Every entrepreneur has his or her own motivations for starting a business. But the truth is that launching and growing your own company can be a taxing, emotional endeavor. If you can acknowledge the risks and muster the courage to take that first step, the rewards of having your own successful business is unmatched.

In 2010, 63% of entrepreneurs told SnagaJob.com that starting their own business had been more personally fulfilling than they ever thought it would be.

The desire to start a company is abundant: 54% of Americans age 18-34 want to start a business or plan to in the future. If you want to start a business, consider these 5 benefits:

1. Follow Your Dreams

It sounds cliché and idealistic, but starting your own business has everything to do with following your dreams. Your dream could be to work from home in order to spend more time with family. It could be to do more important work that makes a difference, or to simply reignite the passion you have for your career. Starting a business gives you the opportunity to turn something you love into something that also pays your bills and (hopefully) then some.

2. Learn New Skills

When you work for yourself, you’re in a position to define your own role and pursue the tasks that excite you. But, as a small business owner, you also face a number of new responsibilities that will help you learn important new skills, such as sales, accounting, marketing, and project management. These skills will not only help you grow a successful company, but will help you become a well-rounded professional too.

3. Higher earning potential

One of the more significant reasons people start a business is because owning a business can be more financially lucrative than working as an employee. When you work for someone else, you’re held to a salary range with pre-determined schedule of  raises and (if you’re lucky) bonuses. Business ownership knows no bounds when it comes to income. When you set your prices and take on more business, you could quickly surpass your previous salary and see limitless potential to continue to earn more.

4. Ideal work environment

Starting your own business allows you to shape the workplace culture that ideally suits you. If you’ve ever worked in a toxic environment before, felt unsupported by coworkers or bosses, or lost sleep over stresses beyond your control, you can appreciate the ability to establish your own environment built around your values and beliefs.

5. Flexibility

Flexibility is another great benefit to starting your own business. With that much more control over how you spend your time and with WiFi available, well, everywhere, you’re able to build your company at the time and in the location you want. Imagine starting a business and working poolside one week, or working at night when your family sleeps, allowing you to enjoy leisure time with them during the day. You can build your business with no constraints that prohibit you from traveling or working when you want.

There are many other benefits to starting your own business – tax incentives, time off whenever you want it, being able to choose who you work with, pride in your accomplishment of building a company on your own, etc..

But the benefit that matters the most is the one that motivates you to take that first step to start your business. What will your reason be? Learn more about starting a small business at business.com.

Photo source: inmar.com

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As media reports have shown us lately, more employers are asking job interview candidates to provide them with Facebook, Twitter and other social media log-in information in order to view private accounts during the background check process.

So, how much damage can a personal Facebook or Twitter account do to someone’s chances of getting a job? To those that think not much, think again.

As more job candidates are discovering, a questionable tweet or sharing a picture of one in a drunken predicament can have very damaging effects on one’s ability to get a job and/or even get in an interview for that matter.

But before your small business decides to spend time on the personal social media accounts of those you are considering interviewing, think about the possible legal ramifications of such actions.

While this is still a very gray area in terms of legalities, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups are letting both the potential employee and the employer that they are watching this recent trend.

Did Maryland Officials Go Too Far?

Much attention was directed recently at the Maryland Department of Corrections, where officials asked applicants and even a number of those already employed there to willingly provide their Facebook passwords. According to prison officials, they wanted to view the private accounts to be sure none of the potential guards and some of those already working there did not have any gang ties.

Since then, Maryland state legislators unveiled a bill that would ban businesses from requiring applicants to provide passwords to their private Facebook accounts.  Meantime, legislators in Illinois, California, Minnesota and New Jersey have followed the lead, though none of the bills are law to this point.

Not to be left out of the news, Facebook has publicly stated that it will take employers to court when they seek such information, stating it is a violation of the social media giant’s policies. In a blog post on Facebook, Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan wrote “If you are a Facebook user, you should never have to share your password.”

Careful When Rejecting Candidates

Legal rumblings can become an even bigger issue should an employer be perceived as rejecting an applicant because they find something on the individual through a share or tweet.

Per example, if a business owner sees that a potential employee has certain religious convictions they are discussing on Facebook, the employer cannot turn them down due to their religious beliefs. Assuming the applicant did not discuss religion during the interview; the employer has to come up with a legitimate reason (qualifications, personality, etc.) as to why they would not hire that person, not because of some posts they saw on Facebook or another site.

