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Looking to earn some extra cash, a person decided to start a side business selling planter boxes. They began by purchasing ac2 pressure treated pickets and 2x4s, with the intention of making 6ft by 3ft raised garden bed boxes. However, when they went to the hardware store, they discovered that the 6ft pickets were out of stock. Undeterred, they decided to pivot and use 4ft pickets instead.
After cutting the pickets and 2x4s, the person assembled the planter boxes, making sure to choose the most presentable side for the outside. They then sanded the boxes to smooth out any uneven edges and took pictures to post on Facebook. They priced the boxes at $60 and posted them in local sales groups. In less than 45 minutes, they received a response from someone interested in buying two boxes. They also received a request for a custom design, which they successfully fulfilled and received a deposit for. In the first five days, they sold over $700 worth of planter boxes and learned valuable lessons about pricing, charging for all expenses, and timely communication with customers.
Key Takeaways
- Pivot when necessary to adapt to supply shortages
- Charge for all expenses, including gas and fasteners
- Timely communication with customers is crucial for successful sales
Starting the Side Business
David in the video wanted to start a side business to make some extra money. He decided to make planter boxes using AC2 pressure-treated pickets and 2x4s and sell them on Facebook. He originally intended to make 6ft by 3ft raised garden bed boxes but had to pivot to using 4ft pickets due to unavailability.
To start putting the planter boxes together, he advised picking the most presentable side for the outside. He used a sander to take off some of the uneven edges of the pickets. After finishing the planter boxes, he took pictures of them and posted a quick ad on Facebook, selling them for $60 each.
Within 45 minutes of posting the ad, he received a response from someone who was interested in buying the raised garden bed. The interested buyer later ordered two more boxes and even requested a custom design for a raised planter bed that was raised off the ground.
He found the back and forth messaging with potential buyers to be the most challenging part of selling on Facebook. However, he managed to sell over $700 worth of raised garden beds in just five days.
He learned some valuable lessons along the way, such as the importance of charging for everything, including gas, tax, and fasteners. He also emphasized the need for timeliness in responding to requests and inquiries about the product. He also highlighted how where one lives can affect the cost and time involved in running the side business.
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Adapting to Supply Shortages
David encountered a supply shortage when they were unable to find the 6-foot pickets they needed to make their original planter box design. Instead of giving up, he adapted by using 4-foot pickets. This flexibility allowed them to continue with their project and ultimately led to success.
When starting a business, it’s important to be prepared for unexpected challenges like supply shortages. The ability to adapt and find alternative solutions can be the key to success. In this case, the speaker’s willingness to pivot and try something new led to multiple sales and even a custom order.
Another lesson learned from the speaker’s experience is the importance of charging for all costs associated with the product. This includes not only the cost of materials but also additional expenses like gas and fasteners. Forgetting to charge for these expenses can result in lower profits than expected.
Timeliness is also crucial when responding to inquiries about the product. He found that responding quickly to potential customers led to more successful sales.
Finally, where one lives can have an impact on the success of the business. The cost of supplies and transportation can add up quickly, so it’s important to consider these factors when starting a business. Overall, being flexible, charging for all expenses, responding quickly, and considering location can all contribute to a successful business venture.
Building the Planter Boxes
Selecting the Best Side for Aesthetics
When building planter boxes, it is important to choose the most presentable side for the outside. This will ensure that the planter boxes look aesthetically pleasing and attractive to potential buyers.
Assembling the Frame
To assemble the frame of the planter boxes, the builder will need ac2 pressure treated pickets and ac2 pressure treated 2x4s. The pickets and 2x4s should be cut to the desired size and then put together using screws or nails.
Sanding Uneven Edges
Pickets may not always be perfectly even, as they are not intended for woodworking. Therefore, sanding the uneven edges is necessary to ensure that the planter boxes are smooth and even. A sander can be used to quickly and easily take off any uneven edges.
Overall, building planter boxes is a simple and straightforward process that can be done with basic tools and materials. By choosing the most presentable side for the outside, assembling the frame with screws or nails, and sanding any uneven edges, the builder can create attractive and high-quality planter boxes that are sure to attract buyers.
