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Topics: Starting a Jewelry Business

Q.
A retail store in my neighborhood recently became vacant. Although I just started selling my jewelry, this location seems too good to pass up, and I'd love to run my own store. Any advice?
- Michelle
A.
The decision to establish a permanent location for your jewelry-making business should be driven by your business goals. Although the sudden availability of this store seems like a great opportunity, the ''fixed costs'' of a retail location, such as rent, electricity, business owner's insurance and more might exceed sales. Add in the costs of making the jewelry and marketing the store, and it would be a tremendous challenge to make it work as a beginner. Before you make any major business move, consult with a business consultant, an accountant and your attorney to make sure you're aware of all of the implications of running a retail store. - Dr. David Weiman

Dr. David Weiman is a respected expert in the field of marketing and selling handcrafted jewelry and a well-read contributor to Fire Mountain Gems and Beads "Ask the Experts". He is the author of Introduction to Marketing and Selling Jewelry, The Jewelry Selling Answer Book and The 5 Keys to Selling Handcrafted Jewelry. A free newsletter on selling handmade jewelry is available at his website: www.marketingjewelry.com.

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