Business Ideas

Candy gram business
If you are looking for a unique small business idea, it might be time to think about learning how to start a candy gram business. Candy grams combine the gift of candy with a telegram-like card containing a saying or sentiment. Originally invented by Western Union, the candy gram enjoys tremendous popularity with the gift buying public. Candy grams are perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine·s Day, retirements, and holidays. Because candy grams can be personalized with customized messages and a choice of candy, they are viewed as more thoughtful, personal gifts. Deciding how to start a candy gram business requires that you first define your general business goals of how you want to operate your business. Here are some options to consider:
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You can run the business from home and deliver candy grams to recipients yourself. You can take orders and mail your candy grams. You can lease retail space and sell your gift products from a retail store. You can partner with gift or flower shop owners and have your candy gram creations sold

at their locations. The choice is yours but largely depends on the size of your business, your market, and your available startup capital. The following equipment and supplies will be required:
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Various candy bars and boxed candy selections Gift baskets and containers Gift cards Shrink wrap Ribbons Transport and/or shipping and packaging supplies

Come up with some sample designs so that you have a catalog of items to show customers. Price your candy gram gifts competitively. If you will be making deliveries, don·t forget to factor in the fuel expenses. If you lease retail space, choose a location that already attracts shoppers. Display sample candy gram arrangements so that customers can see what they are getting. Register your business name with the local business authorities. Apply for a sales tax license. And check local zoning ordinances if you plan to work from home.

Learning how to start a candy gram business is just the beginning. Marketing your candy gram business is essential for success. Place ads in newspapers, fliers on bulletin boards, hand out business cards, and use direct mail to reach shoppers. If your budget allows, use TV and radio advertising, particularly just before and during the holiday season. In addition to an ongoing advertising campaign, think of potential markets that might not be reached by traditional means. For example, candy grams are great for charity, college, high school, or sports team fundraisers. By offering fund-raising organizations a volume discount, you can sell more while working less. After the sale, your job is generally done. Corporate gift giving is another potential market. Corporations and businesses typically give holiday and retirement gifts to their employees. Large corporations often contract with gift suppliers so speak to the right people (generally administrative assistants can point you to the right person) to find out if such an opportunity exists. The great thing about learning how to start a candy gram business is that what you learn along the way applies to growing your business as well. Superb service and knowing your market is just as essential when you have been in business for 10 years as it is when you first start. Consider adding the following items and services to your candy gram line to help grow your business:
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Flowers or candy bouquets to your candy gram gifts Novelty items A singing telegram service Gift baskets Regional candy products such as saltwater taffy

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c_are package business______________________________________________________________________
_ ______________--If you are looking for a unique business opportunity, learning how to start a care package business may be the answer. A fresh take on the traditional gift basket, care packages are usually marketed to those who buy for students or members of the military. But in reality, care packages are great gifts for nearly anyone. Begin the business licensing process as soon as possible by contacting your local city or county government offices. They will require a basic business license and may ask you to obtain additional licenses or certifications.

When first learning how to start a care package business, do some research. Find out what other care package businesses put in their packages and plan to make yours a little different. Make a checklist of the needed supplies. Rather than baskets, a care package is typically sent in a cardboard box, often with a printed message. You will need a box supplier who can print greetings or wishes on the outside of the box. Find suppliers for candy, snack foods, small gifts, decorative paper, ribbon, gift cards, and other care package items. You will be doing a lot of mailing, so stock shipping tape, labels, packing materials, and scales. Open an account with the postal service so you can print your own postage and quickly mail packages out. Be sure to factor in mailing costs when deciding what to charge for your care packages. Superior customer service, attractive and careful packing, and speedy care package delivery are going to be your keystones to success. Another key factor will be how well your marketing plan works. Care package businesses are relatively rare. When people look for gifts, they tend to think of flowers and gift baskets. A successful marketing plan will target the gift giving consumer and build on the fact that a care package is better than an ordinary gift. Offer as wide a selection of care packages as possible. Care packages can be sent to students for many occasions. Exams, first time away from home, homecoming, party night, and just because. Offer care packages for as many reasons as you can think of, including birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. The more reasons you give people to send a care package, the greater your success. When thinking of how to start a care package business, remember that you do not have to limit yourself to local customers. You can market to a national or even international buying public. A professional looking web site, preferably with online ordering capabilities, will allow customers to find you who otherwise wouldn·t know you exist. Advertising locally is still essential. Print fliers, advertise in the local print media, attend trade shows, and become involved in community activities. When you first learn how to start a care package business, you will probably decide to offer a few care packages and add more variety as your business grows. Think outside of the box when coming up with new care package ideas. You could give your customers the opportunity to customize their packages by giving them the option to choose their own individual contents. You could create care packages for pets. How about putting care packages together for football fans or sugar-free care packages for people with diabetes? Corporate gifts can be a highly lucrative area for gift-giving businesses, so meet with managers and business owners to offer your services.

If you have been looking for a business that is beyond the ordinary, a care package business may be just what you have been searching for

Pet tag business
By deciding to start a pet tag business, you will be taking your first steps into the growing pet service industry. With a relatively small investment, you could be making pet ID tags within days. Whether you choose to run an online business or a face-to-face operation, you·ll collect information from customers about their pets and produce customized identification tags that can be attached to a pet·s collar. In addition to making the tags, you·ll also need to maintain an inventory of supplies and deliver the finished product. To start a pet tag business, you·ll need an engraving machine and a set of metal tags. Some engraving machines are automated so that you only need to type in the information, insert the tag, and it does the rest. Manual machines are also available at a lower cost, but each tag will require more time to complete. To use a manual machine, you will insert the tag, line up each letter, and then trace each letter with one end of the engraving device while the other end imprints the tracing on the tag. Engraving equipment doesn·t take up a lot of space. You could open your business in your home or in a small kiosk at a local mall. In addition to the equipment and tags, you·ll need a method to track sales and expenses for end-of-year reporting. When you start a pet tag business, you·ll need basic training to learn how to operate the engraving machine, but no other special certification or licensing is required. As with any business, basic organization and management skills will be helpful in running an efficient and profitable business venture. If you have the right skill set, you could create and maintain your own online store if you choose to operate an internet-based business. Otherwise, you should find a website designer that you·re comfortable with to help you build your internet store. To be successful as a pet tag entrepreneur, you·ll need to control your costs and manage your time. Your expenses will include the cost of inventory and delivery charges. Pet tags are very inexpensive items.

Although the blank tags don·t cost very much, waste can still eat into your profit margin if you ruin more than you complete. To minimize delivery expenses, look for inexpensive, padded mailers that can be sent through the regular mail. This option will result in some missing items, but it may be cheaper to replace the few items that are lost than to spend more on traceable shipping for such an inexpensive product. Your biggest success factor may be time. Unless you are hiring a staff, your potential earnings are limited by how many tags you can make. As you become more accurate and faster, your profits should increase. After you start a pet tag business, you will need to attract customers. Most pet owners want to place name tags on their pet·s collars in case they become lost. If you are located in a mall kiosk, you·ll find that many shoppers will buy a pet ID tag as an impulse purchase. You may also want to place flyers in local pet shops and veterinarian·s offices. If they are willing, you should allow them to take orders for a percentage of the profits. If you·re going to run an online pet tag store, make sure that your website is found by popular search engines and that you are listed on other pet related sites. Once you start a pet tag business and want to expand , you may want to add another location or purchase another engraving machine for an assistant. You could also expand into the pet microchip business that works even better than ID tags for locating lost pets. Many stores have automated ID tag vending machines. You could invest in one or more of those and distribute them to local pet stores. If you really enjoy manual engraving, you could engrave jewelry and other customized items in addition to pet tags. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ _--

mall kiosks

Kiosks are common sights in shopping malls of all sizes, which means there is ample opportunity if you want to learnhow to start a mall kiosk business. Kiosk owners rent a kiosk (or space for their own kiosk display), stock it with a specific product or service-related material, then staff the kiosk during mall hours. A mall kiosk business can be especially lucrative because the kiosks require far less rent and overhead than normal stores. Kiosks also receive a high volume of foot traffic in the mall. Think about it, potential customers don·t have to ´enterµ your store to see your product ² everyone sees your product simply by walking through the mall.