Marketing the Product
Photographing the Product
To showcase the planter boxes, the seller took pictures of the finished product from different angles and included a picture that showed the scale of the boxes. He also used a sander to touch up any uneven edges on the pickets before taking the pictures.
Creating a Facebook Ad
The seller created a Facebook ad with the title “New Raised Garden Bed Box” and a description that stated the approximate size and price of the product. He also included the pictures of the planter boxes in the ad. The seller posted the ad on his personal Facebook page and in a few local Facebook sales groups.
Posting in Local Sales Groups
In addition to posting the ad on his personal Facebook page, the seller also posted the ad in a few local Facebook sales groups. This helped to increase the visibility of the product and attract potential buyers. The seller was able to sell a few planter boxes within 45 minutes of posting the ad in the sales groups.
Overall, the seller used social media platforms like Facebook to market the planter boxes. He took clear pictures of the product and posted them in local sales groups to attract potential buyers. This approach proved successful as he was able to sell over $700 worth of planter boxes within the first five days of starting the business.
First Sale Success
The seller started with the idea of making some planter boxes using pressure-treated pickets and 2x4s to sell them on Facebook and see how it goes. However, due to the unavailability of 6ft pickets, the seller decided to pivot and use 4ft pickets instead. The seller ensured that the most presentable side of the pickets was used for the outside and sanded off any uneven edges.
The seller then posted pictures of the planter box on Facebook with a title of “new raised garden bed box approximately 4 ft square” and a price of $60. Within 45 minutes, the seller received a response from a buyer who was interested in buying two planter boxes. The seller then received a custom order for a raised garden bed that was raised off the ground, which they successfully completed and delivered.
The seller also received an order for L-shaped boxes of the same design as the original planter box, but with an 8ft L-shape. The seller quoted a price of $400 and received the order. By the end of the first five days, the seller had sold over $700 worth of raised garden beds.
The seller learned some valuable lessons along the way, such as the importance of charging for everything, including gas, tax, and fasteners like screws and nails. Timeliness in responding to requests or inquiries about the product is also crucial. The seller also realized that where they live can make a big difference in their business, from cost to time management. Overall, the seller’s first sale was a success, and they were able to learn and grow their business from it.
Handling Custom Requests
When selling handmade items, it is common to receive custom requests from customers. This can be a great opportunity to expand your business and offer unique products. They received a custom request for a raised garden bed that was raised off the ground.
David met with the customer to discuss the custom design and was able to secure a deposit for the project. They then completed the project and delivered it to the customer, earning a profit of $120.
It is important to note that when handling custom requests, communication is key. He in the video mentioned that the back-and-forth messaging with customers can be frustrating, but it is necessary to ensure that the customer’s needs are met and the final product is satisfactory.
Additionally, it is important to consider the cost of materials and any additional expenses, such as gas and fasteners, when providing a quote for custom projects. He emphasized the importance of charging for everything to ensure that the profit margin is accurate.
Overall, handling custom requests can be a great way to expand a handmade business and offer unique products. Clear communication and accurate pricing are key to ensuring a successful outcome.
The Sales Process
Communication with Customers
When selling handmade items like planter boxes, it is important to have good communication with potential customers. Responding quickly to inquiries and requests is crucial to making successful sales. It is also important to be clear about the product’s features and pricing, including any additional costs like gas, tax, or fasteners. Additionally, providing photos that show the scale and quality of the product can help customers make informed decisions.
Deposits and Custom Builds
Sometimes customers may request custom designs or modifications to the original product. In these cases, it is important to discuss the details of the order and any additional costs with the customer before beginning work. Requiring a deposit upfront can also ensure that the customer is committed to the purchase and can help cover the costs of materials. It is important to keep in mind that custom builds may take longer to complete and require additional communication with the customer.
Building a Custom Raised Planter
David wanted to start a small business on the side to make some extra money. He decided to make planter boxes using AC2 pressure-treated pickets and 2x4s. His original plan was to make 6ft by 3ft raised garden bed boxes, but since the hardware store was out of 6ft pickets, he decided to go with 4ft pickets instead.
To build the planter boxes, he cut the pickets and 2x4s and made sure to choose the most presentable side for the outside. He used a sander to take off some of the uneven edges since pickets are not meant for woodworking and may require some touch-up.
