Zahra Business Blog: April 2013

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

How to Start a Tutorial Business

Tutorial service businesses can be targeted to students of all ages and any subject matter. Starting a tutorial business may be right for you if you excel at helping others understand subjects easier. Sometimes students have a hard time with coursework because of a disability or communication gap with their instructor. To run this type of business, you will need to research subjects, prepare training materials and write lesson plans.

Step 1
Pick a niche for your tutorial business. If you are more experienced working with elementary subjects, cater your business to that age level of students. You can also specialize in one subject, such as tutoring math for high school students. Pick out a few areas you are good in and familiarize yourself with every aspect of these subjects.

Step 2
Obtain necessary certifications. It may help you to take college courses related to the areas you wish to tutor or get your teaching certificate. If you plan on helping students study for exams, such as the LSAT, GRE or GMAT, a certification will help you find more clients.

Step 3
Legalize your business. Visit the Internal Revenue Service website for your Employer Identification Number. If you plan on using a business name other than you own name register it with the secretary of state. Visit your city government to obtain a business license to run your business in your city.

Step 4
Prepare your business documents. Create tutorial and training videos. Design print course material and assignments. Create audio and transcribe lecture notes or sessions for students who learn better by listening.

Step 5
Find a location for your business. Some owners prefer a physical location that students can go to, while others travel to another location, such as the student's home or school. Set up a website and offer training videos and print materials online. Allow the students to interact with the lessons.

Step 6
Promote your business. Network with your local schools and universities. Place an ad in the phone directory, radio and television stations. Ask clients you have helped to write a testimonial for your business. Interact with potential students via social media. Find where your customers frequent online and visit those locations to grow your business.

References (4)

Tuesday, 23 April 2013

How to start Stationery and Office-Supply Business

Success of a stationery and office-supply business is contingent upon several variables. One often-overlooked success factor is customer service. Always be friendly to your customers and go out of your way to help them. Additionally, you should know the competition. Always strive to offer products that competitors do. However, include additional product lines or services. For example, include computer or fax services in your stationery and office-supply business if competitors do not.

Significance

One of the most important success factors for any business is location, according to Entrepreneur.com. A stationery and office-supply business is no exception. You must locate your store in a high-traffic area such as a strip mall, busy intersection or uptown at a major university. Moreover, make sure you are located near customers you want to target. For example, people with middle or upper-middle incomes have more to spend on stationery and office supplies. Rent a location downtown if you have a lot of potential business customers in the area. Business customers will often purchase in high volumes. Business customers also require massive amounts of copies. For example, a downtown advertising firm may need to make 50,000 copies of a brochure.

Features

Another business success factor is store appearance and ambiance. Keep your stationery and office-supply store neat and orderly. Keep the aisles clear of clutter. Use bright lighting so people can see what they are purchasing. Hang large signs throughout your store so people know where to go for certain items. Shoppers are busy. They do not want to spend extra time looking for items they need. Display new or sale items on end caps or at the front of the store. Encourage people to test out floor-model computers and other merchandise.

Suppliers

Suppliers are important to the success of stationery and office-supply businesses. You must be able to purchase your items at the lowest wholesale cost available. Larger retailers pay extremely low prices for products when they purchase them in volume. You may need to occasionally shop around for wholesalers that can provide you with a lower per-unit cost on products and stationery.

Promotion

Promotion is another important success factor for stationery and office-supply businesses. You will need to target your customers with fliers, newspaper classified and coupon magazine ads, and Internet marketing. Create a website for your stationery and office-supply business. Have employees hand out business cards inviting customers to visit the website for coupons. You can also hold drawings for those who visit the website. Give away gift cards and free office supplies. Have liquidation sales occasionally to get rid of old merchandise. Put the merchandise in dump bins near the front of the store.

Considerations

Like other businesses or retailers, stationery and office-supply stores may need to create special programs to increase customer loyalty. People will tend to shop more often at your store if you give them an incentive. Consider a loyalty program for your stationery and office-supply store. Start with a points system. For example, people can earn 100 points if they spend $25. Track people's purchases by assigning everyone a card and identification number. Gradually offer coupons of greater value or free items the more people spend.

References (5)

Resources (1)

DM News: Rite Aid Launches Loyalty Program Nationwide

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Monday, 22 April 2013

How to Start a Stationery Business

You can choose from a number of business models when opening a stationery store business, so you must first decide on the products and services you wish to offer. Consumer stationery stores sell pre-printed, custom printed or blank stationery and invitations. Business stationery businesses sell custom printed stationery and related items for business use. Both business types may provide in-house printing, or contract with a wholesale vendor for printing services, but each requires different marketing and advertising strategies, merchandise stock inventory and pricing structures.

