Advice is our to starts a new business, Getting a chance is in your hands.
Opportunity To be the master of your own destiny by running your own business while being supported by established brand marketing and management systems.
Why..? Uncertainties in employment
Securing one’s future
Starting your own business is a difficult challenge and all the uncertainty can be daunting.
Industry Scenario
Recharging printer cartridges has become one of the fastest growing industries in the world.
Currently 70% of all printer users, globally, throw away their used cartridges.
Printer Consumables Industry estimates close to Rs 3000 crores in India.
The annual growth rate of number of printers in India is over 20%
Growing market, repeat business, high gross margins.
The franchisee immediately benefits from:
Use of established business names, marks and proven business systems
Reduced set-up expenses
Lower risk of failure
Promotional and administration support
Bulk purchasing power
Ongoing training and advice
Superior market power
Attractive financing option by SBI
In a nutshell, the Cartridge World franchise unites the skills and resources of an experienced and established company with the driving ambition and dedication of the individual investor.
Advice and Ideas for a Small Business Start up
Small Business Ideas
Summary: Succeeding in a small business is not at all difficult. In fact it is as simple as driving or raking the leaves. Here are some tips and ideas that might be of great use along the way...
You own a small business. You want it to succeed. You know that your competitors are many and well established. How do you make a difference? How do you ensure that your services and products are in demand?
USP, differentiators, you've heard them all and know that ultimately it may boil down to your competition offering cheaper services. You wish to succeed despite all this and need a good business plan. Well, to be frank, we've been in the small and medium segment for the past 5 years and have gathered some useful information on the way. No secrets, but useful ideas and advice that may be useful for business start ups. This article compiles them for your use.
Ideas for a small business start up
We begin by assuming that you are in the business you love. If you are not, the first tip we have for you is that you find something about it to like or move to something that you are passionate about.
Cash! Plans! Cash forecasting and financial plans are next on the agenda. A planned budget, a measurement process, both short and long term will help your business start up. It's imperative that you know your projected income or revenue and cash expenditures to drill down to your cash flow.
Research your business, your competition, and the industry and stay current and then define your USP. (Unique Selling Proposition) Read, read, and read! Get start up advice, join organizations that will help you, get on to the net and do all your homework there.
If you can differentiate and find that USP, leverage it to the maximum.
It helps to establish and fall back on a trustworthy mentor or advisory board. It could even be family, someone whom you can bounce ideas off, and get an objective opinion on your USP among other factors.
Build networks - Meet with people and build a strong business support structure.
Discipline and motivation - Plan and schedule work, execute quality project management methods. Review your business methods and ideas periodically and make the necessary changes.
Prepare for change - an inevitable part of your business plan. Force change. Evaluate competition and benchmark against them.
Become an agent of change. Innovate. When faced with competition, don't panic. The more the players, it simply implies that you are serving an educated market. All you have to do is to persuade customers that your services and product are better - a key factor in your business plan.
Finally, business is all about attitude, perseverance and passion. Achieve the right balance between work, play and family to avoid losing the big picture.
More differentiators for a small business start up
Expand customer base
Identify your USP (X-factor)
Build efficient systems and a good team
Build reputation, momentum and market leadership
Identify and protect Intellectual Property
Promote your business through multiple channels
Build partnerships
Build trust and credibility with customers through outstanding follow-up services
Look for ways to increase profits
Give your business a web presence
Automate wherever possible
Sell based on value
Build on differentiators like - experience, better methodologies and a better team
Offer money back gurantees
SMALL BUSINESS IDEAS -
Finding Your Concept,
Developing Your Business.
(See Related Articles at Bottom of Page)
Finding interesting small business ideas can sometimes be the most difficult part of starting a business. There is no shortage of ideas, but finding the one that's right for you can be a challenge.
Browse through any large bookstore and you'll find dozens of books filled with small business ideas. Those books can be valuable for insights and information about a business you might be interested in.
But here's another way a walk through a bookstore can help you choose a business concept. Stroll through a bookstore and think of all the different sections you see as business categories. Crafts; photography; computers; fitness; travel; just about any of the general section topics could be thought of as business categories.
Make mental note of the sections you are naturally drawn to, this could be a clue as to the best category of business for you. Then start picking up books in that category. Think of each books as a business niche within that category.
