Could I make a decent living on selling handcrafted coffee tables?

One of a few ideas I have for a career option is to start a small furniture company that specializes in coffee tables. I would have a specific design with a few custom features. could I make a decent living off of this? how could I get at least 4 tables sold a month. I know I would be limiting myself with only offering coffee tables, but if I could make beautiful models, could that be enough for customers to order a piece from me?

If I was going to do that, I'd take some samples to local home decorators. if your work is good quality and beautiful, you may be able to meet your goal. It will take some time to get established, but you could do it in the right market. Make a good website and color brochures.

How much would you ask for them? you do have to worry about the cheap fiberboard crap that is from China via slave labor. if you sell them on Ebay you may get a fair price. plus you can see what the demand is (if any) and how much people will pay. you could also try to counterfeit antiques....ha ha!

I would go for it if I were you. if you are that skilled of a craftsman and carpenter, you could even do chairs or dining room tables. I would pay a good price for quality tables. I think you'd probably have to sell 4 or 5 tables minimum a month to make it a go, but you could advertise in "Penny Saver" newspapers, send out leaflets, maybe get a commercial contract with a small furniture dealer as a start. if I had your talent and obviously you're happy at doing it, go for it. Build a few before you established as models to display. Get an early start.

It's all about marketing. In your case, some might assume that you would market to the upper scale of the furniture market. doing so would limit your target audience and has both positive and negative aspects.

If you are serious about this business I recommend writing a business plan and having several different people review it. these should include someone from SCORE, existing business owners and perhaps some potential lenders (bankers) just for a variety of opinion.

Start reading everything you can on marketing. one suggestion I can give you is to consider marketing in the classifieds section of your paper. maybe several hometown newspapers.

Also network with real estate agents (prospect new homeowners) and maybe clergy (referrals from newlyweds). if you're product is quality focus on that in your marketing. if the price can be kept reasonably low that would help you earn people's business.

Only coffee tables? you would need to also add matching end tables, sofa tables, etc.

As a frequent buyer of handmade, custom furniture I doubt if I would buy something from someone who only makes one thing. I, as most buyers, want more options to add to my collection as finances permits. I buy from a man who I found by a roadside sign. Basic sign, but it caught my eye. you could start a website. you could put an ad in a specialty furniture catalog that goes along with the style you are selling.

Also, selling only 4 a month? how much are you selling them for that you could live off the profit? if you are making "high end" furniture then you need to have a quality ad that goes along with a quality product.

I think that you need to rethink your small furniture company idea to include other options. Good luck!

You would have to get out and find someone prepared to market it for you.Presentation is important so you would have to have a glossy magazine showing your product that you can take and show people.

no...
customers could could not afford the shipping and handling cost sight unseen.......................from a new comer.

big markets are taking a killing for that....

Could I make a decent living on selling handcrafted coffee tables?

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