akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

[akaivyleaf]

I'm intrigued so I'm going to give this a shot along with the rest of you. I've read all of the posts at this point so I have some idea of the challenges to making this work.

My idea is to first start off with 20.00 but not spend any of it, but use what I have already. I'm a balloon artist amongst other things, so my first order of business is to advertise my skills, then I can use up the balloon inventory that I have FIRST before spending any more.

I also like the idea of making note of the time effort involved. My project for today is to create my flyer and postcard size advertisement. I already have paper and ink and so happen, the time until 5:00pm eastern to get this done. Going to warm up lunch and get started. Will report back later on total time spent on advertisement.

I also have a ton of books to sell, or sell to www.ebookdrop.com and I can ship FREE, so that is total profit.

[akaivyleaf]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

It took me 2 hours and 41 minutes to design and print out 50 color flyers. Now to post them around here.

Have my list of 500 books to sell ready too.

[mjrube94]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

Akaivyleaf,

By "balloon artist", do you mean that you make little animals out of balloons? Not sure where you're located, but here in Northern NJ, talents like that would go over great at kids' birthday parties. You could advertise in papers directed toward moms/kids ("ParentPaper" is one we have). Also, you could put your flyers in other places where people have birthday parties for kids (gymanstics places, ice cream parlors, etc.) as an "add on" to the party. Can you get a booth at town fairs and the like? Can you do face painting, too? Parents around here pay a fortune for that stuff...

I know it seems like I'm awfully excited about your idea...I guess it's because I have absolutely no creative talent whatsoever, so I could never make it work, but I think it's a great idea...Good luck!

[akaivyleaf]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

Yes, that is exactly what I mean. I can and I have done, dogs, elephants, hats and other fun shapes for children's birthday parties but I don't really have the time to go to kids parties and do that kind of "Balloon Entertainment". (That is what you're referring to). As a Balloon Artist, I generally do sculpture... helium filed arches, big sculptures like clowns, bride and grooms etc. I also do arches for events, balloon walls, balloon drops. Things I can go and set up and I don't have to retrieve when the event is over, giving way for my other jobs that I have.

Next week, I will add a segment to my website where you (and potential clients) can see pictures of my work, then you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

While Balloon entertainers can make about 100.00 or more an hour doing kids parties, believe it or not, I don't have the time to do it. My Saturdays are already consumed because I'm a mortician number 1, and an event coordinator/caterer number 2. I'm looking for balloon gigs where I can just "drop off and go". I'm also not counting the balloon art that I do in connection with events, as I have a business partner who does those events with me, so I have to split those proceeds with her.

[akaivyleaf]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

I haven't done anything in terms of my website, but today is the day. From the flyers I've put up I've had 10 phone calls inquiring about what it is that I do, but no firm committments yet.

I also need to try out selling my books on the website I mentioned above. I'll get those ready today.

I did however, get additional seed money from the group so my total is now:

20.00 my seed money
20.00 participation seed money
40.00

[Bluezy]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

Well done hun!

[akaivyleaf]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

Previous Balance- $40.00
Current Balance - $249.92

From my advertisement, I received a job which I can charge 200.00 to do. I don't have to buy balloons or helium as I already have them, so that means the 200.00 is pure profit. I also sold 9.92 in books to ebookdrop.com

[akaivyleaf]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

Had to buy helium so that cost 24.88 and supplies for an event at church. Supplies cost 36.00 as I didn't have any gold mylar balloons. So I spent 60.88. I charged the church way under market value for the centerpieces. 25 centerpieces at 10.00 a piece so that I made 250.00 on the project. Less deductions gives me a net of: 189.12

Previous Balance- $249.92
This job $189.12
Total: $439. 04

Still a long way from 5000 and I didn't feel right charging my church 35.00 per centerpiece as I should have...

[akaivyleaf]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

I did it! I made the challenge and made it big! Now While I probably won't realize 5000 by December 31st I'm assured of it in the coming months. I went to contract work with a few major builders in the area. My company is now the sole vendor for decorations, face painting. baloon entertaining for subdivision grand openings.

How did I do it? Well the first contract came from a friend who recommended me and I made a presentation and they accepted my terms and I've done the necessary paperwork to be their primary vendor. From there I was on my own, but I listed the one I have as a reference for the others I wanted and I am continually shocked at how much business is coming my way from this.

Sharon

[Gailete]

Re: akaivyleaf's 20 to 5000 challenge

Congratulations!