Basket Bits Magazine

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How to Start a Gift Basket Business from Home

It's obvious to see how a gift basket business can provide consistent income throughout the year - gift-giving is a year-round activity! With so many people giving and receiving gift baskets for almost any reason imaginable, it seems that money-making opportunities are plentiful. This is true, but you want to prepare your business for lots of competition before you launch your start-up.

While it can be simple to start a gift basket business, finding customers can be more of a challenge - with so much competition in the marketplace, it's easy to get lost in the mass of other gift basket businesses. Keep the solution simple: focus on a niche market.

When you go after a more defined niche market, you instantly increase your market share and can gain a more loyal following. Although a narrower niche market usually contains fewer people, your business, in actuality, can be more profitable - and attractively with much less work. Another benefit to focusing on a niche market as opposed to the massive general public is that you'll be working around people who share similar interests as you, which usually makes work more fun and interesting.

So what do you need to do to begin your gift basket business?

1. Explore your niche - Start by focusing on a niche you enjoy and know at least a little bit about. That way, you'll understand your customers better and know more about what they want. Some examples of gift basket niche markets include sports enthusiasts, items for baby showers or baby gifts, baskets for cooks like cookware or recipes, packages containing puzzles or games, etc. Interview successful gift basket business owners or invest in a basic gift basket business guide that shows you where to get low price inventory, how to price products for profit, how to use mail order and websites to your advantage, etc.

2. Attract Your Customers - Where you find your customers will largely depend upon which niche you choose. Let's say you create custom gift baskets for triathletes. You can advertise in local sports magazines, sponsor triathlon events or give away a gift basket at a sports event raffle. Partner with local cycling, running and swim shops, offering them a portion of a sale when they send you a customer referral. Offer free sample gift baskets to your local triathlete training groups to get the word out about your service - it's a "feel good" approach for business owners who don't enjoy selling.

3. Get the licenses or permits you need from your local government office. Talk with an accountant and banker (you can get referrals from other local business owners or friends) to get helpful budgeting tips, financial strategies and tax advice that will save you time and money down the road.

There is no "bad" time to start a gift basket business. People will continue to give gifts for all sorts of reasons, and there are so many niche markets you can profit from. In fact, a down economy usually shows less competition in the marketplace- the ideal time to enter and take over. Why start your gift basket business later when you can start turning a profit now?

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HAPPYMETLS Organic Yogurt Snacks for Babies & Toddlers, Mixed Berry, 1-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 8) List Price: $37.12 Sale Price: $29.00 You save: $8.12 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Dr. Sears recommends all natural organic food for babies' developing bodies. Only organic dairy products are free of growth hormones & pesticides. That's why we only use the highest quality organic yogurt to give your baby, HAPPYMELTS, a wholesome organic treat that tastes great! Features Always organic, no GEIs.. Melts in Baby's mouth - no mess Delicious freeze dried yogurt snacks - no frigeration needed pre and probiotics, high protein and low sugar, suplemented with vitamin D and calcium. Portable Packaging, Bpa Free

Annie's Homegrown Summer Strawberry Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, 4-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) List Price: $17.96 Sale Price: $16.55 You save: $1.41 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Summer Strawberry fruit snacks are enlivened with the taste of juicy strawberries. Certified organic, these bunny-shaped fruit snacks are made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% daily recommended value of Vitamin C. Features Two delicious, all natural, organic strawberry flavors in every pouch. Certified organic and made with real fruit juice Vegan, gelatin free, fat free, and naturally gluten free 100% recommended daily value of Vitamin C 5 packets, 0.8oz per box

Peter Rabbit Organics, Organic Mango, Banana and Orange 100% Pure Fruit Snack, 3.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10) List Price: $19.00 Sale Price: $16.50 You save: $2.50 (13%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Peter Rabbit Organics 100% fruit snacks are ideal for babies and children. They contain 100% organic fruit with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The convenient squeezable pouch means there is no need for a spoon. The pouches are resealable which makes them a great snack for children whenever you are out and about or to feed your baby at the start of weaning. We don't add water only natural fruit, so each 3.5oz pouch counts as one of your child's 'five a day'. You can contact us with any questions at peter@prorganics.com Features 100% Fruit No added Sugar 100% USDA Organic Nothing Artificial No added water

Peter Rabbit Organics, Organic Strawberry and Banana 100% Pure Fruit Snack, 3.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10) List Price: $19.00 Sale Price: $16.50 You save: $2.50 (13%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Peter Rabbit Organics 100% fruit snacks are ideal for babies and children. They contain 100% organic fruit with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The convenient squeezable pouch means there is no need for a spoon. The pouches are resealable which makes them a great snack for children whenever you are out and about or to feed your baby at the start of weaning. We don't add water only natural fruit, so each 3.5oz pouch counts as one of your child's 'five a day'. Features 100% Fruit No added Sugar 100% USDA Organic Nothing Artificial No added water