For instance: if you find yourself drawn to the photography section, that’s meaningful. Now, which books within photography appeal to you most? Weddings? Portraits? Digital? Photoshop? Biographies? The books you find most interesting are an indication of what specific niche of that category you might enjoy building a business around. Not only can specific books narrow your decision making, but they are also full of information you can then use to get started.
This ‘book store stroll’ is only one method for finding inspiration and information about small business ideas.
Of course, you can also use the internet to look for your concept. There are several websites with long lists of small business ideas.
And by the way, while using the internet, don't overlook it as a business category in itself.Today thousands of e-businesses are being run entirely on the internet, and in addition to profits, many owners of those businesses are enjoying the added benefits of no storefront, no employees, and no long hours. For information about making money on the internet, read Robert G. Allen's Book, “Multiple Streams of Internet Income.”
There is one thing most people starting a business don't realize, but it is critical not only to the success of your business, but to your happiness running it. That is, if you base your small business ideas on hobbies or special interests the actual doing of that hobby or special interest will be only a small part of owning the businesses.
For example, if you choose to create a small business out of photography, in addition to the technical photography skills you’ll need, you’ll also need understanding and skills in things like business strategy, lead generation, sales techniques, differentiation, competitive analysis, pricing, networking, bookkeeping, advertising, staff management, and more. It is possible (and likely) that those management skills will require more of your time than the photography itself.
It’s not enough to be the business, you must also run the business. In fact, many experts would argue that today’s most successful business owners don’t personally do the thing of the business at all, but instead manage the overall business for growth.
That’s important to remember. The truth is that the essence of management is understanding that whatever your product or service is, you’re actually in the business of being in business.
Understanding that will help you succeed whatever your small business ideas.
-by Andrew Sokol
Andrew Sokol is a Business Strategist
and Founder of Sokol Strategic Consulting.
He is also Publisher of this website.
He is available for private consulting and public speaking.
Andrew can be reached by clicking: Contact Us
101 LOW START UP COST HOME BASED BUSINESS IDEAS.
© David Rawson-Wheater, 2009
Gardening. In many areas homeowners are desperate for someone to cut the grass and tidy up. This will produce a steady flow of money.
Babysitting. There is always a demand for this service.
Cleaning. Even simple, light cleaning commands good hourly rates.
Tutoring. Do you have some special skill, such as playing a musical instrument? Or a language, or good knowledge of mathematics or English - a good source of money.
Delivery service. There is always a demand for small parcels and packets that need same day collection and delivery. To check out what to charge, ring the competition in another area. Another big money earner.
Organizing children’s parties. Rich mums often don’t have the time to do this properly and will pay for someone else to look after a crowd of screaming little monsters. Good luck with this one! It makes money.
Renting out fun figures and signs advertising someone’s party. You could make these yourself. They could include the shapes of clowns or animals holding boards with stick on letters ‘Happy Birthday Mary Jane!’ etc - lots of money in this.
Buying and selling used cars. A few possible pitfalls here, such as people expecting guarantees and ownership issues, but lots of people do it quite successfully. The big secret is to clean and polish the vehicle and touch up any chipped or scratched paintwork - make good money.
A roadside stall selling fruit and vegetables and other things, such as home made jams etc. Very profitable if you grow the produce yourself in your garden.
Renting out tools and equipment, such as ladders, chainsaws, drills etc. A little capital needed, but not an enormous amount. Once you start this business rolling you can add small concrete mixers, motivators etc. and make money along the way.
Catering service, providing food for other peoples’ parties. If you are a good cook this is a great little business, that with flair you could develop into something substantial.
Dog walking service. People at work, or old and disabled.
Home mechanic. You need mechanical skills for this one, but if you have them, then carrying out servicing and sorting out minor problems at peoples' homes will bring you a steady flow of work and money.
Car washing at peoples’ own homes. You charge extra for polishing. Also, you can offer to touch up paintwork etc. You may find small car dealers who will give you work.
Organize sporting weekends and holidays for fishermen, golfers etc. You charge an all inclusive fee and negotiate keen rates for the accommodation etc. Add your profit to the top and start making money.
Party chauffeur service. Either drive the customer’s car or your own. Don’t forget to check out the insurance!
Window cleaning. This is a good old favourite and you only need a ladder, a bucket and some leaflets printed and you are in business!
Swimming pool cleaning. This can be built up into quite a nice business, as if your customers are pleased with your service they will become regular clients.
Gutter cleaning. Very simple really, but lots of people ‘can’t be bothered’, or are afraid of heights.
