You are reading this because you are curious. You may just want to browse or are truly interestd. I hope this blog helps someone out in there quest to start up their own business, fullfilling the great American dream!!!

So if you are a browser, just enjoy the read.

BUT

If you are wanting to earn a living from the comfort and security of your own home then best of luck to you!

.....................................................................................

Where do you start? You know you want to change your life. You know what you want to do but are unsure what to do next. The following article will help guide you in that next step.

This blog will show you several ideas that can turn your life around. In the very near future you can have all your desires and all your dreams come true just by taking action on these steps provided to you. YOU CAN DO IT. Anyone can do what they want if they put their mind and time into it. Now lets get started so you can be on your way to your dreams!

.....................................................................................

Whats first? Well, you need to get an idea, you need to decide what you are good at and what you would enjoy doing. If you chose a business that you did not like doing you would never make it work. You MUST choose to do something that you love to do.

Go get some paper and a pen, you need to take notes... or just add this page to your favorites so you can refer back to it as needed.

Start by looking at yourself, at your hobbies, your interests, your passions.
Do you like to read, to sew, to write (obviously I do :), to be with others socially, to be by yourself, to create new inventions, to use a computer? These are only just ideas of limitless possiblities. I really suggest sitting down with a piece of paper and a pen and jotting down what you love to do. This will give you a good idea of what you should look/for in pursuing a business idea.

The following is a list of just SOME ideas that you might consider. With each one there will be a small description. Use these ideas to form your own plan or you may want to try your hand at one of these business adventures. Most of the ideas have low start up costs, because you are are trying to save money not spend it; not many people already have the funds available to financially fund their start-up costs. In deciding a business keep in mind that it still needs to be something that people want or need or you are not going to get any business.

1. WRITING: Earn income by writing and submitting to magazines or publishers, or offer a writing service to others to help create a book (i.e. cook-book, memoires).

2. ERRAND SERVICE: Run errands your customers do not have time for or want to do themselves, such as going to the post office, shopping, etc. Another form - DELIVER SERVICE.

3. CRAFT MAKING: If you have a special craft or just like working with your hands, find something you are good at and market it. You can sell your products at craft faires or trade shows. You will need a folding table and chair.

4. PET SERVICES: You go to customers homes to take care of their pets or watch them at your own home. You can have a grooming service, open a cat inn, or just take a dog on walks. This can also expand into HOUSE SITTING.

5. PHOTOGRAPHY: If you like to take pictures you might be able to start a business using pictures you have taken. Sell them to publications or start a service that provides photos for special events like weddings, family reunions, school dances, etc.

6. IN-HOME PARTY SALES: Typically a small start-up cost will get you started selling products for a larger company. Hold "parties" in customers homes, the host gets incentives such as free products or discounts on products and you get a commission. Research all the different types of products you can sell/companies you can join and find one that you like and believe in, it will make selling it a lot easier. For example I love to cook so I sold kitchen tools. This is easy to do if you like to talk to others, you will also have a home company who can answer your questions and help train you.

7. WINDOW CLEANING or CAR WASHING: Offer a service to go to people's homes and clean their windows and/or wash their cars. Many people would rather have someone else do this and it saves them time.

8. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER: You've seen the shows on TV, now do it for a living! If you like to organize or are really good at it you may have it made. Many people do not like to organize and can use someone who can help them de-clutter their homes and their lives.

9. SEWING SERVICES: If you can sew or you can learn how, you can start a business that sews a variety of items or specialize on one in particular.. Draperies, pillows, custom-made cushions, hemming clothes, alterations. OR expand into RE-UPHOLSTERING couches or automobiles.

10: CHILD CARE: Watch children in your home while the parents are at work or on a date, etc. OR start a REFERRAL SERVICE, instead of actually watching the kids, refer parents to good babysitters, nannies, or child care providers.

11. MAIL ORDER: There are many products you can market and sell by mail. This is good for people who would like to work mostly in the home and not have direct interaction with a customer.