Annie's Homegrown Berry Patch Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, 5-Count Pouches (Pack of 4) List Price: $21.52 Sale Price: $16.55 You save: $4.97 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! See Reviews For This Product Description Organic Berry patch bunny fruit snacks are a delicious mix of strawberry, cherry and raspberry flavored bunnies. Certified organic, these bunny-shaped fruit snacks are made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% daily value of vitamin C. Features Pack of 4 (total 16 oz) Three delicious, all natural flavors in every pouch: strawberry, cherry, and raspberry Certified organic; made with real fruit juice Vegan; gelatin free, fat free; and naturally gluten free 5 packets, 0.8oz per box

Late July Organic Mini Peanut Butter Bite Size Sandwich Crackers, 1.125-Ounce Pouches in 8-Count Boxes (Pack of 4) List Price: $31.84 Sale Price: $19.97 You save: $11.87 (37%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Real organic peanut butter organic buttery tasting rich crackers are USDA organic. While carefree mid-summer days inspired our name, the love of family inspired our ideas. On any given day you can find three generations at work including my father, and cofounder, mother, husband, aunt and three year old son, the boy on the front and the biggest fan of our new organic mini sandwich crackers. As a mother, I'm constantly in the position where I need to give my son a snack on the go, but I'm not willing to sacrifice the quality of the ingredients for convenience. These mini sandwich crackers were developed with him in mind. Our family hopes you enjoy them. The organic ingredients in our Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers are produced without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetic engineering. They also contain real organic peanut butter, no trans fat, no hydrogenated oils, no corn syrup, no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no preservatives, no cholesterol and are vegan. Features Case of four boxes, each box containing eight 1.125-ounce pouches (total of 36 ounces) Child-friendly snack of real peanut butter between buttery-tasting rich crackers USDA-certified-organic; no trans fats or hydrogenated oils; kosher and lacto-vegetarian Late July brand name inspired by carefree mid-summer days when it's family time Made by the Bernard family's snack-food business (founder of Cape Cod Potato Chips ) in Hyannis, MA

Peter Rabbit Organics, Organic Apple and Grape 100% Pure Fruit Snack, 3.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10) List Price: $19.00 Sale Price: $16.50 You save: $2.50 (13%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Peter Rabbit Organics 100% fruit snacks are ideal for babies and children. They contain 100% organic fruit with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The convenient squeezable pouch means there is no need for a spoon. The pouches are resealable which makes them a great snack for children whenever you are out and about or to feed your baby at the start of weaning. We don't add water only natural fruit, so each 3.5oz pouch counts as one of your child's 'five a day'. You can contact us with any questions at peter@prorganics.com Features 100% Fruit No added Sugar 100% USDA Organic Nothing Artificial No added water

Sensible Foods Organic Crunch Dried Snacks, Sweet Corn, 0.75-Ounce, 12-Count Pouch List Price: $21.36 Sale Price: $16.43 You save: $4.93 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The seed that sprouted into Sensible Foods was planted in Sono ma County, California, by Bob and David, two sensible guys who are committed to healthy living for themselves and their families. Their quest was to create a munchy crunchy snack that was both delicious and nutritious, that everyone would enjoy. The goal was realized when they perfected the unique crunch dried process for fruits and vegetables and the results were extraordinary! It is an intensely flavorful snack that's naturally sweet, crunchy, convenient and so incredibly sensible. Here at Sensible Foods we are pleased to offer delicious and nutritious snacks from our family to yours, a product of the USA. Features Case of twelve 0.75-ounce pouches (total of 9 ounces) Mix of organic sweet corn and sea salt; each pouch equal to 1/2-cup fresh vegetables 100 percent organic and All-natural; No fat; Gluten or GMO; No preservatives Shelf life of more than one year; Unique process removes water and preserves nutritional value and natural flavor Product of California

Annie's Homegrown Sunny Citrus Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, 4-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) List Price: $17.96 Sale Price: $16.55 You save: $1.41 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Sunny Citrus fruit snacks offer a burst of all-natural lemon, lime, and orange flavors. Certified organic, these bunny-shaped fruit snacks are made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% daily recommended value of Vitamin C. Features Three delicious, all natural, organic flavors in every pouch: lemon, lime, and orange. Certified organic and made with real fruit juice Vegan, gelatin free, fat free, and naturally gluten free 100% recommended daily value of Vitamin C 5 packets, 0.8oz per box

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This entry was posted on Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 3:19 pm and is filed under organic snacks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Both comments and pings are currently closed.