Journal Week 9

My 19-year-old daughter is an artist.  She creates amazing designs and over the past year, she has learned how to wood-burn her art onto wood plaques, spoons, boxes and other items.   Today she is selling her artwork at a convention -her very first try at operating her own business.  It has been exciting to see her go through all of the work to get her merchandise ready to sell.  She has created enough products to make an impressive display.  She got tables and easels to show them properly.  She paid the registration fee to become an actual vendor (with a start-up loan from her parents). Yesterday, I spent several hours creating business cards that highlighted her contact information and the kind of work she does.  She loved them and I hope they will create additional business for her.

The most difficult challenge she has experienced so far is determining how much to charge for her work.  For instance, she remembers that she only paid $1 for a wood item.  So, she is inclined to charge only a few dollars for the finished product.  She tends to forget that her time is valuable- and she should charge for her skilled work.  In addition, she has the added cost such as burning tools, stains, display stands, and the fee to rent the vendor table. 

It has been interesting to watch her go through all of these details with the background of this class in my mind.  This class hasn’t given much help on how to create, promote or run a business, as I hoped it would.  But it has opened my eyes to the vast possibilities available. Gratefully, she has taken advice from her parents and others.  I am praying for her success today and hope her new business leads to many great things for her in the future.