One of the many business opportunities in the engraving industry is the custom award business. Not many people know that it is a significant business venture with a high-profit margin, which you can even operate from home. Companies, organisations, sports teams, and governments recognise people for their achievements or contributions. They look for awards or trophies that reflect or further their business brand.
Unfortunately, award shops in Uganda sell imported awards and have standard sizes. Although it is much easier to go to those award shops and pick something off the shelves, such awards are look-alike products. Most companies or organisations prefer something that reflects their brand because it carries a high perceived value. When you are in the custom award business, you do not only make awards but also trophies and medals.
What Do You Need to Start a Custom Award Business?
I will not go into selecting and registering a business name. I assume you have already gone through that process. If you have been looking for a business idea and you are passionate about starting a custom award business, the following are what I think you may need.
- Award making tools
- Materials from which you make awards
- Graphic designing skill
- A creative mind
- Marketing skills and strategies
Let us now look at each of them in detail for you to have a better understanding of what is required to start a custom award business.
#1 – Award Making Tools
Laser Engraving System
One of the tools you will need in your custom award business is a laser engraver or rotary engraver. The engraver enables you to cut the designs from the materials guided by a computer to achieve the best results. Unfortunately, laser engravers or rotary engravers are damn expensive. Not everyone can afford to acquire them. If you are lucky to own one, it is one of the valuable investments in this business.
Can you venture into the custom award making business without owning a laser system? You do not necessarily have to own a laser machine to operate a custom award business. Even if you do not have a laser system, you can start and run an award-making enterprise. You only need to partner with a company that has it and offers cutting services to cut the shapes you require each time you get a job.
At Goleza Designers, we partner with custom award businesses. They get jobs and bring them to us to do. If you do that, you still reap big. Apart from the laser system or rotary engraver, there are other small award making tools like chisels, hammers and the like. These enable you to work on your awards manually where you cannot use the laser machine.
#2 – Award Making Materials
Award Making Materials
To produce custom awards, you need basic materials like Perspex, wood, marble, crystal, metal and glass. Wood and marble are ideal materials for making award bases. Some of these materials are readily available on the market in Uganda. You only need to research the best material suppliers from whom you will always buy your materials at affordable prices. The selection of the materials determines the price you charge for the award. Some materials are relatively cheap, while others are expensive.
For instance, at Goleza Designers, a small strip of AlumaMark aluminium added on an award makes it more costly by 10% because the material is expensive. You may need other materials in your custom award business from time to time. These include colour sprays, glue, sanding paper and wood finishes. These materials enable you to give your awards a good finish and fix them.
#3 – Graphics Designing Skill
Graphic Designing Software
Graphic designing is an essential ingredient in running a successful custom award business. Knowing to produce good designs is so important. The success of your business will depend mainly on your ability to create designs that your customers want. If you do not have the skill, you will employ someone to design for you. Hiring someone is okay. But if you are starting a business, it can be costly.
My advice, therefore, is to teach yourself graphic design if you want to start an award business but do not have any design skills. You can learn if you focus on it. We are self-taught graphic designers. Just buy a graphic designing software and start teaching yourself slowly as you put into action what you learn. Remember that self-education is what will make you a fortune.
#4 – A Creative Mind
Rising Star Awards
Having a creative mind is so essential in the custom award business. You should always avoid being a copycat if you want to succeed in any enterprise. It is one of the biggest mistakes for most people in Uganda. Originality and uniqueness matter a lot to your success. When you have a creative mind, it enables you to develop unique award pieces that will keep bringing you business.
What if you find yourself uncreative?
I have a feeling that everyone can learn to become creative. Many times we see things and love them. We may pick on doing them. But when you are replicating them, make sure you use your creative mind to make them look unique in the eyes of others. By so doing, you can stand out from the crowd and beat your competition. If you want to learn more, read about our two posts on the advantages of becoming innovative in your business and building your custom award business on creative engraving.
#5 – Marketing Skills and Strategies
Marketing Skills
The success of your custom award business will depend mainly on your ability to market it and the marketing strategies you use. No business can prosper without proper marketing. Marketing enables you to expose yourself to your targeted customers. If you intend to start your custom recognition business from home, I advise you to have a website. Additionally, learn online marketing skills for your business to become visible on the internet. Even if you’re not in a position to market online, you need to develop a marketing system that will enable you to get your targeted clients.
Conclusion
Starting a custom award enterprise is a great business idea. If you don’t have the tools, you can partner with us to support you with your business idea. Goleza Designers are creative and experienced engravers whose line of business includes making unique custom awards. We have developed many unique award designs that we shall share with you in one of our subsequent posts. experienced
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