I need some advice from all of you who have started your own studio or puppet performance shows. Here in Indiana, there are not very many Puppet related items that I can find, even the churches around here have dropped most of their puppet ministries. Besides Periwinkle's puppets, there isn't much. I tried to start a puppet ministry here at a local church, but quickly realized that their vision was limited and after awhile, it was difficult to move ahead with shows. I wanted to spread out to schools, libraries, public performances, parties, and so on. I want to have a quality of show and puppets that are above the standard. That brings me to this point, I want to start a studio here and don't know much more then what I saw from a video series on EHow from Paul Louis (You Rock Paul, thanks). I could use any direction, info, and advice anyone has. I would also love to sale puppets I make and so on. I have some great ideas, but turning ideas into reality isn't always easy. I seek the experience and wisdom of all of you so I don't make mistakes. I feel the local children are missing out on one of the greatest entertainment tools the world has, the ultimate teaching tool, puppets.

If you liked what Paul had to say in his on-line videos, you might want to try his e-book called Make Money With Puppets!. I am sure that others will be along also with some input also.  I think you just have to keep at it and not let up. It also helps if you can find others in your area with the same passion for puppetry as you that can help in developing your market and product. 

Thanks Shawn for the E-book idea. I had no idea it was out there. I look forward to others ideas too so I can come up with a plan.

You can try using Facebook to find people in your area with their search engine.. Put in your state and then search the term "puppet" or "puppetry", etc. and maybe you get lucky and find some other local people.

I think the first thing you need to do is make a decision of your own personal direction. I would say this for puppetry or any facet of life though. Get a solid direction. Do you want to travel the state doing shows? Sell puppets? Both? Happy to give more opinions on specific items if I can be of any help.

www.onewaystreet.com has tons of resources! Everything from puppets to scripts to stages

Okay, you want a vision? I want to do puppet shows starting locally for schools, churches, and libraries. I would love to do shows for special events like birthdays and so on. I want to do shows at retierment centers and many other places. I want to work with local churches to send some puppets with local short term missions around the world and have them perform then leave the puppets there. I want to make puppets and sale them. I want to do small childrens videos for learning. I have all the capability and experience in all this and have a group (my life group) that would love to help me. Sadly, I am buisness dumb and money to make these items happen is another thing. I have a passion, and a large dream. People who know me, even non Christians, all say that I have a calling and gift in this area and to not move forward would be strangling something I am supposed to do. That is why I have come to all of you, the wise and experienced. You all have a passion for puppets and performance and I know most of you can relate to me here. Thank you for anything you all can do to help. I have always gone by this motto, "you don't have to know everything, you just need to know where to get the correct answeres", and that is why am here now.

That is quite a impressive vision. I have been working on my vision for over eight years. There were times I did not think any of it would materialize. I took one day at a time. I have hanging on the wall above my computer three list " A to do list ", " A want list " and at the top of my list is a dream
" My Big wish List " I start from the bottom and try and complete the to do list, then my want list. Now after three years I'm getting one of the things on my big list.

Money was a big issue so I took out a $1500 loan and bought supplies, then paid that off. Every time I get a bit of free money I buy supplies being it from a supplier, Ebay, yard sales, etc. I ask family and friends to help me by giving me money instead of buying gifts for B-days,Christmas, etc. You have to set small goals and complete them. don't expect things to happen over night. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in and things will happen for you. If there is anyway I can help let me know.

I still have dreams and goals and some don't come to pass as fast I would like but I keep trying. it seems sometimes I take two steps forward and something comes along and I take three steps back. Then around the corner something always makes the hard work worth while  you can do it you just need a plan. Paul Louis book is a good start. Start a bank account to save funds for the things you want to do. Get folks to donate yard sale stuff and sell that to make money, do whatever it takes.

 I believe in you!

Billy d.

It sounds like in your position there's a couple of things you need to do. You basically want to run what is essentially 2 businesses in 1. A puppet design studio, and a performance group. Ambitious for sure, that's awesome! My first suggestion would be to take a few hours and work up a business plan. This way you will have a much tighter grasp on what each portion of your idea will cost you, and be able to set things up in stages.

Even with a small amount of seed money you could get a few characters for your performances, build your own stage for a fraction of a pre-made one, and be on your way doing local gigs. Then the money you make from that can start funding the collection of supplies. Like Billy mentioned with his loan, $1500 got him started but he's still buying supplies on a regular basis.. That part is neverending!! Having the ability to generate money from early performances will get you some cash to build up the supplies and tools you will need. Because there will be tons of supplies to get your hands on!!

As far as the building is concerned. Do you plan on building 1 of a kind custom characters for people, or do you plan on making say dozens of smaller hand puppet versions of your main performers? That can greatly shift the start-up costs too. You wanted to leave puppets behind places. Make sure to leave things like scripts, songs, etc. behind as well so the people you are training have some start-up materials to begin with themselves. All the more reason for a business plan since those expenses of left behind items need to come from somewhere.

Websites are essential. Google Places listing is free, tons of online directories are free to list your website on to get some basic starting backlinks. Add a Twitter account for good measure too, link it to the site. Post progress pics, performance pics/vids, etc. Document your process, people love the 'behind the scenes' type of thing, and it shows the work and dedication to your craft.

Hope that helps a little more You can do it!!

That is quite a impressive vision. I have been working on my vision for over eight years. There were times I did not think any of it would materialize. I took one day at a time. I have hanging on the wall above my computer three list " A to do list ", " A want list " and at the top of my list is a dream
" My Big wish List " I start from the bottom and try and complete the to do list, then my want list. Now after three years I'm getting one of the things on my big list.

Money was a big issue so I took out a $1500 loan and bought supplies, then paid that off. Every time I get a bit of free money I buy supplies being it from a supplier, Ebay, yard sales, etc. I ask family and friends to help me by giving me money instead of buying gifts for B-days,Christmas, etc. You have to set small goals and complete them. don't expect things to happen over night. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in and things will happen for you. If there is anyway I can help let me know.

I still have dreams and goals and some don't come to pass as fast I would like but I keep trying. it seems sometimes I take two steps forward and something comes along and I take three steps back. Then around the corner something always makes the hard work worth while  you can do it you just need a plan. Paul Louis book is a good start. Start a bank account to save funds for the things you want to do. Get folks to donate yard sale stuff and sell that to make money, do whatever it takes.

 I believe in you!

Billy d.

Thank you Billy! I was just giving up before reading this.
Anyway I see this job requires many skills. One have to be aware about his good and bad sides. I'm a good marionette maker, quite agood actor but a poor manager and I'm very often too lazy with decorations.
And with this I'm starting again.
And again.
And maby again...

My suggestion would be start with one area of your plan first and then branch off from there. If you start too much at once it can become overwhelming. Perhaps start with puppet making and selling for a bit. Put some of that money aside for puppets, props, etc. that you'll be using yourself. Then once you've done that enough you can start the branching out.