12: ONLINE AUCTIONS: These are very popular ways to sell goods at low costs to you. Just find products that sell for top dollar and are easy to package and your on your way.

13. OFFICE SERVICES: Provide office help to smaller firms and companies that my not have the appropriate staff or time to do it themselves. This could be typing documents, faxing, taking or making calls, mailing or many miscellaneous duties.

14. LOCATOR SERVICE: You find a particular product, item, loan, whatever someone needs you find it.

15. GET OUT OF DEBT SERVICE: If you understand how credit and debt works, you can offer a service helping others set a plan to get out of debt or help them get debt consolidation loans. You do all the paperwork so they don't have to.

16. HOME CLEANING: Maid services in homes or janitorial services for small businesses. That said enough for itself.

17. DOULA SERVICES: Help the new mother during labor and deliver and then for the first few days following the birth. Help to train the mother how to take care of the infant and let the mother get much needed rest after giving birth.

18. FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRANSLATION: If you speak multiple languages you can start a service in translation. For doctors appointments, telephone calls, whatever the customer needs help translating.

19: FUNDRAISING: Help organizations through a fundraising process; choosing the right fundraiser for their needs, have knowledge of different fundraisers available in your community. Help them set up and close and all the steps involved in between.

20. FOOD RELATED SERVICES: If you like to cook offer to cook a busy family meals that can be put in the freezer or refrigerator and easily reheated, decorate cakes, help childcare services to plan menu's or create new recipes and sell to magazine publications or make your own cookbook.

.....................................................................................

Hopefully some of these ideas have sparked some kind of interest or given you your own idea you can develope further. Remember to choose something you will love to do and your business will prosper.

Write down what you want to do on paper.

The next step is to get all the information you need to know about your idea. If it is training find someone or someplace you can go that you can learn from. Volunteer to help so you can gain knowledge or get a part-time job in that field. Go to your local library and research your subject. Check out books and go through them.

Once you have a solid business plan you need to set up the business itself. Get funds together(see next paragraph). Start by creating a business name and register the name and address with the county clerks office. Figure out what tools and equipment you will need in your business, this could include but is not limited to: a telephone, answering machine, fax machine, separate banking account, computer printer, or typewriter, PO Box address, office supplies, stationary, business cards, tools specific to your trade or business (such as notepads for writing, crafing tools, a camera, cleaning products, a sewing machine, cooking utensils, etc), check zoning laws and get any special permits or licenses needed. Make sure you have all appropriate forms for accounting, receipts, billing, etc. For some businesses you may need a lawyer to write up a business contract for certain services you provide. ALSO check on any needed patents, copyrights, trademarks that you may need or want to protect your ideas. Find out how much advertising will cost you and find out about your tax withholdings.

Practice your new business on friends and family if possible, get their opinions and use them as referrences.

Most of the ideas listed do not cost a lot to get started. I would say between $100-$800. Make a list of all the things you are going to need to run your business. Find out how much it will cost. Most businesses with low cost start up are financed by the individual, use savings or save up the amount needed to start. Borrow from friends and family that can spare some to help you get started, use those people to practice on so they see first hand what you are up to. Make sure to pay back all debts. If you can create a really good business plan present it to some lenders, be professional, if it is solid they may just give you a personal loan to start up your business. You will need good credit if you are trying to get a credit loan.

Once funded get your office in order.

You are now ready to start advertising. Place ads for your service in local newspapers and magazines. Offer free services or discounted services during start-up. Hand out your business cards and talk about your new business to everyone, word of mouth is the best free advertising you can use. "JUST ASK" is a great motto, don't be afraid to let people know what you are doing, this will help your business grow fast. Try radio advertising or a news release to get free publicity. Keep advertising, it may take two or three times.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have now completed your business start-up

.....................................................................................

Remember to always have a positive outlook, especially when dealing with your clients. Smile when you talk to them in person and even on the telephone. They can tell when you sound happy and will want to use your services. Be courteous. Be excited about your product, enthusiasm is contagious! Know what you are doing and do it well.


Just remember to HAVE FUN!