Although learning how to start a mall kiosk business may seem simple at first, the reality of starting any business can be difficult. For this reason, it is imperative to be well prepared and do your research. Market research is especially important in the kiosk business ² you want to make sure there is a demand for your products or services in the market where you intend to open shop. When considering how to start a mall kiosk business, it is important to select the right product. Mall kiosks can be targeted to a variety of customer wants and needs. These can range from selling cell phone accessories to customized t-shirts to unique jewelry. Mall kiosks can also provide services, such as ear piercing or chair massages. Individuals interested in how to start a mall kiosk business can utilize skills they already have to sell their own unique services or handmade products. Some kiosk entrepreneurs may also be interested in licensing existing products. Licensed options might include toys, carvings, sunglasses, purses, and more. When contemplating how to start a mall kiosk business, there are several necessary steps to get started. Mall kiosks and/or associated floor space must be rented, so owners should check with malls of interest for rental rates and availability. After finding a location, business owners need to build up enough inventory of their product to sell. The amount of time and money it will take to procure or make enough product will vary depending on the type of product. Regardless of what item is being sold, it is vital to have enough inventory on hand to keep the kiosk full. Other practical needs include the ability to handle both cash and credit transactions. For credit cards, you·ll need a merchant account. While no formal training is required when learning how to start a mall kiosk business, it is a good idea to have some basic business know-how in order to appropriately manage cash flow, hire employees (if needed), and manage your books. If you lack business experience, taking a small business class or seminar is a great way to educate yourself and increase your business confidence. The key to any successful mall kiosk is to get shoppers to stop. An eye catching display can be helpful in attracting customers, but getting out and talking to people is critical as well. Having an engaging display and a friendly disposition can be an essential factor in getting your kiosk business off the ground. While engaging with potential customers is important, take it easy on the ´in-your-faceµ approach. We·ve all walked through malls and have been bombarded by kiosk staff. It·s so annoying. Find a way to engage with customers in a way that invites them to learn more, not turn around and run the other way!

Customers are important, but they are not the only ones who matter. Since mall kiosk space is rented, business owners should always get to know mall management as well. This can be done by meeting in person when setting up the rental agreement. Smart business owners will take part in any mall meetings in order to stay up on what is going on at the mall and to ensure that the ownership is aware of who they are. Taking Your Mall Kiosk Business Further One great thing about learning how to start a mall kiosk business is that there is ample room to grow. For successful kiosk startups, there is endless possibility to expand not only to other shopping malls, but online as well. If your kiosk business really explodes, you could even consider franchising your business as a growth opportunity. Overall, learning how to start a mall kiosk business has great small business potential. If you·re outgoing or have the means to hire outgoing staff, running a kiosk business can also be a lot of fun. By carefully managing your product mix, your cash flow, and making important connections with customers and mall management, your mall kiosk business can thrive

Soap making
Have you recently discovered what ¶good clean fun· soap-making is and want to make it your livelihood, but have no idea what to do beyond making the soap itself? Start a soap making business today! First, you need to develop your soap making business product line« Don·t limit yourself to the common, single note fragrances everyone else uses. Develop your own signature fragrance combinations. Invest in the nicest packaging and labeling you can afford so your product looks professionallymade, even if you are going for a homespun look. Find interesting molds, or make your own using mold compounds and a found object, such as an old doorknob or finial. You can find mold-making supplies and kits on the internet, just be sure the materials are heatproof and will release your soap easily. Identify some niches your soaps can fill, such as the following:
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Choose names with animals in them for your soaps (like Chelsea Cheetah·s Cherry Soap) Embed a rubber bath toy or other plastic toy inside a clear bar of soap. It will be an

´incentiveµ to use the soap and get to the toy. Don·t be afraid to try something adults would find unattractive, like a fake hairy spider or snake.

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Fruit scents and bright colors are attractive to children. Be sure to use gentle ingredients and state that on any labels or literature you hand out. Use masculine coloring, such as browns and greens Use masculine scents, such as sandalwood and cedar Develop a soap especially for shaving Include ingredients that contain natural deodorant properties

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Develop a moisturizing hand soap in a pump for the bathroom Bottle your liquid hand soap in a foaming dispenser Create a line of bubble baths with a range of bath experiences³relaxing, stimulating, Seasonal shapes and scents Small guest soaps Three-dimensional shapes that people might collect, such as chickens or hearts Dog washing bars or liquid soap Anti-itch or poison ivy remedy soap Moisturizing soaps Exfoliating soaps Gardener·s soap Mechanic·s soap Shampoo- liquid or bars

romantic, and choose scents to convey them

When you have developed your product line, print up some information about your soap making business, your products and ingredients, and your story. Get business cards, too, and make sure all of your printing coordinates with your product label. You are creating a brand, after all! Then identify places you can market your soaps, such as: 1. Local farm/craft markets 2. Art/craft fairs 3. At your house or a friend·s, by way of a party invitation Find out from your state Department of Revenue as to whether you have to collect sales tax from your soap making business sales. Selling to retailers (although you sell your soap at wholesale, you may make more by selling in higher volume)
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Tourist attractions (as a souvenir of visiting the area) Mom & Pop- style grocery stores or pharmacies

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As part of a church, school, or charity fund-raising sale As a door prize or give-away item at a fund-raiser Bridal shops (if you make an item suitable for table favors) Appropriate businesses, such as camping stores for poison-ivy soap, garden centers for

gardener·s soap, et cetera Make appointments with the owners or managers so that they know when you are coming. This will allow them to choose a time when the business is not at a peak traffic hour. Bring at least a two dozen of each product with you, so that if your products are well-received, you can sell some on the spot. If you don·t make a sale, leave a sample with the buyer, along with your literature and business card. Keep track of samples you give away, as you may be able to expense the cost of making them on your tax return. With a little dedication, you can have a few outlets for your soaps, and very soon you will be getting repeat business. As your soap making business grows, someday you may even have your own web site or storefront!

Hand made invitations..
If you are creative and artistic and have a head full of ideas that need expressing, starting a business making handmade invitations can be a wonderfully rewarding home-based business. Handmade invitations are viewed as extraordinarily special. The recipient sees them on a very personal level and is touched deeply by the importance of the message written in them. Artwork that is hand depicted on custom invitations is not overlooked as it often is with preprinted invitation cards, either. Handmade invitations were once thought of as the economical way to promote an event, however now they have become chic and are set apart from impersonal pre-printed corporate produced invitations. Weddings, bar mitzvahs, family reunions, baptisms and other important events can be announced in a personal way with cards. Other times, such as when thank you cards are needed, are opportunities for your business too. By your becoming the source for the cards for these special events, you and your creative talents will be held in high regard, appreciated and admired by many. Should you decide to turn your creative talents into a business for yourself, take a little time to consider the importance of a few foundational business essentials that will help you maintain a good image.

It is important that you acquire basic knowledge about matters such as local state and federal tax laws, proper licensure if applicable in your area, accounting and bookkeeping procedures, customer databases and records, successful viable marketing and promotion, and any items you will need for your home office. It is essential to have an up-to-date computer with e-mail and fax capabilities as well as a business phone line with a number directly associated to your custom invitation business. It is important that you get information from each customer accurately, so enquire about the color schemes and basic ideas that they would like presented. Remember, this event is special to them ² it is all about the customer, so everything you do must be tailored to their wishes. Even if they tell you vaguely only what they want initially, it is important to get more details from them as soon as possible. Once the invitations have been created and accepted by the customer, retain the original invitation inside a portfolio to show to future potential customers. Showing potential customers samples of your prior work proves to them that you have a track record and that you truly mean business. There are many avenues for marketing and promoting yourself to potential customers. You should go online and search out others who are promoting the same type of material and learn from them to become competitive. Always remember that your work is your own, and you alone can add a touch of grace to each invitation presented. When the intended recipient receives it, they should be truly touched by it. This will make your client use your handmade invitations again and again and also pass the word out to their friends and other contacts

Gift wrapping business
Starting a gift wrapping business can be a rewarding experience if you are looking to start a small business. You will help to add to the seasonal cheer by assisting people in creating wonderful surprises for their loved ones. You will put your craft ideas to good use, earn good money doing so, and ² best of all ² you can begin this business with very little investment. Your gift wrapping ideas can earn you a pretty good income ² particularly during the gift-giving seasons. People who are short of time yet need to have their gifts wrapped can leave their items with you to be wrapped while they continue with their holiday errands.

