Guides & Articles on Starting a Business
Creating an Elevator Pitch for Your Startup
Share your passion in 100 words or less
Entrepreneurs use the term "elevator pitch" to describe the short period of time – maybe 30 seconds or less, or about five floors riding on the elevator – to communicate a business idea. During this brief encounter, you are selling your dream and, depending on your audience, asking your listener to become part of that dream. You can deliver an elevator pitch...
Finding an Office-Ready Home
House hunting hints for home-based businesses
Finding a new house is no picnic — you've got to consider the basics, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the architectural style, the yard and, of course, the price. Then you've got to consider the appeal of the neighborhood, the quality of local schools and access to shopping and entertainment. Add the fact that your new abode also needs to house an...
Hiring Family and Friends
Smart strategies for employing relatives and people you know
A long-standing rule in business says never hire friends or family. The fear is that personal or family relationships can too easily wreak havoc in the business environment. Although this may prove true in some instances, family and friends often make highly-motivated, hard-working employees and it is a talent pool you should not overlook. There are simple steps you can follow to...
Home-Based Jobs
How to find a legitimate home based job that fits you
Home based jobs have become a popular trend, and many employers are happy to allow some of their employees to work from their home offices. You could also seek home based part time jobs in addition to your regular full-time job to earn extra cash. If your job doesn't allow home based employment, you should be cautious when searching for a home based job. 1. Ask your employer...
ISP Startup Solutions
Starting an ISP is simple with the right ISP startup solutions
Starting an ISP is a great opportunity to create a profitable business by providing ISP service to hundreds, even thousands, of Internet users. An ISP business has great growth potential, but you have to know where to begin. Therefore, you need to search among the many available ISP startup solutions to help you initiate, manage and market your business. A startup ISP requires...
Low-Cost Businesses You Can Start
Starting a business can be easy - and inexpensive - with the right venture
If you dream of being an entrepreneur, but lack the big startup bucks required by some new ventures, don't fret. With a little time and not a lot of money, you can still make your business dream a reality. A low-cost business, which requires a minimal investment for supplies and marketing, is perfect for whetting an entrepreneurial appetite if you're: Already employed, but...
Minority-Owned Business Classification
Getting the certification seal of approval can bring big awards
There's a multibillion-dollar pie that comes from government and corporate contracts targeted to minority-owned businesses. A variety of federal, state and local government agencies offer minority business certification programs in an effort to help businesses qualify. Before going through certification, investigate: Criteria to qualify Documentation requirements Consider...
Online Entrepreneurship Communities
Learn how to put the power of entrepreneur online forums to work for you
Thanks to the Internet, small businesses and sole proprietors can now connect through online communities for business. An online community for entrepreneurs allows people who don’t fit into other categories to access like-minded people with similar concerns.Entrepreneurs chat with one another through these business online communities. They create an entrepreneur chat...
Opening a Restaurant
Opening an eatery isn't easy, but a detailed plan will keep you focused
The restaurant business is not for the weak at heart. You must have passion and dedication — and a solid business plan. By keeping your operations organized you'll save time and money, and hopefully keep your doors open for years to come. If you're thinking about opening a restaurant, take these steps: Determine the type of restaurant you will own. Write a business...
Programs for Women Business Owners
In business, it can pay to be a woman owner
If you think you're at a disadvantage as a female entrepreneur, think again. Dozens of organizations and programs have emerged in recent years to help women start and grow their own businesses. Taking advantage of the programs available can help you: Obtain seed money to get your venture off the ground Network with other women business owners Win bids for government contracts...
Starting A Gardening Business
Find online (and local) resources that can help you get your commercial garden business growing!
If you've been thinking about turning your gardening hobby into a gardening business, this guide can help you get started. By learning about the many local, regional and national resources available to commercial gardeners, you can increase both knowledge and profit, and build a strong client base in your local community.
Starting a Catering Business
Plan well and reap big rewards
Demand for catering is brisk and growing, which invites new businesses that can be highly profitable with low startup costs. Beyond having a flair for food preparation and stylish presentation, however, a successful catering business must be built on smart planning and an ability to nail cost estimates and master event logistics. Before you launch a catering business you...
Starting a Catering Business
Follow the right steps to make starting a catering business an exciting, successful endeavor
Starting a catering business can be a very exciting endeavor, but one that requires much accountability in areas that include employee, client, and food safety. Many people consider the entrepreneurial route, but it is a risky road to take, especially if you don't set yourself up for success. You don't have to sell a unique product, but you should offer a one-of-a-kind...
