Is one of your big gift basket business goals figuring out how to design your day when you work at a job? Here’s your blueprint.
The problem
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the entire day to make and sell gift baskets?
Some designers are able to start their businesses that way. They have the money and/or time to focus on the creativity that’s needed to get up and running quickly.
The rest of us must use whatever time is left in the day before or after working at a job.
I was in the latter category, working for someone else while plotting and planning my traditional job exit.
If you’re currently employed at a traditional job and are having problems figuring out your gift basket business schedule during non-working hours, there’s a solution for that.
Tasks, chores, and more
When I mention non-working hours, I mean any time you have to build your business outside of:
- Taking care of family (children, spouse, partner, parents)
- Feeding and walking pets
- Personal tasks (cooking, cleaning, shopping, traveling)
- Casual and dutiful time spent with friends and family
- Planned vacations
- Pursuing an educational degree
There is a lot on your plate. I know because much of what’s mentioned above was part of my routine when I decided to add gift baskets to my life.
- My daughter was in elementary school
- I was enrolled in college
- I lived in one state and commuted to another for work
- Pets, a part of the family, required love and care, too
Your life may be similar or busier than I experienced when the idea of starting a gift basket business became a goal. How I wish another article on exactly how to start was available. However, the specifics don’t matter. If you truly want to start this business and be successful, it can be done.
Many designers in business, including me, have persevered and proved it through results, and you can do it, too.
Where to start
Starting a business while working outside of your home is an issue I address in the industry’s best-selling book, How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business. That book is a valuable investment for you because it’s a foundation that’s helped to launch more than 100,000 businesses.
The solutions I propose that address the time dilemma still resonate today. However, let me provide you with some updated pointers.
You may accept or reject what I’m about to share, and if you’re skeptical, you’ll devise your own solution. Keep in mind that there is no reward without making necessary changes in your daily schedule.
Get up early or go to bed later
Here’s where extra time is found. By rising 30 minutes early or resting at night 30 minutes later than usual, you will give yourself 2-1/2 hours a week to operate your business (weekends add extra time). You can do a lot in that amount of time.
Tired in the morning? Drained in the evening? Adjust your rest time as needed.
Limp at both ends? Then starting a gift basket business may not be right for you right now, which I explain in this article. It’s okay that you’re not ready to commit. Keep the business in mind for when you’re ready to change.
I had to be up at 5:00 am each morning and decided to rise at 4:20 am. Did I want to stay in bed? Of course! Did I want to keep working for someone else? Of course not. Did the commitment work? See my biography, and decide for yourself.
Turn lunch time into learning time
Find a quiet place to have lunch and review your plans. The place may be your vehicle, an empty office or cubicle, or a nearby library; anywhere co-workers are not around to derail you. This gives you approximately 45 minutes to make phone calls, take notes, research, and anything else on your agenda.
One favorite spot of mine was a cubicle on another floor in the work building. Another favorite was my car when I worked at a job that required commuting. Yet another favorite was the train during the morning and evening commutes. None of that may be part of your lunch time or any part of your day. That’s fine. Think about your lunch options, and decide from there.
Know what part of your plan is your daily focus
You can rise early or go to bed late. You can find the perfect spot for lunch time research. None of that matters if you don’t have an action plan.
The gift basket business plan maps out how to start according to your location, available money, and what your customers prefer. A video and audio is included. Following your customized plan lets you start with confidence.
Want a different option? The Start Your Own Gift Basket Business course is online, and with my guidance, you and I can create a custom plan together. Best of all, I keep you on track through our conversations in the private discussion area.
The bottom line is that when you’re ready to map out business, you must have know what part of the business you’ll work on during the time available to you. Otherwise, you’ll keep dreaming and hoping that someone comes along and drops a fully-operational gift basket business in your lap. It won’t happen.
Now you know how to design your day when you work at a job
It may seem like an uphill battle to start your business when you work elsewhere. If the process was easy, there would be so many gift basket businesses (similar to the number of nail salons and pizza shops in some communities) that the barrier to entry would stop you.
In time, you’ll realize that progress is occurring week after week.
- The chosen studio space will begin to fill with products
- Your administrative area will be ready to process orders
- Phone calls will arrive with interest and sales
- A website featuring your gifts and baskets will be online
- Your bank account’s funds will increase in size
Next is the good news. The day will come when you resign from the full-time job. Now that’s progress.
All of the early mornings, late nights, and lunch sessions built your business. Your commitment paid off.
If that’s your goal, then follow the steps shared above, and include other steps that benefit your business plans.
What special circumstance not mentioned here is keeping you from starting your gift basket business?
