Today’s talk is with Julie Vander Pol of Remembered Moments.  Learn more about Julie, why she started her scrapbook business as well as some success tips she learned along the way on her scrapbook business journey.

Why did you decide to start a scrapbook business creating albums for others?

I had several people say that they wished someone could scrapbook and create memory albums for them since they either 1.  didn’t have the time 2.  didn’t like to scrapbook or  have the creativity 3.  various other reasons  thus Remembered Moments was born.  I thought I could help many of these people out-I had many years of experience and thought this was a great way to help other people while doing what I love.  I am experienced in both digital design and traditional papercrafting.

How did you first get started in your scrapbooking business?

I started out with A LOT of research and just doing word of mouth marketing.

What tools/resources would you say are essential to succeeding in this type of business?

Understanding finances and pricing structures.

What are some mistakes you may have made getting started in your own business?

This is maybe not so much a mistake as it is a word of advice from my experiences…. It does not have to be done in one day.  Starting a business is a big task no matter what the business.  It is easy to get excited to get your ‘doors open’ but making sure you spend time choosing an appropriate business name, setting up your pricing structure, and doing all of the other necessities will help in the long run.  You will be glad you spent the little bit of extra time up front to make things ‘perfect’ before you ‘open your doors’.  It is never fun to have to raise prices on people simply because you did not spend the time in the beginning to figure out the right pricing structure for your business.

What is your favorite/most effective method for gaining new clients(especially when you first got started)?

Website was and still is my most effective and favorite method.

Tell me a litle bit about your typical work day. How many hours do you work?

Since all my work is custom work, it depends on what I have lined up for projects.  I also work from my home so my schedule is very flexible, I may work 4 hours one day and 12 the next.  I do most of my ‘creating’ during the day while my children are awake.  We have one large room in our home and ½ of it is my studio and ½ of it is playroom; so I can be creating and being involved with my children at the same time.  I love it!

How should someone determine if starting their own scrapbook business is right for them?

Do you have the time?  It is not just ‘I love this as a hobby, I think I will do it as a business’.  There is a lot more too it, finances, marketing, all the legal aspects (federal, state, county, township, even subdivision-some subdivisions and trailer parks do not allow in home businesses), taxes, and extra time.  Do you have the business sense?  As I mentioned previously it is not as easy as saying ‘I enjoy this hobby I want to make a business of it’.  Do you understand finances and pricing structures?  You need the business to be profitable and self-sustaining, if it isn’t your business will fail, it is simple as that.  Do you have the creativity?  Do you have marketing know how?  Do you have the time?  You don’t want to get burned out!  If someone does not have these qualities that does not mean they shouldn’t start a business at all, just maybe not at this time.  The should take some classes first to enhance their abilities in the area that they are lacking. Some of the areas can be contracted out, but you have to know how to deal with contract labor then also.

Based on feedback from your customers, what are some of the benefits you provide?

Custom made to order-each project is designed specifically for each client. Involvement-the client can be as involved (or uninvolved if they choose) as they want to be. Professional quality. Timely work.

What is your favorite way to grow your business online?

networking

What is one mistake you have made and learned from?

Follow up, follow up, follow up

Do you consider yourself successful? Why or why not?

Yes.  I love my job and have a profitable business while being able to stay home to care for my children.

Any final words of advice you would like to add?

It is a lot of work, but it is well worth it for me. ——————————————————————————————————————————– Thank you Julie for sharing with us. I think many who are considering or already started their scrapbook business will gain some valuable insight from Julie’s experience.

Looking to get started in your scrapbook business? Be sure to get the scrapbook business roadmap which will guide you along the steps that Julie talked about. And it is free for signing up for the Scrapbook Business Tips newsletter.