Proof Anyone can make money!

60 replies
I have seen some really simple "lo-tec" ways to make money in my time but this takes the biscuit !

I took the kids to see my mom at the weekend only to find her with a stall at the local Christmas market selling stuff she'd made.

My Mom has always made the Christmas wreaths/ drapes and table centres for friends and family for as long as I can remember,
and I always tell her to charge for them but she never did. And now here she is at the Christmas market selling them!!

The thing that amazed me was Her table centres & stuff looked amazing. .....
BUT the Hottest sellers, were the simplest looking stick 'reindeers' you could imagine! made from a few off cut logs and twigs!!!
And they were selling at £2.50 all the way up to £30!!!

I'm not saying this to brag "how clever my dear old mom is" I'm just trying to get accross how a simple non complicated lo-tec idea can generate cash!!

She said she'd made about £400 on that sunday....... and she's doing three a week up till Christmas! ... GO MOM !

just goes to prove there is ALWAYS a way to make money even if it's in the strangest of ways you would never expect!!

Dont Panic......there's always a way!
#make #money #proof
  • Profile picture of the author TycoonRob
    Great story! You could sell via eBay or CL or Etsy. People love the homemade stuff and will pay good money for them.
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  • Profile picture of the author adamreilly1997
    Thanks for sharing this story, inspiring
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    • Profile picture of the author talfighel
      I would tell your mom, WAY TO GO. She can now also offer this on Ebay and I am sure that people will buy it if they can find her.

      Originally Posted by Andy Money View Post

      You can sell anything.
      You can even sell ICE to Eskimos when the weather hits below 0.
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      • Profile picture of the author Demetrius
        Originally Posted by talfighel View Post

        You can even sell ICE to Eskimos when the weather hits below 0.
        Don't you think its a bit too much!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
      Originally Posted by Andy Money View Post

      You can sell anything.
      Well, you can sell anything all right......provided someone wants it enough to pay for it. That's why market research is the most important part of marketing.

      In this case, the market research was simply the background knowledge that decorations related to Christmas do well in the lead-up to it; the stick figures was like a test that went well. Other times, people go to a flea market with stuff they were sure would sell, and end up with a loss.
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  • Profile picture of the author wlasikiewicz
    If you have a talent for creating stuff from nothing then you deserve to make good money.

    Good Luck to your mum.
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  • Profile picture of the author gregdavidson727
    It's always best to have your own product. If you don't have your product you're competing on price which is a lot harder. Especially with all the cut-throat pricing that's happening on the internet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Incredible story. You mom made more money in that short stint than most people make all year.
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  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    Just needa hook your ma' up with a eBay account now... hehe and then spend the next 365 days at her house showing her how to use the Internet, lol, or not.
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  • Profile picture of the author Claire Koch
    ebay is not hard she's really shooting herself in the foot not getting started she should try it now.
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    • Profile picture of the author TF2K
      Originally Posted by Claire Koch View Post

      ebay is not hard she's really shooting herself in the foot not getting started she should try it now.
      I can never get traffic to my auctions so I threw in the proverbial towel in regards to ebay.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Warriors
    Most people do make money.

    Was I was just 13 years old, I was already at it, delivering papers, making money.
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  • Profile picture of the author cpwebsite
    I agree with some of the others. I recommend suggesting to her to attempt to begin selling them on amazon and ebay year round. She could also make her own website for them. If that's what she enjoys doing, she may be able to do it full time! .
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  • Profile picture of the author Harry Nguyen
    There's a limit to who can make money lol? Anyone could make money if they just have an idea and make it work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Des Lau
    My aunt does the same thing with wire and cotton thread making human figures and animals. Very unique and simple....Good on your mum!~
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  • Profile picture of the author Yogini
    This is a great story and if she isn't an online type she may be able to find other places to set up before christmas that are also open on other days. Where I am there are various flea markets and other settings open on week days that also are busy before christmas. Or if she doesn't want to go more than 3 times a week maybe she can make an arrangement with someone else who has a table where they place some on their table to sell and get a percentage.

    Debbie
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  • Profile picture of the author MKCookins
    Wonderful story about your mom! It goes to show you - with a little work and creativity you can make money doing just about anything!
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    You're referring to your mother as "anyone"?

    You're brave!

    -Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author DeanJames
    @steverich - Well done your mum. By selling at the market she doesn't have to worry about ebays fees or serving those in Ivory Towers. The "How To" product is a great idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    Thats interesting. I know a guy down the road, who lives by a major highway, and always sells christmas decorations this time of year. He does it right in his driveway.
    He sells firewood, wooden riendeer, home made wreafs, christmas lights, etc etc. He's been doing it for so long that he's branded his home fairly well. Everytime you pass, you always have to look & see what he's selling lol.