Picture framing business. Easy to learn, all tools etc can be bought at a craft shop.
Sandwich service. This works best in the cities where there are large organizations who may let you offer your products from a tray or trolley once or twice a day. Although there are others doing this sort of thing, there are sometimes gaps in the market. You could also try selling in the street from a tray and also approach garages and bars to supply them
Renting surplus space for storage. Perhaps you have a garage that you don’t use any more, or even an attic where companies might store their back up paper work.
House sitting. A lot of people prefer someone to live in their house when they are away. This is especially true when they have dogs. Of course this idea won’t work if you don’t like dogs. But you do like money, don't you?
Selling second hand clothes. This is not the ‘rag and bone man’ kind of concept. In these hard up times women especially are very interested to be able to discretely buy fashion clothing. Needless to say it must be perfect and spotless. You can buy, by perhaps dropping leaflets through the doors in good class areas saying that you are looking for and offering quality clothing. You will pay very little and need either a spare room at home or of course even better a shop or perhaps a market stall.
Painting and decorating. Most people can do this. The main thing is that surfaces must be clean and any old paint scraped or sanded away. Practice first, before you offer the service. Perhaps offer to do a small amount of painting free if they provide the materials.
Shopping service. Most couples both work. Who wants to spend Saturdays shopping? You can charge by the hour for this and the demand for this service will not be confined to the weekends. Could be built up into a serious money maker.
Sell costume jewellery at markets fairs etc. This business always works. Supplies can be obtained from wholesalers and they can be tracked down through the internet, trade organizations, business magazines etc.
Second hand books for sale and rent. This is a market stall type of activity and the mark up is very high. The rental idea is that customers buy the book, but get half back if they return it in clean condition when they make the next purchase.
Weekend delivery service. Anything involving anti social hours will work. You offer to collect and deliver parcels, shopping, food, drink etc.
Computer advisor. Lots of older people are still struggling with computers. If you know how to get rid of viruses and sort out settings etc., you will find a good demand for your service. Agree a minimum call out charge, plus a good hourly rate before going.
Renting out trampolines and bouncy castles. Children’s parties are an obvious place for this, but much more money can be made at fairs and events. Lots of money in this idea!
Carpet cleaning. This needs specialist equipment which isn’t too expensive and indeed can be bought second hand for very little.
Pet transport service. To and from kennels etc. You will need a vehicle with a screen to stop the little beasts from attacking you when you’re driving. A van is obviously ideal, but not essential.
Sports rental service. Such things as, multi gym equipment, snooker tables, climbing equipment, wet suits, fishing rods etc.
Golf caddy service. Lots of exercise and sometimes good tips!
Leatherworking. Buy off cuts and scraps and make belts, key rings, watch straps, dog leads and wallets. Tools can be bought from a craft shop. If you’re really good at cutting and stitching, then suede or leather trousers and waistcoats could be very profitable sellers.
Astrological services. You need to indicate that this is ‘for amusement only’, but there is a huge demand for fortune telling and other astrological services.If you are good enough, the internet offers an amazing path to riches and money making.
Keep fit and slimming classes. Most people already know about reducing both calories and carbohydrates, but lack self discipline. Keep fit classes offer a point of focus and help people to achieve their goals.
Buying and selling computers. Obviously you need to ‘know your stuff’, but there are always people wanting to buy and sell and small free adds will bring in the business.
Renting out computers. Again, you will need knowledge of both computers and the latest games, but this idea has possibilities.
Mobile Disc Jockey. If you like late nights, there’s lots of fun and money with this idea.
Windscreen repair service. This is not quite the same as windscreen replacement which requires specialist knowledge and equipment. This idea works well in supermarket car parks where you look for people parking whose cars have chips in their windscreen. You offer to repair these whilst they shop. You charge about $10. All you need is some tubes of the special resins that car accessory shops sell. You just squeeze a tiny amount into cracks and chips and then wipe away and the glass is strengthened because of your repair.
Mobile laundry service. You collect people,s bags of washing and dry cleaning and drop off at the laundry or Laundromat and then return for an agreed amount. Perhaps $5. Make sure that you get the cost of the cleaning and your fee ‘up front’.
Rental property tidy up person. Letting agencies or estate agents with rental properties are the ones to approach with this idea. You clean and tidy vacant houses and perhaps touch up paintwork etc. There is a definite demand for this service.
CV writer. This one speaks for itself. If you have good literary skills you can offer this service either by small adds in the free papers, or more globally via the internet.