Step 1
Create a business plan outlining all aspects and details of your business including start-up and operational costs, target customer base and related marketing plan. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration website for free detailed business plan and other small business start-up information (See Resources).

Step 2
Search your local newspaper ads or consult a commercial real estate agent for store space. Your real estate agent can provide valuable information regarding customer demographics and street traffic counts. If you are opening a virtual store, contact a local web designer or online hosting company who will assist you in designing a store, purchasing a domain name and e-commerce hosting package. If you are operating a retail store, at least basic website is recommended. An e-commerce web presence combined with a retail store can help increase overall sales and online credibility.

Step 3
Decide on a business structure -- proprietorship, limited liability company or corporation -- based on your business plan and file the necessary paperwork with your state office. The SBA website provides free business structure information, and your state office or website will provide the necessary paperwork and fee schedule.

Step 4
Obtain local business permits from your town hall, state retail tax license from your state's department of taxation, and Taxpayer Identification Number from the internal revenue service inline. If you will hire employees, the IRS requires you to obtain an Employer Identification Number. There are no special licenses or permits required to operate a stationery store, but you may need to apply for health and safety inspections if providing printing services on premises.

Step 5
Purchase store supplies from retail store display and supply distributor, office gear from an office supply store and printing equipment (if applicable) from a printing equipment distributor.

Step 6
Purchase initial stock from your stationery suppliers. Partner with stationery suppliers in your region to ensure faster shipping times for special orders. This will save money by limiting your stock-on-hand and allow you to restock merchandise quickly as it runs low. Some suppliers will provide catalogs, merchandising and display aids for free or at a reduced cost.

Step 7

Purchase marketing materials from a local print and sign shop. Business cards, signage, brochures, fliers and other marketing aids will be used to spread the word on your new stationery store business.

Things Needed

Business plan
Retail or virtual store
Local business permits, state tax license and federal tax numbers
Store supplies and office gear
Initial stock
Marketing materials

Tips

Your stationery store's appearance and marketing efforts will need to reflect your customer and product type. Retail consumer stores generally have more leeway in decorating and marketing options, while business-to-business stores will need to adhere to professional business decor and marketing.
Take advantage of free or low-cost training, merchandising services, displays and catalogs whenever possible. Partnering with your stationery distributor can save you time and money, and you will learn the finer aspects of the stationery businesses quicker than on your own.
Research the stationery industry before, during and after your start up to gain advice, spot trends and new products.

Warnings

Avoid combining a business and consumer store unless you have the means and space to market, advertise and service both customer types. Both store types, stock requirements, advertising, sales efforts, pricing strategies and business models are very different, and you will risk financial difficulty attempting to service both markets at once.
Providing custom printing services in-house can add greatly to your startup and operational expenses. Even a small printing press requires a considerable investment, and can take years to operate properly. There is also the possible increased cost of insurance, and periodic safety and environmental inspections. Use a contract printer instead to minimize costs and risk, and you can always offer these services in the future if the business warrants.

References (4)

Resources (4)

Photo Credits

How to Start a Stationery Business

How to Start a Stationery Business

How to Start a Public Transportation Business

Shuttle businesses provide useful transportation for two types of riders. Customers with airport reservations, but who want to avoid driving and parking inconveniences, ride to the airport’s door in a regularly scheduled shuttle bus or van. Vehicles pick up pre-booked customers at home or office locations, although last-minute customers can frequently be accommodated en route to the airport. On-demand shuttles function within many outlying regions that lack public transportation. Some shuttles transport customers to regional or hub airports, while other vehicles provide rides to customers on personal business.

Step 1
Organize your shuttle business. Select a business structure with a Certified Public Accountant familiar with transportation businesses. Consult with a commercial insurance agent with similar expertise and strong liability background. Visit your city or county clerk’s office for a business license, and inquire about local permits. Ask your state department of revenue about applicable sales taxes. Contact your state department of transportation about state regulations or permits.

Step 2
Analyze the shuttle service market. Obtain a regional map, and pinpoint the regional and hub airports within a two-hour drive. Identify shuttle services that currently serve those airports, and note any areas that lack airport transportation. Research local and regional transportation networks to uncover potential need for on-demand shuttle service.

Step 3
Establish your shuttle service area. Determine a geographic area within which you can provide reliable shuttle service. Identify area airports and other possible destinations, and travel those routes at different times to estimate drivers’ travel times. Utilize this information to create an operations framework for your shuttle business.

