12/27/2008
My wedding invites
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Starting my own stationery business?

Hey Ladies, I need your advice!! I went to college for multimedia design (a combination of web design, graphic design, audio, video, etc), and graduated 7 months ago. I am currently working in my field as a web designer, and like my job. But I really love designing invitations and wedding stationery and would love to do it as a side job. I have all the software (and licensing for the software) I need for the design part....and my name is registered as a business (I do web design contracts on the side). I have talked to my FI about doing this, and have his support....but I'm nervous and not entirely sure if I should go ahead with it. I already have a fabulous print shop that does all my printed stuff I design for my work...so that's not an issue...and I have great places where I can purchase materials...I guess I am just worried about marketing myself and coming up with samples and concepts for brides. So I am looking for advice or help from my fellow WBC ladies :)

**UPDATE**
Thank you for all your support! You ladies are fabulous! I think I am going to do it...but I'm going to take my time, do some research and hopefully start doing this after the wedding! I can't imagine doing this while planning my wedding, so definitely once June is over, I will do this!! Thank you again for the encouragement! :)

**UPDATE #2**
Good news, there are no invitation companies in the city I live in! There is one that is 15 minutes west of here, and they only do invitations, and there is another 10 minutes east of here, and they are printing store that has invitations available...but they don't have a huge variety.
business, invitations, amcs76
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mrsskippydo's Purple wedding
mrsskippydo
 |  San antonio, TX, USA  |  12/27/2008  | 
Go for it girl! I wish that I had known that you wanted to do this, because I would have paid you to do mine! You can clean up by offering good prices on boards like this. Go get it!
toyaandtl's Chocolate wedding
toyaandtl
 |  Columbia, SC, USA  |  12/27/2008  | 
Im in the same boat as you.  I went to school and got my degree in Advertising and after working boring jobs for the last two years and designing stationary for myself, I too want to do a little side hustle.  I think that you should definitely go for it and come up with "YOUR" needs first.  Basically consider how this is going to affect you and how you can use it to get where you are going.  Since you have software and licenses you basically should start with how much its going to take for you to break even and make a profit.  As far as marketing goes...use social tools and word of mouth to get you going.  Start by doing a co-workers baby shower invitations or etc to get interest sparked up about you.  Once you actually start making some profit then you can start considering some bigger ad costs (but advertising isn't cheap by any means necessary:))  Good luck and I wish you all the best.
eponine923's Green wedding
eponine923
 |  Lancaster, PA, USA  |  12/27/2008  | 
Go for it!!! You are very talented & will be fabulous!!! Just believe in yourself! You can do it!!!
rodrhonda4ever's Blue wedding
rodrhonda4ever
 |  Sacramento, CA, USA  |  12/27/2008  | 
Go for it!  DO YOU HEAR ME ALL THE WAY FROM CA???  GO    FOR    IT!!!! You should follow your senses and try it. If it fails, you can say you always tried?  I think it's wonderful!  I've got my license for my businesshis year, that officially started 20 years ago with all my talents. Me being the Budget Queen on here is fun and challenging.  Maybe I can advertize you on my site and see how things go?  I've done invites many times before for theme parties and I would love to branch out with other talents like yours. Check out...www.partyshakers.com
srflowers2002's Orange wedding
srflowers2002
 |  Houston, TX, USA  |  12/27/2008  | 
You will never know unless you try. They look great! Let me know! If you can offer invitation services for me at a great price, we can refer for you online and start networking. Good luck!
absolutewedding's Black wedding
absolutewedding
 |  Muskogee, OK, USA  |  12/27/2008  | 
i would go for it. i did with my business.

and thank you for your honesty about my gift at the bridal show. i am already giving away a photo box/frame, photo session, and my services free.

so i am just wanting something small and inexpensive for about a 100 brides i live in a small town.

but thanks maybe next year i can do a bag but i could not find any cheap ones for this year. thanks again. good luck. and i would def buy from you i am looking for cheap invitations like the one you have pictured actually for my green, black, and white damask accented wedding.
joyfulsong's Red wedding
joyfulsong
 |  Saint john's, NL, Canada  |  12/27/2008  | 
I'd say do your research.  Find out what is already available in the area, and what demand there is for another (??) stationer.

