business Archives - Page 2 of 14

Susan Carton has created this exciting new business titled True Romantic Jewelry Spa & Boutique. Susan just happens to be my second cousin. Although we live far apart, social media has enabled our widespread extended family to keep in touch. Sharing our experiences, good and bad, is easier than ever!

Much like myself, Susan quit her corporate job at the age of 52 to pursue her own dream. Creating her own jewelry, promoting other designers she admires, repairing and cleaning jewelry is much more rewarding and exciting. I am so proud of her for joining the freedom 52 club.

What Services does True Romantic Provide?

Who better to explain just what the business is all about than Susan herself:

Where is True Romantic Jewelry Spa & Boutique Located?

Although currently located in Scranton, Susan is moving her business to a bigger and better location in Pawtucket. Both locations are in Rhode Island. Of course, the spa services and cleaning/repairs while you wait are done only if you happen to physically be in that vicinity.

Online Shopping Option for Jewelry and Gifts

For those of us not located anywhere near Rhode Island, True Romantic does offer online shopping. Order unique jewelry and gift items with delivery services anywhere in the world.

If we have improved at one thing throughout this pandemic, it has to be online shopping! I am no exception. As long as you are aware of the potential for scammers and less than quality items offered online, it can be very convenient.

Private Parties

The True Romantic jewelry workshop is more than just a place to learn new skills – it’s a warm and inviting space for great people to get together and have a fun time learning and making something new.

There are so many ways to join the fun – book a private party (up to 6 of your favorite people), come as a couple to make wedding bands, sign up alone to a scheduled workshop and meet other great people! Susan can’t wait to meet you and see what you make!

My True Romantic Plans

I have two ancient rings that my husband purchased for me way back when. One is an opal surrounded by garnets. The other is a cluster style, diamond engagement ring. I also have a wedding band but it is not something that can be worn alone as it fits against the diamond ring. Another problem? Most of the stones are chipped or missing. I am horribly brutal on any kind of jewelry, that’s why I barely wear any these days.

I would love to get a simple wedding band made, something I could wear while working in my gardens, as well as a fancier ring for social events. That is if we ever get to attend social events any time soon.

This is one of Susan’s bands I am contemplating, a sterling silver, rope twist stacker:

For the fancier piece, I would love to incorporate the gold and stones that do remain on my old rings and/or birthstones of my grandchildren. I will rely on the expert as combining all of these elements might be too complicated.

Are you a True Romantic? Be sure to visit the jewelry selection on Susan’s website to see what catches your eye.

I am proud to report that I was recently featured in an article in First for Women magazine about turning a hobby into a lucrative business opportunity. I was approached in January to submit a story for inspiration on how to turn your hobby into a business. A few weeks later I was notified that my story was accepted to be published. The magazine is on newsstands from March 11th through to March 31st. This, of course, is a much-edited, sugar-coated version of my story. I have learned tons over the years, including how to create a website, blog, and invoicing or accounting system. I’ve also learned what not to do.

Hobbies can be Lucrative

While many people have been inspired to find unique ways to earn income during the pandemic, my gardening hobby-to-business adventure began in the spring of 2012. In fact, last summer my business took a hit, due to the fact that many of my clients were working from home and able to manage their own gardens. Others gave up their gardener to tighten their budget as the pandemic stretched from weeks to months. I was excited, however, to be able to design a few new gardens, something I have been doing less of in recent years. It was a hot and dry summer too, so the cottage season was an exceptional one.

What hobby do you have that people would pay you to do for them? You would be surprised what services are in demand these days. Another advantage of the pandemic is that people are willing to help and support small businesses even more than before.

Create a Website

To turn your hobby into a business, you will need to create a website. The good news is it’s not as difficult as you may think. There are lots of options out there and help is easy to find. This is what I have learned along the way.

Accounting or Invoicing

You will also have to figure out a way to keep track of the money coming in and going out. Again, there are lots of ways to do this, some more complicated than others. I started out paying a company to do the accounting and invoicing for me. As my business is quite simple, I switched to an Excel spreadsheet for accounting (I learned how to create these back in my hospital days) and PayPal for invoicing. Both of these methods are easy, not at all complicated, and suit me (and my business) perfectly

Conclusions on How to Turn Your Hobby into a Business

I was thrilled to see the magazine article in a publication, especially as the weather appears to be warming up to what could soon be gardening weather. I do still have quite a bit of snow covering my gardens, but it is melting. My south-facing front yard is always the first on the street to reveal the grass under the snow…

If anyone needs further motivation or details on how to turn your hobby into a business, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

In the meantime, I am still repotting, dividing, and increasing my collection of houseplants. I think I need a larger house!

