This week’s spotlight is on Esther, owner of Beading Buds, a traveling beading party, specializing in children’s birthday parties, but can customize to any event and/or occasion such as summer camps, school workshops, or even a girl’s night out!
FCM: Can you tell us about Beading Buds, and where you got your motivation or inspiration to start your business?
Esther: The business found me! I worked at a law firm downtown Toronto and one of my co-workers knew that I had a hobby making jewelry and asked me to do a party for her daughter. That party had 20 or so little girls at it and one of the guests wanted her own party and through word of mouth I started booking parties.
FCM: In addition to your children’s parties, can you tell us about the adult/corporate parties you offer?
Esther: We attend at corporate conferences where we teach the participants to make two pieces of jewelry and donate one to charity (such as dress for success). Since beading is such a hands on activity (from choosing the beads, to using the tools, to helping each other), it is a good way for people to network. We also teach beading at corporate staff appreciation events in the summer and holiday party events in the winter. We also teach doing beading parties for any fun occasion, bachlorette party, bridal shower, adult birthday parties, fundraising events, at book clubs, or any other special event!
FCM: Beading Buds is a travelling party, what areas do you currently service?
Esther: The entire greater Toronto area, Thornhill, Newmarket, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Guelph, Orangeville and we have recently expanded to the Kitchener/Waterloo area.
FCM: Did you have any prior business experience before starting Beading Buds?
Esther: Not really, I took Public Relations at Ryerson so that helped me with my marketing.
FCM: What has been your biggest challenge with juggling family-life with a home-based business?
Esther: Trying to find time to do it all! I find my most productive hours are from 11 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.. :)
FCM: What is your favourite thing about being in business for yourself?
Esther: That I can choose my own schedule. I have two daughters aged 1 and 3 and so it is important to me that I can work around their schedule.
FCM: Do you have a favourite business site or resource?
Esther: I am a huge fan of Flower City Mom!
FCM: Can you share any advice to the Flower City Mom readers that might be thinking about starting their own home-based business?
Esther: Find something that you LOVE and are passionate about. And it is all about customer service, the majority of our business comes for word of mouth, so we always make sure that our customers are 100% satisfied.
For more information on Beading Buds, please check out their website at www.beadingbuds.com and their facebook page at www.facebook.com/beadingbuds.
Thank you for the interview Esther!