Also, make some business plans, and find out what costs will be involved.  I'd say your software, licencing and education will be your highest costs, so you're already covered.

Owning your own business can sap every spare minute, and all your energy.  Be prepared.  Make sure you want to do this.  Might I suggest you start your business a year or two after you're married?  Just something to think about.  Of course, the downside to that is that you are familiar with the industry RIGHT NOW, as you're planning your own wedding. ...

I'm glad that FH is supportive.  That's always a good sign.  If he's on board, I'd give it serious consideration.
's wedding
bpollar4
 |  Savannah, GA, USA  |  12/27/2008  | 
I  design invitation and party favors, which I started doing this on the side to.  I have a daycare but I love doing this so I said to you go after it so do it just part time, I going back to school this summer to talk up wed designing I have had alot of people asking me to design a web page for them.
retro248's Pink wedding
retro248
 |  Royal oak, MI, USA  |  12/28/2008  | 
You just need to go for it. Start out on Etsy. It is a huge source for brides who are looking for one of a kind things. It seems pretty easy to set up a business I'm sure. Those programs you really liked are from Etsy. You would do great on there. Course you could advertise in the Marketplace section here as well. What have you got to lose?
's wedding
gratefulbride
 |  Charlotte, NC, USA  |  12/29/2008  | 
GIRL, YES Do it!!  You're uber creative & talented & we brides will be lucky to have you!  I hope you set up an Etsy/Ebay shop.  Most of my stationery is set, but maybe I can get your help for Bachelorette or Bridal Luncheon Cards!  We'll talk soon :)
mikeandmel's Pink wedding
mikeandmel
 |  Vancouver, BC, Canada  |  12/30/2008  | 
hey gal,
I haven't read the other comments so this may be repetitive but...GO FOR IT!  Sounds like the basics are all set in place anyhow.  I took a great FREE course from the British Columbian government on how to start your own business.  I've attached its website and the website of the main government branch so that you can find your province's website.  there is also free courses and very helpful advice specifically for women business owners.  They offer help with business loans etc.

http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/gol/cbec/site.nsf/en/index.html
bellesandcrystals's wedding
bellesandcrystals
 |  Brooklyn, NY, USA  |  12/30/2008  | 
GO FOR IT!  I did the same thing after my wedding! I had such a wonderful time planning my wedding that I entered the bridal industry and started my bridal accessories company, Belles & Crystals.

You have so much of the hard work accomplished already. You could even start very slowly and come up with a few designs and market them on sites like etsy.com before you quit your full time job.

Yay I am so excited for you!!!!!

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo,
Belles & Crystals
Makers of Couture Bridal Accessories
www.bellesandcrystals.com
irishpocahontas's Purple wedding
irishpocahontas
 |  Cork, Cork, Ireland  |  01/02/2009  | 
Ive only seen this post now trying to catch up with everyone at the moment. I think you should def go for it.
ivylover1908's Pink wedding
ivylover1908
 |  Elkton, MD, USA  |  01/09/2009  | 
After reading update #2, that should be enough for you to go for it! Let me know if youdo please, I haven't found any invites yet! and loveyours (hint,hint) Good Luck best wishes to you, here's a cute name for your business "It's a Go for what you want"
holly84wood's Orange wedding
holly84wood
 |  Coatesville, PA, USA  |  01/26/2009  | 
definitely go for it! i wish i had the talent and confidence needed to have my own wedding-type business! i feel like i invest so much time & thought trying to plan that i wish i could do something wedding-related for a profession! haha

let me know also if you decide to go for this, and even if not..but i am interested in seeing what your prices would be because i haven't gotten invitations yet and i like your's a lot!!! =]  keep me posted!
futuresmrst's Black wedding
futuresmrst
 |  USA  |  02/11/2009  | 
when you start the business please email me. My wedding is December of 09 and I am currently looking for invitations ;) hint hint LOL
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