I want to start my own business as a personal assistant/errandgirl/shopper- how do I do this?
913080
Do a search on "errand service" or "personal concierge" \nLook at the individuals who had created their own business and website.\nRead what they do and how much they charge.\nDetermine what services you'll offer, what your hours are, how much you'll charge (and not lose money) and how you will take and record orders.\nI'd suggest passing out flyers and putting an ad in the newspaper.\nYou could also contact the companies within a high rise office building to try to get clients from their employees.  I might even be more professional, identify what businesses (with a lot of centralized employees) are in a particular office park/building and call the HR director to make an appointment to meet them for 15 minutes to tell what you are offering.
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
181708
You can start by reading free business plans on childcare business - they give you an overview of the industry, and what strategies you must take to succeed in the business:\n\nhttp://www.sba.gov/library/pubs/mp-30.doc\nhttp://www.misbtdc.org/documents/BPWORKBK.pdf\nhttp://www.misbtdc.org/documents/CDCPLAN.pdf\nhttp://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/sbic/bplans.htm \n\nYou may want to read the free article "How To Start Your Own Day Care Center" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol40/daycare.htm \nIt covers various aspects of starting and running a daycare center including the demand for daycare centers, how to start this business, shoestring strategies, how to operate a daycare center, tips on caring for the children, income potential, how to manage your daycare, marketing your business and other additional income potential. There are so many things to learn about the business that the first step is to read everything you can find.\n\nFor in-depth information, I suggest checking out the following books:\n\n- Start and Run a Profitable Home Day Care \n- The Daycare Provider's Workbook \n- Start Your Own At-Home Child Care Business \n- So You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center : \nEverything You Need to Know to Plan, Organize and Implement a Successful Program \n\nIt is also important that you learn the tax rules affecting daycare centers, especially if you are going to open one from your home. Here is the IRS page on child care centers: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/industries/content/0,,id=99878,00.html\n\nWith regards to licensing, contact this agency:\n\nDepartment of Children & Families \nChild Care Regulation Office \n1317 Winewood Blvd. Building 6 \nRoom 389A \nTallahassee, FL 32399-0700 \nPhone: 850-488-4900 \nFax: 850-488-9584 \nWeb site: http://www.myflorida.com/childcare/
1173364
The 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* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* The Small Business Owner's Manual: Everything You Need To Know To Start Up And Run Your Business by Joe Kennedy\n* How to Get Rich in the Service Station Business by Edward R. O'Donnell\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1072853
Have you thought about going into business for yourself? Think of all your interests & ask yourself if any of those could be expanded into a business. Just keep in mind...what's your expertise? What are your interests? What could you imagine yourself doing?\n\nBy researching the prospect of starting your own business -- what it entails, what you need to know, helpful hints, etc -- you'll feel better prepared to take that plunge.\n\nI found some book titles that are relevant to your specific question:\n\n* 101 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home by Susan Sweeney\n* The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century by Paul Edwards\n* Selling Online: How to Become a Successful E-Commerce Merchant by Jim Carroll\n* I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It by Barbara Sher\n* I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work by Julie Jansen\n* The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start by Marian Betancourt\n* The Shoestring Entrepreneur's Guide to Internet Start-Ups by Robert Spiegel \n* Making a Living Without a Job : Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love by Barbara Winter\n\nI also posted some article links in the source box.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
116615
First and foremost you need to have your license.\nCalculate your personal expenses for two years and try to save that money, just in case you start your business and no money comes in for the first or two years.\nStart your business at home, that way you have less expenses. You will also need to find out how much it will cost to buy a computer and software (usually around $10,000).\n\nThen try to make friends with Architecs and Surveyors.\nUsually they will refere you to jobs.\nThat's how my friend got started and now he is really busy with a lot of work.