A large worktable is all you need for starting a gift wrapping business. Any corner of your home, such as space set aside in your living room, will do nicely. You can also turn your garage or attic into a work area during peak holiday seasons. If your home is too cramped, you can travel to your customers· homes to do up their gifts there. You can even hire a van and set it up as a mobile work area. This way you can travel to the location and still have an organized work area for business. Some enterprising gift wrappers get into an agreement with local gift stores and malls to set up their businesses there on a temporary basis. This way you will be getting a steady stream of customers who will be loaded with gifts of all kinds. They will only be too happy to have someone at the store wrap their gifts for them. While you can wrap gifts for occasions such as anniversaries and birthdays all year round, the peak season is during holidays and festival times. By promoting your business, you can ensure that you do not miss customers at these times of year. The gift wrapper should advertise well before the seasons start. Use geo-based (i.e. local) internet advertising where available and stick handmade posters in shop windows to let people know that they can get their tedious wrapping done by your business for a small fee. The nice part about gift packaging is that you can start out with little money ² gift wrapping supplies are not too expensive. Obtain a variety of gift wrapping paper, as you will need to wrap gifts for people with different kinds of tastes. Have children wrapping paper, a business gifts wrapper, wrappers with religious motifs, and wrappers with cute designs. Variety is key! Source supplies from a crafts store or gift corner, as you will find a good range of packaging at these places. Also be sure to have a stick of glue, a pair of sharp scissors, and plenty of tape handy. Gift boxes are also necessary, because many people will hand you an item that needs to be boxed before you can wrap it. Don·t forget the name tags! If you want to stand out from your competition, use special supplies to stand out above other giftwrapping services. You can consider using some of the following:
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Place card holders Handmade paper Fancy ribbons and textiles Handmade gift bags Acrylic papers Handmade tags

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Embossed papers

Starting a gift wrapping business is fairly easy. Creativity and hard work during the peak seasons will see your business booming in no time at all.

Party planning business
If you find there·s a reason to celebrate every day, why not consider starting a party planning business? People love to gather for fellowship and fun. They want to commemorate important events. A party provides that opportunity, and gives memories of good times. Becoming a party planner brings a celebration from a mere idea into life. She works with the client to develop the structure of the party. She·ll ask numerous questions to understand the purpose of the party and what the client envisions the party to be. Then, the party planner gets to work. While the client may handle the major decision-making, the party planner may be involved in every detail of the execution. She may send invitations, hire caterers and DJs, fill goody bags, or plan party games. To be a successful party planner, you must have excellent people skills. You·ll be working with clients who are anxious about hosting the perfect party, as well as with vendors that you·ll rely on to help you pull this off. Let·s face it; things won·t always go smoothly, but your ability to stay calm and pull everyone together will be essential. In addition, you need to be creative. A person who hires you to plan a party needs to know that you can do the job better than they can. Your ability to think of innovative ideas and to quickly understand a client·s ideas will be useful. You·ll also need to be extremely organized. You·ll be working with a variety of people, with a variety of deadlines, and it all comes down to everything being ready the moment the party starts. One thing to remember is that parties usually take place during the weekend or evening, and you·ll usually need to be available to attend the party to ensure everything goes smoothly. Tools you·ll need include reliable transportation for checking out venues, a portable calendar or date book, a computer with a spreadsheet program, and a cell phone. Although there are certification programs available, many party planners find experience is the best teacher. You might see if there is a seasoned party planner in your area (or in the next town over) who wouldn·t mind letting you ´internµ while they plan a party.

Throw a party for a friend, or plan your child·s birthday party. Volunteer to plan the next neighborhood party, and give it a special and memorable theme. Because there are so many types of parties, it may be helpful to develop a niche when starting a party planning business. You may be the ultimate surprise birthday planner, or children·s party planner. You may become the reunion party planner, and work with the various high schools and colleges. You may even want to expand your operations and learn how to start an event planning business. Be a tourist in your own town³get to know the cool and unusual places that would be great sites for events. Visit restaurants and party halls. Talk with DJs, bands, caterers and photographers. Advertise³depending on the type of party you want to throw, you may want to leave your card and brochure at party supply stores, card stores, and baby stores. In addition, advertising in the yellow pages and local newspapers will help get the word out, similar to becoming an event planner. A genuine love of parties and your creative approach will make your party planning business a hit.

Gift basket business
If you love putting together creative, unique gifts, learn more about how to start a gift basket business« Gift baskets are used for all occasions, from birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and holidays. They are given as gifts from individuals and from businesses. In order to start a gift basket business, you should have a creative yet organized mind, a sense of fun and a love of shopping. You should also be creative and find several niche ideas for how to start a gift basket business. People who run a gift basket company will need to put together a variety of goodies, perhaps related to a theme, and package them in the basket in an attractive way. Many people love giving gift baskets because they can be custom made to suit an individual. In addition to custom or standard baskets, many gift baskets have a theme. A basket intended to pamper might have soothing bath salts, creamy hand lotion and a CD of relaxing music. A chocoholic·s basket might have a variety of fudge, truffles, fondue and recipes. The gift giver may have suggestions of a basket based on the recipient·s interests, or he may need ideas from you ² valuable input when learning how to start a gift basket business!

For standard gift baskets, you·ll need the baskets and whatever treats you wish to include. While initially you can keep a low stock and buy items as needed, as you grow you may consider bulk ordering to save costs. You·ll need organized storage space for your inventory, a table for assembly, and craft supplies such as shrink-wrap and a glue gun. You will also need time to shop. Especially when you first start, and for each custom basket, be sure to count the search and retrieval time in your estimate for delivery. Try to build relationships with your favorite gift basket wholesalers ³they may clue you in on specials and new items. You will also need a way to accept payment for baskets ordered in person. You may want to invoice via e-mail and accept online credit card payment. There are several ways to get your gift basket business noticed:
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Develop a website with information about and pictures of your baskets. Make sure your

website contains a shopping cart so you can fill orders online. Form a low-tech version with a brochure that you can hand out.
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Hand out professional business cards to everyone you meet. Donate gift baskets to your school for a silent auction, or give as gifts for business Be sneaky. Consider it an investment to give your husband·s boss a great basket that both Develop a mailing list of local corporate contacts, and periodically send them a post card

occasions. Be sure to have your business card and brochure included in the basket. he and his wife can use. She may be the one making their gift decisions! reminding them of upcoming holidays, and of your services. In addition to the most popular ones of Christmas, Valentine·s Day and birthdays, help your clients consider some of the lesser-known holidays. January 11th is National Thank You Day³a perfect opportunity for a corporation to thank a special client with a basket of gourmet goodies. National Golf Day (October 4th) provides a natural theme for a basket with golf balls, tees, a gift certificate to a round of golf at the local club and some delicious snacks. Visit your local craft store periodically to get ideas, and consider contacting an organization like National Specialty Gift Association (nsgaonline.com) for information on trade shows. Use your flair to create a gift for yourself: a successful business.

Lemonade stand

During the long, hot summer days, starting a lemonade stand is a great way to keep boredom at bay while teaching your kids about small business. If they do it the right way, your kids could even make some pretty decent money at the same time! If you·d like to start a lemonade stand, the first thing that you·ll need to do is choose a location. Ideally, it should be a spot that many people walk by on foot. Otherwise, a place on the side of a fairly busy road should do the trick. In order to start a lemonade stand, you·ll need customers ² so it·s all about location! You can·t start a lemonade stand without offering actual lemonade. While store-bought lemonade is fine in a pinch, people are more likely to show interest if you offer the homemade stuff. Icecold, homemade lemonade is sure to fly off the ´shelves,µ but you can sweeten the deal by offering a couple of alternatives. Ice water is sure to draw interest on a really hot day; it never hurts to offer a few different types of soda, too. When people feel like they have options, they·re usually happier to give you their business. Since homemade lemonade is going to be the focus of your business, the first thing you need to do is locate a great recipe. Practice making it a few times, with the help of a grown-up, until you perfect your technique. Next, you·re going to need an actual stand. It doesn·t need to be elaborate ² something as simple as an overturned, reinforced cardboard box should suffice. Decorate it so that it catches people·s eyes, though. Stock up on plenty of disposable cups, napkins and straws, create a menu and you should be ready for business! If you plan on making your lemonade stand a regular business operation, you·ll have a much easier time by drawing in repeat business. You can do this by providing homemade lemonade that·s truly tasty. Make sure that you always have plenty of ice; when your drinks are refreshingly cold, people will happily pay to enjoy them again and again. When people approach your stand, always smile and be pleasant. Make sure that you have the products that are on your menu, too. Start each day by doing a quick inventory. This will help you avoid running out of supplies during the day. Disappointing people by not having what you·ve advertised could make them reluctant to return. There·s no law that says that a lemonade stand can only offer drinks. By bringing a few key snack foods and desserts into the mix, you can pull in even more money. Homemade brownies always go well with ice-cold lemonade; Rice Krispies treats are popular, too. Start a lemonade stand with a variety of products to give your customers a choice. Whether they·re on their way home from a long day of work, or just driving around on a hot summer day, people are sure to appreciate the extra effort that you put into your lemonade stand.