Typing and word processing service. Lots of small businesses cannot afford full time secretaries so typing the odd letter or invoice is a good service to offer. This can become big business.
Book keeping. You obviously need some training for this business, but there is a huge demand from smaller businesses. And lots of money to be made.
Debt Negotiator. This is especially profitable if you are acting for small businesses in difficulties. You negotiate with creditors for a reduction of the debt for a cash settlement. Your charge would usually be 30% of the saving. Check if you need a license to run this business in your area.
Hiring out bicycles. If you live in an area with holidaymakers or even day trippers, this is a very interesting idea. Bicycles can be bought second hand from auctions for very little.
Cleaning suspended ceilings. Hugely profitable, but very simple. You remove panel by panel and clean. Discuss suitable cleaning products with a good Do It Yourself shop.
Small removals. You can always start by hiring a suitable van. However, if you can afford to buy one, then this is a very profitable business, especially if you offer a weekend or evening service.
Professional companion. Sounds a bit wacky, but older people with no living partner are often lonely. Someone to go to the theatre with, or whatever, might be very welcome. Charge by the hour.
Install burglar alarms. This is not as difficult as it sounds and any person with a bent for technical things could follow the instructions. What is important however, is to convey a competent and honest image.
Bird watching tours. This is an idea for someone who lives in a country area where there is interesting wildlife. Not everyone wants to kill things. Increasingly people will pay for an informed tour of animals and birds habitats. Don’t suppose that this is a business to make a lot of money, but you might add ten years to your life!
Videos of houses for sale. This is a very obvious business with a lot of possibilities and many estate agents would pay a modest fee for someone to carry out this chore for them.
Putting up estate agents boards. Also, of course taking them down again.
Make wedding videos.
Take wedding photographs.
Install solar heating. Actually not that difficult and a growing need with higher and higher energy costs. This could be built into an enormous business. See www.earth4energy.com for a low cost source of information.
Give a new lease of life to old fitted kitchens. Fit new doors, handles and hinges. A great business idea if you have a rudimentary knowledge of carpentry.
Vegetarian catering. An interesting niche market if you can cook. Another angle, might be ‘organic produce’ only.
Buy bicycles at auctions and repair and paint and sell on. Quite an interesting business for a cycling enthusiast. And a great way to make money.
Repairing valuable china and ceramics. You will need to go on a course for this. They last about a week but a very handsome living can then be made, either repairing for collectors and antique dealers, or buying damaged items for a few cents and then restoring. Of course restored items are not worth as much as the perfect article, but they are worth a lot more than visibly damaged!
Paintball adventure days. Quite a lot of people are running these very successfully, but there may be room for one more in your area. A very fun business!
Hedge trimming. This is a business for someone who knows that they can do it! Some people have the skill, but most don’t. A nice specialist business for the right person.
Bee keeping. Make sure that you are not allergic to bees, but this is a very satisfying hobby and business. Many farmers will welcome you putting hives on their property, so in theory, there’s no limit to how big you could build this, if you can market the produce.
Marketing agency. If you are tough and don’t give up easily, selling goods and services for other people can be an incredibly profitable business. Many people make and produce great products, or have great ideas, but they just can’t sell! If you can, then the sky’s the limit with this idea. A guaranteed money maker.
Killer plants. Yes, there are plants that eat flies and mosquitoes. If you investigate the sources, you could offer a service planting them in people’s gardens.
Herbs. The interest in herbs grows and grows, if you’ll pardon the pun! Seriously, there can be a good market in packing these and selling on to shops, or perhaps have a market stall.
Murder mystery evenings or weekends. These could be run by yourself ‘selling’ the accommodation in the hotel with a an extra charge for setting up the murder mysteries. These can be bought in box form from games and novelty shops. Quite a good idea, if developed correctly and loads of fun!
Jewellery cleaning service. Shops charge a lot of money for this. Everything you need, including instructions can be bought from a jewellery or lapidary supplier.
Making Jewellery. Easy to make and supplies can be obtained from jewellery manufacturers. Sell at markets etc.
Candle making. You will need wax, wicks, moulds, professional colouring and scents. Buy your supplies through an art shop.
Dealing in comics or ‘Celeb’ items. Very profitable and the demand is huge, sell at collectors fairs or markets.