1013826
Think of all your interests & ask yourself if any of those could be expanded into a business. Just keep in mind...what's your expertise? What are your interests? What could you imagine yourself doing?\n\nBy researching the prospect of starting your own business -- what it entails, what you need to know, helpful hints, etc -- you'll feel better prepared to take that plunge.\n\nI found some book titles that are relevant to your specific question:\n\n* Small Business Savvy: A Woman's Guide to Building a Business by Norma J. Rist, Katina Z. Jones\n* The Woman's Advantage: 20 Women Entrepreneurs Show You What It Takes to Grow Your Business by Mary Cantando\n* The Women's Business Resource Guide by Barbara Littman\n* Powertools for Women in Business: 10 Ways to Succeed in Life and Work by Aliza Sherman\n\n* 101 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home by Susan Sweeney\n* The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century by Paul Edwards\n* Selling Online: How to Become a Successful E-Commerce Merchant by Jim Carroll\n* I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It by Barbara Sher\n* I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work by Julie Jansen\n* The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start by Marian Betancourt\n* The Shoestring Entrepreneur's Guide to Internet Start-Ups by Robert Spiegel \n* Making a Living Without a Job : Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love by Barbara Winter\n\nI also posted some article links in the source box.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
990147
I would start by doing lots of research on opening a business and jotting down just off the top of your head what you'll need to get started before you even try to figure out costs - listing everything will give you a place to start.  Here are some things I would think about:\n\n1) where and how big do you want this shop to be?\n2) what space is available in the area where you want the location\n3) will you need to do your own renovating/remodeling to the space\n4) do you plan to buy or rent the space?\n5) location is really, really important; are there other businesses in the area that draw people and might promote walk-in business for your shop?\n6) how close is your nearest competition? don't even try to compete with starbucks if they're anywhere near unless there's something so unique about your shop that you'll have your own niche following\n7) how will you advertise?\n8) will you need to hire employees\n9) who will handle the legal work? the accounting? \n10) how much insurance will you need - property insurance, insurance against loss of inventory, liability insurance in case a customer or an employee gets hurt in the store\n11)how much inventory do you need to get started?\n12) how much money do you need not just for upfront costs but to keep the shop going in the beginning before the business takes off\n13) have either of you worked at the kind of coffee/tea shop you'd like to own - are you willing to do that for awhile to really learn the ins and outs of the business?
1108920
The 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* Spa Business Strategies: A Plan for Success by Janet M. D'Angelo\n* SalonOvations' Day Spa Operations (S Business Series) by Erica Miller\n* Start Your Own Hair Salon and Day Spa by Eileen Figure Sandlin\n* 101 Media and Marketing Tips for Salon Owners, Stylists and Managers by Nanette Miner\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!
1046632
Start by getting work from friends and family....you will grow from there ... word will spread...more people will want you....you'll have to hire someone to help you... and then another....you'll accumulate an inventory of supplies....you'll be making money and reinvest it into your business....do some advertising...you'll start needing a part time bookkeeper.... more employees...
163416
I've been there, I decided after many failed attempts to start my own business, which is what I am in the process of doing right now. a Great website I have found is www.businessownersideacafe.com, there is a link called "cybershmooze" and you can post questions there about legitimate, low cost oppotunities. They have a business plan section, a section to help name your business, and a lot more. and since everyone one is a small business owner or is looking to be, you will be in good company. Good Luck
314853
Go to eBay and open an account. Search their help section and read their frequently asked questions or FAQ's for short. They will tell you exactly what you need to do to start an eBay business or Store.
148476
You can search titles of "how to start an errand business" books at AMAZON or on Yahoo then go check them out for free at the library.  You can visit small business magazine websites and read articles on other people that have done it already and are successful and get some ideas that way.  You can visit Business Owners Cafe, go to the "ask questions" link on the left and ask for help. They are great there,  I use them all the time.\n\nGood Luck
370392
You can read the article "How to Start a Hair and Salon Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol130/hairsalon.htm The article provides a solid introduction to the business, discussing points such as services you can offer, startup requirements, and success tips\n\nFor in-depth information, I suggest reading the following books (either borrow from your library or buy from your favorite bookstore)\n\n- Start Your Own Hair Salon and Day Spa by Eileen Figure Sandlin \n- 101 Media and Marketing Tips for Salon Owners... by Nanette Miner\n- Creating an Excellent Salon: A Guide to Business Practice for NVQ Level 3 and Higher Qualifications  \n- Milady's Standard System of Salon Skills: Hairdressing \n Beyond Beauty: Cosmetology Business Information and Resources  \n- Salonovations' Day Spa Operations  \n- Successful Salon Management\n\nStarting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck. \n\nSome things you need to consider:\n- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?" \n- "What are my abilities?" \n- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?" \n- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?" \n\nYou may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:\n\n1. Provide a benefit.\n2. Determine the fit with your market.\n3. Right timing is everything\n4. Be ready to support your business\n5. Develop a blueprint for success\n6. Market, market, market\n\nI recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed
1058723
The 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* How to Start & Manage a Convenience Food Store Business by Jerre G. Lewis\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\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
73985
start your own business...
327676
I have my own business.  I have started many business' before from a young age.  I started my current business as a finance coach about 2 years ago.  I do have schooling and background in what I do.  But, don't let that stop you if you don't.  \n\nFigure out what you want to do and if it excites you.  Then work toward what you need to make happen to have your business become a reality and go for it.  Don't listen to naysayers also known as dream stealer's.  Stay focused on your goals as long as they make you happy!  \n\nIf you have specific questions on doing this, email me.\n\nBest of luck.