Book Review: Craft, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco

Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business (via Amazon)

Recently, I purchased a copy of Craft, Inc. to add to my growing collection of craft related books. The majority of my library is filled with how-to content. This is the first book that focuses on the business of making and selling crafts. It was heralded as a "must-have" for our community and overall, I agree with this sentiment.

Published by Chronicle Books, this short (160 pages), petite volume is definitely worth its $16.95(USD) cover price. This tome fits in nicely with the other craft related titles put out by this group, many of which will seem immediately familiar. (As a side note - Chronicle Books is the US distributor for all you Moleskine fans out there and you can purchase them right off their site.)

The book is organized nicely. It begins by discussing the "Creative Mind" and how it can align with your "Business Mind." It provides lists and talking points that will guide you while you are taking the specifics steps necessary to move from a hobby to a thriving crafts business. It discusses not only the legal and licensing aspect of business, but also branding your company and product, evaluating your target market, and the difference between being-inspired-by and copying (with a follow-up discussion on how to protect your work.)

Ilasco spends time reviewing pricing strategies as well how to source materials. She discusses how a small business can begin outsourcing production to foreign and domestic manufacturers if an owner sees that as part of the business vision. In addition, she reviews a variety of marketing and publicity methods that can drive exposure and growth. She even includes a very handy packing list for trade show participants.

The book would be a great asset for any craft-based business owner, but what gives it some "life" are the many interviews of successful and often well-known owners in the industry. The answers are insightful and are geared to supplement each chapter's topic. Some of the more notable interviewees are Lotta Jansdotter of Lifestyle Goods and Jonathan Adler.

Ilasco's website is located at www.mateoilasco.com which is worth a perusal. I also HIGHLY recommend that you listen to a pod cast interview conducted by CraftSanity.com. She tells how she went from owning a popular wedding invitation website to opening her own shop and ultimately writing Craft, Inc.

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