It is not too early to make summer plans.

I always operate on the premise that a business person, especially one in retail, needs to plan a year ahead. Well it’s not a year ahead, but if you have not already done so, it is definitely time to make plans and preparations for Summer and children’s day camps.

When you have children’s groups, you cannot ignore the needs and preferences of your regular clients. You need to keep in mind that not everyone wants to work around children and that many of your shop dwellers come to escape children and family distractions. With that in mind, you may want to schedule as many children’s activities as you can during the summer months, but leave plenty of time for your ‘regular’ customers. You must keep it clear that summer camps are NOT a baby sitting service; but rather a scheduled activity. Your resources for recruitment of potential students are virtually unlimited.

Suggestions for types of camps

The open workshop camp – Parents register their kids for particular time slots and pre-select various projects within a budgeted amount. Kids are dropped off and work on these projects in an informal, yet supervised setting. Usually for older children who can primarily function without constant attention.

The Structured Camp – Parents register their kids for a specific course that would be developmental and all kids enrolled would work on the same or similar projects under the supervision of the counselor/instructor. Usually 1 – 2 hour blocks of time, often multi-sessions for several weeks.

Closed groups sessions – A group of parents or counselors from other programs would bring in their group of kids to work on specific projects or an assortment of projects from a pre-determined list on a scheduled basis. Usually 1 – 2 hour blocks of time and usually only one or two sessions.

To read more about Kids Day Camps, click here

I see you are still with us. That proves to me you have commitment or are insane. In a way, though, it is true. To start your own business you have to be committed and self-motivated. There are a lot of brick walls and barriers that need to be scaled in order to be successful. In many ways, running your own business is a lot more work than being an employee somewhere else. There is another side to the coin however - The rewards are often unbeatable. Where else can you ‘play’ and make some money doing it.

Remember our checklist in Part 2? Let’s see how we are doing.

Create a Name – Check
Secure a web domain - Check
Make a budget - Check
Obtain a checking account - Check
Licensing, legal matters and accounting - Check
Secure a location - Check
Lay out floor plan – Check

So far, so good. We are getting there. Now, it is time to set-up the store.

To read the rest of this seminar, click here

All the Legal Stuff

Well, its about that time. You cannot go much further in planning your business venture without taking care of all the legal and foundation matters.

Yes, its those icky taxes, licensing, etc.

Now that you have your location, you need to make sure you have your business license and your tax licenses. You also need to get your insurance in place, get your accounting methods established and decide if you want to be a corporation or sole proprietor. While you are at it, make sure you have socked in your web domain name.

Which one to do first…wow, so many important things that need to be addressed.

To read the rest of this seminar, click here

The technique of salt glazing was discovered sometime in the 14th century in Germany. The process was originally used with low-fire ceramics, but quickly became a favorite technique with stoneware. Western Europeans used the salt glaze process in salt kilns quite extensively during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Americans have produced salt ware since early 1700s in Pennsylvania, Virginia and American Stoneware became the predominant American houseware during the 19th century. Today, North and South Carolina are well known for continuing salt fire production.

Salt firing is one ceramic process that was created outside of Japan and carried to their culture in the early 1900s. This method is one that is continuing to be used for experimentation and creativity in the field of ceramics and pottery. Modern potters and ceramists continue to explore many of the old techniques. One should keep in mind that this method is hard on contemporary electric kilns in that the fumes are corrosive and destructive to the kiln interiors. Most craftsmen opt to use gas kilns, specialty or home made kilns when using various salt methods.

To read more about this process, click here

By now, you have some idea as to what kind of venture you want to tackle. And you have pretty well determined where you want to locate your new business. Of course money is going to be a strong factor in how much space you have to begin; but I encourage you to not cramp yourself too tightly because this kind of business can grow by leaps and bounds.

Break your shop into sections. The number and kinds of areas will be determined by the needs you will have to perform the kind of business you are wanting. Imagine if you will:

an area for mold production,
an area for firing,
an area for greenware,
an area for bisque,
an area for supplies,
a classroom for open workshop,
a classroom for formal training/classes,
areas for display of projects or featured activities, or promotions,
a check out area,
a possible lounge area,
a possible children’s corner,
an area for finished giftware

To read the rest of this seminar, click here