He posted pictures of the planter box on Facebook and sold it for $60. Within 45 minutes, he received a response from someone who was interested in buying two planter boxes. He also received a request for a custom design for a raised planter bed that is raised off the ground. He met with the customer to discuss the plan and received a deposit for the custom build.
He learned some important lessons along the way. He realized that raised garden beds are seasonal and that there is a window of opportunity to sell them. He also learned that he needs to charge for everything, including gas, tax, and fasteners, to avoid underestimating his profits. Timeliness is also important when responding to inquiries about the product, as a quick response can lead to a successful sale.
Finally, he realized that the location of his business can make a big difference in terms of cost and convenience. He lives 20 minutes outside of town and has to consider the cost of gas and time when running into town for supplies. Despite the challenges, he sold over $700 worth of raised garden beds in the first five days, and he plans to continue his business in the future.
Pricing Strategy and Adjustments
The seller initially priced the raised garden bed box at $60, unsure of how much to ask for. However, after selling multiple units, they realized the need to charge for additional costs such as gas, tax, and fasteners. The seller also learned that timeliness is important when responding to inquiries about the product, as quick responses led to more successful sales.
The seller also noted that the location of their business can impact costs, as frequent trips to town for supplies can add up quickly in terms of gas and time. Additionally, the seller learned that raised garden beds are a seasonal product, and there is a limited window for sales.
As the seller gained more experience and made more sales, they were able to adjust their pricing strategy and offer custom designs for customers. They also invested in a miter saw to increase efficiency and profit margin. Overall, the seller’s pricing strategy and adjustments were influenced by their experiences and the demands of the market.
Expanding the Offerings
The individual in the video started with a plan to make 6ft by 3ft raised garden bed boxes. However, due to the unavailability of 6ft pickets, the individual pivoted and decided to use 4ft pickets instead. This flexibility allowed the individual to create a new product, a 4ft square raised garden bed box.
After successfully selling the initial raised garden bed box on Facebook, the individual received interest from customers for custom designs, including an 8ft L-shaped box. The individual was able to adapt to these requests and fulfill them, resulting in over $700 in sales within the first five days.
Through this experience, the individual learned several lessons that may be helpful for others looking to start a similar business. First, it is important to consider the seasonal nature of raised garden beds and the pressure to produce them quickly. Second, it is important to factor in all costs, including gas, tax, and fasteners, when pricing products. Finally, timeliness and location can play a significant role in the success of the business.
Investing in Tools
David emphasizes the importance of investing in tools to increase efficiency and profitability. While it is possible to start a woodworking business with basic tools, upgrading to more advanced tools can significantly speed up the production process and increase profit margins.
He shares his experience of selling over $700 worth of raised garden beds in just five days. He attributes his success to investing in a miter saw, which allowed him to produce the garden beds more quickly and efficiently. By making enough profit to pay for the saw in just a few days, he was able to increase his profit ratio and continue to grow his business.
He also emphasizes the importance of charging for all expenses, including gas, tax, and fasteners, to accurately calculate profit margins. Additionally, he stresses the importance of timely responses to customer inquiries and requests to maintain customer satisfaction and prevent lost sales.
Overall, investing in tools can greatly benefit a woodworking business by increasing efficiency and profitability. However, it is important to consider the cost of living in a particular area and to accurately charge for all expenses to ensure accurate profit calculation.
Sales Summary and Insights
Seasonality of Garden Beds
David discovered that raised garden beds are seasonal and have a limited window of demand. This means that there is pressure to produce the garden beds quickly, and timeliness is important when responding to requests or inquiries about the product.
Accounting for Costs
He advises that it is important to charge for everything, including gas, tax, and fasteners like screws, nails, and glue. Forgetting to charge for additional costs can significantly reduce the profit margin.
Importance of Timeliness
He also emphasizes the importance of responding to requests or inquiries quickly. Delayed responses may cause potential customers to move on to someone else or a different product.
Geographic Impact on Business
He notes that where one lives can have a significant impact on the business. For example, if one lives far from the town where supplies are purchased, the cost of gas and time can add up quickly. It is important to consider such costs when starting a business.