Today I had the honor of interviewing business owner, Elaine Stephen of Angel Cloud Gifts. Elaine carried the dream of owning her own business in her heart for years but couldn't come up with the investment money needed to successfully run that dream-that is, until she discovered drop shipping. Drop shipping gave her the push she needed to turn her dream into a reality, and once business began to bloom, she took her business to the next level by designing her own products. I was fortunate enough to review one of her handmade creations and I just have to say that it's really well-done. The cell phone charm is a perfect reminder of God's protection via his guardian angels.

How did you get into selling gifts online?

For many years I had two dreams: one was to have a baby and the other was running my own gift shop business. Unfortunately, I never conceived and the brick and mortar gift shop I envisioned required a lot of upfront investment that I didn't have. Then one day, I decided it was time to stop dreaming and start investigating!

After months of research, my husband and I decided to adopt a child and I decided to start an online gift shop using drop shipped products because of its low cost start-up fees. Drop shipping also requires less work which allows me the flexibility to work from home while caring for a child.

I choose angels as my theme because of a Christian experience I had with an angel. I truly love selling Angel gifts because I believe they send messages of love, comfort, and cheer wherever they go.

Running a product-based business is no easy task, especially when you're storing the products at home. What organization tips work best for you and your business, and why?

The majority of the 500 plus gifts I sell are drop shipped. However, I do make and sell three angel gifts of my own.

When it comes to making my gifts, I've developed a simple process that works well for me. Along one wall, separate from my computer desk and office supplies, I set up a large work space. It is divided into three areas, one for each of the angel gifts I make. Each area has a desk top, shelving and drawers. The desk top gives me workspace for planning, assembling and packaging. The shelving and drawers store supplies, tools and packaging materials that are needed for that particular item.

With a separate workspace for each of the three angel gifts I make, everything is exactly where I need it to be when I need it. I would rather have 2 pairs of jewelry pliers, one at my angel cell phone charms workspace and one at my angel car charms workspace, than fumbling through many unrelated tools, wasting valuable time and getting frustrated in the process. Having three individual work spaces makes recognizing the need to reorder supplies quicker and easier as well. I did conserve in one area though. I only have one chair. It travels from workspace to workspace easily with unseen angel wings and wheels.

How do you advertise your business, Angel Cloud Gifts and what results have you received because of your advertisements?

Most recently I have been involved in passive advertising methods. My true stories, original poems, and articles can be found on many family-friendly and Christian themed blogs, websites, e-zines, and newsletters. First, I capture the reader's heart with a motivating and heartfelt story. Those stories usually increase natural curiosity which motivates the reader to visit my website. Once at my website, the text and product images sell my gifts.

On my website I have two advertising methods that seem to draw in sales: "On Sale Every Day" and "Answer 10 Questions, Receive a 10% Coupon". Customers are always looking for sales and coupons because they want to get the highest possible value for the money they have available to spend. Not only does this method increase sales, the survey gives me valuable information to help me improve my business.

I also offer a monthly newsletter with a new contest and bargain every month. The newsletter contest draws repeat hits; the contestants have to find answers to questions about my angel gifts which improve product awareness and sales.

In the past I have tried pay per click advertising, free classified ads and Froogle ads with very little success. But my passive advertising methods bring approximately 2,500 hits to my website monthly in addition to approximately 2,500 hits per month I receive through search engines, Christian directories and link exchanges.

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