A wind chime business will typically sell different kinds of chimes made from a variety of materials. Wind chime can be sold online, in retail stores and kiosks, or in an exclusive proprietary shop.
You may also be interested in additional unique business ideas.
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Start a wind chime business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Wind Chime Business
- Form your Wind Chime Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Wind Chime Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Wind Chime Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Wind Chime Business
- Get Wind Chime Business Insurance
- Define your Wind Chime Business Brand
- Create your Wind Chime Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your wind chime business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Wind Chime Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a wind chime business?
Costs to get started can be low for artists who don’t have a physical location. They may just need to buy the materials to make the wind chime before selling them on websites such as Etsy or Ebay. Other costs include the cost of a mortgage or lease, commercial insurance, staff salaries, and basic marketing and technology costs.
What are the ongoing expenses for a wind chime business?
Owners will need to account for the cost of new materials as well as lease/mortgage costs, business insurance and marketing expenses (e.g., internet ads, etc.)
Who is the target market?
The target market can be anyone. While wind chime may be more popular in certain parts of the US than others, there are ways to create demand in practically all socio-economic groups around the country.
How does a wind chime business make money?
Business owners set a profit margin on their wind chime based on the time and materials it cost them to make.
How much can you charge customers?
Wind chime vary based on the quality of materials they’re made of. So those made of the finest crystal will cost more than those made of ceramic will. Some of the most exclusive wind chime will sell for $4,000 or more, though most will sell for around $20 or less.
How much profit can a wind chime business make?
Profits depend on the demand and the quality of your wind chimes. The margins are less important than the measure of how many people are ordering your product. However, you can look to other sellers who have comparable products to determine how much to charge. If you sell 500 wind chimes in a week for $20 at a 50% profit margin, you’ll make $5,000.
How can you make your business more profitable?
You may want to consider offering related crafts to people, such as dream catchers. As with the wind chimes, look for ways to appeal to new customers by experimenting with different designs and materials.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your wind chime business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your wind chime business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a Wind Chime business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Trademark & Copyright Protection
If you are developing a unique product, concept, brand, or design, it is prudent to protect your rights by registering for the appropriate trademarks and copyrights.
Learn more about trademark and copyright protection
The nature of legal requirements in distance education is ever changing, especially in regards to copyright laws. Here is a frequently updated resource, which can help keep you aware of the legal requirements.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Wind Chime Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Wind Chime Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a wind chime business
Promotion should be focused on taking beautiful photos and video footage of the actual wind chimes. You should be showcasing its physical as well as auditory beauty whenever possible. Internet advertising will likely be the most cost-effective way to do this. Create video footage and take pictures of the wind chime (smartphone footage is acceptable) to promote on related websites (e.g., craft or decorating websites). Use paid online or affiliate advertising to give your business a head start.
How to keep customers coming back
Your wind chime will have to be not only beautiful to display, but also pleasant to the ears. It will need to be durable enough to handle even strong gusts of wind or rain. The more you can impress the people around you — even if it’s just your friends and family at first — the more likely it is that your creations will spread.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
The business owner should have an appreciation and passion for how certain sounds can calm the rest of the senses. There’s a subtle shift in mood that can occur when people hear a gentle tinkle, which can really help a business owner connect with their product. Their understanding can make it easier to promote and sell to other people who may not be as familiar with the more therapeutic side of wind chimes.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a wind chime business?
Wind chime business owners will usually make what they sell and spend most of their time working on new designs. Those who choose to stock other artists’ wind chimes will likely spend their days negotiating and coordinating those purchases. Both types of business owners will need to devote time to fulfilling orders, handling customer complaints, and taking care of various administrative tasks (e.g., business permits, insurance, etc).
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful wind chime business?
Having a background as an artist or a buyer will give an owner a good start into their wind chime business. An artist will need to be able to use their hands and creativity to create one-of-a-kind chimes that can’t be purchased anywhere else. A buyer will need to spot the talent of other artists and bring their products into the limelight so the public can discover them.
What is the growth potential for a wind chime business?
Growth potential can be excellent for wind chime owners, though it may take some time to spark new demand in (what is considered) an outdated technology.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a wind chime business?
Successful wind chime businesses look for new angles to exploit when it comes to marketing their products. When anyone can enjoy the sound of wind chime through an app on their phone, it’s a good idea to highlight what it really means to have a physical object that’s able to catch the wind in all its glory.
Not only does a wind chime capture the sound of the gentle breeze, but it can also bring immense comfort to those who hear it. There are plenty of studies to suggest that a wind chime really can create a sense of calm and peace, which can be a truly profitable marketing angle for a business owner trying to get their business off the ground. Owners should either create or look for wind chime that appeal to modern sensibilities as well as traditional tastes.
Those who are committed to their craft will find new sounds and designs that help their products stand out. Wind chime are often sold at craft and souvenir shops, but you may want to think outside the box when it comes to deciding on a branding strategy. For example, selling themed wind chimes made in the form of popular fictional characters or luxury wind chime made from green materials.
Owners may want to start off slowly online to learn more about the demand for their business. Even buyers may want to create a website that showcases their feature artists best works. Whether you’re planning to sell online or in a physical location though, make sure you have some type of commercial insurance to cover your business. If a bed bug jumps into one of your shipping boxes, you may be held responsible for the damage.
How and when to build a team
Those selling their crafts online should be able to handle customer fulfillment on their own without outside help. Even a wind chime retail store may only need one or two employees if they keep limited hours. If hiring a secretary to keep track of orders or a salesperson to work at a physical location, make sure to hire someone who understands the art of wind chime along with basic customer service skills.