Read how one mom “Did it” in the Candy Wrapping Business
Liz: Jean, can you tell us a little about yourself?
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Jean Wiggins |
Jean: My name is Jean Wiggins. I've been happily married for 30 years in November to a very supportive and wonderful man. My husband (and I) was in the Navy for 22 years, which meant we moved around a lot. I've always loved crafts and I believe that helped me when we were so far away from home and our families. I've done craft shows and fairs in many states, always doing some different type of craft. I never made my fortune, but had a really good time and met a lot of people. When my husband retired from the Navy, we settled near our family in Antelope, California .
Liz: Can you tell us about your home business adventure so far?
Jean: While in Hawaii I had a job that really got me into computers. I even did a few transparencies for projectors, which showed me that computers can be crafty as well as a word processor. Now this was several years ago, before the Internet! Oops, I think I'm aging myself now. Anyway, now that we have the Internet, and computers have become so user friendly, I wanted to find something that I could do creatively to earn some money and perhaps make a hobby into a full time job. Since moving back to California , I've looked into home businesses by doing searches on the Internet and never found anything that was all that interesting. One day, while playing on eBay, I found Personalized Candy Wrapping. Hummm, this looked really interesting. Not only was candy wrapping creative, but it was also no cost start up and I could use my computer! I started searching more on the Internet targeting candy wrapping businesses. I was being sucked deeper and deeper into the candy wrapping field. I went back to eBay and purchased one of the programs that was offered and wasn't too expensive. Played with it a little bit, but never really used it. But this program did get me started and really hooked on candy wrapping. I even learned how to make my own templates!
Liz: How has Bizy Moms helped you with your home business?
Jean: I had no one to talk to about this new adventure in candy wrapping, but I was so excited about the whole idea, I kept moving forward, ever so slowly. I kept searching the Internet for more ideas and information. One day, I stumbled across the Bizy Moms website. So much information on starting a business, marketing and the chat board. I found the Bizy Moms chat board was the greatest help for me. I started chatting on the board, finding more people that did candy wrapping, which was so inspiring. I also found a wonderful person on Bizy Moms, Joyce, who helped set up my website www.customwrapz.com . She was extremely helpful in designing and getting me started. Since then, I've added more pages and made changes on my own.
Liz: Why did you decide to go with a candy wrapping business?
Jean: I have always worked outside the home and really wanted to find a fun and creative opportunity to stay home and make my computer work for me and of course, making a little extra money never hurts. Candy wrapping seems to be exactly what I am looking for. I can be creative by designing a personalized wrapper for my customer and while receiving great praises from them when they receive the wrappers. I still work full time outside the home and maybe some day I can run my home business full time. But for the time being, everything is working great for me.
Liz: How long to get your candy wrapping business started?
Jean: I played with the candy wrapping idea and did research for about 6 months. I made some sales to my family and friends. I got so excited that I got a business license in May 2004. I am still running my business part time, but that is what works best for me at this time.
Liz: How have you gone about marketing your business?
Jean: Marketing is still a bit of a stumbling block for me. I have done some and was successful about half of the time, which I think is pretty good. I personally like to market to businesses the most. I feel they are the best source for repeat business. For marketing businesses, I make gift baskets of several different personalized items (candy, water, etc.) including their information and logo, if it was available on their business card or the Internet. I wrap the basket in cellophane with a bow for delivery and always get great reviews. I am trying to market my website more, which I'm still learning all the steps involved in internet marketing. It always amazes me when someone from New York or Florida finds me on the Internet to make an order. Of course there are those that see the personalized items at parties or business and contact me too.
Liz: What does your family think of your home business?
Jean: My husband is so supportive of my business and me. He has helped me fix up a spare bedroom and make it into my office/workspace. The rest of my family is always encouraging and so proud of my business and me.
Liz: What are you most proud of when it comes to owning your own business?
Jean: I love to create that personalized wrapper for my customer's special occasion, which could be for birthday, wedding, business handouts, etc. Then to receive wonderful praises from my customers when they receive their orders and many even contact me after their event, telling me how great their guests thought the personalized items were. This is so rewarding to me.
Liz: What are your tips and suggestions for moms out there who are looking to start a home business?
Jean: My suggestion is to find something you are really interested in, something that is fun and enjoyable. Do your research on your prospective business. Ask questions. Bizy Moms is a great source for starting a home business as well as finding others that are working and successful in that particular business. And remember, you can do anything you put your mind to, just stick with it.
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