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Marie Native Crafts
Marie Native Crafts offers a wide range of native
crafts such as: moccasins, mitts, bags, jewellery and paintings.
Marie got interested in this business when she worked at St. Marie Among the Hurons in
Midland, Ontario. She worked as an Interpreter, demonstrating the art of moccasin
making,basket making and the lifestyle of the mid 1600's. Visitors and tourists
continually asked if the products she was making were for sale so she knew there was
a market for the products. She enjoyed the handicraft so much that she began to
accumulate moccasins, baskets and bags. The turning point for her came when a
friend invited her to go to a craft show and that was the beginning of selling
her creations. She established her business in the fall of 1986 with approximately
$1,000 worth of supplies. Because she had another job, she was able to put the
profit directly back into the business. She works from the comfort of her home.
Marie states that luck has been on her side establishing this business and seeing
it flourish. The doors have been wide open at any Craft Sale that she has wanted
to participate in. Everything fell into place for her business to blossom. She
has support from her son who is also an artist and from her husband.
Her previous educational background of a Business Degree also contributed to
her success. Word of mouth has proven to be the most effective means of
advertising. Determination is crucial for her success.
Her customer base used to be the general public at craft shows but now she
wholesales exclusively to stores locally and across Ontario.
Marie is most proud of the fact that she established her business by herself,
on her own. Her greatest joy comes when she gets a request for her work and
they say, "I hear you make the best moccasins in the whole world." It's better than any advertisement.
Advice for young entrepreneurs:
*If you have an idea then go for it, do it with self confidence.
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