15 BUSINESS STARTUPS

Follow your road to riches with a small business of your own. We’ve rounded up 15 easy-start enterprises you can begin today.

EXPLORE FRANCHISE OPTIONS WITH THIS SUPER GUIDE Small business owners can jumpstart their search for a franchise by investigating hundreds of franchised businesses in the latest edition of the Franchise Opportunities Guide. The recently released guide is a publication of the world’s largest organization representing franchising, the International Franchise Association (IFA). Those working to make the dream of self-employment come true can learn about financing, legal issues and regulations governing the sale of franchises. The guide is easy to review and organized for prospective franchisees that are beginning their initial investigative steps. Organized for step-by-step review and to ease the search, the guide features detailed evaluation forms. By reading the guide’s descriptions of hundreds of concepts, future small business owners can learn about the rapidly growing franchise sector, which today spans 75 different industries and operates in more than 100 countries. Investment requirements and company contact information are included. Only those companies that have met the association’s qualifications for membership and agree to abide by IFA’s Code of Ethics are listed in the guide. More than 200 members of the association’s Supplier Forum who provide legal, financial, marketing and business advice are also listed. The guide sells for $25, including shipping, and may be ordered online from the IFA Bookstore at www.franchise.org or by calling 800-543-1038. IFA also sponsors the International Franchise Expo, which is set for April 30-May 2, at the Washington, DC Convention Center. The Expo will provide small business seekers an even closer look at some of the world’s most recognized franchise brands.

There is no time like the present to start your own business. You don’t have to jump into it on a full-time basis; you could keep your current job—and benefits—and launch your business on a part-time or weekends-only basis. This is an excellent way to test your business idea in your community and to determine if you like the entrepreneurial life.

It does take some adjusting. There is no water cooler conversation about last night’s game or movie, there is no one to lend support when the day gets long, and there is no guarantee of a paycheck at the end of the week. Why do it? Because if the business is launched properly, and if you have selected the right enterprise for your marketplace, you could hit the bigtime. Not only in terms of income, but freedom and flexibility like you’ve never experienced by working the nine-to-five drain. Get set for success; don’t anticipate anything bad, and start researching your options.

Before we get into our roundup of possibilities, we’d like to outline some of the basics of running a business from your kitchen table, garage, attic or spare bedroom. Use these basic tips to help you start your own business.

Select a business you will enjoy:
In searching for the right business to start make sure you choose something that you love to do. You will be spending a lot of time making the business work, so you must enjoy what you do. There are probably business ideas that will occur to you that would do well in your community, but if you don’t love that particular type of business, skip that idea and keep thinking. Find something you love to do and then figure out how to get paid to do it.

Create an inventory of your hobbies, talents and interests:
In researching the type of business you’d love to start, make a series of lists of what you’re interested in and see what you’re good at. Are there any common denominators? Do you like sports, pets, fixing things? What types of businesses could you start that relate to your interests? An individual who loves parties and music might want to consider starting a mobile DJ service.

Check out zoning rules:
Com-munities have really relaxed their rules on residential and commercial zoning now that so many people are working from home. But if your home-based business means that you’ll have to have huge trucks delivering goods, then beware, your neighbors might not like it and might turn you in to the local authorities. You will not be able to set up a restaurant at home or a dry cleaning business or a commercial parking lot right on your front lawn. To find out about local zoning laws, call your town office and county clerk’s office.

Register your company:
Take a trip down to your county clerk’s office and register your name. You will receive a Business Index number and can then use that Business Index number to open a business checking account.

Give your business a professional image:
Most of your customers might never see your home office, so impress them with your professionalism and attention to detail by selecting a good-looking stationery system consisting of high-grade letterhead and business cards. Get a separate phone line so no one answers the phone and just says, “Hello,” which could turn off potential customers. Get a fax machine, an answering machine or voice mail and you are in business!