By offering quality, consistent lemonade with a selection of other tasty drinks and snack foods, your lemonade business is sure to be a seasonal smash!

Online magazine«
During the long, hot summer days, starting a lemonade stand is a great way to keep boredom at bay while teaching your kids about small business. If they do it the right way, your kids could even make some pretty decent money at the same time! If you·d like to start a lemonade stand, the first thing that you·ll need to do is choose a location. Ideally, it should be a spot that many people walk by on foot. Otherwise, a place on the side of a fairly busy road should do the trick. In order to start a lemonade stand, you·ll need customers ² so it·s all about location! You can·t start a lemonade stand without offering actual lemonade. While store-bought lemonade is fine in a pinch, people are more likely to show interest if you offer the homemade stuff. Icecold, homemade lemonade is sure to fly off the ´shelves,µ but you can sweeten the deal by offering a couple of alternatives. Ice water is sure to draw interest on a really hot day; it never hurts to offer a few different types of soda, too. When people feel like they have options, they·re usually happier to give you their business. Since homemade lemonade is going to be the focus of your business, the first thing you need to do is locate a great recipe. Practice making it a few times, with the help of a grown-up, until you perfect your technique. Next, you·re going to need an actual stand. It doesn·t need to be elaborate ² something as simple as an overturned, reinforced cardboard box should suffice. Decorate it so that it catches people·s eyes, though. Stock up on plenty of disposable cups, napkins and straws, create a menu and you should be ready for business! If you plan on making your lemonade stand a regular business operation, you·ll have a much easier time by drawing in repeat business. You can do this by providing homemade lemonade that·s truly tasty. Make sure that you always have plenty of ice; when your drinks are refreshingly cold, people will happily pay to enjoy them again and again. When people approach your stand, always smile and be pleasant. Make sure that you have the products that are on your menu, too. Start each day by doing a quick inventory. This will help you avoid running out of supplies during the day. Disappointing people by not having what you·ve advertised could make them reluctant to return.

There·s no law that says that a lemonade stand can only offer drinks. By bringing a few key snack foods and desserts into the mix, you can pull in even more money. Homemade brownies always go well with ice-cold lemonade; Rice Krispies treats are popular, too. Start a lemonade stand with a variety of products to give your customers a choice. Whether they·re on their way home from a long day of work, or just driving around on a hot summer day, people are sure to appreciate the extra effort that you put into your lemonade stand. By offering quality, consistent lemonade with a selection of other tasty drinks and snack foods, your lemonade business is sure to be a seasonal smash!

Drive in theatre
If you love old movies and all things retro, you might be interested in learning how to start a drive in theater. Nothing screams Americana like an old-fashioned, drive-in movie theater. Basic operations include selecting and showing movies, advertising shows, and collecting ticket fees as customers arrive. You will also be responsible for maintaining the drive-in lot, the viewing screen, and the projection and sound equipment. If you·re planning on opening a snack bar, there are many tasks related to running a restaurant as well. Before you start a drive in theater, decide on a location. The property should be conveniently located and large enough for a few hundred cars, but should be as far away from residential areas as possible. Once you·ve decided on a location, you·ll need to prepare the area, erect a large viewing screen, and build a snack bar and bathrooms. If you·re lucky, you may be able to find a vacant drive-in movie theater that can be remodeled. You·ll also need projection equipment and a sound system. Most new drive-in theater operations use a sound system that can be received over a standard car stereo eliminating the need for equipment at each parking space. In order to start a drive in theater, you should learn how to operate the audio and video equipment. You·ll also need a Public Performance License that will allow you to legally show copyrighted material in a public venue. If you decide that you will specialize in older movies, licensing and copyright fees shouldn·t be a big problem. However, acquiring the right to show first-run movies can be quite a task and fees can be substantial.

To find help with licensing and other issues, join the National Association of Theatre Owners. Make sure that you comply with all local noise and light ordinances. To operate a successful drive-in movie theater, it will be important to select movies that will draw a crowd. While everyone has their favorite type of films, a movie theater owner may have to set aside their own likes and dislikes in order to satisfy their customers. To draw a varied crowd, it might be a good idea to have a family movie night on Friday evening and teen movies on Saturday night. Many movie theaters make more money on their soft drinks and popcorn than on the movie tickets. Make sure that you control operational waste and other expenses related to the restaurant operation to maximize your profits. After you start a drive in theater, it will be time to find customers. In this day and age, opening a drive-in theater is worthy of news coverage. Take advantage of this by inviting reporters from the local TV stations to cover your operation from the time you start clearing the site. Send a second invitation before you·re ready to screen the first film. Make sure that the local radio stations are also aware of opening day. Advertisements should include some grand opening discounts and special attractions to generate interest. Many people will intend to come to the drive-in once it·s open, but never actually make it. A special attraction like an antique car show may be the deciding factor. For families, make sure that you have activities to keep the kids busy during the long, summer twilight hours before the movie can start. At a minimum, some safe playground equipment would be a good choice. When you·re ready to expand your drive-in theater business, you may want to open another theater in a different town. You could start an indoor theater so that you have a year-round movie business. Some drive-in theaters run flea markets on their premises during the day for extra income. With plenty of parking and walking space, you could also operate food festivals or concerts on the same grounds that are used for movie screenings.

Puppet show stories
You·ve always loved puppets, so why not start a business sharing puppet show stories with others? Most children adore puppets. That·s why Sesame Street has always been so popular. Children love the stories and songs and the mystery of the stage. If you want to create a traveling theater as an adult enterprise or even as a teen business, a puppet company could be the one for you.

The first decision to make is what kind of puppets you·ll have. Finger puppets will probably be too small to be seen in a larger room or auditorium, so you may want to concentrate on hand puppets. You can make hand puppets yourself using simple puppet patterns. You can also buy hand puppets from various websites. However, if you want to ensure the originality of your characters, you should create your own. Go to your local craft store for ideas and help. As you create your characters, think about how you·ll use them. What are their personalities? Does their appearance match? When you create your scripts, you·ll want puppets that fit well into the storyline. Once you have found your puppet family, your next critical piece of equipment is your stage. You can design a stage and you or a skilled carpenter can build it with wood and fabric. The stage should be tall enough that you can sit behind it in a chair. If you ever have a second puppeteer working with you, make sure your stage is big enough for you both. For performances of your puppet show stories, you will need a chair, a speaker and a CD player or iPod with speakers. You may also need to bring a floodlight for the stage. You now have the equipment you need. Now, what story are you going to tell? You may have a vault full of your own original scripts and puppet show stories. Or, you may want to tell stories based on well-known children·s folklore. If you don·t have a stockpile of stories, you can often find puppet scripts available on the Internet, either free or for a small fee. Search your library and bookstores for books on puppets, which may have more stories. You can tailor your scripts to your audience, depending on their needs and interests. You can also add music to your program. Write your own songs or download music (and pay the royalty fees) to give more depth to your performance. Be sure to check the words to the songs to ensure they are appropriate for your audience. Since the majority of your audience will be children, go where they go. Prepare a quality flyer that has information about your puppet program. Contact preschools and elementary schools (public and private) and ask to send them your information. Call your park district to see if you can schedule a performance. Playgroups and churches are another source. Coffee houses and bookstores sometimes have preschool time and might like to add a puppet show as an additional customer draw. Don·t forget special events in your area. Town celebrations and street fairs are a great place to perform and get noticed. Be sure to have business cards available for people passing by.

