceramic hand and footprints not only created a customer base for us, but they provided their own form of self-advertising and repeat customers by our clients. Proudly we are now “PawPrinting” second generations. Our small gift from the heart created a way for us to raise and support our family while creating our art. It is the gift that has continued to grow.
2. Let’s talk about your business opportunity
A. Our ceramic handprint business opportunity allows moms to have a profitable, flexible, fun and creative business. We offer two training programs for moms and families: Our Hands On “In Studio” personalized 3-day training program or our new “At Home Training Program”. With both programs we teach moms the same exact steps that we use in our business everyday, and we guide them every step of the way so that they leave with the confidence and knowledge to start their own successful business.
For our personalized “In Studio” 3 day training program you come to our studio in Morro Bay, California where we train you one-to-one and we teach you step-by-step how to make the highest quality handmade ceramic impressions for babies, children, and pets. Based on our 34 years of experience we have a proven business and marketing plan to help organize and grow your business. We also give you our instructional DVD and comprehensive manual. Plus, we give you ongoing personalized technical support. We are here to help you!
For those of you who are unable to come to our studio, we now have the perfect solution. We are excited to offer our new Home Training program that allows you to learn in the comfort of your own home. This program includes our professionally produced DVD, and easy to read detailed manual that explains exactly how to start this ceramic handprint business from A to Z. Both the DVD and manual show you step-by-step instructions on how to create these ceramic impressions in an organized manner so that you will know how to use the tools, kilns and materials as well as detailing our proven business and marketing plan. With this program you also receive our technical support. We make it easy for you to learn.
 3. Why is Original Pawprints a great opportunity for moms?
A. What Original Pawprints offers is our 34 years of experience of being in this business. We know what works and what doesn’t. We share all our trade secrets with our moms to produce the highest quality ceramic impressions. We jumpstart their business by decades, and support them during their training and after their training. We smoothen the road to success.
What we hear most from our mom’s that have taken our ceramic handprint-training program is that after our training they are confident to start their own business. They love being able to contribute to their family’s income while staying at home with their children. It gives them personal satisfaction to make beautiful and meaningful keepsakes for families. Plus, they love working with all the families and kids. Mom’s can make this their full or part time occupation. This ceramic handprint business is a perfect fit for them. No experience in clay is necessary, and this one-of-a-kind handmade product is easy to market because it is the perfect gift and keepsake. Moms are able to work from home, and also bring their business to clients by visiting preschools and doing events. They are able to create a flexible schedule that works best for them and their family. At the same time, this business gives moms a creative and social outlet, and allows them to spend time with their families. They are making a positive contribution to their own family, while doing something that makes others happy and brings a smile to the world.
4. What kind of support do you provide your business owners?
A. Our mom’s are supported in all ways. What sets us apart in this ceramic handprint business from others is our 34 years of being in this business. We share everything we know with our mom’s, including what works and what doesn’t. We guide them every step of the way so they have a complete understanding of the entire business. This includes our business plan to help with record keeping and organization of the business. We have a tried and true marketing plan that shows you step-by-step how to start making money after your training. We help our mom’s with ‘troubleshooting” and are able to jumpstart their business by decades with our experience and expertise. We do not send our mom’s home to fend for themselves. We have personalized ongoing technical support for all our mom’s concerns and questions. They just email or phone us and we are here for them. We are always just at the other end of our phone ready to help!
 5. What is the most rewarding part of being part of Original Pawprints?
A. There are many rewards to being in this ceramic handprint business, however, the biggest reward is knowing how special these ceramic impressions are to the families, and seeing how they become their treasures for generations to come. These ceramic hand and footprints of babies, children, families and pets are lifetime keepsakes. These impressions capture a moment in time that allows families to remember forever how tiny their baby’s and children are now. We love working with the families, and the families love the product. Our clients come back year after year and tell us how special their children’s handprints are and how they hang prominently on their walls in their home. It’s a great feeling to know that we have created a gift from the heart that will stand the test of time and be loved by all!
6. Is it expensive to start an Original Pawprints business?
A. No. The start up cost is low and you have a tremendous potential for profit. Our At Home Training program costs $849.00 and is delivered right to your doorstep! Our In Studio 3-day personalized one-to-one training program is $6000.00. Other start-up costs can be approximately $2500.00 for your kiln and studio supplies. The kiln is your major investment however, we are still using ours 30 plus years later. We started out on a shoestring, purchased a used kiln, (which we still use), which allowed us to keep our start-up costs low. We show you how you can do the same. You can start small and grow your business as you make more money. We are not a franchise, and have no franchise or royalty fees. You are able to run your business as you like.
7. What are your own experiences as a working mom?
A. My family is top priority for me. Being able to balance my family and career is challenging. For the first thirteen years of my business, my husband taught ceramics at the local college and I was solely responsible for making this business run successfully and profitably, and at the same time focusing on my priority of taking care of my family. Fortunately, this ceramic handprint business allows me the flexibility to create a comfortable work schedule that works well for my family, and the opportunity to be at home with my daughter when she needed me most.
As moms we can all feel isolated at times. This business has kept me in social contact with other moms, and at the same time be able to be home with my daughter. Plus, I am able to have “alone time” while I do my work. The flexibility of my business allowed me to volunteer in her classroom, become a participating member of my community and have time to contribute to many fundraising projects.
My experience as a work-from-home mom allows me to make my family top priority and contribute to my family’s income. The experience of my ceramic handprint business has made this possible.
 8. Do you believe that women can have it all?
A. Absolutely! Having it all is a lifelong process. Anything that is honest and legitimate takes work. Defining my goals and dreams, doing my research, making solid plans, and following through are what have helped me attain what I want in life. The support from my family and friends, and networking with other moms has helped build my confidence to pursue my dreams. Having the flexibility in my business created a comfortable pace and schedule for me to work at. I am able to have a meaningful business, be part of my community, and be at home with my daughter and husband.
The love and health of my family and friends has always been my priority in life, and is what defines having it all for me. Sharing my knowledge with other women and having them be successful in their own business is the icing on the cake. I believe all women and men can do the same. With commitment and determination we all can work towards and build upon our dreams to have what we want in life for our families and ourselves.
9. Your advice to women who want to be their own boss…
A. Having been in business for 34 years, I have had many experiences that I have learned from. I am passionate about my love to create art and sharing with others how to build their own successful business. My advice to all women who want to be their own boss is to find what your passion is. Build upon that dream and go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Be committed to making your business work. Build a solid business plan, do your research, and surround yourself with a solid network and team that supports you and your venture. Be accountable to yourself and your clients. Be honest and have integrity. Work hard, it will pay off. Do some things just for “goodwill” regardless of the financial profit. Do it because it feels good to give. Your good deeds will come back to you ten fold. Follow your heart and your dreams will follow.
To learn more about the Original Pawprints Business Opportunity please click here.
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