The best way for an inexperienced person to build a website or blog is to find (hire) someone else’s website that is specifically designed to build websites. Kind of like a website for dummies approach. These sites offer simple, straightforward advice and instructions that even the most computer illiterate people can follow. Learn how to build a website by following these easy steps.

Keep in mind that Blogs are websites, so any reference here to a website will apply to building a blog too.

Find a Website Builder

Website builders or advisors can be found easily online and are great because they do most of the work. All that is required from you is the unique and specific information or items you wish to promote. And money, as these website building services are rarely free. Some sites do offer free advice and basic blog templates, often a great way to get your feet wet so to speak.

There are many such website builders designed and committed to building websites for others. Do your research to find one that suits your needs. Most have experienced employees that can offer valuable online support to advise and guide even the most inexperienced and novice person through the steps of building a website, regardless of what the website is to be used for.

Other things covered in the price of a website builder are spam filters, analytic tools, tutorials, templates, and troubleshooting. The support staff will also provide ongoing advice to help to keep the website running smoothly. These features make the process even simpler for you. Keep in mind that these extra services are the ones not usually included in the “free” offers.

An online store is also usually available permitting your clients to purchase products you sell. A free shopping cart for clients and use of PayPal is usually also available to enhance the shopping experience on the website.

Prices may vary depending on ongoing discounts and promotions offered as well as the length of the contract period selected. When a contract is signed, rates are usually charged on a monthly basis. The good news here is that these charges can be claimed as expenses on your income tax if you claim your business income.

I chose WordPress (WP) for this blog, starting with a free site and domain, then purchasing a domain to lose the wordpress.com tag to my URL.

Finding a Domain

Finding and paying for an available domain name is a crucial thing to think about in the process of building a website. Your domain name will be the URL or address for your new website. When you register a domain name, no one else can use it for their website. A unique, catchy URL is important since it will draw people to your website and help them remember the name to visit again or recommend it to others.

Some companies (the one you hired to build your website) provide a free domain name, if not they will show you how to find one that is available for use. As mentioned under website builders, WP does provide a domain to use.

Advertising on Your Website

If advertising is desired on your new website, the website company you have hired will most likely provide some free credit through the services of Google, Yahoo, and Facebook. This is beneficial if the website is to be used to make money, so if that is something you require, be sure the website company you choose offers that service.

Conclusions on How to Build a Website

The biggest tip I can offer when you need to learn how to build a website is to research your options on all the offers available online. Some will boast they are free, but often just the basic start-up process is actually free. Most offer “packages” based on the services provided, starting at free and increasing in price. Keep in mind the adage “you get what you pay for.” Make a list of features you need on your website or blog and find someone to help you.

Regardless of whether you choose the free options or pay for help, your new website should be up and running in no time providing worldwide exposure. Remember too that money paid to run your website is tax-deductible under business expenses.

It is so easy, even I managed to build a website for Gardens4u, my landscaping business, and this blog. When I started out (2012) I considered myself a website beginner. I have learned so much over the years that I have since promoted myself to someone with moderate knowledge of websites.

I use Yola for my business website and WordPress for my blog, both of which are listed in the top website builders for 2021.

photo credit

Category: business

True Romantic? Meet Susan Carton

What Services does True Romantic Provide?

Where is True Romantic Jewelry Spa & Boutique Located?

Online Shopping Option for Jewelry and Gifts

Private Parties

My True Romantic Plans

Turn your Hobby into a Business

Hobbies can be Lucrative

Create a Website

Accounting or Invoicing

Conclusions on How to Turn Your Hobby into a Business

How to Build a Website or Blog

Find a Website Builder

Finding a Domain

Advertising on Your Website

Conclusions on How to Build a Website

What Services does True Romantic Provide?

Where is True Romantic Jewelry Spa & Boutique Located?

Online Shopping Option for Jewelry and Gifts

Private Parties

My True Romantic Plans

Share this:

Hobbies can be Lucrative

Create a Website

Accounting or Invoicing

Conclusions on How to Turn Your Hobby into a Business

Share this:

Find a Website Builder

Finding a Domain

Advertising on Your Website

Conclusions on How to Build a Website

Share this: