how do i start a mobile dry cleaning business?
336838
There are 2 components to the business you want to start. 1) mobile and 2) dry cleaning.\n\nYou may be able to get started with your day to day car. As business develops though, a van will be necessary.\n\nFor the dry cleaning, you probably don't want to invest in starting one from scratch, so use one that is up and running. My suggestion is finding a local dry cleaner to partner with. Tell them you are starting this business and you need to service a number of clients in the area and what kind of discounts they can offer.\n\nOnce you've determined a price, you can market that price plus a profit to your perspective clients. Take into account, driving time, gas cost, and the dry cleaner's turn around.\n\nYou are basically going to begin this business as the dry cleaner's driver, but once volume picks up and you are sending them lots of business, you will need to renegotiate the cost to make it more profitable for you. \n\nThe hardest part is getting started.\n\nGood luck!
64757
You can start by reading the article "Starting a Janitorial and Cleaning Service Business" at  http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm. The article contains information on startup strategies, operational considerations (prices, manpower, finding suppliers), and marketing the business. \n\nFrom the article, here are some tips:\n\n1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer. \n\n2. The best way to market this business is through cold calling. Drive through the area to look for newly opened businesses, buildings or facilities. Then introduce yourself to the landlords ­ your potential clients ­ and request for an opportunity to bid on their cleaning contract. \n\n3. Draw up a better and more professional proposal by learning firsthand the needs of the potential customer, as well as the layout of the facility (e.g. type of carpeting, etc.)\n\n4.  Networking is another effective strategy to get ahead in the janitorial business. Aside from newly opened buildings, get a list of companies that are downsizing or laying off cleaning staffs.\n\n5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other building owners or entrepreneurs in your area.\n\n6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. \n\n7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.\n\n\n\nFor detailed information I suggest you read the following books:\n\n- Janitorial Service Businesses : Strategies for Promoting, Estimating, and Bidding Cleaning Services \n- The Janitorial Contractors Bible \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business \n- Cleaning Up for a Living: Everything You Need to Know to Become a Successful Building Service Contractor \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business
832232
OK, first you rent out a MEDIUM or SMALL sized space that is up for rent.\n\nAsk your local church if you can do a clothing drive, and tell them your cause.\n\nAsk your friends for their kids old clothes\n\nTake your old clothes and your kids\n\n\nSearch online for a company that will sell you merchandise for a good price. Then search for how to run a steady business
201923
With regards to starting a spa maintenance/cleaning business You may want to read the following articles:\n\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm\nhttp://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTB/is_15_42/ai_105917188\n\nYou may also get ideas from this list of books on a cleaning business:\n\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/bookstore/homecleaning.htm\n\nHere are some articles to help you decide on your business name. One thing to consider is to check whether the business name is not yet being used by another company in your state\n\nWhat's in a Name? http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol3/name.htm\nGetting Your Business Name Right http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol109/name.htm
1104499
get maybe about 5-10 vans. Get very thing checked by the state. Make your plans and ADs. Then start doing your services! Good luck!
506667
1) Start some free gifts with purchase higher than $x. \n2) Start giving a peronal warranty on products\n3) Find a better dealer of mobilephones who can give phones at a cheaper rate so that you can sell it at a cheaper rate\n4) Try giving calling cards and SIM cards with minimum rates or if you can afford free ofcost along with some standard handsets\n5) Start giving free mobile phone wall papers, ringtones, MP3s and Games with mobile phone purchase and as an value addition from your side.\n6) Start some kinda scheme with restaurants, bars and disco pubs where in they can announce mobile phone gift vouchers from your shop.\n7) Start your marketing campaign and also change shop display if necessary\n8) Have a big smile on your face and even if the customer doesn't purchase any phone from your shop, be sure to be polite and happy\n9) Have a staff with excellent customer service\n10) Bottom line should be 'SALES' but on the top it should look like you are there for the "Customer Satisfaction".\n\nHenry (nukeishere@yahoo.com)
377937
Avoid pyramid schemes......\n\nIt's hot? Sell cold, ice cream. drinks? It's Muslim? Soft drinks in places where it's hard to get a drink. Cater to tourists. A digital camera and a photo printer close by - could be the basis of a good business. Use the Natural resources around you to best advantage. Cover the desert in solar panels????
567754
Start some business that is in business world. Then advertised everywhere in yours business categories. Then I hope you will find some good business partner soon.\nBest thing is that you must put yours add in Ghana top order newspaper. And some business yellow pages. or find out in some online business web site.\nyou can search from goggle or other search site\nhttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=forming+business&meta=
493314
Hello, \n\nBelow are websites that I think can help, they are for organizations that help people in countries other than America.  They help with Micro-loans to help you start your own business.  And as it grows you can continue to borrow more money to expand. \n\nYou can also look online for "international micro lender".\n\nThe second and third links are of other men in different parts of Africa that have used the services of Accion International to take loans and start their own businesses.\n\nAnd I don't know if you already have a business idea in mind or not, but African Black Soap and Unrefined Shea Butter sell VERY well in America.  I will put links to this as well.  If you can get a loan to purchase these materials you may be able to start making more money than the gentlemen in the links I provided (we can hope :). I recently paid $30 US for 2 - 5 oz. bars of natural black soap and 2 - 4 oz of unrefined shea butter.  There is also a women that lives in Africa that is selling the soap through ebay.   \n\nBest of luck to you and your family
983200
Yes, in fact one of the largest is Merry Maids and there are several franchise janitorial opportunities and they make excellent money and they're very profitable.\n\nIf you are looking to start a janitorial business, the business rules are always the same and actually, they are quite simple. Here's my advice about starting ANY business!\n\nA business can offer three things to their prospective new customers. The three things are; quality, service or price.  However a business cannot give all three, so, a new business must chose which two out of the three they are going to market.  Keep in mind that service (providing a service or product) when the customer wants it is going to cost something. Providing quality service or products costs something too!\n\nTake Wal-Mart for example.  Their choice is price and some quality.  Think about it; try to find a person in a Wal-Mart department that is available to help the cutomers and also think about the long check-out lines.  Typically these types of "box" store such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target go after the price and some quality market and stay away from service.  On the other side are the stores that offer quality and service and then charge more for their goods, such as; Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale's, etc. Go visit a BMW or Porsche dealer then go to a Ford or Chevrolet dealer and you'll see the contrast.  The Porsche or BMW dealer will offer you a glass of champagne while you MIGHT get a cup of coffee at a Ford or Chevy dealer.  The sale guys at the BMW or Porsche dealer will be wearing  three piece Armanni suits, they guys at the Ford or Chevy dealer will probably be wearing slacks and a pull over golf type shirt!  The difference is that one car will probably cost $30,000 more, so , they sell quality and service!\n\nA successful business decides by way of a business plan which two pieces of the pie they are going to offer and then tailors their sales and marketing efforts towards that market.  For example, let's say you're going to start a janitorial service business.  I would go after the people and clients that want and need quality work such as doctor's offices, dentists offices, banks, etc. and are willing to pay a bit more for it.  In other words, adding value to your service goes a long way in getting and keeping good customers. Price customers usually will always be the ones that will leave when a better price comes along and this is usually not the case when selling and providing quality workmanship and service at a fair price.  There is an old adage in business that goes something like this; "The sweetness of low price is forgotten long after the bitterness of poor quality is remembered."\n\n  Businesses that typically fail are those that try to offer all three items (quality, service & price) and in business  it cannot be done since quality and service come with a price which must be paid by the customer.\n\nTo sum up, pick which two items you're going to offer your prospective accounts and go after the market that fits the two you've picked and don't waste your sales or maketing efforts on the inappropriate type of account or market you are seeking and by all means write a good business plan before you pay out the first dime!  If it doesn't look good on paper, it's not going to look any better after you've spent your money trying to get your business going and remember this phrase as well; If you don't know where you're going, chances are you'll never get there!  Good luck and I hope this helps you!
881631
First come up with a business plan as this is a very competitive field.  The next thing is you will need to get an office space as this is not the type of business you could do home based unless it is a virtual temp agency where you place people that could work from home.  You would need to get people to sign up for your service.  Also you need to get employees to fill the spots that you obtain through companies.  Call small businesses and try to get them to sign up.  One niche would be to place employees in homebased businesses as this is hard for homebased business owners to find.  You also need to find out more about how to set up from the local SBA.  They will show you how to set up.
213005
Try the auction sales in your city. Usually the City and state sanitation conduct auction to sell old equipment, including Dump trucks.
430784
You can start by reading the article "Starting a Janitorial and Cleaning Service Business" at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm . The article contains information on startup strategies, operational considerations (prices, manpower, finding suppliers), and marketing the business. \n\nFrom the article, here are some tips:\n\n1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer. \n\n2. The best way to market this business is through cold calling. Drive through the area to look for newly opened businesses, buildings or facilities. Then introduce yourself to the landlords ­ your potential clients ­ and request for an opportunity to bid on their cleaning contract. \n\n3. Draw up a better and more professional proposal by learning firsthand the needs of the potential customer, as well as the layout of the facility (e.g. type of carpeting, etc.)\n\n4. Networking is another effective strategy to get ahead in the janitorial business. Aside from newly opened buildings, get a list of companies that are downsizing or laying off cleaning staffs.\n\n5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other building owners or entrepreneurs in your area.\n\n6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. \n\n7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.\n\nFor detailed information I suggest you read the following books:\n\n- Janitorial Service Businesses : Strategies for Promoting, Estimating, and Bidding Cleaning Services \n- The Janitorial Contractors Bible \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business \n- Cleaning Up for a Living: Everything You Need to Know to Become a Successful Building Service Contractor \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business
1000555
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\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* Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services: A Resource Guide to Developing and Maintaining Your Own Janitorial or Home Cleaning Business by Walter Fenix\n* Start and Run a Home Cleaning Business by Susan Bewsey\n* Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups) by Jacquelyn Lynn\n* How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business, 2nd (Home-Based Business Series) by Laura Jorstad\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1059965
You could go around to local businesses that you would be frequenting for your clients and ask them how you can set up an account (this will give you anywhere from 15-30 days to pay for the product after you have actually gotten it).  Now the account can be under your name and you can be billed bi-weekly or monthly OR you can tell them about your business and ask that they allow your indivisual clients to open an account.  Say it's a dry cleaner and a florist, If your client is Mrs. Smith, once you know that you will be picking up fresh flowers daily and dry cleaning once a week for her,  you ask that she call the 2 businesses and set up an account that allows you to get these things while the amounts are billed directly to her.  Then all you have to worry about is your fee.  This may not be the best way to go though, since your in the business of making your clients lives easier.  \n\nI would say your best bet is to have accounts at any and all local businesses that you will be using and leave a bill with the products at your clients homes.  Give them a 15 day period to pay you and get yourself a 30 day period to pay your account up. \n\nBest of luck
337151
You need to determine what type of market will your cleaning services tap - do you want to clean private homes, or do you want to service businesses and clean offices? A maid service will be limited to cleaning and maintaining households, while a janitorial business can service hospitals, retail stores, manufacturing facilities, offices, or even parking lots. Opportunities for growth abound in this business, as many commercial cleaning companies as they grow their business offer additional services such as drapery, carpet and window cleaning, lighting, green plants maintenance, heating/ventilation/air conditioning, security, landscaping, parking lot striping, pest control services, etc.\n\nMy advice is for you to read more of the business, so you can determine what you think you want and can given your present resources. The book "101 Best Businesses to Start" estimates that first year potential earnings for this business can be $40,000, while startup expenses can be $5,000 or even lower. Industry experts, however, recommend raising $50,000 for a startup capital in order to be able to invest in heavy duty cleaning equipment and have more resources to spend in marketing the business.\n\nYou may want to read the article "Starting a Janitorial or Cleaning Service Business at PowerHomeBiz.com at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm . \n\nFrom the article, here are some tips:\n\n1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer. \n\n2. Create little flyers about your business, and distribute it in areas where there are homeowners or parents. Some ideas include daycares, doctor offices.\n\n3. Create alliances with people who are in a position to refer your services -- examples include real estate agents (they can pitch your services to new homeowners in the area), daycare centers, etc.\n\n4. Networking is the most effective strategy to get ahead in the cleaning business. \n\n5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other home owners in your area.\n\n6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. \n\n7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.\n\nFor more in-depth information about the business, we have compiled a list of books on the topic and you can either purchase the book or borrow them from your library. The list of recommended books on starting a home cleaning business can be found at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/bookstore/homecleaning.htm\n\n- How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business (Author: Melinda Morse)\n- Start and Run a Home Cleaning Business (Author: Susan Bewsey)\n- Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services: A Resource Guide to Developing and Maintaining Your Own Janitorial or Home Cleaning Business (Author: Walter Fenix)\n- Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups) (Author: Jacquelyn Lynn )\n- Start and Run a Profitable Home Cleaning Business \nAAuthor: Susan Bewsey
463388
Entrepreneur Magazine has made a very good list of Low Cost Startup Businesses that you can do on a small budget \n\nhttp://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nYou can also find some other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\n\nBut the best business will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while you would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. Or one might think that cleaning houses is a good business idea, but you simply don't think so; or one may gush about selling on eBay but if you have nothing to sell on eBay, then it is not for you.\n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner