<slider>
Let’s have a look at some examples of successful businesses in the crafts sector. These will give us a clue on what is important to be thinking about when starting a new business. 

Here are the main success factors:

• Understand your product
• Encourage a positive environment
• Look for mentors
• Consider apprenticeships

</slider>

<slider>
The people are probably the most important asset you have in your business (including yourself).
It is necessary to understand the relationship between this human capital and what you are producing or offering as a service.

When talking about skills and human capital, it is really important to consider what the people contribute to the final product or service. How does the way that the people react to different situations or materials change?
For example, what is the difference for you workers between working with high-quality materials and low-cost materials?

Let's have a look at the case of Missom company.
</slider>

<slider>
Missom

This drumstick-making company originally started as a drumstick-design company. The founder of the company had the idea to design custom drumsticks, but didn’t plan on producing them himself until he was unable to find anyone else to do it. The drive and inventiveness of the human components of this company are the base for its success. In this case we see the unique human capital of the producers to be able to offer a special product to the market.



Think about the whole process of production with this video
See a little bit more about the value of human capital here



</slider>

<slider>
What materials do you need for your product or service?

And how do these materials interact with the people in your company? How do they affect one another?
</slider>

<slider>
Hints inspired by our case studies

• Understand what already exists in the market that is similar to what you want to do.
• Analyse the components that you will need for your product or service.
• Consider factors like quality, sourcing, prices, etc.

</slider>

<slider>
We spend a large part of our life at work, and when it is our skills that make the product or service special, it is important that the workplace is positive. Especially when starting a business you should know that you will be working a lot, but this work environment should encourage you to do your best work and be happy while doing it for long-term success.

Let's have a look at the case of Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere company.
</slider>

<slider>
Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere

For this luxury fashion brand, human capital might just be the most important question for the owner. Brunello Cucinelli insists that his workers are people, not machines, and therefore have the right to be artisans, earn a fair wage, and be done with work at 17:30 (really done with work).

Check out an interview with the founder of this company here



</slider>

<slider>
So how can you create a positive environment in your work-place?

How can you figure out what matters to the people that work for you?
</slider>

<slider>
Hints inspired by our case studies

• Focus on human capital, how can you use the skills available without taking advantage of them.
• Think about what is important to each individual.
• Be proud of what each person is creating.

</slider>

<slider>
But what are mentors?

Mentors are people who have more experience and
knowledge about certain things than you. They are people who can help you better understand the situation that you are in, someone who can give you advice when you are not sure how to move forward.

Mentors don’t have to be someone who is from the same field, but should be someone who you look up to and respect. Your mentor should help you develop as an artisan, as a business, or as a person (and ideally, as all three).

Let's have a look at mentoring.
</slider>

<slider>
Mentoring

The process of finding a business mentor might not be easy, it requires networking so that you can meet the people that you want to mentor you and you will probably have to offer something to your mentor. Once you have found someone you would like to mentor you, don’t ask them to be your mentor off the bat. Remember you are asking them for help, so be authentic, make a connection, and offer them something in return.



See advice about how to find a good mentor for you here. 

</slider>

<slider>
So how can you find a mentor?
</slider>

<slider>
Hints inspired by our case studies

• Consider business already established in your field.
• Connect with the experts in what you want to do – make a connection and be sincere with your intentions.
• Remember that you will probably have to give back in some way.

</slider>

<slider>
Both if you want to learn more about your own business and to pass on the knowledge that you have to the next generation.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is a way of learning that is based on the practical application of knowledge and skills. In the artisan community apprenticeship is a very important way to adquire/pass on knowledge that is difficult to learn by reading a book.

How do apprenticeships work?

In the case of an apprenticeship, a company will ‘hire’ someone to work for them. However, this work will include a teaching period, where the apprentice will learn what is expected of him or her in the field. The apprentice might be paid or might pay to learn from an expert in the craft.

Let's have a look at the case of Luc Vaganay company. 
</slider>

<slider>
Luc Vaganay

This company specialises in furniture restoration and, as a team, probably has more experience than they can count (some of their projects are more than 500 hours). Luc Vaganay also participates in an Apprenticeship Program for future artisans in this field. Working with a team that has a lot of experience in the craft can be incredibly beneficial to someone who is just starting out. Initiatives like this make sure that future artisans learn what they need to know about restoration in a practical way.


The importance of apprenticeship is becoming more visible in Europe. Check out what the EU thinks here.

</slider>

<slider>
Hints inspired by our case studies

• Consider apprenticeships as a way to learn, but also as a way to share.
• Understand what all components of the relationship want out of the apprenticeship before starting to obtain maximum results.
• Remember the value that each individual brings to the table.

</slider>

<slider>
Are you ready to try it on your own?

Here are some questions for you to think of (assignments).

If you are an individual working alone, consider what you capacities are.

• Either on paper or an equivalent electronic platform (such as Word or Excel) begin to divide up the time you are willing to work, how long it takes to create one project, etc.
• Make sure to include in your plan time for obtaining materials, making and eating meals, resting, and anything else that is important to your creative process.
• When you have outlined how much you can do, consider if you are able to make enough product to be sustainable. If not, reconsider your process – failing to take care of yourself will be detrimental to you plan, and you are not able to do more than you can do. 

</slider>

<slider>
Are you ready to try it on your own? 

Here are some questions for you to think of (assignments).

If you are working in a group, try this teambuilding exercise that focuses completely on listening.

• Each member is allowed to pick two topics about the company, the process, the treatment of others, etc. within the business:
  • Something that he or she perceives as positive.
  • Something that he or she thinks could use improvement. 
• Sit in a circle, and starting with one member, each member will then have three minutes to talk about each of his or her topics. The rest of the group must only listen. When this member has finished, the person to his or her left must recap, without input, what the previous person said.
• When the activity is complete, review how it felt to listen and be listened to, and if any new information was obtained/understood.

</slider>

<slider>
More information on this topic (additional material)

Look for official courses/workshops in your area of expertise to help you improve your (and your coworkers’) skills. Some of these activities offer certification, but non-certifiable courses can also be beneficial.

Use online resources like Forbes Magazine’s article “5 Quick Ways You Can Bring Positive Psychology To Your Workplace” to help you maintain positivity in the workplace, available here

Don’t know what it means to be a project manager? There are many online resources about how to be a good project manager. LinkedIn offers us this article about 10 qualities you should have, available here

Still don’t understand how to do it? Look for a course on how to be a good project manager. Courses are available both online and regionally.

</slider>