Check out your insurance coverage:
Examine your insurance policy to see if you need to beef up your liability insurance or add on any other type of coverage. There are many add-ons to consider including: business interruption insurance, business property insurance, disability insurance, non-owned auto insurance, product liability and much more.

Generating business:
Print up a flier, get involved in local clubs and other networking opportunities, send out a press kit to local newspapers, prepare a direct mail piece, try and place yourself as a guest—an expert—on local TV or cable; investigate advertising, become active in local civic groups and associations, offer to give a speech at a local club or gathering, send out discount coupons, send out holiday greeting cards, teach a class at adult education, attend trade shows as a guest or exhibitor. All of these methods will help you generate business and customers.

Accounting for success:
Even though you may not plan to do your own taxes—and we do endorse the notion that you visit a professional accountant for tax assistance—it’s a good idea to get a grip on basic accounting principles and bookkeeping skills. Look into a local adult education course, browse through bookstores and find a “how to” manual or enroll in a local community college, but get a little accounting help under your belt.

We present 15 business startups for you to consider. They are offered in no particular order:

Follow Your Dream:
Do what you love and the money will follow. A wise woman made that statement a few decades ago and it still rings true today. If we have a passion for something and can figure out a way to get paid for pursuing that passion, then the money and the profits will very likely follow. They will follow because we will enjoy what we do and if we enjoy what we do, we enjoy succeeding at it. We will love it, nurture it and make it grow into a success. If you have an interest, a hobby, a collection, or a passion, you just might turn it into a dream business.

Prolific writer, adventurer, explorer and bon vivant, Stephen C. Gould took his passion for surfing and created the North Shore Surf and Cultural Museum located in the historic town of Haleiwa located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. It is a treasure and we guarantee you’ll enjoy it even if your feet have never been planted on a longboard.

Gould celebrates surfing history in this spot where much of the big wave riding took place in nearby Sunset Beach and famed Waimea Bay. The best surfers in the world still flock here every winter for the Triple Crown. At Gould’s Museum you’ll find a wonderful collection of antique boards, the first snowboard, the first motorized surfboard and hollow wooden boards along with ancient artifacts, collectible bottles, coins and other items found undersea near shipwrecks.

Surfer Stephen Gould opened the museum on August 8, 1999—the 100th anniversary of the town of Haleiwa. An accomplished writer, Stephen didn’t do it to make money or get rich but to celebrate the big waves and culture of the North Shore. Visit the museum just off the main street of Haleiwa in a small shopping center (behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken). The museum is free and if you’re lucky enough to find Stephen Gould there you will discover a gem in this wonderful and amazing environment. You will never forget the positive energy of the North Shore Surf and Cultural Museum. Buy a souvenir and make a donation to help expand this magnificent place.



Direct Selling:
We haven’t presented too many direct selling businesses in this magazine during our sixteen years, but increasingly readers have asked for us to mention some examples that deliver big returns for the effort. If the right combination of factors is at work, the opportunity can pay off.

Direct selling is the sale of consumer products or services, person to person, away from fixed retail locations. Direct selling dates back to prerecorded history as a means to exchange goods to survive. Today, the customer still benefits from the personal and convenient way of purchasing products via this traditional selling channel.

According to the most recent statistics available from the U.S. Department of Labor, 13 million people in the United States and 47 million worldwide are involved in some type of direct selling business and these numbers continue to grow with each year. PartyLite is a direct seller that has an impressive track record to present to our readers. PartyLite is a leading seller of candles and candle accessories. The PartyLite direct-selling career path includes independent sales representatives who make $5000 a year right on up to $900,000 a year.

PartyLite consultants customize their work schedules based on personal needs. Many choose to take off on Fridays or tailor their work around their kids’ schedules. They may work one day a week or seven—the choice is theirs.