Step 4
Develop commuter and tourism packages. Encourage repeat commuter business by creating discounted packages for frequent airport commuters and business users. Design tourist-focused packages that include airport transportation, shopping or attraction transport and meal options.

Step 5
Obtain multi-passenger shuttle vehicles. Estimate the number of vehicles needed for your shuttle routes, and work with your accountant to determine if a purchase or lease option better meets your needs. Obtain handicapped-accessible vehicles to ensure that disabled passengers can easily be accommodated.

Step 6
Hire qualified shuttle drivers. Find courteous, experienced drivers with demonstrated customer service experience. Former bus drivers and other large vehicle operators may be good candidates. Contact your state department of motor vehicles to determine specific driver license requirements for shuttle vehicles.

Step 7
Market your shuttle business regionally. Work with a graphic designer to create rack cards and business cards. Place these promotional materials at hotels and tourist attractions, and consider a kiosk at regional and hub airports. Place ads featuring introductory discounts in regional newspapers' business pages. Join your city’s Chamber of Commerce, and market to fellow business members at networking events and expos. Find your chamber through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Things Needed

Business structure documentation
Insurance documentation
Business license
Local permits (if applicable)
Sales tax license (if applicable)
Permits from state department of transportation (if applicable)
Regional map with airports and existing shuttle services
Shuttle business operational framework
Commuter package documentation
Tourism package documentation
Shuttle vehicle documentation
Shuttle driver license requirements
Rack cards
Business cards
Ad rates and copy for newspaper ads

References (6)

Resources (2)

Photo Credits

Saturday, 20 April 2013

How to Start a Street Cart Vendor Business - Street Food Cart Business Ideas

Street cart vendors have been around for decades. Many residents and tourists in major cities, such as Philadelphia, New York City and Chicago, depend on street cart vendors to provide their morning coffee, afternoon lunch and trinkets to take back home. Even vendors in smaller areas can make a good living and become an important part of their local economies. If you're thinking of becoming a street cart vendor, there are many regulations you'll have to follow, but it can be an enjoyable, lucrative business to be in.

Step 1
Assess the feasibility of a street cart in your area --- the number of people walking by your cart each day will be key to whether you can become profitable. Street vendors tend to do well in large cities and major metropolitan areas simply because there are more potential customers and areas with substantial foot traffic. A medium-sized town could work for a street cart vendor as long as you can place your cart downtown or in an area with heavy foot traffic.

Step 2
Pick a type of item to sell. Street cart vendors can sell a wide variety of items, from hot dogs and coffee to t-shirts and handbags, but it's best to cater to the area you live in before choosing a niche. For instance, if you live in a tourist town, sell souvenirs such as shirts, hats and key chains from your street cart. If your downtown area has no food vendors to feed the workers there, serving lunch from your food cart may prove to be very profitable.

Step 3
Contact your local small business development center to find out what county and state laws apply to street carts. You may be surprised to find out that your business will have many restrictions, especially if you live in a large metropolitan area. Many localities stipulate how close to buildings a street cart can be, have advertising guidelines, rules about the size of street carts and restrict how many vendors can be in any one area at a time.

Step 4
Obtain the necessary permits for your type of street cart --- failing to operate legitimately can result in massive fines, which is the downfall of many street cart vendors. Depending on where you live, you may need a vending license, resale permit, sales tax permit or assumed name certificate. Vendors selling food items will need additional business documentation and health permits. Contact your state's department of public health to find out the regulations in your area if you plan to sell food.

Step 5
Buy or lease a mobile unit from a supplier, such as Creative Mobile Systems, AIE Company, Inc., or Apex Vending Carts, to run your business from. Keep in mind what you need for the specific items you're selling. For example, if you will sell newspapers and magazines, it would be necessary for your cart to have built-in display racks. A taco cart vendor would need refrigeration as well as a unit to heat the food they serve.

Step 6
Get a storage area for your inventory and your cart. Many localities do not allow street cart vendors to leave their mobile units on public streets or sidewalks when they're not in use. If you don't have a parking space, consider renting one from a local business office, commercial parking garage or storage facility. Even if you're allowed to keep your cart in your space overnight, it would not be logical to store your inventory there too --- odds are you will come back to work to find that everything has been taken. You may be able to store your inventory at home in a clean, dry area that is free of pets or in a commercial storage facility. If you're selling food items, ensure you follow state rules regarding where you're allowed to store ingredients; you may need to rent a food locker or space in a commercial kitchen.

Step 7

Purchase wholesale merchandise from brands, distributors and manufacturers in your niche. Conduct an Internet search for wholesale distributors if there aren't enough suppliers in your area. If your street cart will sell food, try to buy as many local ingredients as possible to save money on shipping costs.

