Logan Voss
There are few things more exciting than the prospect of starting a business, especially one that focuses on creative arts. Glass blowing is a long-standing art form that is becoming increasingly trendy. For those with an innovative spark, a glass blowing business may be the perfect way to turn their hobby or free time into a money-making entity. Before you run out and start pricing a blast furnace, there are a few essential steps to starting a glass blowing business that you should consider.
Basic Prep Work
Even though glass blowing is a very creative business, it still requires the same rigmarole as any other. You will need to choose a name for the business and file for a license, along with a variety of other information. This includes registering for a tax ID, filing personal information, submitting a business plan to a bank, and much more. It will also be very important to contact possible suppliers and find out their prices, shipping options, and availability of products. Among all this normal paperwork, the savvy entrepreneur will also want to assess the initial costs, figure out a few products and prices, and find their bottom line to stay ahead of any debt that may occur from such a big undertaking.
Setting Up Shop
Glass blowing requires a lot of unique equipment. There are some similarities between certain types of pottery and metalworking, but for the most part, sourcing dedicated glass blowing equipment is a must. For many large purchases, second-hand and refurbished equipment is always a great option. An open furnace, blowing rods, and heat-proof workbenches are ideal refurbished candidates. For some of the very pricey items, renting may also be an option. In addition, protective wear is very important. Since open flames and high heat are essential to glass blowing, there is a lot of crossover with industrial worker PPE. Lastly, you will need to acquire materials such as glass, colorants, flakes, and other touch-up products, and you will need to find a place to store them.
Define Your Business Creatively
Finally, the most essential step to starting a glass blowing business is to define your business through the actual work. Glass blowing is a technique-heavy practice, but there is still room for a lot of innovation and vision. Any glass blowing business will need to find their cornerstone product that is special to them. Unsurprisingly, the business will also need to consistently turn out high-quality, handsome pieces that are worthy of collecting. As a creative entrepreneur, this is the fun part! Spending time in your newly assembled shop, crafting wonderful pieces, and finding your special style is the reason many even begin this journey in the first place.
