PARTIES

Find

Ready to channel your inner entrepreneur and test the creative waters? Whether you’re an artist, maker, crafter, or creator, our guide will empower, inform, and inspire you to dive right in.

6 THINGS I WISH I KNEW THEN

Hindsight is 20/20. Here’s what our successful start-ups wish they had known.

1IT GETS

LONELY

Not just working

4HIRE SLOW,

FIRE FAST

The people by yourself, but making decisions alone. Pets help (not with the decision part).

2YOU WEAR A LOT OF HATS

5BE PATIENT Overnight sensations are Customer service, accounting, marketing, production, PR—it’s all up to you. Defi ne your strengths and delegate the rest.

3DON’T

COMPARE

Every business

6PIVOT AND

PROBLEMSOLVE

When you hit an grows diff erently. Try not to compare yourself with others. you work with are an extension of your brand. Make sure they’re a good fi t. exceptions, not the rule. Persistence, hard work, and believing in what you do pay off in the long run. obstacle, don’t let it stop you. Adjust and work it out.

Brand Aid Naming your business is the single most important task on your to-do list. Keep these tips in mind: x HI, MY NAME IS Consider naming your business after yourself (three of our profi lees did). No one defi nes your brand better. x BRAINSTORM Put yourself in customers’ shoes. How will they see your business name? How do you want them to see it?

x IS IT SEARCHABLE AND TWEETABLE? Think about how your name will look on social media. Is it too long to tweet? Is it already being used? Is it registered? (You can check online.) x LET’S GET VISUAL After you’ve nailed down your name, it’s time to logo up. Color is key. Color has personality: Red is bold and exciting; blue is calm and strong.

BY THE NUMBERS

40 Number of years before you can harvest bark from a cork tree $2,000 Cost of Melanie’s fi rst wood lathe

ENTREPRENEUR PROFILE

MELANIE ABRANTES DESIGNS

WE LOVE!

Melanie’s cork- and-wood bowls, $53 for small, $79 for large When Melanie Abrantes decided to pursue her love of handmade home goods, cork and wood were the perfect media for the Oakland, California-ʖ&. "ĵ&)0# (!1)) 1),%,Ġ ī Į0ʖ&13-(( '),1#. " ( . / ,&ʖ'. , #&-ġĬ & ( #2*&# ( -Ġ , )''#. '(. .)/-# (!)( &3 -/-. # ( &3  , ' ),% (&) & 1))  )/*&ʖ1#. "",!(/# ( / , #)-#. 3%*-ʖ", )(ĵ) ĵĵ%# ( bowls, plates, cups, and planters fresh  ( )( -.  (. &3" (!# (!Ġ CHECK OUT Melanie’s class on skillshare.com , Brand an Online Shop: Create a Cohesive  ,) / .# (Ġ x melanieabrantes.com

BY THE NUMBERS 9 weeks Time it takes to weave a 4×6-foot tapestry 50 minutes

Time it took Heather to build her website on Squarespace

Instagram has been an amazing tool for my business. Not only is it the perfect medium to showcase my wallpaper, it’s a great way to create communities.

—ELIZABETH REES, CHASING PAPER CO. Our top Instagram tips: BHG.com/ InstagramTips

Sell It

Everyone knows about the Big Es (eBay and Etsy). Here are other online options for selling your handmade products:

aftcra.com amazon.com/

WORKDAY

Research

ENTREPRENEUR PROFILE

HEATHER BOWMAN DESIGNS

After designing wedding dresses for . 1)ʖ3 ,-ķ /&Ȑ &&# (!/."#!"ĵ-.,-- $)ķ. ",# ((̙)1' (# . "&-. )(-"1)/&'%1)/&

x bowman

WE LOVE! Heather’s pillow with baby alpaca yarn, $170

about it getting lonely?

Download some company. Inspiration

WORKING

Escape

THE NEW YORK TIMES INSIDER PODCASTS Editors and reporters talk about their work and events in the news.

FRESH AIR A classic for smart talk with Terry Gross and the Daves: guest host Dave Davies and reviewers David Bianculli and David Edelstein.

THE MOTH Storytelling at its best. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll forget you work alone.

GETTING STARTED

Quick answers to four questions you’re sure to have.

1DO I NEED

A BUSINESS PLAN?

It depends. If you’re giving it a go on Etsy, 2 CAN I DO

MY OWN TAXES?

Sure, if you enjoy doing taxes. But an accountant who specializes in home-based start-ups will save you money, time, and brain space. 3 CAN I

KEEP MY DAY JOB?

Absolutely. Easing into your own business is the best way to start. Time management is key. Putting in a 40-hour work week still leaves 128 hours. Just don’t forget sleep.

BY THE NUMBERS 30 minutes

How long it takes to make two leather tassels 54 Number (at press time) of Talin’s Instagram posts featuring Louicine the cat BEST APP

4DO I NEED LIST A HOME Apps to make OFFICE? working from home

It’s a good idea. easier:

A dedicated space— whether it’s a spare bedroom, the garage, or an underused dining room—minimizes distractions. Bonus:

It’s a tax write-off . POCKETSUITE Better than an assistant. It schedules ENTREPRENEUR (or cancels) PROFILE appointments, sends SPRING reminders, accepts payments via FINN & CO. credit card, and updates contacts.

When Talin Spring moved from France .)ʖ # ((-). PO3 ,- !) ),","/- (Į- 1),%ġ. " -.  (/& native added leatherwork to a ,-/'. ".& ,3 # (&/# (0-. '(.  ( %# (! (&). "# (! -#! ( Ġ0# (!! ,)1 ( /*# (")/-1", 0, 3 . "# (!1- homemade (her father '-")- (", '). ",1-'-. , ) ( &1),%ļġ-" found leathercraft a ( . / ,&Ȑ. Ġ&# (Į-"#ġ /. #&#.  , # (!- , " (ĵ-. #. " ( )#&ʖ (-")1 ( amazing attention to . #&Ġ “I love working 1#. "&. ",ġĬ-"-3-Ġ ī . Į-( . / ,&ġ (#(. ġ  (/. # /&'. , #& . ".  ( ., ( - ), ' # (.)-)'. "# (! &)0  ('3&#(.- **,#. ĠĬ x springfinnandco.com

WUNDERLIST

Manage multiple personal and professional to-do lists. Access them across platforms.

SCAN PAGES

Turns your phone into a mobile scanner. Super handy for keeping track of receipts.

GOTOMEETING

An electronic conference room that works with any device or computer.