There is no cap on earned income. There are 37,000 PartyLite consultants in the United States. The average entry-level consultant earns $5000-$10,000 annually holding one to two parties a month. Those interested in earning more join the leadership program and earn an average of $46,000 annually. These sales representatives host about two to three parties weekly and train others to do the same. They then earn additional income based on their team’s performance. More than 110 consultants earn between $100,000 and $299,999, some as high as $900,000.

This is an opportunity that has not suffered during tough economic times. Even if people can’t afford to buy a room of new furniture, they can splurge on candles and decorative accessories to brighten up the home.

The PartyLite opportunity does not require prior experience or specific educational know-how. This direct selling opportunity gives everyone the opportunity to build a profitable business—and you can’t beat the commute.

Following are three PartyLite case studies:


Marlene Moses, Ranchos Palos Verdes, California, leads a group of nearly 100 independent consultants and earned $130,000 in 2002. According to Moses, consistency is the key to her career success. “I never wanted to be in a position where I would have to ask myself ‘What if?’” she says of her concerns about financial stability. A career in direct sales has allowed her to remain free from worry.

Says Moses, “PartyLite is a company of choices. It is so extraordinary that it changes peoples’ lives. People are still waiting to hear about this chance and I would be remiss if I did not share it with them.”


Lorraine Byrd, Greenville, South Carolina, began her career with PartyLite and direct sales at age 66 when she and her husband realized that they needed to supplement their retirement funds. The immediate gratification of witnessing her sales on a daily basis and receiving a weekly paycheck keeps her determined. Today, the Byrds are living large on Lorraine’s $200,000 annual income and refer to their new life as a real “rags to riches” story.


Susan Giebler, Stillwater, Minnesota, was a pharmaceutical representative weighed down by student loans and credit card debt. In 1992, she sought a career with PartyLite to meet her desire for flexibility and profitable income. Eleven years later, Susan currently earns more than $500,000 annually. Giebler’s incredible motivation is simple—it is her family. Says Giebler, “I always remind myself why I got involved with PartyLite. It was to stay home with my daughter while being able to provide a new house for my family.”

Based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, PartyLite is the world’s leading direct sales marketer of candles and candle accessories and is a subsidiary of Blyth, Inc. To learn more about PartyLite, please call 508/830-3100 or visit their website at: www.partylite.com.



Window Washing:
There are thousands and thousands of windows out there right in your community—residential and commercial—that really need attention. No one really likes the job, and they are ignored. Imagine if you were to come along and offer to keep them clean on a regular basis at good prices. Think of how you would be helping the world to be a better-looking place! You can start your own professionally run window-washing service. We write “professionally run” service because there is a difference between just launching a window washing company and one that is out to maximize profits by doing it efficiently and effectively. This is often where purchasing a turnkey package makes sense.

All Washed Up Window Cleaning of Roseville, Michigan, has put together such a package for you to follow. Their training package includes a manual, a video library CD Rom, an online training program with downloadable videos, a full equipment package and lifetime support. The cost to get started is under $100. Entrepreneurs in 50 states and 7 countries have used this program to launch their own window-washing business. It’s a great cash business that can earn you $25, $50 or more an hour, depending on what your market will bear. All Washed Up says it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to make anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 with their own service.

Your customers will be homeowners, landlords, small businesses, fast food chains, auto dealers, assisted living facilities, condo complexes, and more.
Visit the website to learn more: www.WindowCash.com or send $28.90 to All Washed Up Window Cleaning, P.O. Box 8191, Roseville, Michigan 48066 to receive the kit by mail.



Child Identity Program:
Sad fact: about two million children in the United States alone are kidnapped, missing, lost or run away every year. According to FBI statistics, 2000 children a day are reported missing.

You can start a business offering to provide parents and families with this important information. Child Shield, U.S.A. offers an emergency response program to schools, communities and parents in the event that a child is reported missing. The program includes a videotape, posters, a $50,000 reward and a private investigator to help find the missing child.