With all that being said, employers must walk a tightrope here due to the fact that a negligent hire (for example, applicant made some rumblings about a past employer that could be considered threatening) could end up in a lawsuit should they hire that person, then the employee does or says something bad while under their employment. An employee could bring a liability suit against the company, claiming the employer should have known about the applicant’s questionable behavior due to some social media posts they made prior to being hired.

As an employer, it is advisable to tread carefully when asking for personal information on potential hires.

The first approach would be to look for and/or ask for a candidate’s LinkedIn information, given many applicants will be more than willing to show off their business profiles.

If an applicant is reluctant to give up a Facebook or Twitter log-in, don’t automatically discount this person during the interview process. Not every applicant that is reluctant to provide such information is a lock to be a bad hire.

With all that goes into trying to find the right people to work for you, weigh the total package, not just the social media one.

Remember, the last thing you want to do as an employer is come off as being anti-social.

If that’s the case, that word could spread quickly in today’s electronic information age, doing more damage than attempting to discount someone over a questionable social media post.

So, has your company ever asked a job applicant for a social media site password? If so, what was their response?

Photo credit: blogs.palmbeachpost.com

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At some point in your life, you’ve probably had a brilliant idea about starting a business. You shared it with friends and family, smiled and remarked how perfect it would be if “that” existed or how great it would be to work for yourself. The next morning, you woke up, battled your commute, and wondered, “What’s stopping me?”

Seeing an idea through to fruition isn’t easy. Starting a business can seem complicated, overwhelming, and time consuming. Imagine all of the brilliant business ideas that haven’t been introduced to the world yet simply because people have no idea where to begin. We can help.

You can start a business by taking these 6 steps. Each one gets you a little bit closer to realizing your dream. Stop daydreaming and bring your brilliant idea to life:

Step 1: Create a Business Plan

It’s crucial you have a keen understanding of your market, and be prepared to articulate what sets your products and services apart from others. In any industry, it’s not important to be first, but it is important to offer value that differentiates you and draws customers in.

Look into the many elements of what makes a complete business plan and leave no stone unturned. Visit the Small Business Administration site for guidelines or templates and speak with mentors through SCORE to get feedback on your first few drafts.

Step 2: Seek Assistance and Training

Both the Small Business Administration and SCORE offer counseling and training, which include free online courses where you can go at your own pace, as well as local workshops. Seek out classes or assistance in areas where you may fall short as a small business owner. This can include management, sales, marketing, legal, budgeting and more.

Step 3: Get Funding

If you’re not able to fund your own small business idea, particularly if you want to launch a product, research the options that best suit your endeavor. Your first thought might be to secure a small bank loan or line of credit. Research the websites of major banks or local lenders, and speak with a representative to uncover what an ideal business loan application looks like.

Alternatively, you may want to try to get in front of venture capitalists if you feel your idea has the potential to make a lot of money, be sold to a larger company, or one day go public. Unlike a loan, which has payment terms and a set payback date, VCs measure their returns as a function of the company’s future performance. You can partner with active investors, who expect to play a significant role in the direction and function of your company, or passive investors, who give you the initial funds to create your idea, but allow you to run with your idea.

Step 4: Determine Your Legal Structure

There are a few housekeeping items that you have to take care of in order to establish your business with the government and structure it for future growth.

Step 4a: Access the proper filing forms through the IRS or refer to your state’s website to find out the exact process of filing your business entity. You should find this information under your county clerk’s office or state government website.

Step 4b: Register your company name (often called a “Doing Business As” name) if your company name is different than your own personal name. Each state has different requirements; visit the Registering Your Doing Business As Name guide to see if you need to take this step.

Step 4c: Get an EIN. One must be secured in order to do things like open a bank account, apply for business licenses, and file your tax returns. You can apply for an EIN for free online through the IRS website.

Step 4d: Familiarize yourself with your state’s Tax obligations. You’ll need this information in order to collect sales tax from customers, pay income tax, and understand employment taxes.

Step 5: Licenses & Permits

Depending on the industry and location you are launching your business, you may need to be licensed at a federal or state level. If you’re getting involved in a heavily regulated industry — such as alcohol, agriculture, or transportation — you’ll likely need federal licenses to conduct business anywhere. Review the SBA’s licensing database to find out what licenses and permits apply to you.