Starting a Consulting Business
Consulting can be a lucrative enterprise if you do your homework before setting up shop
If you’re an expert in a field and have a passion for sharing that expertise, you’ve aced two of the most important qualities of a successful consultant. It’s also critical to have a knack for working with a wide variety of personalities, and an unflagging drive to market your services. Whether your specialty is helping corporations recruit chief executives or...
Starting a Manufacturing Company
The start-up costs can be high, but so can your return on investment
Launching a manufacturing company isn’t for newbies. If you don’t have personal experience in the field, consider partnering with someone who does. Grappling with the regulatory issues alone can be daunting, even for longtime manufacturers. On the plus side, you don’t have to be a major manufacturing powerhouse to thrive. According to the National Association of...
Starting a Nonprofit Organization
How to simplify the maze of paperwork, rules and regulations
Most nonprofits filed with the Internal Revenue Service fall under IRS code 501(c)(3). These organizations include public charities or private foundations, which are established for purposes such as religious, educational, scientific, literary and testing for public safety, to name a few. There are other nonprofits — 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(27) — that are considered...
Starting a Security Services Business
Secure your livelihood in this industry that has few barriers to entry
Ever wanted to own your own business? Security guard and patrol services businesses are an increasingly popular choice among start-up entrepreneurs, especially since 9/11 renewed concerns about safety and security. Getting started is relatively simple—you’ll need some licenses and general business acumen, but beyond that, you need only the business skills you’d...
Starting a Service Business
Turn your skills and knowledge into a business
Whether you’re a yoga instructor, a bookkeeper, or a business consultant, if you have solid skills and a track record of applying them successfully, you could have the foundation for a service business. But talent and experience alone aren’t enough to win customers and keep them happy. To stay on top in the service game, you need to have a knack for dealing with...
Starting an Advertising Agency
Create a start-up business with little capital needed up front
Because advertising agencies provide primarily services, rather than final products, a small ad agency can be a low-cost start-up. If you outsource graphic design, copywriting and production, you can reduce overhead even further. Then as your agency grows, you can bring some of the primary services that you use in-house. Before you start your advertising business, you’ll...
Starting an Event-Planning Business
Be the expert that companies, non-profit organizations and families turn to for their special events
If you’re a born organizer with a creative bent, a head for business and a way with people, you could have what it takes to build a successful event-planning company. Event planners are hired to plan and execute parties, weddings, meetings, conferences, events related to product promotions, parades and more. Among an event planner’s most challenging...
Starting an eBay Business
How to get into the ecommerce game
There’s no doubt, eBay has emerged as the hottest online marketplace in the world. By launching your own eBay business, you can gain access to 200 million shoppers worldwide and nab a share of the $40 billion dollars currently exchanging hands on the online auction site. Getting started is easy thanks to a host of seller’s tools you can find on the site, and start-up...
Startup Business Help For Veterans
Get information about veteran startup business programs
Many veterans are interested in starting up businesses after they've completed their military service. Fortunately, there are many veteran programs out there to help them get started on the road to success. You can find all kinds of startup business help for veterans online, including what it takes to open up a franchise, how to secure financial aid like grants for your...
Tips for Starting a Marketing Business
Finding your niche will make your marketing business have a clear roadmap to success
There are marketing firms that do it all—from event marketing to search engine marketing. Chances are once you’ve found your niche, you will gain loyal customers who want more marketing services than your niche requires. They key is to create your niche first and then broaden your approach to serve existing clients. Otherwise as a startup company that offers a huge...
Tips for Starting a Public Relations Firm
A small boutique PR firm doesnt require a lot of start-up capital, but can provide a measurable return
Publicists are a unique breed. They tend to be extroverted people who can talk to anyone about anything. If you have the gift of gab and a background in communications, a start-up PR firm can be an excellent small business to start. It requires low start-up costs and can grow rapidly from one client to ten. Although starting your own boutique PR firm can be a low-maintenance...
Tips for Starting a Real Estate Business
How to launch the right type of real estate biz at the right time
Considering starting your own real estate agency? If you're fascinated with houses, enjoy meeting people, and know your local area well, you're well-positioned to get started. You have a choice to make up front, however, regarding your business' structure. Will you: Start an independent office Buy a franchise Partner or merge with an established operation Whether you're...