Child Shield, U.S.A. is looking for entrepreneurs who want to become agents and market the educational program in their areas of the United States. The agents sell the program to parents for a two-year period. The cost of the program is $50, but it is renewable and likely to generate continued income.

You can call a toll-free telephone number to hear more about the program. Call 800-488-2445. The company suggests that if you sign up 400 students in one school, your income from marketing the program will be $16,000 for that one school. The startup cost for the program is $495.



Wondermugs:
Wondermugs® is the brand name of an exciting new line of color- and design-changing coffee mugs that morph dramatically when a hot beverage is added. Utilizing stunning graphics, often featuring work by name artists, they make drinking coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soup a whole new experience! Over 62 unique designs make them perfect gifts and a great mug to use at work or home.

Wondermugs® was started in 1994 with the vision of creating an entirely new line of unique, high quality gift mugs and glasses utilizing color-changing or “thermochromatic” ink. Name artists have been used for many of the designs. Art Wolfe, an internationally renowned photographer, provided photos for the Wondermugs of Nature line and the “Autumn Leaves” mug. The “Winter Wonders” mug features artwork by well-known Gaithersburg, Maryland artist, Eric Mohn. A quadriplegic since a 1963 auto accident, Mr. Mohn paints holding a brush in his mouth.

Scott Tubby, a well-known artist and sculptor whose other work has been displayed at Washington’s famous Fenwick Gallery, drew the “Undersea Wonders” line. Other designs have been provided by Wondermugs’ staff of talented local artists. Developing Wondermugs has been costly and time consuming, taking from three to ten months for each new design from concept to market.

Wondermugs creator Jim Simpson is an economist and former university instructor who, until 1993, was an analyst in the Office of Management and Budget, the White House office tasked with overseeing the federal government budget. That year Mr. Simpson, an artist himself, succumbed to his creative impulses and left the government to begin creating Wondermugs. You can communicate directly with Jim by sending an email to: Jim@wondermugs.com
Wondermugs were first introduced at the May 1994 New York Stationery Show with only two completed designs—the “Magic Christmas” mugs. By Christmas of that year, they were selling in over 500 outlets nationwide. A registration for the trade name “Wondermugs” was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office in 1995. The first Wondermugs website was launched in 1997.

Color-changing or “thermochromatic” mugs are not new, but Wondermugs has earned its singular success by combining this fascinating technology with uniquely beautiful artwork and popular themes.

Dealer/Distributorship Pro-gram Summary There are three basic programs available for cart and festival operators. The “Starter” program allows you to buy into a Wondermugs dealership at prices substantially lower than regular wholesale, but with a very low initial investment. Alternatively, you may purchase the “Dealer” package, which requires a larger initial investment but provides a better wholesale price. The “Distributor” package is designed to provide the best price for operators planning multiple cart locations or who are looking to build a large distributorship, including resale at the wholesale level.

Starter Minimum First Order: 504 mugs; up to 14 assorted styles
Dealer Minimum First Order: 1,008 mugs; up to 28 assorted styles
Distributor Minimum First Order: 2,520 mugs; up to 51 assorted styles

All Starters/Dealers must purchase with first order: P.O.S. displays, frames and other display material, two level demonstration tables - 31” x 12” x 12”, two hot pots, sales booklets, Wondermugs sign, two Wondermugs hats; training manual & video, (3 min. continuous loop video available on request). Inventory management computer worksheets. Cost $299.00.

Training:
Training manual, video and telephone conferencing. On the job training available under certain circumstances. Free consultations and support from marketing expert.

Exposure:
Your company name, phone number and business location(s) will be listed on our official website. You may also list the shows you will be attending.
Catalogs: Full-color Wondermugs (catalogs without pricing or contact information. Min. 500 pieces. Price for new catalogs not yet available, but will be under $1.00 each.

Many Wondermugs entrepreneurs have great things to say about their small businesses. One entrepreneur in Fairfax, Virginia, made $41,000 in just one month selling the mugs from the Thanksgiving holiday through the Christmas season.