Step 6: Get Help

When it comes to starting a business, if you can’t do something or can’t do it well, you’re wasting time. The most successful small business owners don’t try to do everything themselves – it’s unwise. Starting a business requires many different skills, and most people don’t excel at all of them. If you’re not excelling after going through training as described above, or cannot find the time to complete certain necessary tasks, hire someone to compliment the skills you bring to the table. Building a business will require that you rely on a stable of experts to get you where you need to be – this board of individuals might include a lawyer, tax accountant, finance and accounting professional, web designer, marketing specialist, or virtual assistant. These people will likely be independent contractors or vendor partnerships, but some could be in-house employees as well.

Learn more about starting a small business at business.com.

What other steps might you take to bring your big business idea to life?

Photo source: beginnersinvest.about.com, intuit.com

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If you’re shopping around for an online phone solution for your small business, keep in mind that VoIP providers are not one-size-fits-all.

While many advertise some of the same basic draws (unlimited calls, no contracts, low-cost international calling) there’s a whole host of differences between each.

Before you start shopping, it’s wise to map out your budget and must-have features to help you find the provider most suited to your needs.

Below we’ve outlined some of the main areas where VoIP providers differ, to help you know what to look for.

Basic calls

Generally, switching to VoIP means you can make free local and long-distance calls anywhere within the U.S. Some companies extend their reach to Canada as well. With other providers, you might get free calls to the continental U.S., but then have to pay discounted rates (think $0.01-$0.17/min) to to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Northern Marinana Islands.

International calling

One of the biggest draws to switching to a VoIP phone solution is the super-low rates for international calls.

Obviously, if your company doesn’t make or receive many international calls, then this isn’t high on your priority list. But for those who call overseas frequently, check out the rates for international calls to the places you call most. Most companies include their international rates right on their website.

To give you an idea of price points, here’s a quick rate comparison for three different providers:

Company 1: $0.01/min. to London
Company 2: $0.03/min. to London
Company 3: $0.039/min. to London

Cost

Most companies have several price points, based on the number of users within your company. Generally, the more users you have, the lower the price per line. Here’s a roundup of the cost per month for three different companies.

Company 1: $34.95/mo. for one user
Company 2: $29.95/mo. per user for one to four users
Company 3: $39.99/mo. per user for one to three users

Setup

Many companies advertise that setup is a snap and can be done in less than 15 minutes. Others might take longer – up to a month and a half – before your system is ready to go. You might also be required to pay a setup or installation fee, depending on which company you sign up with.

Equipment

Some providers require you to purchase equipment like VoIP phones and adapters directly from them; others allow you to shop around or use phones you already have (just be sure that the equipment you choose is compatible).

You’ll more likely get technical support for equipment purchased from the provider, but some offer limited support for phones purchased from third-party vendors.

Connection requirements

Depending on the company you choose, your cars will either be routed via the public internet or a private connection (like a T-1 line). Generally, call quality and security is not as good when using the public internet versus a private line. Most companies specify bandwidth requirements on their websites, so be sure your connection is suitable before deciding on a provider.

Added features

VoIP has made a name for itself by offering an array of extra features to help businesses better manage calls. This is one of the main areas in which a company can differentiate itself. Most basic features — voicemail, call forwarding, and caller ID — are included in the base fee, but there are plenty of add-ons you might want to consider.

We rounded up the added offerings of several VoIP providers. Keep in mind that not every service provider will have all of these features.

• Toll-free number
• Virtual fax
• Auto attendant
• Advanced call routing to cell, business or home phones
• Dial-by-name directory
• On-hold music
• Call screening
• Hunt groups (distribute calls from a single phone number to multiple phone lines)
• Call logs
• Holiday and after-hour special greetings
• Do not disturb (callers sent directly to voicemail)
• Number portability
• Caller ID
• Emergency service 911
• Visual voicemail
• Call recording
• Call flip – transfer live calls from one device to another
• Virtual calling cards
• Answering rules
• Recorded greetings
• Cloud-based PBX
• Find me/Follow me – The user can designate several numbers that a call can be routed to (cell phone, home phone) if they don’t pick up their business phone.
• Coaching tools – supervisors can listen in on a call without being heard or provide advice without being heard from the outside caller.
• Video conferencing

Contract

Most companies offer a month-to-month contract — meaning if you’re not happy with the service you’re not tied down long term. Others want a more traditional two-year commitment.

Support

Many companies advertise 24/7, U.S.-based support. Keep in mind, though, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be talking to an actual person. Companies offer everything from online chat to e-mail to online support, in addition to a customer support number.

