Starting manufacturing business. Food stuff, Domestic pet food.
119176
There are several ways to go about this:\n\n1. You can hire a market research professional\n2. Or do it yourself, which if you are not a market research professional may have a significant learning curve\n\nYou did not indicate whether you have the budget to hire someone (usually cost about a thousand dollars or way more) or you will do it yourself.\n\nYou may want to do a focus group discussion, where an experienced facilitator can talk with about 10-15 of the target audience you want. Questions could include where do they purchase their dog food, what are the factors they consider when deciding what treats to buy their dogs, how much they typically spend on pet food, and others. Focus groups are candid, no holds barred discussions and a good facilitator would know how to control the free wheeling discussion.\n\nYou can also do a survey (say, about 100 respondents to give you a good sample). You have to work carefully in crafting the questions, striking a balance between closed questions and open ended questions without making the questionnaire too long affecting your response rate. The question of course is where to send your questionnaire, and this is where you need help.
340499
I think I would start by contacting local businesses which you would want to sell your product. Ask them how they get the goods they sell. If it's from a warehouse ask for the name and some contact details. I think I might try and avoid some of the big chains because they may be expecting a large quantity and a regular supply of goods.
537659
Hi there,\nCreate your own 'portable' business.\n\nhttp://webmaster-directory.first411.com\n\nis a great resource.\n\nMore Power to You!
611450
I suggest you read the free article "How to Start Your Own Highly Profitable Home Based Catering Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol25/cateri... . The article can give you an introduction on how to start your own catering business. It covers information on the demand for catering, startup costs, income potential, and marketing your catering business.\n\nSome other articles providing information on how to start a catering business\n\nhttp://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/homebus/354-305/354-305.html\nhttp://www.4www.us/catering/catering-business.htm\nhttp://www.metrokc.gov/health/foodbiz/cater.htm\nhttp://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_SK/display&c=GuideHowto&cid=1102419629903\nhttp://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_ON%2Fdisplay&lang=en&cid=1085679426135&c=GuideHowto\n\nFor detailed information, I suggest you check out the following books:\n\n- How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business \n- How to Run a Catering Business from Home \n- The Complete Caterer: A Practical Guide to the Craft and Business of Catering \n- How to Manage a Successful Catering Business \n- Catering Management \n- Successful Catering \n- Start Your Own Catering Business \n\nYou can also learn a lot from the following associations of the catering industry:\n\nNational Association of Catering Executives http://www.nace.net/\nNational Restaurant Association http://www.restaurant.org
557624
You've got a couple of issues here -- let's tackle one at a time.\n\nRE: Retail Sales of the trading cards\n\nThe best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping\n* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel \n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nRE: Copyright\n\nYou would apply for a copyright, not a patent, for any original designs.\n\nCopyrights can be obtained for things of an artistic nature. This includes, of course, poetry, films, sculptures, music, fiction, etc. But can also include things that may not necessarily seem "artistic" in the general sense of the word. Copyrights can also be obtained for advertising copy, games, software programs and blueprints, to name just a few. \n\nYou can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $30 per application (it will likely rise to $45 by July 1).\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
102443
nah, that doesnt sound like a business that would flourish. but just a few minutes ago i answered a question to some guy looking for someone to assist him in building a fish farm in sri lanka...that would be something for you!!!
617767
can't help but i admire your courage to start your own business.  best of luck
574600
Start your own pet sitting/dog walking service...ask those ppl for donations and take the money you earn to save up to go to fla...you might also volunteer at the local shelter and put up flyers while your there and network with ohter animal lovers who might be able to help you...any dream worth living will take focus,commitment and effort on your part to come true..good luck!
463105
consutlting in real estates or in hiring candidates in mnc or u can start a automobile manufacturing spare parts unit with min 2.5lac investment where the company gives u the raw material and u have to give them a finished product and u earn apprx 50pm
511219
Veternarian, Pet shop manager, animal obiedeince trainer.  Kennel manager/owner.  Pet groomer.
429964
A good way is offering a product that everyone will want. Check out my web site for more info at www.LeonAmerica.com\nFor more information, please e-mail me at cesarpalmbeach@aol.com  You can be in any state, and service this product in any state. You also get residual income and leverage your time to make money. You can start right away.
110992
I don't think it's possible to open 1 yourself :( \nYou need to make a company O_o first!
472916
Be careful.  There are always "experts" out there who will take your money and steal your idea or recipe.  \n\nI suggest you visit your local Health Department and SBA organization first and see what is involved in doing it all yourself. You may be able to lease a commercial kitchen at night when their business is closed.  That way you don't have the huge expense of setting up your own kitchen and still have the stainless steel sink etc.  to meet all the health standards.  You can buy the bottles and stoppers off the internet and create labels and order forms on your computer.  It would be easy to test the market.\n\nOur homebased business began in the garage and grew to gross over a million a year for awhile.  We started by marketing at retail trade shows like "the Harvest Festival" and later wholesale trade shows like the San Francisco International shows at the Moscone Center.  They have food/condiment sections.  If you are good enough someone who mass produces will approach you and in the meantime your investment is just for the booth at the show and the product itself.    In our case, we had approached some big outfits previously but they were not interested in us until they found us at the SF show.  I guess it lent some legitimacy to us.   This will also give you an idea of "potential income"  If one of those companies wants to buy you out, have an attorney who specializes in sales of businesses handle it.  He'll set the price by X amount of potential income that you are giving up by not running the business yourself.  Good Luck
380781
you are too vague for estimating, Are you going to manufacture? or buy from a wholesaler? or have someone else make it for you? How large a space do you need ? you will need office staff, warehouse staff, computer systems, software, Phone systemsforklifts, storage systems, Trucking companys need to be contacted and .....  Too many variables . You need a business plan
6532
Research yourself first.  A new business must come from something internal encompassing things, or at least some things, that you love.
151806
How about a stock market for dogs and cats.  I want to boost their financial well being so they will stop meowing and barking at me everytime they get hungry.\n\nHey go get your own food guys, is it my fault you don't have any $$$ - and cut out the we can't open the cans, we don't have opposable thumbs argument, I'm not listening.
674602
Work on your language skills before you open a business.  One must be able to speak, write and spell properly to run a successful business.  The way you have phrased your question I would be afraid to leave my pet gerbil in your care.