Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Ok.. So Quentins post got me to thinking...

Im currently into the planning stage of growing my portrait photography business.  I have already designed my HipCHix logo and branded it for inclusion in my business. 

Hipchix portrait partoes will involve going to a clients house and providing them with a princess/ diva or glamour party for their daughters... for birthdays mostly... or just because.  I would charge $50 per child.. and they will leave with a frame that they made themselves while we made up and took pictures of each girl individually... in a gift bag, with their frame and a printed out 4x6 for it from their session. I will also include a printed out proof sheet with a web address where they can order more pictures in various sizes, and slip in an advertisement for my studio of course....

What I have questions about...

Im hoping  to offer this... as an opportunity for stay at home moms and others to make extra money..  the HipChix logo, and branding, a complete HOW TO manual including the lagalities,  what they need, and where to buy it..a  business plan so they can get funding.. form templates for model releases etc.. a list of where to buy their supplies.. a webpage set up for them.. (www.hipchixparties/theirtown.com not a real link)  or something.

With affordable prosumer cameras out there..  I think this could really be a good thing.  I know that they may have to have limited knowledge of photography.. but I would provide that info too.. basic set ups etc..

What Im thinking here.. is I wouldnt invest anything other than time and information.  Detailed info would be given on how to update their own sites (( I provide just templates )) how to set their cameras and lights.. etc.. Maybe even training DVDs to show them.. A support forum, and of course email support.  

Id like to teach them photoshop techniques too but thats a whole nother ball game and maybe taking it too far.. maybe I could charge for the forum and include a bunch of tutorials there?  I could photoshop their stuff for a fee.. but .. hmm.. depends on how busy I was.

Do you think this would be a feasible idea?  How much do you think people would be willing to pay ? Its not a franchise.. its not a turnkey set up really.. in that I dont invest anything HUGE.. just time and supplies for printing etc...

As a single mom.. who loves staying home with her kids.. Im thinking this is feasible.  A party a week  with 5 kids each could be $250 a weekend.. and whatever extra prints they sold.

Anyways.. Im up to any critique of this idea.. ;c) Ater I get it started and run it for about 6 months to get a history... Id like to sell the idea to others..

Am I  nuts?

Thanks!

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Going slow is for weenies!

Why franchise this? Why not do it yourself? :-)

I`m thinking of the people who can`t even use a point-`n`-shoot camera without cutting off the person`s head or torso. And teaching the "basics" of Photoshop? You look like you`ve got a fine head of hair, and it`d be such a shame if you tore it all out by the roots! (That, and transplants are SO expensive!)

On the other hand, if you were to offer this in a Park District catalog (if they have such organizations out in your area), or other basic advertising. You could also capitalize on the idea so many young girls have of being a model. They`d need at least the start of a simple portfolio just to find out if they could proceed.

The "princess" idea is great, and I`ve seen it in other types of party situations, but what you`re offering is a takeaway...something concrete the girls can take home with them! Making their own frame is even better, and can drop the age down to around 6-7, depending on the complexity of the frame.

I just don`t see it as something a large population of stay-at-home moms would be capable of handling. SOME of them would, but then you`ve got the problems of target marketing. If you do it yourself, though, you`d have a monopoly (or is that a momopoly?) :-) Then, as you get to talking with client moms, you could do your target marketing, qualifying the customer, and after that, propose that they too get into the business.