This kind of snooping around helps you understand what's happening in your local area. Maybe you'll notice that the crystals are mainly being sold to collectors or people into health and wellness. Maybe you see a vendor turning crystals into something unique. This tells you there's room for new ideas in selling crystals.

The number of people being introduced to crystals increases every day. It is far from being oversaturated; in fact, it's just getting started! Entrepreneurs like you continue to impress by putting their own spin on selling crystals.

Perhaps your area is sparse with crystal sellers, or you have your own unique product to put out there, or you have an interesting perspective you'd like to share with your customers. Whatever it is, that is your niche that you fill, and what makes you distinct from other crystal sellers.

This same idea works for selling online, like on Etsy. Look for shops that:

- Sell something similar to your unique product.

- Sell the kind of crystals you want to sell.

- Have a vibe similar to what you're going for.

If you can't find a shop that checks all these boxes, then you've found a gap in the market that you can fill.

Many entrepreneurs waste a lot of time on sales and marketing that don't work because they didn't set clear plans and goals at the start. A key step for small businesses is figuring out your "Three Uniques" - what sets you apart.

These are the things that make you different and stand out from others, including other crystal sellers. Even if you and others sell similar products, your Three Uniques should be something only you have. This way, you attract the right customers who prefer you because you offer something unique that meets their needs exactly.

A common mistake new business owners make is trying to do too much and be everything to everyone. This doesn't work. Instead of spreading yourself too thin, knowing your Three Uniques helps you focus on what you're best at.

Identifying your Three Uniques can start with simply listing what you think makes you, and your business, unique. For example, these are the Three Uniques that we (Stonebridge Imports) adhere to:

1. Great customer service
2. New things all the time
3. Bring value to our community

Building a strong brand helps you sell more by showing customers you're trustworthy. Mixing your personal story with your business can make you stand out, especially when you're starting your crystal business.

But, it's important to show you're serious about what you're selling. If all you post on social media is cat pictures, people might not understand what your business offers. Adding personality is good, but your main message should be about your products or services.

Knowing your market and what special thing you offer helps you decide how your business should feel to customers. It's okay to draw inspiration from other businesses for ideas, even if they're not in the same field as you.

For example, when creating our brand, The Rock Space, we took inspiration from skincare brands for our colors, photos, and website design. We wanted our crystals to feel like they're part of the wellness world, just like skincare products.

Your logo is the first step in showing who you are as a brand. It's often the first thing customers see, so it should match the vibe you want for your business. Once you have your logo, you can create other branding and marketing materials that follow the same style. This helps your brand look consistent and professional to customers.

You can use Canva to design your own logo, or Fiverr to have someone do it for you.

This is what truly sets you apart from other crystal sellers. Selling crystals is special because it's about more than just making money. You chose this path for a reason. It's because you want to help others.

Perhaps crystals changed your life and you want others to experience the same epiphany. Perhaps you're a practitioner who wanted to provide something for people to take home with them. Perhaps you're an interior decorator who believes everyone needs a little more magic in their lives.

You don't need anything too fancy. A page on Facebook or Instagram, or a simple website with a few pages, is enough. The main thing is to share your story and let people know how to contact you. This way, people don't have to search hours online or flip their house upside-down looking for your business card.

There is one simple principle that is key to doing well on social media, no matter how much things change: Post good quality content, consistently.

VistaprintVistaprint has affordable business card options, as do local print shops. Putting a little extra effort to make your business card awesome makes your brand stand out from everyone else who didn't.

Starting a business today is easier and affordable than ever, thanks to many helpful tools and resources. Here's what you need to start selling, whether at markets or online, and where to find these items.

For selling at markets, you'll need:

• Tables, tents, and a dolly, which you can buy from furniture or hardware stores, or online from Amazon.
• Advertising banners or posters, available at stores like Staples or The UPS Store, or from local print shops.
• Display stands, which you can find at dollar stores, Walmart, or Amazon.
• A Point-of-Sale system like Square to take payments.
• Products to sell, like those in our Crystal Shop Starter Kit, which includes market-researched popular items.

For selling online, you'll need:

• A place to sell, like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or your own website created with Squarespace, Wix, or Shopify.
• Products to sell, and our Crystal Shop Starter Kit is a good start.

Selling online might seem cheaper at first because it costs less to start, but you'll spend more money over time (Which we'll cover below).

These are the basic costs to get into selling crystals. It may seem daunting, but you can easily recoup what you spent in the first month or two. It's simple: If you don't have a way or place to sell, you won't make any sales.

The size of your business affects the ongoing costs that reduce your profits. However, these costs are necessary not just to keep your business running, but continue growing. Spending more on recurring costs isn't always bad.

For example, if spending more on advertising generates more sales, then it's a net positive for your business. Here are some common recurring costs:

For market sellers:

• Vendor fees, which marketplaces charge for allowing you to sell in their space.
• Packaging and outbound marketing materials, such as business cards.
• Gas and travel costs.

For online sellers:

• A portion of sales taken by a marketplace (e.g., Etsy's transaction fees).
• Monthly fees for website maintenance if you have your own online storefront.
• Costs for boosting posts or advertisements on social media.
• Expenses for packaging and outbound marketing materials, akin to those for market sellers.
• Shipping costs for delivering products to customers.

It's important to check your costs every month. See what's helping you sell more and think about spending more on those things to boost sales even further.

Finding grants and opportunities can help your business grow, just by virtue of who you are. Look online or in-person for grants, like government programs or funds from private groups that support small businesses or specific projects. Make sure your business matches what the grant is looking for, and be ready to fill out detailed applications explaining how you'll use the money.

Networking is key to finding out about these grants and opportunities. Join local business groups or online communities in entrepeneurship. Some grants also offer training or advice, which can help you learn new ways to make your business better. If you get a grant, plan how to spend it wisely to improve your business, like on marketing, new products, or saving costs.

Keep searching for new grants and don't give up if you don't get one right away. Stay updated by subscribing to newsletters or attending events in your community. Applying for grants can take time and effort, but it's worth it because it can help you grow your business without adding to your debt.