How to Start an African Arts & Crafts Business

To start an African arts and crafts business, begin by writing a business plan. Make decisions about the location of your business and products you plan to sell. Ease into the business by starting small to gauge the market for your products. 

1. Write a business plan for your business. Create a detailed document that outlines your plan and vision. Clearly define your goals and the steps you plan to take to establish, fund and grow it.

2. Pinpoint the types of African products to sell. You might focus on a particular country in Africa or choose products from several different regions. You may be interested in selling primarily African jewelry and masks. Alternatively, your business inventory might be quite broad, including African clothing, statues, sculptures and more.   

3. Establish a plan for obtaining your inventory of goods. You may know an African arts and crafts wholesaler who will sell you items in bulk at a price allowing a profit. If you have contacts in Africa, you might communicate with them about shipping to you. Or you might want to take a trip to a country or two in Africa to locate and purchase the items you wish to sell.  

4. Decide on the best venue for your business. This may be a weekend swap meet, a store space in a populated shopping area or a shelf in a dozen different stores of other business owners who specialize in selling arts and crafts supplies from different cultures.

5. Research the licensing and business tax laws. Obtain the necessary business licenses and all information related to paying business taxes and charging sales tax. Create systems for tracking important expenses, taxes and revenue.