Selling Homecoming Mums

Starting a Homecoming Mums Tradition in Alabama

I want to open a homecoming mums business in Huntsville, Alabama, but no one here knows what they are. I grew up in south Texas and received mums from 6th grade till my senior year in high school.

My son will be going to 7th grade next fall, and I would like to introduce the tradition here.

He has a little "girlfriend", so I might just start with her. I really need some advice.

How do I start this?

Jennifer

I can tell you from our mail that the tradition of Homecoming Mums is definitely spreading.

We get inquiries from all across the Southwest about where to find supplies. Frequently it's from people like you who have moved away from Texas or Oklahoma and can't find Homecoming Mum supplies.

On that point, you may be interested in these reader letters with tips on ordering Homecoming Mum supplies through the Internet: Homecoming Mums Supplies and More Homecoming Mums Suppliers.

As for opening a Homecoming Mum store in Huntsville, I would encourage you not to do so until you have assured yourself that there is enough of a market. It sounds like you've already done some market research because you say "no one here knows what they are". However you need to dig deeper.

Try to locate other families with teenagers who have relocated from Homecoming Mum Country. Your son and his girlfriend might be able to help with this.

See if you can generate some enthusiasm for the idea in Huntsville. If your son gives his girl a Homecoming Mum and she is the only one who gets one, she may be too timid to even wear it!

If you have samples or saved some of your own Homecoming Mums, see if you can get a local newspaper to run a story. It would make a great human interest piece.

You might get some ideas to promote Homecoming Mums from my article What Are Homecoming Mums?.

I would stress that the Homecoming Mum tradition is a good way to involve more of the student body in the fun of homecoming.

Not everyone is a cheerleader or a football player! This is healthy, productive fun that can make fond memories for your kids - the kind you have from your school years in south Texas.

Finally to those who might argue that the wearing of Homecoming Mums in school is a distraction from schoolwork, I would say, "Oh you think the whole homecoming tradition is not a distraction?"

My guess is little schoolwork gets accomplished around homecoming week - with or without Homecoming Mums!

We have a lot of articles on how to make mums and find supplies. Visit the Homecoming Mums Index for a full list, including weaving instructions for the most popular streamers.