Finding Your Niche

[DoubleC]

Dwight you are so right. I'm happiest when I'm doing something new just because, not because it's a custom order. I get anxious doing new things that are custom which is usually just me getting in my own way because the price to replace the leather has never been so bad I couldn't afford it. But I feel like it has to come out perfect the first time and I don't know why. But it does relax me when I do those projects even though they don't usually work out right the first time.

Aaron I misspoke a little about the purse. I had a woman that wanted to buy it and I wouldn't sell it because the strap wasn't sewn on securely enough. I told her I would repair that, or make her another one and she went to get change and never came back.....you get that a lot at the FMs.

Just today I had a friend who is very honest got over everyone of my products on etsy and I need to go and take some things down and also change prices on over 1/2 of them. I think that's a very good idea. And not all of them did she think I should reduce, a couple she thought was under-priced. But it is so helpful to get some fresh eyes on your products for things like that.

I hope you all know I'm feeling better with each reply, honestly. Cheryl

[NVLeatherWorx]

Hi Cheryl,

I have found that your niche today may not be your niche tomorrow, especially if your primary audience is the local Craft Fair/Market/Show group or the Etsy viewers. I attend at least two fairs/markets/shows per month alone and they are always in conjunction with a major event and/or at highly prominent locations in my area and every day the "public interest" is in something different. I have been working with leather for over 40 years now and have always maintained my styling towards the traditional carved & tooled designs but have also incorporated the simplistic stamped patterns and even added Celtic and a smattering of tribal type patterns (that seems to be the big "kick" right now). I have found that taking on custom orders for what the people are looking for is the most profitable but I make it clear up front that things don't happen overnight. I provide realistic quotes that ensure that I am compensated fairly for my time and materials (although nowhere near what the "mentors" or Etsy suggest as it can not be achieved as we are ultimately dealing with lower income groups who still think that the Mega-Mart's of the world provide a quality item that is a value) and then I quote them a realistic time frame based on the level of work and where it all plays into what I already have on the board. Your niche should be your work which is your product, the leather parts that it goes on and the way that it is all put together is the medium that you put your product on, nothing more.

Don't start selling yourself off by lowering your prices just because someone says your price is a little too high, especially if the quality of your work is where the price suggests. Take a long look at some of the leather goods being sold on Etsy or other sites and compare how your work looks against theirs, then look at the pricing against yours and see how it all stacks up. If your work is obviously cleaner, crisper and more professional yet your price is lower than what the lesser product is, you can get your answer on that topic. No matter what, just remember that your product is YOU and YOUR WORK.

[NVLeatherWorx]

By the way Cheryl, I to have an Etsy shop. You can find it at https://www.etsy.com/shop/rhardiecustomleather.

[DoubleC]

Hi NV. I think you hit the nail on the head about my niche not staying the same. I'm doing a new business plan simply because it's change so much in a year. Maybe that's what's causing the whole uneasiness. This thing took off better than I expected and I'm having a hard time pinning down why. I feel like I'm so busy I don't have time to think about what I want to do next. I don't mean I'm getting rich from it yet, just that I have more work than I expected and I am making more than I expected in such a short time. I've only really been doing this since November of 2013 as far as having venues to sell from other than just word of mouth. I am excited about how well it's done but also a little scared I think.

BTW you have a nice Etsy shop and your work is excellent. I am going to revamp mine this afternoon when I get a little time for myself Cheryl

[Bob Blea]

Hi Cheryl,

Trying out making different things might help you find your niche, but a lot of different things can be trouble. So what sort of things are people requesting you to make? Is there anything that they ask you for on more than one occasion? If you get multiple requests for a particular type of item, especially if they are making the request because they have seen something similar you have already made, it might mean that is going to be your niche. For the most part your customers and your market are going to tell you what your niche is. You have to find something that has a demand for it (customers asking for it) and that you enjoy making or at least that you won't loose money on. It's hard to come up with a product and then create a market for it. Most entrepenuers fail because they come up with a great idea, but the idea doesn't solve any problems in the market place or doesn't fill a need.

Bob

[DoubleC]

Hi Bob. Right now I have 14 custom orders. Now that should be a good thing except to me it feels a little overwhelming. I have a bracelet, a bracelet fix, three belts a checkbook cover, 4 rifle slings and 4 leather bags for dominoes. I think the belt orders have come from people seeing other things I've done but the rest is simply stuff people ask me if I could do. I have around 100.00 in cash I'll get when these are done because I always take a deposit. I got all the money for the bags first because it was an etsy order last night and I charged 50.00. So I have 150.00 laying around on these. That may not be much for some people but it is me. But I'm a disorganized mess. I'm starting today with the first one waiting and just going from there but it's truly going to take me a while to finish these since I have so many other things going on right now, working toward a grant, a craft fair coming up this month and the last FM this Sat. The grant process alone is 3 meetings a week. My heads just spins around in circles over all this stuff, but I just finished up my email and decided I'm working until the bags, one belt and bracelet are done today because the bags are on a time crunch. I probably should have turned them down yesterday but I need more feedback at etsy. I know I can push through this but as you can see it's a pretty wide arrangement of things people want. I like making the pouches because I get to use my cobra on those and they are money makers too. I'm going to try and cut out two more while I'm at it for the craft fair. Then do the checkbook cover Sunday, and the two belts monday and the rifle slings Tuesday before my meetings start all over. I can't do the bracelet fix until I get rivets in my order this month. I am truly a nervous wreck and looking for ways to keep this from happening in the future but most of my money comes from custom orders. Thanks for helping Bob. Cheryl

[Stewart]

I do remember when you thought you could not sell anything. Now another dilemma. Life is twisted that way. Now I am waiting for my turn. You have come far. Joe

[DoubleC]

Thank you Joe. I really have in a short time and I am so excited about the things I haven't even tried yet. I've seen your things Joe and they are nice. Maybe we need to market differently? Cheryl