Making Cross Necklaces – Interviews

There has been a lot of talk about Disciples Cross and whether it is a legitimate home based opportunity.

If you have been reading anything from me for a while, you already know that I caution you against using the Disciples Cross buy back program. I have read numerous accounts of it not working. That being said, there is still a wonderful opportunity in making the cross necklaces. You will need to market and sell the crosses on your own, but as you will read below, it can be done successfully!

Today, I am talking with two ladies who make cross necklaces, Brenda Boutte and Melodie Serflaten. Please visit their websites and see their beautiful work. (links are after the interview)

Meet Brenda Boutte’

1. Can you tell us what business you are in?

I make cross necklaces out of horseshoe nails and colored wire, with
a simulated leather cord.

2. How long have you been doing your business?

I have been in the business for about 1 and one half years.

3. How many hours a week do you usually work?

About 20 hours a week, I have other priorities also.

4. Tell us what an average work day is like for you.

I try to make crosses as much as I can when I am not babysitting
my grandbaby, or working at a gift shop in town.

5. How long did it take your business to become profitable?

It did not take long at all for my crosses to sell. I started selling
to individuals, then I went to a feed store in my area to see if they
would buy my crosses wholesale and then sell them for a profit.
They said yes right away. Then I decided to go to each town in my
area and ask one store owner if they wanted to purchase them wholesale
and then sell them for a profit. Now I have 9 stores that carry my
crosses. I also have one chain store that carries my crosses and pays
me once a month. I make on average of about $469.00 a month on all
sales together. My goal is $1000.00 or more a month.

6. What is the best piece of advice or tip you could give someone who wants

to get started in the same type of business you’re in?

My advice to someone that is in the business that I am in is never
give up make crosses to your hearts content and go out and find a
place to sell them and go back to the drawing board and do it all
over again, then you will have them calling you for orders.

7. Anything additional you’d like to share?

These crosses sell themselves and you will be so blessed that you
can make money and honor God at the same time.

Brenda Boutte’
www.newcovenantcross.com

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Meet Melodie Serflaten

1. Can you tell us what business you are in?

I make and sell cross necklaces, keychains, anklets and so on. I am also expanding into making other jewelry as well.

2. How long have you been doing your business?

I started Mel’s Crosses in August, 2008.

3. How many hours a week do you usually work?

I try to spend at least 2 to 3 hours working on my website a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. Making the jewelry I usually spend anywhere from 10 to 20 hours a week (on a busy week I spend up to 40 hours) – depends on how many orders I get in.

4. Tell us what an average work day is like for you.

I normally work when my youngest is taking a nap from 10:30 till about 1 or so and then again after both are in bed, which is 8pm til I’m finished with what I am doing, but not later than 11pm.

5. How long did it take your business to become profitable?

It is still a work in progress as anything I make from the business is going back into it to get more supplies.

6. What is the best piece of advice or tip you could give someone who wants

to get started in the same type of business you’re in?

That it takes time, and isn’t going to be a success right away. You will only get out of the business what you put into it. That any type of home business is going to take time and hard work to make it successful and if you aren’t willing to put the effort or time into it, then you won’t see the results you are looking for.

Melodie Serflaten
Custom Cross Jewelry
www.melscrosses.com

Thanks very much to both Brenda and Melodie for sharing with us!