Many entrepreneurs earn $1000 each weekend by selling these mugs at great flea markets, fairs and other community events. Here are some testimonials from Wondermugs entrepreneurs:

“At one show, repeat customers traveled from Montana and Wyoming just to buy Wondermugs. At another show the promoter closed it prematurely due to freezing rain. Customers asked us to stay open and we did $1,000 in business that day, despite the weather. Things like this happen frequently for us. Our best one-day show netted $3,100 in seven hours.” Charles & Emma Pratt. C&E Sales, Lindale, TX.

“Since 1999 I have more than tripled my Wondermugs business to over $125,000 last year. The Wondermugs guys are great to work with, helpful and responsive, and they keep getting better!” Chuck Andrews. C&C Creations, Rochester, NY.

“Just finished another very successful show. I want you to know that of all the many things I am thankful for this Holiday Season, finding your cups and getting to know you... and being able to make money and have great fun while doing it, is on the top of my list. This has been a great adventure for me and I am truly thankful for the opportunity that was given to me by God, you and everyone who has been a part of making this a great year. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and may God Bless you and yours.” Ella Voise. Mug Merchant, Roundup, MT.

“I have been in retail sales for over 25 yrs. I can’t remember having a product that is so easy to sell. Wondermugs are practical and enjoyable and affordable. They catch the eye of children as well as senior adults. I have found one thing consistent about Wondermugs comments and that is, they all say, “I’ve gotta have it!” Selling Wondermugs is work that is so much fun you forget it is work.” Sue Williams. DGR Specialty Designs, Houston, TX.

If you’d like more information on how to get started with your own Wondermugs business, visit www.wondermugs.com or call the company headquarters in Point Marion, Pennsylvania at 888-296-6337 or 703-266-1700.



Sports and Recreation:
You can start a business purchasing and selling sports and recreation products that you then re-sell to local sports teams, schools, leagues, clubs, community groups, colleges, local YMCAs and more. You can even sell the products online through your own website, or set up a kiosk at a mall or flea market.
The company that will show you how is SportsLife Enterprises. You can visit their website at www.sportslife.com to learn more about their program, which begins at $495.

According to the company, as a SportsLife Dealer you purchase your products directly through their list of suppliers and distributors. SportsLife Dealers do not purchase any products from SportsLife. You keep all your profit; SportsLife does not act as a middleman!

SportsLife provides you with a dealer manual to help you get started. The supplier catalogs give you more than 75 direct suppliers from which you can purchase goods and receive group discounts. The suppliers sell sporting goods equipment, team uniforms, trophies, and more to sell to your customers.



Online Discount Store:
More than $45 billion worth of goods and services were purchased online last year. Shouldn’t you have a piece of this pie?

Musketeer Partners is a provider of turnkey Internet business opportunities. All businesses are designed so anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve their goal of quickly starting their own online business.

Musketeer Partners currently offers three separate businesses. The three businesses include:

• E-Store Builder
• Blowout Bargains
• 24/7 Megamall

According to their website, Musketeer Partners provides everything needed to start your business. You don’t need any prior business, computer, or Internet experience. To get your business started fast, a personal consultant offers you hands-on training. Your consultant is there to guide you through everything and help you develop a unique business-building plan based on your unique personality and background. The consultant will always be there for ongoing support to make sure you meet (and exceed) your goals every step of the way.

Website Traffic
Musketeer Partners offers Internet businesses complete with built-in traffic generators and unique features to turn that traffic into loyal customers. To make it even easier, the exclusive step-by-step marketing guide was written by world-renowned marketing expert Jay Conrad Levinson. Jay is the author of the best-selling “Guerrilla Marketing” books and is known for creating some of the most successful advertising icons of all time, including the Jolly Green Giant and the Marlboro Man.