Compare prices for VoIP phone service providers on Business.com.

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Most of us have needed to set up home phone service at one time or another. The process is as easy as researching which phone companies offer service in your area (or signing up for service with a VoIP provider), figuring out what features your family needs and deciding on a plan that best fits your family’s phone usage and budget.

For a small startup, setting up business telephone service can be as easy as setting up service in your home (although you’ll still probably pay more for service). However, if you’re a larger company, or a company with plans for growth, your phone service needs might be a little more complicated.

You’ll need to consider how many users you’ll likely have, what calling features you’ll require, and how many long-distance or international calls you’ll likely be making and receiving. And while your local phone company is a good place to start researching service providers, you’ll also want to check out what’s available in the world of VoIP, where the potential for savings is big.

Below we’ve outlined the main differences between residential and business telephone service.

Cost

Business lines generally cost more than home service – some estimate up to 75 to 120 percent more – but you should be getting more calling features for the markup. The price of a business telephone system is dependent on the type of system you choose and the provider. Systems can range anywhere from $20 per line (for a basic KSU-less system) to more than $1,000 (for a PBX system) depending on how sophisticated the system is and how many users you have.

Usage

Business telephone lines are generally higher traffic than residential lines. Homeowners might only use their phone to stay in touch with friends and relatives, schedule doctors appointments or order a pizza, while businesses rely on them for daily communication with customers, clients and co-workers across the country or around the globe.

Your business might need to make more long-distance or international calls than the average homeowner, so it’s important to evaluate how you will be using your business line before selecting a plan.

Equipment

The telephones you will use for your business are typically more sophisticated than the ones you’d use in your home. While your home phone might include features like an answering machine, speakerphone and caller-id, your business phone will need to be able handle multiple lines, call-forwarding, conferencing and other features.

If you’re using a VoIP service provider for your business telephone service, you will probably need to purchase digital IP phones, which will allow you to take advantage of the wide range of services VoIP has to offer.

Your telephone service provider will be able to help you decide which equipment is most suited to your needs.

Call features

Homeowners might only need one or two phone lines that  have more limited calling features. They may only include voicemail, call waiting and 3-way calling. For a small start-up or home-based businesses, these features might be enough to get by. But that’s not the case for a company with plans for growth.

Most businesses require multiple lines and more features from their phone service, including call forwarding, automated call handling, extension dialing, conference calling, dial-by-name directory, fax and more. To determine which call features would be the most useful for your business, it’s important to estimate the volume of calls you believe you might receive at any given time. If you expect to receive multiple calls simultaneously, a two-line residential phone wouldn’t be able to accommodate the high call traffic.

Phone numbers

The process for assigning phone numbers to a residential line versus a business line is essentially the same, unless you purchased a toll-free number for your business. Toll-free numbers can also be randomly assigned, but some companies offer business owners  the chance to pick an easy-to-remember vanity number (think 1-800-FLOWERS) for an additional charge.

In order to maintain a more professional image and make it easier for your customers to get in touch with you (and easier for you to identify incoming business-related calls), setting up a separate number for your business is wise. You won’t have to use your personal number on marketing materials or risk having your kids answer business-related calls.

Toll-free numbers can be purchased from telephone companies or one of several providers online.

Tax deductions

If you’re running a home-based business or you work from home periodically, the IRS allows you to deduct calls you make for your business from home. These can either be itemized calls on your regular home phone line or 100 percent of calls made on a second business line (provided all the calls made on the business line are business related).

Service level

Phone companies – especially VoIP service providers — might be quicker to respond to service problems on business lines than on residential lines (business owners are paying the premium, after all).

Learn more about setting up your business phone system at business.com.

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Starting a small business is packed with headaches, so today we’re offering a little virtual aspirin for at least one problem: setting up a business phone system.

Below you’ll get an overview for everything you need to consider.

How’s it different from a home phone?

While many home phone lines now offer features that business phones have long relied on — voicemail, caller-id and three-way calling, to name a few — chances are you don’t need advanced features like call transferring, multiple extensions or conferencing at home.

If you are the sole employee of a home-based business that you don’t expect to grow, adding a second phone line will probably be sufficient for managing business vs. personal calls and making you seem more professional. However, if you have several employees working out of the same office, you’ll need more than two lines to manage calls.

What to consider

When trying to decide which type of phone system would suit your business best, there are several questions to ask, including:

• How many employees will be using the phone system?
• What types of business phone systems are available in your area?
• How large you expect your company to grow?
• What is your budget?

Types of systems

After you’ve figured out the basics — like your budget and the number of employees who will need to be connected — its time to consider the type of system you should get. Your options include:

KSU-less System
This is well-suited for businesses with 10 or fewer employees (and with little plans for future growth). Call-routing software is contained within each phone, which offers most features a business would require and is easy to relocate if necessary. While this system is inexpensive, installation, setup and maintenance is up to the business owner because it is not supported by a telecom or phone system vendor.
Cost: $30-$400+ per phone

Key System
This is well-suited for businesses with 10-40 employees. Call-routing software is contained in a phone cabinet and phones use a landline to make calls. Key systems use a telephone company that serves other businesses and the general public, whereas a PBX system (described below) only serves a particular business.
Cost: $300-$1,000+ per extension

PBX (Private Branch Exchange) System
Well suited for mid- to large-sized companies, this system can accommodate thousands of users and is easily scalable. While more expensive, this type of system offers the best long-term value for a company that expects to expand in the future. At a basic level, it connects two users and maintains that connection for the duration of the call. It notifies users if a call is unable to go through or is disconnected, and calls can be metered for accounting purposes. PBX systems also offer a variety of other services, including voicemail and call-forwarding. Types of PBX systems include:

• Hosted PBX: Users purchase both the equipment and service from a telephone provider.
• IP PBX: Using the internet to make and receive calls, requiring less maintenance then traditional PBX.
• Mobile PBX: Calls can be forwarded to mobile devices.

Cost: $1,000 per extension

VoIP (Voice Over IP) System 

Instead of a traditional landline, these systems use the internet — or a combination of the internet and a landline — to connect callers. They can offer much of the same functionality as a PBX system (in fact, they can also be called IP-PBX or Virtual PBX), but at a significantly lower cost than standard PBX systems — especially when it comes to long-distance or international calls. The main drawback is their reliance on an internet connection and high bandwidth for consistent, high-quality service.
Cost: $175-$200; when combined with PBX $1,000-$4,000+

Equipment

The equipment you’ll need varies based on the type of service you choose, but generally includes:

• Desktop handset (aka the phone)
• Headset
• Adapters (to convert a traditional phone signal to one VoIP recognizes)
• Routers

Most providers will offer to bundle equipment — including phones — into their service package. But if you are able to, it’s wise to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Used and/or refurbished equipment is often available from third-party vendors. You’ll just need to make sure it’s compatible with the system you’re using.

Extra features

There are a variety of different features that phone services offer business customers. But you might have to pay extra for them, so think about your office’s needs before you buy.

Additional services can include:

• Voicemail
• Caller-id
• One-touch dialing
• On-hold music
• Conferencing
• Speakerphone
• Auto attendants
• Automatic ring back
• Call waiting
• Call transfer

Learn more about setting up your business phone service on Business.com.

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Voice over Internet Protocol has been around since the mid-1990s, when software company Vocaltec introduced what is believed to be the first internet phone software.

While the first incarnation of internet telephony was revolutionary, it got a bad rap for poor sound quality and call reliability. The culprit behind the bad calls wasn’t necessarily the software, but rather the modem-based internet connections most of the world was using before the advent of broadband.

As broadband has expanded over the past decade, more and more individuals and businesses are taking a second look at what VoIP has to offer. According to the FCC, VoIP use among consumers and businesses jumped 21 percent between 2009 and 2010.

Some of the early drawbacks to VoIP still exist — including limitations to 911 service and lack of phone service when power or internet is down —  but for more and more people, the savings VoIP offers can’t be beat.

These days, the quality of VoIP has skyrocketed, making the early days of the service nothing but a bad memory.

Here’s why you should take a second look at VoIP for your home or small business:

Improved connectivity

Increasingly, VoIP providers are relying on private IP networks rather than the public internet, which means additional bandwidth is available for voice traffic. In addition, according to an article on tmcnet.com, providers are now prioritizing voice traffic over data traffic — which has dramatically improved call quality — especially for business customers.

Improved sound

With the switch to private IP networks, gone are all of the sound problems — garbled calls, echo, voice delays and jitter — that came with early incarnations of VoIP. And providers are continuously looking for ways to improve voice quality.

Improved troubleshooting

Taking advantage of the fact that voice data can now be tracked from origin to destination, VoIP providers are now better able to diagnose problems as they arise, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Improved integration

For some companies in need of a new phone system, the task of transitioning from a traditional SIP-based system is daunting. But major improvements have been made to SIP trunking, which allows businesses to easily and efficiently take advantage of VoIP solutions without having to upgrade to IP-based phones.