Although puppet shows are usually geared for children, consider performing for seniors as well. People at adult day care centers may welcome this gentle form of entertainment. By using your creativity, you can build a fun business doing what you love ² bringing puppet show stories to life!

Design ur own shoes
If foot fashion is your fetish, you may want to know how to become a shoe designer. Think about it: even famous shoe designers like Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik began their careers with talent, skill, and a passion for footwear. If you already have the passion, let·s see how you can get the rest. For a sampling of what the world of shoe fashion is like, it·s a good idea to take a shoe-making course. A variety of organizations offer short, one to five day classes to help you get a taste of how to make shoes. If this appeals to you, consider in enrolling in more in depth programs. Fashion schools offer one and two year programs which will give you a thorough foundation in the industry. Becoming an apprentice for a designer is another way to augment your education. You will be able to see how shoe designs are developed and how those designs translate from paper to reality. It may take some time before you have a thorough background in shoe making, but always keep drawing and designing shoes to add to your portfolio. The fashion business is just that ² a business. The more you know about the operation, marketing, and planning of the shoe industry the better. What are the current business trends which affect what people wear? For example, when business people began dressing more casually, sales of dress shoes decreased. Likewise, with our climate changes because of global warming, fewer heavy clothes (and boots) will be needed. Websites like shoesonethenet.com have information that can help you. Also look at the websites of shoe designers to see what insight they can offer. In addition to having general knowledge of the business aspect of things, write a well thought out business plan to help guide you through the process and to test out your assumptions. Keeping fashion trends and business trends in mind, decide on the focus for your shoe line. Will it be shoes for adults, kids, or people in between? Will you design trendy shoes which match the ever-changing seasonal fashions, or will you rely on classic designs which have more longevity?

Once you have determined the direction of your line, you·ll need to make your designs. Computer software can help you with the graphics. Once you have some workable designs, you will need to make samples. Shoe manufacturers can bring your designs to life. You can do a computer search to find manufacturer, and contact them to identify ones that are interested in working with new, independent designers. Although you might want to take your shoes straight to Nordstrom to get sold, it may take a while before you can get that type of visibility. In the meantime, look for shoe distributors who can help. You can also sell your shoes independently, at home parties, or on eBay. Go to trade and fashion shows to make contacts. Give some samples to friends or associates who have influence and contacts. Visit independent boutiques and show your samples and portfolio. Establish a website so people can order your shoes directly. With creativity and hard work you can learn how to become a shoe designer and fulfill your dream of designing shoes for a living.

t-shirt business
Put your fashion diva skills to work and learn how to start a t-shirt business. People wear t-shirts everywhere, from ballparks, to the office, or even to the Oscars (like actress Sharon Stone did a while back). No other clothing has as much variety. You can buy a simple white Hanes t-shirt from Target for $5, or a Juicy Couture designer shirt from Nordstrom for $98. Beyond the fashion statement, graphic t-shirts also give expression to individual statements. If you have the passion to create t-shirts that resonate with others, you could start a successful business. With minimal overhead and inventory, learning how to start a t-shirt business is a great opportunity for a home based or teenage business. Some of the most successful t-shirt businesses have started out to address a need or theme. One mom started her business because she wanted t-shirts that recognized her child·s ethnic background. Other popular t-shirts address local or political themes Humorous t-shirts are also very popular.

Determine what issue or theme interests you and that you can build from. If you make your selection too narrow, you may not have enough ideas to come up with new material. If you make it too trendy, you won·t have a sustainable product. Once you have your idea, you can buy design software and make it a reality. There are several routes to go in producing the actual t-shirt.
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Once you·ve created the design, you can do the screen printing yourself, however, the

equipment for this is expensive. While you·ll have complete control over the process, you will incur the costs of production and will need space to maintain inventory and equipment.
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You can rely on a store that specializes in t-shirt printing, and bring them your design and

plain t-shirts, and they will do the production for you. This will give you have more time to focus on the rest of your business, but you will have an extra person to pay. You also have to have inventory space.
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You can go through a third party, such as Cafepress (cafepress.org) that allows you to

design your shirts online, and they will produce and distribute them. This may be the easiest method, but more services from Cafepress (or any other similar business) means you pay them more money. No matter how you choose to produce your t-shirts, you·ll need to do additional marketing. Although a t-shirt business doesn·t have to be locally based, it·s always good to market in your own back yard. If neighbors, friends and associates start to buy your products, business will begin to grow. Start by creating a t-shirt giveaway. Depending on your target, you could work with local high schools or colleges to help make your t-shirt the ´must haveµ apparel. Set up a booth at a farmer·s market. Sell to funky boutiques. The web is one of the best ways to reach customers throughout the country with your products. Create a quality website (get help from a local technical college student if you need it.) that showcases your creations and start making a buzz. When learning how to start a t-shirt business, it·s more important to learn solid marketing skills than necessarily the products or production process. T-shirts are a commodity item so you will differentiate your business through proper marketin

Customized calendar
The process of starting and running acustom calendar business is much the same as that involved in any other small printing operation. Calendars can be personalized for individual or business use and may incorporate company logos, photographs, abstract designs, or original artwork.

For corporate clients, day planners and desk pads may be in higher demand, while individuals may prefer wall calendars featuring photographs of their family, pets, or other images of importance in their daily lives. In order to operate a successful customized calendar business, it·s essential to market your services appropriately to all your potential customers. For the custom calendar business, there are primarily two key customer classes: business and consumer. The volume, format and features of calendars for each customer group could vary widely. Let·s discuss briefly the product opportunities for each type of customer. Corporate customers typically purchase custom calendars for two reasons: in-house use and promotional giveaways. It·s wise to market your customized calendars for both purposes in order to achieve the widest possible customer base. Customized calendars can indicate pay dates, scheduled closings, and important corporate events to ensure that this vital information is not overlooked or forgotten. Custom graphics and corporate logos can make any calendar a useful marketing tool for businesses. By providing graphics design services as part of your overall calendar production company, you can reach a wider audience and develop an established clientele for your services. Calendar giveaways serve as a constant reminder of a company·s products or services throughout the year and create a favorable impression of the company itself. One of the mainstays of the custom calendar business is the personalized calendar designed for families and individuals. Usually bearing images of family members, beloved pets, or important life events, these calendars are typically small-run print jobs consisting of between one and ten copies and are intended for personal use or as gifts for friends. Personalized calendars make excellent holiday gifts and can be used as mementos for weddings, anniversaries, or other significant occasions. Advertising for these purposes can often attract additional customers and increase the number of calendars requested per order. During the initial stages of setting up a customized calendar business, the main pieces of equipment needed are a high-performance color printer and a binding method. For smaller operations, an inkjet printer can be surprisingly affordable and produce quality results; some smaller business-class inkjets start at around $200. Refurbished models can be purchased for even less. Laser printers have come down significantly in price in recent years and produce crisp, clear images that last longer than comparable inkjet results. Additionally, laser is usually much faster than inkjet. Whichever printer type you choose, you·ll need at least 1200×1200 dpi in order to produce clear images. Higher resolutions offer more options and produce a more professional and visually attractive result. Don·t settle for a low-end printer with low resolution.

Another option to consider is a dedicated photo printer. While these tend to be somewhat more expensive, they typically handle different weights of paper and glossy surfaces better than other printers. Photo printers also tend to allow more versatility in paper size as well. While some calendars can be stapled together, many require spiral or glue binding processes in order to present a professional appearance for the finished product. While staplers may be available for under $10, professional binding machines can cost as much as $10,000, putting them out of reach for many beginning entrepreneurs. Fortunately, some smaller glue binding machines are available that start at under $100 and can produce adequate results for small-scale operations. It·s important to ensure that the machine you select is large enough to bind the edges of your planned calendars. Some machines only bind six or eight inch long segments at a time, which can result in oddly shaped and less attractive calendars and desk pads. Spiral binding machines are generally more affordable, starting at around $50 and ranging as high as $5,000 or more for professional high-speed machines. For smaller calendar business operations it·s usually sufficient to purchase entry-level binding machines and work your way up to larger, faster binders when demand requires it. In order to succeed in your custom calendar business you must reach potential customers. This requires a comprehensive online marketing plan incorporating press releases, customer reviews, and articles that will drive customers to your website. Search engine optimization (SEO) techniques are also necessary in order to achieve higher rankings for your online presence. Front page search engine rankings can provide much needed visibility for your company and attract new customers. The right SEO methods can ensure that your calendar business gets the rankings and views it needs to succeed. Most of your marketing efforts should be focused towards the end of the calendar year due to increased demand for the next year·s calendars. Demand for wedding and birthday memento calendars may occur at any time, though June is obviously a good month to promote wedding calendars to your customers. Even the smallest online custom calendar business can grow into a profitable venture. At some point it may be smart for your company to expand into other personalized products including screen printing of t-shirts, mugs, and other custom items. While these typically require more specialized equipment, the profits for these additional lines may well justify the additional investment.