Musketeer Partners have made it easier than ever to have your own successful business:

*You don’t need any prior experience.
*You don’t have to do any product sales presentations.
*You don’t have to bother with shipping or returns.
*You don’t have to carry inventory.
*You don’t have to buy anything else.

The opportunity starts at $495 for entry-level packages, with turnkey packages at $5995. Find out more today by requesting a free, no obligation information package or, explore the website before you request your information package. The website address is: www.profitwithmp.com.



Personalized Enterprise:
Everyone loves products that are personalized. Here’s a unique one: you serve as a distributor for PhotoThrow, working part or full time marketing their personalized throws. The throws feature pictures/artwork/photos of your clients on the throws, which are completely washable.

You can work from home, host parties, do flea markets, craft fairs or even set up a kiosk in a shopping mall. How about fundraisers for your local schools, hospitals or other charities? The ways you can generate income are limited only by your imagination.

Visit the website at: Photothrow4.com to learn how the process works. According to the site: “A photo is sent to us. We then scan that photo using our own custom designed computer software. It is then converted into a language our automated European knitting machines understand. The final results are absolutely amazing. That’s right...you guessed it...we knit...just as if we were producing a quality bulky knit sweater...except instead we knit a beautiful personalized throw of that very special photo you sent to us. These throws are knit with 100% Amilux, a soft cotton-like fiber. The final results will bring a cozy, warm glow of satisfaction. PhotoThrow® is the single most unique personalized gift product you will ever see. PhotoThrows have never been done before, and have been wildly successful since first introduced.”

Be your own boss, in a business you own for a startup cost of $299. Log on to the website to learn more or contact the company headquarters: PhotoThrow, Inc., 280 Midland Avenue Bldg K., Saddle Brook, NJ 07663. The phone numbers are: 800/524-0914 or 201/794-8400 and the fax is 201/794-8458.



Starscape Artist-Illusionist:
With the exploration of Rover on Mars sending back those high quality images of the Red Planet, our fascination with space continues to broaden.

You can start your own business creating spacescapes on ceilings for your clients. Without being a talented artist, you’ll be able to create thousands of glowing stars, constellations, and the Milky Way galaxy, even spaceships and fairies if so desired!

Your clients will range from parents and homeowners to shops, restaurants, hotels, motels, spas, workout centers, younameit.

According to Starscapes, the technique is easy to learn with the company’s in-home training materials and equipment. No experience needed and anyone can do it. The company has been in business for 14 years and has helped individuals in 100 countries launch this fun enterprise.

By day the ceiling looks just the way it always has. But turn the light out at night and the ceiling comes to life with a spacescape. There are no bulky projectors. No gaudy fiber optics. No moving of furniture. No room prep. The technique can be produced on any ceiling no matter what the texture is and it lasts forever. The Starscapes company will sell you a demonstration poster for $29.95. Many individuals have actually used the poster to sign up clients before the entrepreneurs even purchase the program. The program costs details online at: www.starscapes.com.

STARSCAPES® is the brand name of the incredible illusion of the star-filled night sky, custom installed in any room, on the ceiling and sometimes the walls, in about one or two hours, by a licensed Starscapes Artist-Illusionist: Your Painter Of Dreams™. For more information log onto www.starscapes.com and check it out.



Pet Ventures:
Pet businesses are soaring thanks to our love affair with little creatures. Busy Americans don’t have time to care for their pets and it has created a booming field for pet entrepreneurs. Consider the many businesses that one can launch in this arena: sitter, groomer, walker, day care, shuttle service and just about anything else you can think of.

To learn more about pet businesses, consider attending a pet business expo. The first annual Pet Services Expo will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on May 12-19. The Expo is a groundbreaking event directed towards individuals or businesses interested in finding out more about the booming Pet Services Industry and how they might participate in the industry’s runaway growth. It will feature full and half-day “How To Do It” seminars on the various aspects of the industry, and the opportunities that exist today.