    During the spring he sells lawn mowers, whippers, wheel barrows, bikes and what not. Last summer I bought a self powered lawnmower from him for $40 (not the ones you sit on the ones where the wheels move on their own). The thing looked brand new. Untill it broke at the end of the summer. Then I went to home depot and bought a much better one. =]
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim Baxa
    Great story! Love to see DIY stuff like this . Post some pics or it never happened !!! Just kidding, but I'd love to see some pictures, of course if your not worried about saturation
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  • Profile picture of the author mrelk159
    That is great! You can defintely sell anything if you put some effort into it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      Awesome.

      I know many people into painting /crafts.

      I'm always pushing them to set up shop on Ebay.
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  • Profile picture of the author abinboston
    pretty good story
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  • Profile picture of the author Danny Cutts
    I love the crafts at Christmas fairs and some of it really is pure tack but in the end it what sells :-) maybe your Mother can create some better log reindeer ....lol

    BUt way to go making the amount of money she is and she probably would still do it for nothing as with most crafts the fun is in the making :-)

    As with most things in life we always over complicate things and a lot of the time I have to go back to basics and simply give the customer what they are looking for.

    Danny

    PS that probably makes zero sense....lol
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  • Profile picture of the author thedanbrown
    Great story! Where there's a will there's a way...

    You can always find stuff lying around your house to sell on ebay or Craigslist too if u need some quick cash
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  • Profile picture of the author clever7
    Everyone can make money when they are really serious about their work. Your mother is not making money by chance, but because her products are excellent. She is selling something good and useful, and making many people happy. I believe that this is the key for success.

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  • Profile picture of the author denysapu
    I'm not saying this to brag "how clever my dear old mom is" I'm just trying to get accross how a simple non complicated lo-tec idea can generate cash!!
    Good point friend! I do agree with you.
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  • Profile picture of the author DeanJames
    Re: Ebay - It's okay for cashflow if you can get the balance right, but in terms of an online business you want to setup your own ecommerce site and get a returning customer base to buy from you there over time, otherwise you are at the mercy of rolling automated assessments otherwise known as DSR's (which are complete and utter rubbish).
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    • Profile picture of the author gregdavidson727
      Originally Posted by DeanJames View Post

      Re: Ebay - It's okay for cashflow if you can get the balance right, but in terms of an online business you want to setup your own ecommerce site and get a returning customer base to buy from you there over time, otherwise you are at the mercy of rolling automated assessments otherwise known as DSR's (which are complete and utter rubbish).
      Easier said than done. Unless you're in a very unique niche with a huge market and no competition, you're going to need a very professional-looking e-commerce website. And that can cost a lot of money. But the hardest part is actually getting a lot of targeted traffic to the website. Nobody with an e-commerce store can afford to pay $200 to get one customer. Ebay is a lifesaver for most online sellers. Anyone who says otherwise obviously hasn't tried the alternatives.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfred M
    Great story!
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  • Profile picture of the author vCr8
    Lol great job for your mom! We all can make money, others just earns more or lesser than others.. But hats off to your mom
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  • Profile picture of the author Ashley249
    It proves that the “magic word” really works – Action! We all know that we should take action, but do we always do it?!

    Great story! Thanks for sharing with us!
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  • Profile picture of the author umrbd
    Home made stuff sells it self, but you do need to earn a little bit reputation and your stuff should be pretty and long life.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikeac
    Yeah its really not that hard, you just have to put your mind to it
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  • Profile picture of the author Gengis
    Congrats to your mom!! She Rocks.. This is what happens when people decide to take action..
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  • Profile picture of the author garyl2k
    Great story Steve, I bet now your mum is making that cash she has the bug!

    I'd love to see how you manage to get her onto eBay and selling on the Internet, I struggle with my mother with using the Internet. Though to be fair, soon as I moved out my mother become an Internet "Guru" and she uses facebook, twitter even more then I do! *GASP*
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    • Profile picture of the author ScottieDog
      Originally Posted by garyl2k View Post

      Great story Steve, I bet now your mum is making that cash she has the bug!

      I'd love to see how you manage to get her onto eBay and selling on the Internet, I struggle with my mother with using the Internet. Though to be fair, soon as I moved out my mother become an Internet "Guru" and she uses facebook, twitter even more then I do! *GASP*
      LOL, my mum too... Dad can´t turn the TV on yet though, so he really doesn´t entertain the internet.
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  • Profile picture of the author steverich
    Hey Guys.
    Hope you had a great Christmas.
    ........... I took 3 weeks out ...complete r&r!!(almost)....... bliss

    Attached are the reindeers my Mom was making as promised.



    These small fellas were selling at around £10 each! she also did some bigger floor standing ones which were going for £30!! ......just as simple.

    In total, in the handfull of days she was selling before Christmas she made over £3000 !! just selling very simple (but effective) home made stuff !!

    Again, I have to stress I am not saying this to brag about how clever my Ma is :rolleyes:
    but to try and get accross how even the simplest of ideas can generate CASH !!
    All you have to do is ACT !

