Guest Author - Robin Rounds Whittemore

You do not have to have a degree in biology or chemistry from an Ivy League school to be in the fragrance design business. Scented soap, lotions and other body care products are great ideas for a home fragrance business. Perfumes, candles, and other crafted products are items to consider.

Will you be making your own items or joining a company to promote and sell their premade products through home parties? Teaching classes on how to make products is also a way to make money with your own fragrance business.

If you decide to join a company that is already set up with items to sell, do some investigating before you sign on the dotted line. The first thing to consider is how well you like the product. If you didn’t sell it and get a discount, would you buy it and pay the retail price they are asking? If the retail price is a little high, can you explain the difference between that price and a price in a regular store to your clients?

Is there delivery to be done will the company ship to the hostess or customers? If you have to do the delivery, do you have the time to ensure that deliveries are made promptly? What does the company charge for shipping? Is the price reasonable or astronomical?

For many people, signing with a pre-existing company means less money out of pocket for inventory. You don’t have to make pr purchase products and hope they sell. One more thing to take into consideration is the quota the company assigns. Do you have to sell so much in a month, a quarter, semi-annually or annually? If they have certain measures, do you truly believe that you can meet the goals?

In making your own items, are you sure that you can make quality items at a comparable price with online companies selling the same items? Can you compete with stores that sell the same items? Do you have good wholesale connections? Getting quality items at the best price is the best ally that a crafting businessperson can have.

Teaching classes on how to make fragranced items is another lucrative business to consider. How much will you be charging and will it cover the supplies you need to teach? Remember, the higher you charge, the more materials they will expect you to provide.

Two big advantages of a class versus a home party include no recruiting or buying pressure placed on the hostess or guests. Everyone knows up front how much they are going to spend on the class. They will learn a skill that will give them a hobby or even a new business idea themselves.