Improved features

As the number of VoIP provider has grown, so has the number of features available to users. Beyond making cheap local and long-distance calls, users can now take advantage of an array of business-enhancing add-ons including video conferencing, find me/follow me and simultaneous ring, in addition to the traditional staples like voicemail, caller ID and call waiting.

Improved communication

VoIP providers are now beginning to package these features into an efficient  user experience. More and more providers are finding ways to integrate real-time communication services — think instant messaging, video conferencing and calling — with non-real-time communication like voicemail, fax and e-mail, according to TMCNet.com. This allows for all types of communication to be managed from one spot: your computer desktop.

Improved management

Managing the traditional PBX phone systems that companies have relied on for years can be complicated, costly and, depending on the size of the business, require an in-house telecomm staff. But VoIP has made it easier for companies to manage expanding, changing and monitoring their phone systems on their own. PBX — a kind of VoIP/PBX hybrid — now can both manage and route calls, which eliminates the need for a costly support staff.

Improved mobility

Back when VoIP first came to be, cell phones were probably the size of phone books and functioned solely to make phone calls. These days, though, they’re essentially portable computers allowing users to do everything from video chat to watch movies. Using mobile VoIP, users can now route phone calls through their device’s internet connection — making long-distance and international calls much cheaper than using a carrier’s minutes. Most VoIP service providers allow any call to be routed to a user’s cell phone, making missed calls when leaving the home or office a thing of the past.

Learn more about the advantages of a VoIP phone system at business.com.

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If you’re eager to start your own venture, but haven’t honed in on the exact industry to apply your passion, the potential for growth and competition should be a critical consideration when planning for success. Starting a small business is exciting and often risky in its own right, so how do you know which industries will be doing well 2, 5, or 10 years from now? Consider the trends.

Below, we identified 5 growing markets that you may want to jump into if you plan to start your small business in 2012:

1. Eco-friendly Packaging

A recent study from Perception Research Services found that 50% of the shoppers polled said they were willing to pay more for such environmentally-friendly packaging, and that 23% of consumers were more likely than previously to check if the packaging could be recycled before buying a product.

If this propensity translates into demand, and the demand translates to more sales or more money per sale, retailers and product manufacturers will be quickly looking to partner with companies who can provide such sustainable packaging materials. Ecovention and Ecovative Design are two such companies that are already working to mold this space.

2. Fast Casual Restaurants

The fast casual segment of restaurants has led the industry in sales and in unit growth. You know these establishments – they offer a relaxed atmosphere, family friendly environment, fresh ingredients made to order, and usually costs around $10-15 per person.

Fast casual restaurants are the perfect endeavor for entrepreneurial leaders. They often attract innovative and passionate operators who want to scratch their small business itch while growing a respected brand. You may consider venturing out to start your own fast casual restaurant, or you can inquire about franchising opportunities with growing chains such as Panera, Chipotle, or Five Guys.

3. Healthcare

A new analysis of federal statistics by American City Business Journals reports that the healthcare industry will will be the nation’s biggest source of new jobs for the rest of the decade. A total of 5.6 million jobs will be created in the healthcare and social assistance field between 2010 and 2020: nearly 2 million more than any other industry in the next 10 years.

In particular, the biggest opportunity in these sectors may be in working with aging populations. As baby boomers grow older, the demand for healthcare and social services that help them live a healthy, active, and fulfilled life is holding strong.

4. Street Vendors

Street vendors, like food trucks, have boomed over the last few years. They posted a 23% profit margin last year, and will continue to expand as consumer tastes for unique and gourmet foods demand it. This industry is projected to see annual revenue growth of 3.7% over the next five years.

With street vendors and food trucks employing just 4 people on average and requiring moderate funding, these small businesses-on-wheels are a great option if you’re looking to offer a niche culinary experience in major metropolitan areas.

5. Craft Brewing

Craft beer is expected to continue sucking up a large share of the demand for alcoholic beverages, as consumers opt for better quality, reasonably-priced beers. Over the last year alone, craft beer’s dollar share in U.S. supermarkets was up 15% – the sixth consecutive year of growth. Overall, craft beer sales in supermarkets are rapidly approaching $1 billion, and IBISWorld projects that the segment will continue to grow.