    ................And Yes we have started the how-To tutorials on how to make money from home made goods
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    • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
      Originally Posted by steverich View Post

      Hey Guys.
      Hope you had a great Christmas.
      ........... I took 3 weeks out ...complete r&r!!(almost)....... bliss

      Attached are the reindeers my Mom was making as promised.



      These small fellas were selling at around £10 each! she also did some bigger floor standing ones which were going for £30!! ......just as simple.

      In total, in the handfull of days she was selling before Christmas she made over £3000 !! just selling very simple (but effective) home made stuff !!

      Again, I have to stress I am not saying this to brag about how clever my Ma is :rolleyes:
      but to try and get accross how even the simplest of ideas can generate CASH !!
      All you have to do is ACT !

      ................And Yes we have started the how-To tutorials on how to make money from home made goods
      Oh go on and brag; we can see that your mom is a frickin genius! Seriously, I love the idea, the simplicity, and mostly that she had the grit to get out and do it; that's 99% of the battle!

      I would take this kind of thing any day over the plastic corporate crap that just makes billionaires richer while polluting the planet, and ends up in the landfill. Of course, I would never have seen it, since I don't "do Christmas", but I love when people do stuff like this.

      Kudos to your mom, and you for posting about it!
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      • Profile picture of the author steverich
        Originally Posted by Greg guitar View Post

        since I don't "do Christmas", but I love when people do stuff like this.

        Kudos to your mom, and you for posting about it!

        Cheers guys.
        .........Greg..... you don't do Christmas? ...... fair play man ........... Think my kids would have a few words to say if I tried that
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        • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
          Originally Posted by steverich View Post

          Cheers guys.
          .........Greg..... you don't do Christmas? ...... fair play man ........... Think my kids would have a few words to say if I tried that
          Well, if you have kids there isn't much of a choice, or you'd end up with a mutiny on your hands.

          I like the lights, the gatherings, the excitement of children, the extra stuff people do for the needy, etc, but I just generally don't feel any obligations around it, so I don't stress, and I don't join the crowds trying to buy the latest doodads. And I don't believe in magical beings who are born without the mom having any fun first.
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          • Profile picture of the author steverich
            Originally Posted by Greg guitar View Post

            Well, if you have kids there isn't much of a choice, or you'd end up with a mutiny on your hands.

            I like the lights, the gatherings, the excitement of children, the extra stuff people do for the needy, etc, but I just generally don't feel any obligations around it, so I don't stress, and I don't join the crowds trying to buy the latest doodads. And I don't believe in magical beings who are born without the mom having any fun first.
            Dude, you sound like a real chilled out kind a fella!
            you dont wanna know the kind of grief I get when I Dare question all that 'magical, stuff ! he he !.... :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author H.Miller
    This is a great story. There is most definitely always a way to make money.
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  • Profile picture of the author betterwtveter
    That is awesome, I use to own a construction business and I use to always take advantage of christmas with handmade toys. Thinking outside the box goes a long way
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    • Profile picture of the author butters
      Your mum is a genius People love them sort of things!! I was out shopping and my girlfriend saw a 7ft giraffe for £40, I thought great... In the end we got the giraffe and now I have a 7ft giraffe in my living room, staring at me (Its a bit freaky to be honest). Little novelty presents sell, lesson here is, just get up off your ass and do something !
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  • Profile picture of the author DonnyBoy
    Thanks for sharing a nice story man.... Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    Originally Posted by steverich View Post

    just goes to prove there is ALWAYS a way to make money even if it's in the strangest of ways you would never expect!!

    When I was a lot younger I made over $1,000 a week from a
    market stall selling sawdust heads with grass growing out of
    them.

    The best part was I had someone else making the grass heads
    and someone else selling the grass heads and they were making
    more money than I was.

    All of a sudden they stopped selling and the person who was
    running the stall wanted to move back interstate.

    So I closed the stall and moved on to the next idea.

    People would ask me "those things were selling so well why
    didn't you work out why they stopped selling?"

    My reply to that was "I have no idea why they sold in the
    first place so I don't think I have much chance of working
    out why they stopped selling!"

    In business you have to be willing to run with what's working
    hard and you have to be willing to drop things when they
    stop working.

    The advantage you have as a small business or a one or two
    person operation is speed...you can jump on and off a trend
    long before a big business has time to realize it even exists.

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
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    • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
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  • Profile picture of the author Jgmurray
    What a fabulous story. Just goes to show you how industrious and creative people can find a clever niche and exploit it! Good for her, I'll bet she loves every minute of it.

    Now, how can we get her setup with a list
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  • Profile picture of the author John Rogers
    Not taking anything away from entrepreneurial Mom, but I'm not surprised. What does surprise me is how people consistently complicate making money. There are a ton of them in this forum. The OP's Mom is a shining example how simple it can really be.
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  • Profile picture of the author SugarKisses
    Great story! Thanks for sharing!
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  • Profile picture of the author winagain
    great story. Anyone can make money with a good product and the internet is an amazing tool to promote your products as never before.
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