I would have to agree with Brent, I don't want to take any enthusiasm out of your dream, but ! There is that bad word "but", I also had a business, I tried to start a business back in the 80's it never got off the ground because I didn't have "family backing", that disappeared, and when I came to Minneapolis, I met a young lady, that dreamed with me, and stood beside me, so my photography business, which was a hobby, became a business, I was determined not to borrowing money to make the business work, I used what I had, and as the business grew, I was able to purchase what I needed. It worked out well, until it became a
24/7. And that's because for lack of words, I was good at what I was doing. I developed the marketing, the execution, and the product. What really made it take off was I added my wife's name to the business name. That way we had both female and male gender taking photographs, and people like that. What I found out was that photography was about 5% of the business, the rest was marketing, office management, product management, then vendor management, and getting those products from the vendors in a timely manner.
Just like Brent said, " trying to meet the expectations of others took all the fun out of it"
That's what did it for me in my business I finally developed a phrase
" your emergencies are not my expectations"
although I never said that to the customer that was my attitude. To keep my sanity of course
Because in photography a lot of people want it right now !
That's not the way it's going to be in a bow business, so I think. I also found out that the rules of the business were made up for 1 to 3% of the customers, and you need to stick by those rules, your business will not flourish. I didn't believe that at first, and then I started having myself and my business analyzed by other professionals. I had my business for 12 years (in Minnesota) we went from $30,000 the first year to averaging $110,000 a year, the majority of my out go was vendor product, and technical equipment. That's not going to be that way in a bow business, the best piece of equipment that you're going to have is your heart. And that's what you put into your bows, yes, they will be made out of wood, but the character and dedication and loyalty that you'll have in making every bow will be your best asset.
And that is priceless. The attitude of your heart will govern the outcome of your business. And like you've heard many times before
"it is not about the destination it's about the journey"
And you're right, the best part of it will be having your own schedule, " right "
The best part of my business was when my wife left her job, and we worked together 24/7, and to this day 10 years later, we wish we had that opportunity again, but then again when we look at all the frustration of the expectations of the high dollar customer, we think again. But remember that was in photography. I called it
"the Cinderella syndrome" where everything had to be perfect for that one day, and if one thing was wrong, everything was messed up according to that bride. I guess the part that I liked about wedding photography, was you only got one chance to get it right.
Yes you do have to think about the financial things, and the insurance, and all the things that go along with the marketing in the business, but the one most important thing that you have to think about is,
Am I ready to commit myself, knowing all that I know about myself, and am I willing to lay down my attitude before me and give myself up for others in such a special way, " making bows"
Just some things to think about, and after all I could be all wet, I am just one opinion.
But one opinion can change the world.
Think about the memories of the fathers and sons that you will change forever by being dedicated to making the best bow that is out there.
Pastor Carl