Step 8
Organize your merchandise logically, while making the items appear as attractive as possible. Most people who buy from you will do so on impulse, not because they planned to go to your street cart. If the items you sell are arranged sloppily, it is less likely that people walking by will stop to look at anything, much less make a purchase.

Step 9
Promote your street cart vendor business. You can make use of traditional media, such as newspaper and radio ads, but people generally don't go looking for street vendors to shop. However, some people will become regular customers of yours. To stay connected with them, use social media and social networks to let them know about new products and offerings, and what days and hours you're open for business. You can build loyalty with regulars by offering special discounts to them via social networks.

Things Needed

References (4)

Photo Credits(2)

How to Start a Street Cart Vendor Business - Street Food Cart Business Ideas

How to Start a Street Cart Vendor Business - Street Food Cart Business Ideas

How to Become a Fruit and Vegetable Trader

Growing awareness of the physical value of a diet filled with produce is good news for anyone interested in starting a small business venture as a produce trader, whether you grow the fruits and vegetables yourself or not. Traders plant and harvest the produce or purchase in bulk from local farmers and make a profit selling at local markets and fairs. Even a small, backyard garden can get you started as a trader.

Getting Started

Step 1
Contact your state, county and local governments to find out what business licenses fruit and vegetable vendors need. Business licenses and requirements vary by state and community. Food-handling training and licenses and a resale tax license might be required. Contact your local health department about food handling and your state and local business licensing and regulations department to obtain licensing applications.

Step 2
Grow or buy the fruits and vegetables. Local farmers sell their crops in bulk to traders, or you can learn to grow your own and harvest them for sale. Traders usually divide bulk purchases into smaller containers and price the smaller amounts for resale. Investigate what competitors are selling produce for before settling on the right price to charge customers.

Step 3
Choose the ways to sell your produce. Buy a booth at weekly or daily farmers markets or flea markets. Post fliers and business cards on bulletin boards or as newspaper advertisements. Contact restaurants and caterers and sell fresh produce on a weekly or semi-weekly basis. Consistency is important when selling produce. Establishing a routine that clients can depend on can lead to repeat and long-term buyers. Many farmers markets and restaurant owners allow only organic or pesticide-free products to be sold by producers.

Step 4
Buy the right equipment. Produce traders usually deliver items to the customer. A large truck, produce boxes and a delivery dolly are necessary items. Delivering fresh produce to restaurants or bulk customers might require a refrigerated delivery truck. Selling through farmers markets might require the purchase of tables, display bins, scales, portable devices to accept payment and an awning or tent-like structure to protect employees and produce from the sun and elements.

Step 5
Design efficient transportation and delivery routes. Transportation costs might be a high-ticket expense for many fruit and vegetable traders. Delivering produce several times a week instead of daily might help cut back on gas, insurance and vehicle costs.

Building Business

Step 1
Build a produce delivery service. Offer a box of produce for a consistent price on a weekly basis, and market to busy families and singles. For instance, design the contents by choosing two fruits and four vegetables every week and charging a set price, such as $15 per box. Use a website to take orders and list the week's produce contents. Advertise through local school, church and organization bulletins and local newspapers.

Step 2

Participate in community events. Your business will thrive when you become a local expert or a highly visible merchant by participating in and supporting local events. Conduct short seminars on organic farming, nutrition or the value of "green" living at local libraries, schools or events. Increase visibility by sponsoring local fundraisers for causes you believe in --- sponsors usually receive advertising in return.

Step 3
Converse with your customers and get to know them. People buy from traders they feel comfortable with. Talking to your customers builds connection and trust and can increase sales.

Step 4
Ask customers for an email address to send discount, sale and news items to. Building a customer list can help you keep in touch even when the customer is not around. Email marketing tools and services allow businesses to compose a single letter or notice, send it to a list of customers at one time and then track the response of the recipients.

Tips

Organic items sell for a higher price. Buy or grow organic produce and resell at local farmers markets where customers go to find fresh, organic and local produce.
People are more likely to stop at a produce booth that is decorative and conveys the care and pride the trader takes in growing, selecting and offering his produce to the public. Use colorful tablecloths, baskets and signage when creating a booth at a local farmers or flea market.
Inventory will vary from week to week depending on the growing season, region and weather. Learning about crops growing in your region will help you discern what type of inventory to carry and produce available at various times of the year.
Some farmers markets request non-organic farmers and growers to identify to customers the pesticides used to grow the produce.
Do not forget about schools, resorts, country clubs and large companies with employee cafeterias when making contacts with area businesses interested in fresh produce.

