Byykkonen's Bling Bras

[Ayla of Duluth]

So my friend recently started selling bling bras (https://www.facebook.com/ByykkonensBlingBras). She basically bedazzles the everliving muffins out of a bra, she can add lace, little charms, pretty much whatever you want. They're really cool things, and she's such an amazing artist. I have never seen anyone's business grow so fast. Right now, she's only selling her bras locally because she doesn't have a paypal. But today I pitched an idea to her.

She could make a small scale pyramid scheme thing. She could have her friends be like little Bling Bra representatives and go out and collect orders and money, send them in to her, and then her friends ship out the bras she makes, so all she would do is sit on her couch, make the bras, and collect the money. She could really make this into a huge success.

I came here to ask your opinions on the subject. Do you think its a good idea? More importantly, would any of you be interested in buying a bling bra? They're perfect for mermaids. They're durable, swimmable, can be customized in countless different ways, they're very reasonably priced, and they can be made to any bra size. I'm basically here to get feedback, to see if shipping her Bling Bras nation wide would be something she can do. She's so wonderful and artistic, I think she could really make a killing out there. I'm planning on ordering a bra from her to go with my mermaid tail when I get some money. So what do you guys think?

[Ayla of Duluth]

I just noticed, she also has a mermaid themed one! :)
8021

[Mermaid Danielle]

Hmm, its not a bad idea, but she might want to get paypal so there is documentation and a third party involved in case of problems...

[Merrow Fair Isle]

If she wants to sell them, she should get a paypal to start... this will afford her easy invoicing and reciepts as well as offer a recgnized,secure way for people to pay. For direct sales she would need to do parties, have catalogues made and still have a way to process credit and debit cards. Also she would need to register federally and state governments to get an employee ID number as she would be paying her reps. Its a great idea once a business is estabished, but not with a fanbase of 115 people. She should look at selling on ebay, etsy, artfire, luulla, storenvy, the craft star, or copius... It would allow her to gauge the national market and appeal of her product.

Wishing her tons of luck.

[Ayla of Duluth]

Hmm, its not a bad idea, but she might want to get paypal so there is documentation and a third party involved in case of problems...
She's looking into it. I'm trying to figure out how the money would flow if I helped her do the shipping stuff. I need a pencil and paper! xD

[Ashe]

These are really great looking! I wish her luck :)

[Ayla of Duluth]

We're basically trying to work this out on a small scale. We talked about an Etsy, but I don't think she likes the idea of paying money to display her products. I think the plan is to use our facebook pages to advertise, and then I collect the order and money, I send the order to her, she sends me the bra, I ship it out and then give her the profit. I don't think we plan to have actual employees, just friends helping out friends, so we can maybe skip over all the government stuff.
And as for parties, well, she's the party girl. The way she advertises is by wearing her bras to all the raves she attends. That's how she's gotten most of her fanbase built.

[Merrow Fair Isle]

just keep in mind that PayPal protects her as well... Speaking as somone with a sucessful online business, seling from FB is awesome, but you still need an organized way of collecting money and invoicing or it's somones word against her as to whether or not they paid. Cash is a no no without a recipt system with carbon copies at the VERY least.

[Merrow Fair Isle]

The only time I take cash is at live vendor events where the customer walks away with the product in hand. I can reccomend Square for credit card/ debit card processing at live events. My brother owns skate shop in Jax Beach, Florida and also uses square as his credit processing for the shop. GREAT rates.

[Ayla of Duluth]

Hmm...I suppose then she may not need help managing the money, but rather someone to help keep up with the orders.

[Usagi]

How much do they usually cost? I'm interested, but wouldn't be able to get one until far, far into the future. Does she plan on continuing to make them for a while? Also, are push-ups available for those with less up top? :P obviously that would cost more. also, I hope no one thinks I'm skanky for wanting a push-up. lol