Deli business
Learning how to start a deli business is not as hard as it might seem.

To begin with, you only need a small amount of room in which to offer seating to your customers. Your kitchen space can be relatively small as well if you are careful in your stockroom purchasing. A food court in a mall would do nicely, or a small space in a downtown district. If you can make a few nice sandwiches and you have business experience, then you already have a great start in the search for how to start a deli business. Making a sandwich doesn·t require a rocket scientist. Anyone can do it ² all you need is the right kind of bread or roll and an ample supply of meats, cheeses, and other gourmet foods. A lot of delis also offer some pretty nice desserts such as cheesecake or brownies, too. The more selection you can offer your customers, the more money you will make. You can also put your deli business on wheels and add catering for businesses, sports arenas, college campuses and so forth. The great thing about this business is that all you have to know is how to start. The rest will take off from there. You will also need restaurant equipment and kitchen supplies. These can be standard appliances and materials, but are definitely not optional. No matter if you rent a food court space or a restaurant downtown, the salary you can make from using this equipment well can be lucrative. If you don·t have the required funds to open up a deli, you can start small. Begin by offering breakfast burritos or prepackaged sandwiches in your home. You will have to be certified for this, but once you have overcome these obstacles you will have a great way of making money in a lowcost way. Your next step in the business operation will be obtaining the very best deli sandwich recipes. It·s not hard to do this ² make a few sandwiches and give them away to friends and neighbors for their opinions. You don·t have to limit yourself to sandwiches, either. A deli can serve soup, salad, cookies, wraps, beverages, etc. First determine your market, however, and then decide what kinds of food you will offer. You will also need restaurant insurance and a food service license, but once you know where to look for these, it will be a breeze. Don·t worry about consumers who strictly prefer to eat at the major food chains either, as small mom and pop delis have always survived and thrived and they always will. Now that you know how to start a deli business, you·re only a few sandwiches and a lot of thought away from a fun and profitable new career!

Coffee kiosk franchise

If you really know your java, let your inner barista out by starting your own business with a coffee kiosk franchise. This type of venture allows the entrepreneur to start off small or large. Depending on the type of franchise you·re interested in, the new business owner can operate from a small cart or from a larger store-front. As any latte expert knows, there is an endless demand for designer coffee, and many people are prepared to pay for their favorite cup of Joe. Satisfy this demand, and your profits are virtually guaranteed! Of course, a coffee kiosk franchise could sell more than Cappuccino and Espresso. In many cases, coffee shops also offer a variety of teas, hot chocolate, smoothies, and light snacks. Some also sell coffee cups, specialty coffee for home use, and coffee-making equipment. Many customers also expect a full-service cafe to provide comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi service. Before selecting a specific coffee kiosk franchise, visit an existing store or kiosk to make sure that it·s a good fit for your business plan. Please take a look at a few of our favorite coffee kiosk franchise opportunities as a starting point in your coffee kiosk franchise research. To combat their home city·s rainy weather, Seattle·s Best has been serving up their signature Uncommonly Smooth coffee since 1970. As the original creator of specialty coffee, this authentic coffeehouse is known throughout the world for its proprietary blends. Of course, Seattle·s Best will let you in on their secret if you·re prepared to pay their franchise fee. If you·re worth about a million and have at least $250,000 in liquid capital, you could open your own Seattle·s Best Coffee shop. At this time, Seattle·s Best is franchising under the Starbucks Corporate umbrella, another proven name in the coffee industry. This opportunity allows the new business owner to get started quickly with full support from the start-up team at Seattle·s Best including site selection, store openings, initial training, and ongoing consultations. To draw customers, the parent company provides free listings on their website, national marketing campaigns, and other promotional material. For a more laid-back coffee shop experience that requires a relatively low franchise fee, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee & Smoothies could be the perfect fit for you. This franchise only requires a $50,000 franchise fee and a total net worth of $100,000. Many ambitious entrepreneurs can leverage their home equity to swing this gig. With 28 years of experience and over 600 franchise units worldwide, you can add a little aloha spirit to your community with a business of any size from a coffee cart to a full-service cafe. This business model combines the most popular beverage in the world with the hottest health trend in the food industry. If you open your doors in a health-conscious area, you·ll find customers who just can·t give up their favorite caffeinated drink as well as those with more will-power who

are looking for a healthy treat. While coffee is expected to remain popular, the smoothie market is currently seeing a 30% growth rate. Gloria Jean·s has been in operation since 1979 and franchising since 1986. When you choose this franchise opportunity for your next small business, you·ll have the advantage of a proven brand and the support of Gloria Jean·s team of seasoned experts. As the second-largest in the coffee franchise market, this opportunity will set you back $250,000 and requires a net-worth of just under $500,000. If you go with Gloria Jeans, you·ll become a certified coffee expert after you attend the Gloria Jean·s Coffee University. You·ll be exposed to a little time in the field before you hit the books in the classroom. University graduates are trained extensively in everything from choosing just the right staff to making the perfect Cappuccino. You·ll truly enjoy ´All the Perksµ when you choose this coffee kiosk franchise opportunity. As you know, coffee drinkers are always on the go, and this is one of the few franchises that offers a double drive-thru configuration. Because studies show that over 50% of coffee shop customers are in a hurry, this will give you a definite edge over your area·s competition. For caffeine junkies that would like to hang out for awhile, you can also provide a cozy coffeehouse atmosphere inside your store. Additional business models are available for carts, kiosks, and sit-down cafes. All the Perks is one of the more affordable coffee franchises out there. You can get started for as little as $40,000, but this company wants you to know that you may be required to invest between $50,000 and $250,000 depending on the type of shop that you decide to open. All the Perks also offers an Area Developer plan to allow you to profit from promoting this popular company. In addition to your own shop, you can sell franchises and earn residual income from their earnings as long as the new store is in operation. If you·d like to open a retro coffee shop, Chock full o·Nuts is the perfect choice. Who doesn·t remember seeing at least one can featuring this famous logo in an old movie? This is one of the oldest coffee companies out there with over 80 years of successful operation. Expect your new business to have the feel of a Classic New York Diner as you serve traditional coffee along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you choose to open the diner model or go with a kiosk, your franchise will be supported by the largest privately-held coffee company, bar none. Because they own the coffee plantations, the roasteries, the distribution methods, and even the company that makes their espresso machines, you will never have to worry about the quality of your product. Start off with as little as $30,000 in licensing fees that covers either three kiosks or one kiosk and one cafe!

Wedding officiant
When you become a wedding officiant, your job is to take part in joyful celebrations and make money while doing it. Officiating at weddings gives you the opportunity to have an uplifting, worthwhile career that can be enjoyed for years to come. Judges, Justices of the Peace, ministers, clergy, and ship captains may legally conduct wedding ceremonies. Many wedding officiates have studied for years and have gone through extensive certification processes. For them, officiating at weddings is a secondary pursuit. Fortunately, there are other ways to become a wedding officiant, some of which are surprisingly easy. Weddings are legal ceremonies. Each state has its own requirements for wedding officiants. Contact the city or county clerk·s office and state regulatory board to determine the legal requirements for officiating at weddings in your area. If you are a member of a religious group, you may be able to become a wedding officiant through the church. Church ordination sometimes requires religious study and some type of certification, so discuss your options with church officials. Another option for becoming a wedding officiant is to investigate becoming ordained. Becoming ordained can be inexpensively done at various online venues. Many ordinations bestow the title of minister or other official title on the recipient. The catch is that the ordination must be legal, so again, check state and federal laws before applying. After you work through the legalities, learn about the required legal documentation for wedding ceremonies in your state. Most states require that the couple obtain a marriage license before they are allowed to marry. You will also require a professional looking wardrobe before conducting any ceremonies. Keep in mind that many wedding parties are color coordinated, so think about neutral shades. To become a wedding officiant and succeed requires excellent communication and public speaking skills. Stuttering, rushing through the ceremony, nervous gestures, and monotone deliveries will not bring crowds to your door. Practice in front of friends and family. Learn to speak naturally and in a manner that fits the celebration. In addition to presentation, skilled communication between you and the bride and groom will be essential. Many engaged couples write their own vows. Others may leave the vows up to you. Either way, a clear understanding of your responsibilities is required.