Internet car sales company. This needs computer skill, but the idea is sound. You charge sellers a small fee to advertise on your site for perhaps four weeks, renewable free on demand if the car is unsold. Obviously you need to get traffic to your site and you may need to advertise in the local press initially. If you specialised in sports or classics, then your customer base could be nationwide.
Internet house for sale company. Agents fees are enormous. You might charge $100 dollars or more for a listing. Perhaps you would advertise it for six months. Lots of potential with this idea.
Internet bed and breakfast places. Could be national.
Internet job centre. You could either charge the potential employee to list their CV or the employer. Lots of potential with this idea.
Internet publishing. The ideas here are legion, especially in the area of self help or business opportunities. Make money.
Internet dating agency. Perhaps you would run an e magazine, updated daily.
Import and export. This idea has vast possibilities and will take some setting up, but could be the route to millions. A good side of this is that if you’re sourcing products abroad, you ought to be write off your travel costs against tax.
If you are thinking of exporting, look for products that are easy to ship and not perishable.
Bedtime stories on cassette or CD. Also the same idea for long car journeys.
Baby hampers. It’s quite a business gathering together all the things needed for a new baby. You buy and supply in one lot nappies, bottles, changing station, sterilising equipment, cot, blankets, creams and powders etc. Also you sell later prams, pushchairs, toys etc.
Mail order. Find an unusual or unique product, or something that people will bother sending for if it’s cheap.
Selling logs and kindling. This is mainly the barbecue market, but you could build up quite a good business supplying logs. Find a good source first.
Bed and Breakfast. This is an old favourite and there is a demand almost everywhere for inexpensive accommodation.
House moving consultant.. You advise on packing, connections of telephones, electricity etc. Charge a minimum fee, plus a set hourly rate.
Logo and marketing design. The professionals charge a fortune for this, so an imaginative, reasonably priced service would do very well.
Disposal of documents. This is an interesting idea. You offer to shred confidential documents for solicitors and others. Your own presentation will need to be excellent for people to trust you. You could either take documents away for shredding or bring a machine to the site. You might even be able to sell the shredded paper.
Business Efficiency Consultant. This idea is for someone with managerial experience in any field. Small businesses in particular, are often stumped as to how to expand further, or maximize their existing business. A fresh pair of eyes can often see things that the existing management miss, because they’re too close. If you have the flair for this kind of business, you could build this into something very big indeed.
Marketing seminars. If you have experience and skill you can do this yourself. If not, hire somebody. There are lots of retired or unemployed executives with skills in different businesses who could talk for a couple of hours and answer questions. You put the whole thing together and attract participants by local advertising, mail shots, e mail etc. Good money to be made with this idea.
Business brokers. This is a good old idea. You will need a license though, so check your legalities. If you have a flair for business and an understanding of what makes companies work and how to value, then this is a terrific idea. It can of course be started from home and via the internet. To get going you could offer to list the first fifty businesses free of charge and thereafter charge a listing fee. This idea has a lot of potential.
Hairpiece cleaning. Sounds a bit creepy, but lots of people wear hairpieces, that need regular cleaning. You could operate this as a mail order operation and work through your own website.
Security guard. You will need to be physically fit and have the appropriate experience of self defence. An easy business to start.
Breeding worms. Sounds crazy, but worms are an essential part of organic farming in particular. Some people need a supply of worms to kick start their compost heaps. You breed and post.
Property finding service. Even when there are loads of properties for sale, it takes time to find what you really want. You charge a fairly high fee to narrow down possibilities for your clients, not only finding them what they want, but the best bargain as well.
Sunshades. On hot days you cut out pieces of cardboard to cover car windscreens to keep the sun out. If you handle this well by looking ‘in need’ you should get a lot of sympathy support.
Boat hull and barnacle cleaning service. This idea probably won’t work in Nevada, but where there are boats there’s always a demand for hull scraping and cleaning. This is quite an expensive business if you go to the professionals, so you undercut them and you will still make a good bit of money.
Chandelier cleaning service. Hotels and mansions have lots of these. Cleaning is quite a complicated business and very messy. However, if you can do it, you can charge a surprisingly large amount of money. Before you start cleaning it’s a good idea to take a photograph because you will sometimes have to take the individual chandelier pieces down one at a time and clean in a bucket with the appropriate cleaning solution. However, you will usually be able to spray the chandelier as it hangs with a cleaning agent. These are specially made for the job and you may have to hunt around to get one. However, the difficulty in the job is having steps high enough and of course both a head for heights and a delicate hand.