We have 2 girls, 2 and 5, and I recently decided to make a tutu for a fairy birthday party. People told me that they were really cute and I should try selling them, so I started designing tutus. It's a hobby really, but I thought this might be a nice way to get some pocket money, it would be nice to have extra money from time to time.
I posted some pictures on shutterfly, and shared the link. Most of my friends were super supportive, thought this was a good idea, but one of my close friends who saw the actual tutus told me that people are not going to see the time and effort I put into making the tutus, they are just going to see a tutu and think they can get a tutu at walmart for $10. She wanted to help me keep my feet on the ground and see reality. I thought my pricing ($15-$25) was rather reasonable considering the tutus are quite elaborate and it takes me approx 3-4 hours to make one. I looked at the tutus they sell at Walmart and there is no comparison, it's not even close to what I make.
I keep thinking this is not such a stupid idea since I love making tutus and I really dont need to invest a huge amount of money to start such a business. Tutus make great gifts for little girls I think.
I would be curious to know someone else's input and would appreciate other people's perspective.
Thank you
A.
Go for it! If you love it and you have customers, then don't worry about what anyone else thinks. There will be some people that look only at the price, so they will always go for the cheaper option, so let them go to Wal-Mart. There will also be those (like me) who will appreciate the construction and quality and are willing to pay a few dollars more for something nice.
If you want to sell them I would put them on etsy.com - there's all sorts of homemade and crafty stuff on there. Good luck!
I just bought a tutu on etsy for $25!
Although she's right that a lot of mamas (myself included) probably won't spend that much, if you sell on etsy.com, mamas who are specifically looking for exquisite handmade items that are better and cuter than what's on sale commercially will pay for it.
Your key is to market to the right consumer for your product.
You might also get a pinterest account to show off a little. ;)
Go look at etsy.com.
It is a marketplace website. Take a tour of other tutu's which people personally make and compare the price point.
Ignore your friend. Do what you want and tell her thank you for the advice.
If you love making them like it sounds like you do, do it.
I do think that your niche would probably be custom tutus. Girls have favorite colors and like to have something that makes it unique, just for them.
I would avoid working with retailers as the markups are crazy and you get nothing more (they want to pay a lower price than what you would sell directly to a customer).
Have fun and wish you the best of luck!
some people are just debbie downers. i would much rather have a handmade tu tu instead of a cheap walmart one. and the prices is dead on . look on etsy and compair the price! your friend just had a moment of being a wet blanket.
"let the little girls dance" (and the big girls have some hobbies too)
Check out etsy.com to see what's out there and the prices. You can also check out some street fairs around Central Texas.
search etsy and see how the competition compares.
Sell them on Etsy.com
That is more of your client than a Wal Mart client.
Not sure if it could be a whole business just Tutus.. look on line and you will see there are lots of people that make them.
Many are made on a mass basis, so yes, their prices will make them easier to sell.. But for clients that want something super special.. that is your client. Maybe consider custom Tutus.. You show what they will look like and the quality and then you can make them in whatever color or accessories a client would want.
Consider selling them with a group of people that will share a booth at an art fair or a children's or parents event.. So you can get your name out there. Maybe add headbands, Crowns, hair accessories or a pink Tshirt with a cute saying about "girls that wear tutus today will be President's in the future".. You get the drift.
Remember if you sell them to a store we take a a mark up for retail.. If you are selling it to a store at wholesale for $20. we are going to sell it on the floor for $40. to $45.00 depending on the shipping prices etc.
Consider what other things you can do to make yours stand out..
I noticed Costco was selling Tutus right before Halloween. They were really thick and well done, but no embellishments. They also had them for really young toddlers attached to leggings!!!! Sooo cute. I wished I had someone to give a pair to.
Contact schools and get a list of dance teachers. I am an elementary school dance teacher in HISD. We always need costumes!
Sure peo0ple can buy a tutu at Walmart for $10 and it falls apart after a few months! Since yours are hand made, you can market them as "custom".
Anything hand made is worth paying for, I think $15-$25 is a steal!!
You should check out Etsy.com you can have you own page and sell stuff, I think it may be free. My dad has an etsy page where he sells handmade soaps. I think it's a great idea and you should keep it up!
I think your prices are about right. The ones at walmart are very cheap, low quality stuff. I know of a lot of people that would spend a little more for a good/ nice one, myself included, and there are some out there nice but way more expensive.
I will suggest as others have to check etsy, you can start selling/offering there and also compare what you can easily find.
