I originally wrote these rants with arts and crafts professionals in mind. This was a period when I was educating these folks on how to run their studios as the small businesses they in fact are. Bear that in mind as you read about craft widgets and retail shows. The principles, however, are the same as with any small business, and apply whether dealing with the manufacture of art or industrial widgets or service businesses selling time and expertise instead of goods. These are practical tools to help any businessperson manage a business better.
I know what you’re thinking, and it’s a common myth. Most small business owners whether in the crafts industry or not, have the same opinion regarding business plans: that they are an ivory tower exercise forced on you by outsiders to justify the interest they are taking in you, such as giving you a bank loan. (more…)
