Need your feedback about starting something
 

Hello Everyone,
I am considering starting my own business. I want to start selling homemade dog treats and before I do I thought who better to ask if this would be something to start then dog owners. So I was wondering if I did start selling dog treats would anyone on here like to buy them from me. I want to ask my vet if I could sell some at his office too. I just love this site and anyone on here is so nice and honest. I really want to do this and I thought selling them to people on here would be a good start.

The reason I am wanting to sell dog treats is I love my dogs, but don't like buying treats at the stores, cause I don't always like what they are made from. Also I am a stay at home mom and I would like to be able to bring in some money to help my husband with the bills. He already works 6 days a week just to pay the bills. The reason I don't work is because we decided that when our first daughter was born I would stay at home with her because we don't trust anyone but family to watch our girls and since there is no one in our familys that can watch them I never got a job. I really want to feel like I am helping my family even if I bring in a little money atleast I'm helping.

Anyway, I was hoping for your feedback on this. Any feedback will be apperciated. So this was so long, I just wanted everyone to know why I want to start this business.

Thanks,
Crystal :aimeeyork

Greetings from Lancaster! My suggestion to you is that you write a business plan. There are also small business councilers to help you to do this. It is not an easy thing but a must for any entrepreneur. I went through the couciling and also took a few courses about business that were free. Did you know that a majority of businesses are small? So good luck. When you start out small it might be good to sell your product in a small market situation. Check out all of your competitors and see what you can do that they don't.
Good luck to you.

oh and btw - have you seen the doggie treats at Petsmart. They are very attractive and look like desiger christmas cookies. Of course they appeal to yt owners...we just love our babies :rolleyes:

I want to wish you luck! I know how you feel about wanting to help your family financially....BUT I thought it should be mentioned how much you DO contribute by staying home & raising your children, taking care of the house, running the errands, & ALL that goes into being a homemaker!! Plus the money you save your family on daycare:)

I wish I knew more about starting a business & could give you advice. I know my town has a dog bakery & it does quite well! Good luck:)

Also be aware that probably three out of five people on here and other yorkie sites, sell treats or something similar. i agree that you do contribute very much as a stay at home mom. That is a very important job.

Good luck with your new venture :) . I recently starting an online dog bakery and I really enjoy it. It's something I do on the side--I currently have a real job that pays the bills. One thing that you should know though--there was A LOT of work involved prior to starting my business and so many things to consider and that I hadn't originally thought of. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Good luck :p

edited to add--I just noticed that you are from PA, too. There are a lot of PA regs that need to be followed when selling dog treats from your home. Let me know if you need anything or contacts

"Hello, to another Lancaster, PA person ": :) "Good Luck" to you if you decide to start your dog treat business.:goodluck: I've been to several craft shows in and around Lancaster where individuals have sold homemade dog treats and as far as I could tell, their stands looked busy. Just a thought as to another place to sell them. Keep us informed if you decide to do that.

Rudy:aimeeyork & his mom (Dawn):animal-pa

I went to 3 craft shows to sell my treats for the holidays in November and beginning of December and I did VERY well at them. Someone at a table beside me told me about subsequent shows in the area if I was interested and she also gave me a craft website so that you can look up craft shows in your area. Something supposedly happened to the database in November but they might be up and running. The site is listed below.

http://www.craftlister.com

I have to agree with Bren that there is SOOOOOO much to just opening a business. I just started an apparel/accesories online boutique and it's so much work. Like her, I have a full time job that pays the bills and would like to one day quit and do this ft if it flies off.

Thank goodness for the net, you can search for regulations etc. and there's capital that is needed to start a business. Good luck!!