Americans now consider their pets to be members of the family and they demand the most professional services possible for their pets. The Expo will assist in establishing and effectively managing such pet service businesses as Boarding Kennels, All Suite Kennels, Grooming Shops, Dog Day Care Centers, Dog Training Centers, Mobile Grooming Businesses, Pet Shipping Businesses and Pet Supply Retail Businesses.

In addition, there will be seminars on working with architects and builders of pet-related businesses and a large pet industry trade show, which will allow attendees to get acquainted with the most progressive industry suppliers and their products and services, including buildings, design, construction, equipment, software and financing.

A highlight of the Expo is the participation of the American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA), which will present its renowned two-day seminar, “Building, Buying and Operating a Boarding Kennel” as part of the program. This seminar has been presented as a stand-alone seminar for 15 years and has been attended by thousands of prospective kennel operators.

For more information about this exciting new event, log onto the Pet Services website at: www.petservicesexpo.com or call 719-667-0715. You can also write to Pet Services Expo, 7643 McLaughlin Road, #127, Falcon, CO 80831.



Home Office Planner:
More and more people are working from home—not just small business owners but telecommuters who work for large corporations and have the flexibility to work part of their time from a home office. You can establish a nice business as a home office planner. Make sure your community or region is large enough to support such a notion.

You will be in charge of the home office design, computer tech, online access, phone lines, lighting, voice mail system and just about anything else the client requires. As a consultant, you won’t be personally responsible for setting up many of these items, but will act as a contractor to coordinate them with the local Internet service provider, phone company, cable company and so on down the line.

Set up a home office or two for yourself and your friends/family. Take digital photographs and put together a website that showcases what you do. Develop a direct mail piece advertising your site and place ads to generate traffic to your website. Interested parties can contact you for a consultation. Don’t forget to market your service to the local stationery center so they can pass your name onto their customers. Take a look at The Home Office Planner by Barty Phillips (Chronicle Books, $24.95. The ISBN number is: 0-8118-2942-1). It’s a great collection of versatile home offices.



Prroducts For Sale:
Want to start a fun business selling 3000 products from catalogs or at flea markets, shows, fairs or via mail order from your website? You purchase the products at wholesale prices from Specialty Merchandise Corporation and resell them at a huge profit. The business startup cost is about $25 and you’ll receive:

• Full-color catalogs personalized with your business name!
• A personal business coach to help you get started!
• SMC’s full service warehouse & shipping center.
• No need for you to hold inventory
• No minimum orders
• Huge profit potential of 100-300% or more.
• Make money part-time or full-time.

SMC can even show you the right way to market on the Internet with your own e-commerce website. And cash in on Swap Meets, Retail Gift Shops, Direct Sales, Home Parties, and Fundraising—step-by-step instructions for all!

To learn more about the program visit them at their website: www.smchomebiz.com or you can call the company at 800-293-8989.



Custom Candy Wrap Biz:
You can start this business on a part- or full-time basis with help from Cherubs-N-Chocolate. Cherubs-N-Chocolate has carved out a nice niche in the world of personalized products. Company owners Robert and Donna Ramey have helped more than 2,000 dealers worldwide start their own businesses. For under $500, with no additional renewal fees, dues or royalties an individual or small business with a computer, a printer and an entrepreneurial spirit can soon be fully operational. You purchase the candy wrappers and sell them to your customers, who range from schools, individuals, communities, small businesses, corporation, sports teams and many others.

In just over five years, the Rameys have turned their shoestring start-up to more than $1.5 million in annual sales. Their dream to enjoy a less stressful life, and spend more time with their children has come true. They want others to benefit, too.

Dealer success is a priority to the Rameys and their staff. They personally speak with many dealers on a daily basis. Mentors are available to dealers when the home office is closed. These mentors who have been with Cherubs-N-Chocolate the longest help newer dealers with their questions and provide encouragement and rapport from an experienced point of view.