Opportunity is ripe if you can offer up unusual and creative flavors, or complement their specialty beers with food by buying into or building your own brewpub or gastropub.

What other industries do you feel would be prime for opportunity in this next year?

Photo source: keetsa.com, downtownbellevue.com

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You can visit a college campus through video tours. You can train for your next sales meeting through simulation games. You can meet your soul mate. You can do all of these things without ever leaving the comfort of your seat.

Something else you can do without ever getting up from your desk? Start a small business. This is, of course, ignoring the advice from medical practitioners that sitting all day poses serious health risks. But generally, most items you need in order to be up and running – defining your business entity, getting funding, marketing and establishing your online presence – can be done through the web.

Structure Your Small Business

When starting a small business, you have to consider how your business will be structured. There are legal and tax considerations that come with each type of business entity, though many small business owners choose to form a limited liability company (LLC). Research the options — which also include sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and s-corporations — and decide which is right for you.

You can structure your small business without ever leaving your desk. You have three options:

• Work with a third party like Incorporate.com, who can help you form your business and complete all the necessary paperwork for a small fee.
• Do your own legwork.
• Access the proper filing forms through the IRS or refer to your state’s website to find out the exact process of registering your company name and filing your business entity. You should find his information in the “Secretary of State” area of the website.
• Get an EIN. One must be secured in order to do things like open a bank account, apply for business licenses, and file your tax returns. You can apply for an EIN for free online through the IRS website.
• Engage with a lawyer to get your paperwork taken care of. He or she may suggest you visit their offices, but in the spirit of staying seated, papers can be signed, scanned and emailed or exchanged via mail.

Get Funding

If you’re not funding the company yourself, research other funding options that you may need in order to get your business off the ground. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses rely mostly on owner investment and bank credit, averaging about $80,000 a year. You may consider getting your small business funded via:

• Crowdfunding – Crowdfunding is tapping a community of people who network and pool their money together in order to support business ventures and projects. There are a handful of crowdfunding sites, many of which specialize in a certain type of business. For instance, Kickstarter is for creative endeavors, and CoFolio can help connect you with sources of money for your local business. Logging in and submitting your project or company idea is easily done from the comfort of your office chair.
• Venture Capitalists – It’s tough to get venture capitalist money without actually leaving your desk, but you never know – it’s possible some VCs may be wooed via email and Skype. Certainly a lot of your research on pitching and approaching VCs can be done in front of your computer. Nic Brisbourne gives you a great rundown of how to get the attention of VCs via email (hint: brevity is key). If you email a VC, be sure to have done your homework, and keep it short and sweet. Ideally, you would get an introduction from someone they trust, work with, or advise.
• A small bank loan – If you’re completely at a loss on how to find a small business loan, turn to the SBA’s loan search tool. Or, do a little digging on the websites of major banks or smaller credit unions in your area. Many allow for applications to be submitted online.
• Friends & family – Likely, your friends and family are aware of your efforts and your dream to start your own business. Approaching them for a little seed money can be done over email or Skype, though Uncle Ernie may want a full in-person pitch over a cup of tea before he commits.

Launch a Website

It goes without saying that starting your website can be done from your desk. You can contract with a designer and web developer to get your website up and running by reaching out via email or telephone. If you’re more of a bootstrapped do-it-yourself small business owner, there are a few steps you have to take to get your .com ready for customers:

• You can register your domain name URL and set up your hosting all in one when you work with companies like Webs.com or Weebly. They specialize in helping small businesses create a professional-looking website easily with no development or programming expertise needed.
• If you’re selling products or services through the internet, you should set up an online shopping cart through Yahoo, PayPal, or Google Checkout in order to accept credit card payments.

Create Basic Marketing Materials

If playing around in Photoshop, MS Paint, or even Microsoft Word to create business card templates and logos isn’t your thing, you can outsource the design of necessary marketing materials by turning to creative communities like eLance, Odesk, or Design Crowd to get bids from freelancers.

From there, you’ll want to set up an email marketing account. The most popular small business email marketing providers are Constant Contact, MailChimp, and AWeber. You’ll also want to promote your products and services with social media, offering exclusive content, thoughtful insights, and discounts across social channels like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

It’s pretty easy to launch a business without ever having to leave your desk. For many of us, sitting hours a day in front of our computer is commonplace. While we recommend some light stretching and a walk or two around the office each day, we guarantee that launching a small business from your desk is a snap.

