Need Advice on Business Idea

My mom used to put baby dolls in my room on my hutch and they used to stare at me as I tried to go to sleep. Some were antique, that used to belong to my grandmother, with porcelain head and hands, soft plush body and real human hair while others were more modern dolls that my mother picked up because she fancied them. I used to flip on the light after she left the room and put a towel over them so I could relax. I was never that big into dolls but I'm sure there's a market for it somewhere.

They just gave me the heebie-jeebies, eyes wide open and unblinking, staring in my direction as I tried to sleep. Sometimes one that was precariously placed on the edge of the hutch would tumble off the shelf and thump to the floor onto the carpet in the middle of the night and scare me half out of my head.

When I was a teenager I put my foot down about the dolls and had mom box them all up and move them into another room. I doubt I'm anything of a majority though as I've always been a little on the fringe of things, so don't take what I say to heart. I'm only one person and I don't think I reflect the pulse of the nation.

Sounds like a great idea. I'm wondering if you could do craft shows, etc., before diving in all the way. Then you'd be able to see if there is a market for the dolls. If you have any ready right now you could start with the Christmas Bazaars. You know how those Grandmas like to buy buy buy!!! lol!!!

Check out The Middleton Doll Company - sounds like the same type of dolls. They are unique because they have stores that look like a hospital nursery where a child can go in and look at the babies and adopt one. I visited one several years ago and thought the dolls were beautiful but a little pricey for a toy. They also had a "collector" section of dolls - they were, of course, pricey but as a collector myself, about what you would expect to pay for a collector doll.

Not sure if they still offer the service of repairing dolls but I loved that idea. If anything got damaged on the doll, even the hair, they could repair it.

I know when my daughter was little, the type of doll you're describing is exactly what I was looking for - they are hard to find. If you're serious about this, I hope you can keep it "MADE IN USA." If you can keep the dolls at a good price while still being unique then hopefully people will take notice. Advertise the heck out of your company. Put ads in the doll magazines, etc.

Good luck!!

I'm kind of going through this same scenario right now, and I'm curious who you see as your client base -- are these to be sold to collectors or to children?

Honestly, the only way I think something like this will work is if it becomes a status symbol to own one, kind of like American Girl dolls.

How do you plan to market the doll? If there's something really special about it, you could charge over $20, otherwise, I'd stay under $20.

I think marketing is the key to make this work. If people don't know about it, they can't buy it.

E.,
I am in the process of starting my own business. I just formed an LLC. This is my dream - I am willing to give my all and work my butt off to bring success to this business.

I am scared to death of failing.
The choices that I have ( and I think are the same choices that you need to make) are:

1. Let fear win - scrap your dream; or Let your dream come true and with a lot of HARD work and dedication you can become a successful business woman.

2. Starting a business is taking a risk - no one can guarantee that you will not loose money. You have to decide how bad you want this and then put the energy, time and money into it in order to succeed.

I think that your idea is a good one and you should definately think about branding your doll. Give your doll a special feature - something that other dolls don't have, something simple like a special necklace with a meaningful charm on it. This is branding.
Create your proto type - then read the book - Mom inventors Handbook by Tamara Monosoff and check out her website about other mom entrepreneurs
http://www.mominventors.com/2012/09/21/one-mom-turns-bori...

Google SCORE the small business association free mentoring program and download a sample business plan - prepare your plan - this will help you decide if you really want to do this and whether or not it is feasable.

Contact a SCORE mentor and seek their expert advise.

Take the above steps then evaluate all the pros and cons and make a decision about whether (sp.) or not you are willing to take the risk involved.

Good luck and remember that you will get a lot of Nay sayers - that is just the nature of the business - You have to believe in yourself!

PM me if you have any questions or need some help.

PS: How do you spell whether?

You could start with an online store like etsy, people go there looking for unique, hand-made type of things and are prepared to pay for them. Local craft shows can be helpful, but do your research ahead of time. Some of them are flea market junk shows, and others are for higher-end better quality products.

I would guess that these dolls would be purchased more for/by adults or collectors, rather than for little kids.

I bought a sleepy doll from madame alexander around thirty dollars. it was the same one i had as a kid-updated. My daughter has rarely touched it. She says "eyes scares me" she is two.

http://www.madamealexander.com/products/446580/Huggums The one I purchased is now 47.95 named 'pink check'. If it was possible for you to make a few and take them to a baby store on consignment and see how well they do?

Also this is something your business could grow and become something. These doll companys didnt just bam have everything on a shelf one day there was a supply and demand. Like the cabage patch lady. She hand made them and sold a few then moved on to craft shows(i think) then finally they were a huge hit in the 80's but I think it took her a good ten years to get there. The sleep eye feature is actually a creepy feature! Most ppl are scared of them, like the dentist. I am not scared of either and find it silly but there are movies where the dolls are the killer! Be aware with that feature.