In the beginning, offer to officiate at the weddings of a few family members or friends for free. You will gain valuable experience and self-confidence. Begin building a portfolio to show clients. Advertising and partnerships will help you find customers. Advertise in the newspaper, with fliers at public billboards, and liberally hand out business cards. Meet with local wedding and event planners to find out about teaming up with them. Each ceremony you perform is an audition for another job. Someone at the wedding has a friend or relative who will soon be married and, if they were impressed, may recommend you. Always maintain a professional demeanor. When you become a wedding officiant and build a successful career, it might be advantageous to look at other services you could provide to bring in more revenue. Here are a few ideas and ways you could expand upon your officiant services:
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Become a wedding planner Help plan a variety of events and parties Conduct baptisms Provide motivational speeches _____

Grocery delivery business
Learning how to start a grocery delivery business and making it successful could be the beginning of a highly profitable small business venture. As the population ages and today·s busy lifestyles leave little leisure time, service businesses like grocery delivery are becoming more and more popular. A grocery delivery service is a business that can be started with a relatively modest budget and, in time, grow into a real money maker. If you like to drive and meet people, a grocery delivery business may be just right for you. Your most important piece of equipment will be a reliable and roomy vehicle. A vehicle that gets good gas mileage will be a plus because fuel is going to be your greatest ongoing expense. Purchase boxes that will allow you to sort the groceries and protect them as you drive to your destinations. Decide exactly which services you will be providing. What will your hours be? Will you deliver on weekends? Will you actually go to the store, do the shopping, pay for the purchases, and then deliver? Speak to the local store managers and discuss the best method as you set up your service.

Your pricing structure is extremely important. Charge too much and it will be difficult to find customers. Charge too little and you take a loss. Gas prices are always fluctuating, so it·s important that your prices take that fact into account. One pricing system you might consider is to charge a certain amount for areas that are within a specific set of miles and an additional fee for locations farther away. You will need a business license from the city or county clerk to legally run your grocery delivery business. Also contact your state Department of Revenue to find out if you need a sales tax license. Additionally, meet with a qualified insurance agent to obtain coverage in case of accident or loss. After learning how to start a grocery delivery business, you must learn what it takes to become profitable. Advertise by focusing on your targeted groups of customers. Seniors are a likely customer base, so put fliers up at senior centers, housing developments, and advertise in local newspapers. Meet with senior care facility directors and discuss setting up grocery delivery arrangements. Another demographic that might be interested in a grocery delivery service is young professionals with children. Daycare facilities, private schools, and local clubs might also be interested in grocery delivery. Meet with the directors and discuss the possibilities. As you begin to find customers, start building your reputation as a first-rate delivery service. Affordable, convenient, friendly, accurate, and on-time service combine to create happy and repeat customers. Be wary of changing prices too often. Because gas is a major expense in the grocery delivery business, its fluctuating prices may make it tempting to constantly changes pricing to reflect the changes. Obviously, there will be times when you have to raise prices. If you must, always inform customers before you do your next delivery for them. There should be no surprise charges later on. As you move from learning how to start a grocery delivery business to actually running a successful enterprise, expansion opportunities will open up to help you increase profits. Here a few added services you might think about:
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Delivery of prescriptions Package delivery Running errands Courier services Elder care

Personal shopper
If you love shopping, and but would prefer to spend someone else·s money, find out how to become a personal shopper. As we get busier and busier, we don·t always have time to run errands, so we turn to trusted service providers to help out. While personal shoppers have been traditionally the luxury of the rich, as our lifestyles become more hectic, this business has true potential across most income brackets. A personal shopper can help a busy family or executive save time, money and stress, while making the perfect purchase. There are lots of areas to shop for ² what is your strength? If you wish you could be a host on ´What Not to Wear,µ maybe clothes shopping for mothers re-entering the workforce, or newly promoted executives is your strength. If nesting is your thing, helping home buyers find the right accessories for their new purchase could be the answer for you. Love the beach? Set up a business where you help vacationers get everything ready and delivered for their stay before they arrive. Once you·ve figured out what you enjoy shopping for most, become the expert. This is a great way to figure out how to become a personal shopper. Working in retail sales is a great way to be in touch with customers and their shopping habits. If you·re shopping for clothes, be sure to read the fashion magazines to see the trends, visit stores to see how the trends are translated for the consumer, and people watch to see how people actually dress. If you decide to focus on helping people find that unique gift, stay abreast of all of the buzz. Surprising as it may sound, People Magazine is often a great source for finding out what trendy little knick-knack all of the celebrities are coveting. Read the business section of your newspaper, so you know when new stores open in your town. Visit boutiques and get to know the owners. Once you establish a relationship with them, they may let you know in advance if something extra special is coming. Once you·ve developed your niche, you·ll be able to target your market. Moms groups, preschools, and mother·s morning out programs and community colleges may be rich with mothers planning to re-enter the workforce. Likewise, check the announcements in the business section of executives who have been newly hired or promoted. Send them an introductory letter that details the services you can offer.

Contact any business professionals, education professionals or busy people you know and let them know how you can help. Keep in mind that your service has to be valuable enough for them to pay for, so it needs to be tailored to their needs. For example, you may find that providing errand services could lead to more opportunities. In addition to contacting individuals who may need your services, companies may use you as well. Hotels may need concierge services, but may not have the budget or manpower to hire a full time employee. You might be hired to help out during special times such as conventions. You may also contact retail store managers about becoming a mystery shopper. You can provide valuable feedback to the store about their services based on your experience. Taking your love of shopping and turning it into a business is a great way to play at work. Find out how to become a personal shopper today!

Dip mix business
If you go to craft shows, festivals, flea markets, farmer·s markets, fairs, etc., it·s likely you have seen a booth with all kinds of different flavors of chip dip mixes and dessert mixes. They have pretzels for you to taste all the different delicious flavors and pick out the ones you like best. These are the products of the dip mix business. The mixes are little bags of dried herbs and spices that you mix with sour cream and mayonnaise. They are delicious with chips, pretzels, pork rinds, crackers, corn chips and much more. The dip mixes also are great with fresh veggies and make wonderful salad dressings, spreads, and cheese balls. Try them on baked potatoes. Wow! You can also use them instead of mayonnaise to make a fabulous pasta salad.

The dessert mixes are mixed with cream cheese and whipped topping (like Cool Whip). The dessert mixes can be used to make no-bake cheesecakes, cream pies, cream filled cupcakes, parfaits, fruit dips, bagel spreads, and much more. (Fabulous on waffles and pancakes too.)

Probably the most popular way it is served is with these new graham cracker dipping sticks made just for dipping. Just set out a bowl of the dessert with the dipping sticks and let the folks dig in. You may not be aware of it, but a dip mix business is a remarkable small business opportunity. I have been selling dip mixes at special events for years. Let me give you something to think about.
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At most craft shows, I average between $500 and $1100 in gross sales. At festivals I average between $1350 and $3200. At flea markets, between $250 and $750 per weekend. For farmer·s markets, between $175 and $600 (for four hour·s work)

I know of many companies that travel a circuit of festivals and craft shows across the country. Their overhead is higher, but they make between $5,000 and $12,000 per show! The dip mix business can be very profitable. Most of these companies sell these mixes at: 3 for $10.00 The profit per average sale is about $6.00 a 60% gross profit margin All you do is buy the mixes already packaged and labeled, (or you can use your own labels) and make up samples to take to each event. You set out the pretzels and let people help themselves to free samples. They sell themselves. This is a fantastic mobile food business! There are many wonderful features to this business, such as:
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You can work your own hours. Part time or full time. Make up samples days in advance of This is a fun business. All the events you sell at are fun events. You have a good time, No ongoing fees. All you do is buy the mixes. That·s your only requirement. You get many Most events are on weekends so you can still keep a day job if you wish.

your event. Completely flexible schedule. Great ´Work From Homeµ business for busy mom·s. plus, you make money too. What could be better? of the advantages of owning a franchise without the big bucks.

