So, you’re an excellent resin furniture maker. Perhaps you’ve been commissioned already to produce pieces for friends and family.
And of course, the popularity of resin furniture it on the up. Boasting vibrant colours and at times incorporating natural materials in unique shapes, it is little surprise that resin furniture has shot up in popularity.
Fact – in January 2023, there were over 33,000 searches in Google for “resin tables.” So there’s no doubt in the demand for these exquisite pieces.
The use of resin means that even the most awkward pieces of wood can be incorporated into a statement-making piece. Even on its own, resin provides clean lines that suit any modern or minimalist interior.
If you’re keen to try your hand at producing resin furniture as a means of work, we’ll take you through the steps you need to bear in mind before turning it into a business.
Find a workshop
First thing’s first – you’re going to need somewhere to produce your items. This could be your garage or a shed at the bottom of the garden – it just needs to be somewhere with enough space.
If you don’t have any outbuildings you can use, you could look into getting a studio in a shared space. Some of these are subsidised for creatives looking to progress their talents and careers, so it could be a good option in the early stages.
Just bear in mind that if you don’t have a space yet, then there’s an additional cost to consider when getting one. And if you’re running a commercial business from a space at home, you may well be able to claim certain costs (like electricity and equipment) as business expenses. Speak to your accountant!
Equipment
You’ll need a fair few tools to get started. A saw and a sander will enable you to prepare any materials you’ll be incorporating with the resin, while a heat gun will help you remove any bubbles within the resin. This will give your furniture a clear, clean look.
It’s common for hobbyist furniture makers to already have some equipment. But just make sure you have kit for turning your endeavour into a business. You may find you need better quality equipment for producing furniture day in, day out than you would just producing the occasional piece for fun.
High-quality equipment is likely to be more expensive, but if you’re serious about starting a new business then it will be a necessary investment. After all, better tools should make it easier for you to create a better product.
Materials and supplies
In a similar vein, the materials you use are going to have a significant impact on the quality of your work. Maximising margins is all well and good in the business world, but sometimes it pays to spend a little bit more on supplies of superior quality. They could also help increase the price ceiling of the furniture you produce too.
It may take a while, but do what you can to find the best suppliers at a price you’re comfortable with. Also, try to look into sustainable options wherever possible. Over a quarter of consumers are influenced in their purchasing decisions by the sustainability of products.
Marketing
It’s all well and good having everything you need to get started with any projects, but you’ll need to ensure people actually know about them.
You can use physical advertising products like flyers in the local area, although there’s no guarantee you’ll be reaching much of your target audience.
Instead, look to social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. The aim here is to pique the interest of potential customers by displaying your products and working processes.
Get a simple website together and make sure you’re signed up to the like of Google my Business.
In the early days, you may want to do much of your own marketing, particularly until you reach a point of profitability. And while nobody is suggesting you can become a marketing expert overnight, there’s certainly scope in learning the ropes of SEO, social media and PPC advertising with a whole host of free and readily available online materials.
Accountants and Book Keeping
The bane of business for many creatives who look to commercialise their talents is the finance and numbers side of their business.
Don’t cut corners here though. An accountant who can help you manage your books properly, file your tax return and understand your costs, income and profit will be a really valuable addition to your business.
You wouldn’t buy a bespoke piece of furniture from an accountant who isn’t much good at furniture making. And in the same vein, it’s probably not ideal for the talented furniture maker with no accounting experience to run the numbers side of the business without help.
Unless you happen to also be a qualified accountant, getting some specialist help on the numbers side of your business is very much worthwhile.
Learn and Adapt
As with any business, there’ll be good days, bad days and in the middle days! Best of luck in turning your skills into a sustainable, long term business.
