New Year, New Business! Starting your Small Shop in 2026
If ribbon has slowly taken over your craft room, chances are you’ve already imagined turning your bows into a business. Starting a small business is one of the most exciting ways to kick off a new year, especially when it’s rooted in creativity! Whether you’re dreaming of selling handmade bows or going the wrapping/décor route, the new year is the perfect time to turn your passion into something more. Below is a guide to help you get started on your endeavor!
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1. Start with Your Signature
The ribbon market is full of beautiful bows, so... what will make yours stand out? Maybe it’s your color palette, your bow shape, the kind of ribbon you use, or the way you style and photograph your work. Your identity defines your overall aesthetic, having a clear point of view helps customers recognize your work instantly.
When it comes to brand identity, consider our custom ribbon! Custom ribbon not only could help you get the perfect prints for your bows, but it also can be used for branding packages/shipments.
2. Invest in Quality Materials
Consistency is key in a bow-making business, and that starts with your supplies. High quality grosgrain, satin, velvet, and specialty prints not only photograph better, but also hold their shape and wear well. Choose ribbon that is dependable to ensure that your customers are getting the best wear out of your product!
(💡: Shop at RABOM for the highest quality at the lowest price!)
3. Master a Few Styles
Your first bows don’t have to be flawless, but they should be consistent. Clean cuts, secure centers, and uniform sizing go a long way. As you grow, your technique will naturally refine.
The best way to do this is, instead of offering everything at once, to focus on perfecting handful of core bow styles. When your techniques are repeatable, your workflow becomes faster and ore efficient (this is essential when orders start to grow!).
4. Think in Collections
Seasonal and themed collections are a great way to keep your shop fresh without reinventing everything! Valentine's, back-to-school, holidays, and everyday neutrals all give you opportunities to reuse shapes and materials while switching up your marketing.
5. Make It Official
Set realistic goals: how many bows can you make per week? How will you price your time? Where will you sell (online, at markets, etc.)? Treating your craft like a business from day one sets you up for long-term success.
When it comes to pricing, price with intention! Setting a cost for handmade bows can feel tricky, but it's important to value your time and skill. Make sure you are factoring in labor, packaging, materials, etc. Sustainable pricing allows your shop to grow without burnout, and communicates the quality of your product to customers.
Remember that your bows don't stop at the product itself! Packaging and photography are part of the experience, and are equally important for growth. Think about how you present your work, and how that presentation could be elevated to match the quality of your product!
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A new year isn't about doing everything at once, it's about starting with purpose. Start small, refine your process, listen to customers, and build momentum gradually. But, most of all, have fun!
New year. New business. Same love for creating.