Rachel Park had foresight to see that time had come to create something a bit off beaten path for male population. In June 2001 she opened her own unique on-line neck wear boutique. Visit http://rachelpark.com to see ties Rachel sells for between $15.00 and $40.00.

Tips for a handcrafted clothing and accessories Web site:

1. Don't think this business is for women only. Remember, some of top fashion designers in world are men.

2. Even though you charge a premium price for handcrafted products, does not mean you can't use templates and fixtures to help automate construction process.

3. Choosing a product for your business is only first step. You also need to create (or hire someone to create) an attractive and functional Web site, and promote that Web site. Your Web site should not be just a catalog of your products. You also need to provide good content, like Rachel's information that lets men choose a tie by shirt color, and step-by-step instructions on how to tie a tie. Good content is "food" for search engines.

Style is a rare commodity in todays look-alike manufactured world. You can help people dress and feel good by providing them with custom designed and crafted clothing and accessories. In meeting demand for style, you can make kind of profit that lets you live in style. ----------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com -----------------------------------------------------------

Weapon: your reply: "I'd love to do that for you, I'll fax you my rates and amended contract later this afternoon."

=> The Artiste

Her cry varies. Variations on theme include:

* "This didn't grab me as it should have";

* "I expected more from you"; and

* "I was disappointed that _______"

The Artiste has a vision of completed project in her head. Unfortunately, she can't articulate her vision so that you can execute it adequately.

Your weapon: a signed contract which specifies that you will complete one revision. All further revisions are chargeable at your hourly rate, which is $X.

=> The Spider, aka Quicksand

Her cry is: "I'm sorry to spring this on you at last minute, but we need it for a lunch meeting. It won't take you long". The Spider is most dangerous of difficult clients.

Here's how a scenario with The Spider plays out:

* she dictates brief over phone because she's in a meeting/ in her car/ late for a plane;

* project must be completed within an hour or a couple of hours; hence

* no time for a contract;

* you can't reach her when you realize you don't have enough information to complete project;

* you'll complete project knowing you've done a less than adequate job; and

* you won't get paid.

Your weapon: your mantra, which is "no contract, no deal". You will be tempted. The Spider is plausible, and offers you candy in form of promises of future work.

Don't succumb. Remember: you won't get paid. This is because you won't submit an invoice, because you know you did a poor job. You know this because The Spider takes delight in calling you to say: "We couldn't use work you sent. It wasn't up to our standard."

The Spider is dangerous because she will bad-mouth you in your industry. After doing her best to ruin your reputation, she will call you again within a few months, using same tactics.

At times in your business journey, you'll work with so many difficult clients that you'll begin to wonder whether you're wearing an invisible "Kick Me" sign. Always remember that The Contract is your primary weapon. It turns most ferocious difficult clients into purring kittens.

***Resource box: if using, please include***

When your words sound good, you sound good. Author and copywriter Angela Booth crafts words for your business --- words to sell, educate or persuade. Free ezines: http://www.digital-e.biz/