Photo sources: seniormoneymemos.com, deutsch-heute.blogspot.com/

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Office equipment has come a long way since the days of finicky photocopiers and dysfunctional fax machines. When starting a small business, it’s important to assess which equipment will do the jobs you need efficiently and effectively.

We took a look at traditional office equipment and offered modern alternatives that should save you money while making your job easier.

Computer

Traditional office: Desktop computer

Remember your first office computer? The giant tower and monitor that weighed 100 pounds, took up most of the real estate on your desk and had about 30 cords connected to who knows what coming out the back? These days, desktop computers have slimmed down quite a bit. Depending on how data-heavy your business is (do you do a lot of graphics/video-heavy computing?) and how much work you’ll be doing on a computer, a desktop with greater storage capacity would be a good pick for your business.

Modern office: Laptops

In the past, laptops might not have had sufficient memory for more sophisticated software applications, but these days a lot can come in a little package. If you or your employees travel frequently or work offsite, opting for laptops instead of a traditional desktops will give your business greater flexibility on the go.  Plus, their compact size means you won’t have to invest in large desks to hold them.

Phone system

Traditional office: Phone service

Most businesses still rely on a traditional PBX phone system that allows multiple users to communicate via multiple lines on a traditional phone line. These systems are reliable and well-known, but they’re also expensive, require extensive setup, and come with long-term contracts and limited extras when compared with digital services.

Modern office: VoIP

Many businesses are now switching to super-affordable VoIP (Voice Over Internet) services. There are a myriad of service providers that offer a variety of features (everything from video conferencing to voicemail transcription), but their biggest draw is the easy setup and low rates for long-distance and international calls. The biggest drawback to VoIP is that they need a reliable internet connection – if the Web is down or the power is out, so are phones.

Document sharing

Traditional office: Fax machine

Fax machines used to be essential for businesses needing to send and receive documents instantly. While it still might be wise to have one in the office — in case you work with clients who rely on a traditional fax machine — there are plenty of alternatives that can save you money on the machine, phone line and paper, and won’t spew out hard-to-read documents.

Modern office: Online fax

There are several online services that bridge the gap between traditional fax machines and e-mail. Online fax (ie: digital fax, e-mail fax, internet fax) will convert documents sent to your assigned fax number into e-mail attachments and allow you to send e-mail attachments to a traditional fax machine. Companies that offer this service include eFax, RingCentral and Nextiva. Services like EchoSign allow you to request and receive signatures on necessary documents all via e-mail (or traditional fax if the signer prefers).

Document copying

Traditional office: Copy machine

The bane of administrative assistants everywhere, the photocopier is quickly becoming another relic of a bygone era. As businesses turn to digital means for sharing information rather than wasting paper, there’s just not as much need for one.

Modern office: Scanner

Ditch the giant photocopier and invest in a scanner instead. By creating digital copies, you’ll save money on paper and create documents that are easier to store (say goodbye to those bulky file cabinets!). If you need a paper copy of a document for whatever reason, simply use a printer. Let your colleagues, clients and business partners decide for themselves whether they need physical copies.

Internet connection

Traditional office: Dial up

While connecting to the web via a dial-up modem and phone line is affordable, it’s also incredibly slow by today’s standards and it ties up your phone lines. And no matter how cheap it might be, you’ll lose out in productivity and efficiency if you rely on it to run your business.

Modern office: Cable modem or T-1 line

With more and more of your daily functions going digital (everything from e-mail to fax to phones), it’s important for a business to invest in a reliable internet connection with plenty of bandwidth to allow for the speedy transmission of data and to aid productivity.

Furniture

Traditional office: Bulky furniture

Giant desktop computers and endless stacks of paper required lots of space in the form of big desks and giant file cabinets. As offices go digital, the need for extra storage for paper has decreased. Consider the size of your computer and how much paper you think you’ll generate before rushing to buy an executive desk and 10 filing cabinets.

Modern office: Minimalist

When everything you need to do business can be stored on a laptop, jump drive or “the cloud,” who needs a big desk? You might be able to save money on furniture and rented space by investing in smaller tables and by allowing employees to work off-site, taking advantage of mobile technology.

Extras

• If you’re worried about not having a fax machine on hand, purchase an inexpensive, multifunctional model that also copies and scans – that way you’ll have the equipment on hand if needed, but you don’t have to blow your budget.
• Even though modern offices are going paperless, you’ll probably still need to have some 8 1/2 x 11 floating around. Make sure to buy an affordable paper shredder to dispose of sensitive documents.

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