Comments on: Business Partners: How Do You Find Good Ones?

By: Dianne

Dianne — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 11:31:22 +0000

Love that cuff! I really like Felicia’s suggestion and just might check out that option. I had a gallery for three and a half years and sold a lot of my Jewelry. The problem was it left me no time for design and creation so I actually closed it this May. Now I have plenty of time for production, but sales have fallen off. There are some really good suggestions here. I really hope you find one that works for you! Keep us posted.

By: Julie Hiltbrunner

Julie Hiltbrunner — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 21:26:48 +0000

Thanks so much everyone for the great comments! I especially love the idea of getting an intern. I’ll keep checking back for new comments.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:52:10 +0000

Hi Julianne! I love your jewelry – especially the bracelet in the top photo!

There are lots of fantastic suggestions for you in the comments above – thanks to all for sharing such great insights!

I have a couple of thoughts to add – it sounds like if your business grows, you might need help with jewelry production (for example, with your cast pieces, or with some routine parts of your jewelry making process).

In Custom Jewelry Manufacturing I researched all kinds of ways to have help with creating multiples of some of your pieces.

And for thoughts on taking on a partner or working jointly with one or more other jewelry artists, you may want to see the upsides and downsides in Can Jewelry-Making Friends Become Jewelry Business Colleagues?.

To build on what Diane mentioned above, your best bet might be to make a list of what you’re not interested in doing or are not as good at in your business – and then seek out one or more people who are strong in those areas.

I like the kind of arrangement Paige mentioned above – it’s flexible and a win-win for everyone.

Good luck, Julianne – and please keep us posted on what you decide! 🙂

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:30:50 +0000

Let me say upfront that I do not have a business partner (although my hubby does shoots photography with me) and I handle the jewelry-making aspect of my business. My thought on having a business partner is that you find someone who is strong on the business end & can market your business, leaving you to do the custom creative work ~ which you love.

By: Janine

Janine — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 15:05:05 +0000

In Massachusetts we have an organization for business owners who mentor other small business owners for free. Its called S.C.O.R.E. You may great advice on acquiring a great business partner through someone who has also done the same. Check out the site, http://www.score.org. Best of luck. In fact, I need to check it out too! Thanks for the reminder:)

By: Felicia

Felicia — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 02:39:10 +0000

I tried having a full on business partner, it did not work out. Basically we shared all the jobs, but I quickly found myself doing far more work than she did. I cut ties and prefer now to work solo. I do however partner up with fellow artists for help during craft/art shows. I think what you are in need of isn’t an artist friend, it is someone to do the other work while you focus on the design and creation process. Your work is very lovely and unique. Go to your local community college and talk with either the dean or a professor in business/marketing and see if you can’t find a student who could do an internship with you. They can handle the marketing, accounting and website management. Leaving you more time to grow creatively without going broke paying an employee or getting stuck with a bad business partner! 🙂

By: Fran Selinger

Fran Selinger — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:21:38 +0000

I have a friend with a kiosk that is open in a mall during tourist season. She takes my items on consignment. It’s a big help for me because she’s been doing it for awhile and can advise me on what colours and styles might sell better. Also, she’s the one doing the marketing. I just go in once a month or so to pick up sale money and advice!

By: Paige

Paige — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:03:15 +0000

Hi Julianne,
Sometimes working with a partner can be very difficult if your vision and design styles are not the same. The solution that worked for me was, I formed a sort of partnership with two ladies who also wanted to open their own business. Our agreement is not a typical partnership but it has worked so well and we are all pleased with the arrangement. Basically, we each have our own businesses because our styles and tastes are a bit different, but we help each other with referrals and production. So, if they have a lot of orders, I help them fill their orders and vice versa. We meet every few weeks to make plans and to research what we need to do to keep ourselves on task. Also, if I meet people who ask me to make something that is more the style of my partners, I refer them to the other ladies. They do the same for me, and we have steady sales that way. The best part is, if any of us decides that we don’t want to do jewelry anymore, the other persons are not left holding the bag. It’s a win-win as far as we are concerned. Hope this helps.