References (3)

Resources (1)

Farmers' Legal Action Group

Photo Credits

Thursday, 18 April 2013

How to Start My Own Sewing Business

If you enjoy sewing, creating interesting clothing patterns or performing alterations and tailoring, starting a sewing business may be the perfect business opportunity for you. Depending on your skills, there are many different types of sewing projects available including dressmaking, costume design, special occasion clothing, embroidery and clothing repair. Keeping up with fashion and sewing trends is the best way to attract a variety of customers and maintain regular clients. Referrals from these clients help you build an even larger customer base.

Step 1
Write a business plan to guide you through each stage of business development when starting a sewing business. List the types of sewing services you plan to offer in the first section. List start-up costs, such as sewing machines, thread, patterns, computer equipment and software, in the second section. Outline a marketing plan to attract customers in the third section. List owner and employee responsibilities in the fourth section.

Step 2
Register your sewing business if forming a limited liability company, corporation or partnership with your state's secretary of state office. Contact your local small business administration or county clerk's office to apply for a business license. Purchase home-based business insurance if running the business from your home or general business insurance to cover the costs of a lawsuit, settlement or damage to sewing equipment. Contact the Internal Revenue Service to apply for an employer identification number to use on business documents and tax forms.

Step 3
Create a studio in your home to meet with clients, complete sewing projects and to store equipment and supplies. Contact the local small business administration office or home zoning commission office to inquire about the rules concerning home-based businesses, as some regions do not permit business owners to meet with clients in residential areas. Lease commercial retail space to meet with clients. Contact a commercial real estate agent to locate available space.

Step 4
Purchase start-up equipment such as a sewing machine, thread, needles, embroidery supplies, ready-made patterns, computer software for creating and printing patterns, invoicing and bookkeeping software.

Step 5
Market sewing services in local newspapers and magazines. Display flyers in local dress shops, grocery stores, dry cleaners, wedding shops and other local businesses. List your business in online and print business directories. Create a website to highlight your best work. Include photos, customer testimonials, sewing services, contact information and hours of operation.

Tip

Create sample pieces to show potential clients that demonstrate your creativity and sewing expertise.

Warning

Always present clients with your best work. Substandard work may result in lost business and lack of referrals.

References (3)

Resources (2)

Photo Credits

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

How to Start My Own Business on eBay

Entrepreneurs looking to start an online retail business may want to give eBay a close look. Many of the aspects of starting an online retail business are made easier by the eBay business model. The eBay website has templates you can follow to create your own storefront; eBay has an audience of millions of potential customers all over the world; and eBay can help mediate customer service issues between buyers and sellers. Develop a plan and learn how to start your own business on eBay.

Step 1
Become familiar with eBay's business rules and schedule of fees. Fees are charged for listing products, paying when products sell and associated with marketing processes, such as including a picture of a product and a bold headline to your eBay listing. Instructional videos from successful eBay sellers are on YouTube that can help you to understand how an eBay business would work.

Step 2
Determine what kind of product you would like to start your eBay business. Spend some time on the eBay site determining how many other people already offer your product, and what pricing they offer. If you feel you can compete with the products you have chosen, or if you feel there is room for another seller of your product on eBay, then proceed with your business. If you find several hundred retailers of the product you are considering, then you will want to find a new product to sell on eBay. You can expand out to other products as your business grows, but you need to start with products that have a chance at selling to get your business off the ground.

Step 3
Register your business with your state business licensing office. Contact your state senator's office to get the contact information for the licensing office. Some wholesalers will require you to be a registered business to do business with them. A business license allows you to open a business bank account and legally pay taxes on your business.

Step 4
Write a business plan for your eBay business that outlines the products you intend to sell, the suppliers you will be using, how much start-up capital you will need, your marketing approach to selling on eBay and projected revenue for the first three years of your company's existence. You will need money to start your eBay business. If you are unable to supply that money yourself, then you will need to talk to investors and lenders. A business plan will help potential lenders to better understand your eBay business idea and it will also help them to see how you intend to make your business stand out from the thousands of other eBay businesses.

Step 5

Establish your online eBay store front with your company name and logo. Start off with a few auctions of your product with marketing programs, such as extra images and bold headlines to get started. Putting your auctions out into the general auction listing will have your new business come up in new auction searches and start driving traffic to your eBay store.

Tip

Always offer the lowest pricing possible on your store and on your separate auctions. If you try to sell items at below cost to attract buyers, be prepared to always sell that product at a loss. Establish low prices right off the bat and you will start to attract regular customers.

References (4)

Resources (3)

Photo Credits(2)