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All of the recipes for your products have already been perfected, tested, packaged and It·s a very popular mass appeal product. Everyone likes at least some flavors of dips.

labeled. No need to spend months developing a product that sells. Plus, weight conscious people can make a ´lightµ version of your mixes using light or fat-free sour cream and mayonnaise.
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Dry mixes have a long shelf life of up to a year. No worrying about the product ´going Dip mixes weigh very little and take up little space in your vehicle. You can store

badµ. No worries about having to sell it all before you have to throw it away. thousands of dollars worth of product in one plastic tub. Easy to move in and out of a building and a quick set up for your booth.
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Dip mixes are pre-packaged food. That means in most states you don·t have to charge Dip mixes sell themselves. When customers taste your samples, that does all the selling

sales tax, keep track of sales tax or pay sales tax. for you. You don·t have to be an aggressive personality or a ´sales typeµ or a ´hard sellµ type to sell these products. They sell themselves when people taste them.
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You can easily add other staff members to expand your business into other

locations.You can have a booth at several different farmer·s markets or flea markets or festivals in one day just by staffing the booths. Training your staff is a no-brainer. Since all the products sell themselves, your staff just takes the money and makes change. Adding extra employees to this easy business can add thousands of extra dollars to your pocket book.
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Profits! The most wonderful thing about this business is the profits ² approximately 60%!

Even more for the dessert mixes. WANT TO GET INTO THE DIP MIX BUSINESS? For several hundred dollars, you can have your own dip mix business. You can become a dealer for my company, Cherry Orchard Foods. I offer a complete startup package thatincludes your starting inventory of dip mixes (240 packages) that has a retail value of $800.00. You get 30 packages of each of our eight best selling dip mixes to start you off. After that you just buy your mixes from me at wholesale prices. You may be thinking, ´Yeah, but once I have the mixes to sell, what do I do then? I don·t know anything about this home based food business.µ The really unique aspect to this small business opportunity, in addition to it·s really low startup cost, is how I teach you this business.

I wrote this book for my dealers. It is available only to my dealers. You cannot buy this book without becoming a dealer with me. This book condenses all of my years of experience into one package, complete with pictures. It·s over 100 pages and all of its content is only specific to the dip mix business. There is no boiler plate info about how to start a business, how to incorporate, how to handle your taxes, etc. You can find all of that available anywhere. This book has none of that. It·s strictly about making you successful in the dip mix business. It·s so easy. You just need me to show you how. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I do know the dip mix business. Plus, I also know that the more successful you are, the more successful I become also. So, it behooves me to assist you in every way that I can to make you as successful as possible, as quickly as possible. This information contained in my book is impossible to find and is available no where else. Someone else may have a few pages of suggestions, but nothing even close to the 100 plus pages, including pictures, in my book. I want you to succeed. This book and my delicious products will make it happen. The book is included in your dealership package at no extra cost. In addition, I act as your ongoing mentor, consultant, friend and advisor for as long as you are in the business. I·m always just a phone call or email away. For complete, comprehensive information about this small business opportunity, including the table of contents for the book, please click on the link below that says, Click Here. This dealership information is not available on my website, however, you are encouraged to go to the website to get more information about my company.

Karaoke business
Are you outgoing, friendly and love karaoke? Would you like to earn a good living by sharing your passion for karaoke with others? If so, a karaoke business may be right for you. If you·d like to learn how to start a karaoke business, you need to understand that several steps and considerations will be involved in the process. After all, there·s a lot more to it than just plugging in a couple of microphones. You can learn the basics of how to start a karaoke business by checking out the information below! The first thing that you need to decide when starting a karaoke business involves the type of equipment that you will be using. You could go the thoroughly modern ² and more expensive ² digital route, or you could stick with using a karaoke CD system, or CDG system. You·ll have a lot less to carry around with you if you choose to go the digital route. Instead of lugging around books of CDs, you·ll just need a decent laptop with plenty of available storage space and memory. Once you·ve examined your budget and have decided whether to use CDG discs or a computer, you·ll need to acquire a few additional pieces of equipment. At minimum, you·ll need microphones, microphone stands, speakers, speaker stands, amps, mixers and monitors. You·ll also need songbooks so that your customers can pick and choose the songs that they·d like to perform. Digital karaoke software should include a quick and easy way for you to print your own songbooks. If you·re using CDG discs, you·ll have to type up your own. When learning how to start a karaoke business, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you·re probably going to be up against a lot of local competition. As such, it·s critical to make your enterprise as professional as possible. Try to achieve a cohesive look by investing in uniforms for yourself and your staff. Emblazon your equipment with your logo so that it looks stylish and appealing. Another integral part of learning how to start a karaoke business involves crowd management. The majority of your business will be conducted in bars and other public venues. Your customers will be expecting a good time; many of them will be enjoying alcoholic beverages. You·ll be a ringleader of sorts, so it·s critical to be as fair as possible when it comes to the rotation and turns of the participants. Make sure that everyone gets a fair shot at the spotlight.

While the people who will be performing karaoke are, in a sense, your customers, the owners of the bars and clubs that they visit will be the ones who pay you. Indeed, clubs and bars will be the bread and butter of your karaoke business. Travel around the area and try to meet the owners of such venues in person. Offer them a low introductory rate to try out your services. If they are satisfied, they·ll hire you again ² and pass along positive word-of-mouth, too. Bars and clubs are great places to kick-start your karaoke service. Eventually, you should get some regular gigs. There·s even more money to be made in wedding receptions and private parties, so expanding into that area is never a bad idea. Another great expansion possibility involves creating personalized DVDs that can serve as mementos for those who participate in your karaoke events. As your business grows and expands, you may need more equipment ² and more staff. In the end, though, it will all be worth it.

Bridal shop
If you love weddings, have an eye for fashion, and are willing to work hard, learning how to set up a bridal shopmight just be the business for you. What better way to spend each day than by helping brides, bridegrooms, and their families plan their weddings? Wedding and bridesmaid dresses, suits, tuxedos, and other wedding items, such as shoes and jewelry, can make a bridal shop a one-stop shopping venue for engaged couples. One of the best ways to learn how to set up a bridal shop is by visiting the shops of your competitors. You can learn everything from store layouts to pricing structures. Investigate the services that are already being offered in your area. Find a way to make your bridal shop unique by either strategic pricing or offering new or different services. Selecting the right location for the bridal boutique is essential to the success of your business. Your location should be a few miles from other bridal shops, but close to shopping areas. Contact an attorney to help you choose the best legal structure for your business. Apply for your business license, purchase inventory, and prepare for your store·s Grand Opening. Understanding how to set up a bridal shop involves more than just logistics. Staying on top of the latest trends is imperative. Subscribe to bridal and fashion magazines. Learn about fabric, cuts, materials, and patterns of wedding dresses as well as accessories, like veils, gloves, shoes, and jewelry.

Marketing will be key. Your marketing should emphasize the reasons a bride and bridegroom should purchase their wedding attire from you instead of your competition. Is it lower pricing? Is it the fantastic customer service? Is it the widest selection? Give people a reason to choose you. Customer service and a willingness to give your customers more than they ask for is essential in a bridal shop business. Weddings are personal. Planning a wedding can be an emotional time and for many people, making decisions about the wedding dress, bridesmaid dress colors and styles, and other wedding party details, is difficult. Gentle guidance on your part will be required. With each bridal party purchase, add something extra. It is often the little touches that people remember. People expect you to provide beautiful, high quality wedding dresses. It·s your job. They won·t expect that bouquet of roses, though. Give them something to remember. Build portfolios of previous customers in various gowns and dresses. An album showing real people in different dresses often makes it easier for customers to see themselves wearing the same item. Organize portfolios by price, designer, and style. Learning how to set up a bridal shop and taking it a step further, into expansion, is a way to give your customers added value and provide you with more income. Some ideas for expansion include:
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Team with travel agents to offer honeymoon packages at bargain prices Partner with caterers, florists, and limousine operators to ensure customer referrals Add complete wedding planning services