Although the idea of personalized candy wrappers is fairly simple, Cherubs-N-Chocolate has taken the lead in the market with their trendy, professional, unique designs. One dealer says “The wrapper itself is a marketing tool,” and others agree.

Many dealers specialize in promoting to the bridal, baby, birthday and anniversary market. The full-color catalogs they receive as part of their dealership have several choices of design in each of these categories.
However, using the tips in the dealer’s manual with a little personal creativity, others have widened their markets to include corporate thank yous, real estate giveaways, church and school fundraisers and more. In fact, many of the gift basket companies will seek out a Cherubs-N-Chocolate dealer to add personalization to a more lavish gift. The marketing outlets are limited only by individual imagination, according to the company.

In response to dealers’ requests, a new line of photo wrappers has recently been introduced. These wrappers allow dealers to add their customer’s personal photograph to the unique Cherubs-N-Chocolate designed art making them truly a one-of-a-kind commemorative.

“We will continue to improve and take our products to another level in 2004,” Robert Ramey says. “We will provide our dealers with the forward-thinking innovations needed to stay on top of the industry.”
For more information on the program, contact Cherubs-N-Chocolate’s headquarters: Visit www.cherubs-n-chocolate.com or call 800-306-3552. In Canada, call 877-667-8933.



Errand Service:
You don’t need any particular type of experience but you do need to be detailed oriented and a perfectionist to start your own errand service. Your customers are relying on you to get jobs done that they can’t accomplish themselves because of their busy schedules. You are selling convenience with this business and your customers will pay anywhere from $10 to $50 an hour to get these little jobs done. Take a survey of what service businesses charge in your area to see what your market will bear.

You will pick up, drop off, deliver, arrange for chores to be completed and deal with other disagreeable little necessities of life that your customers don’t have time to handle or consider. Put a classified advertisement in your local paper and post notices on community bulletin boards. Send a letter to law firms and other businesses in your area announcing your service. Offer references if you can. If not, develop them as you grow your business.

To see how the pros handle this type of business, visit the website of the International Concierge and Errand Association (they are headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsyl-vania) at: www.iceaweb.org. Mem-bership in the group is $45 a year. Saying you’re in the group could give your errand service a nice plus.



Dance School:
You are probably thinking that to start a dance school in your community you are going to need a lot of money, a huge facility, a large staff and experience as a top dancer. While these factors wouldn’t hinder your chances at success, they are not necessary. You can start small by renting church basements, firehouses, schools, halls, community centers, and other spaces not being used a couple of afternoons a week and hire a couple of capable instructors to help you get started with the lessons.

You can choose to focus on young children or offer a range of classes for all ages. With the dance school, you are creating a number of moneymaking opportunities for yourself: the video sales, the snack sales, the shuttle service to and from classes, the awards ceremonies, the costumes, the photography studio service, and, well, you are probably getting the idea that dance schools and classes are much more entrepreneurial then just offering lessons in tap or ballet.
The teachers can be former dancers or dance teachers or those with talent who have a good working relationship with children, teens and adults who want to learn. You book the space, advertise the classes and market the school to scouts, community groups, senior citizens, day care centers and so on. You can even set up a dance class that travels to different locations such as the weekly senior citizens meetings or a series of day care centers in your region. If you have the know-how you could give the lessons or act as the agent who books the classes.

You can purchase the costumes at wholesale prices and re-sell them to your students for a nice profit. Don’t forget the all-important mega-moneymaking dance recital at the end of the term. Ticket sales can be a huge boon for your business.

Do a lot of research before you begin the launch. Make sure there is a viable community out there receptive to your school. Conduct some market research to determine how much students will pay for classes. If you have 10 students in your class and they are each paying $10 an hour, you’ve made $100 if you teach the class yourself. Deduct for a teacher, space rental and you have calculated your take. Even just a few classes on weekends can earn you a tidy part-time income.

How do I know if I have a good idea for a business?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has put together 3 criteria for a successful business. You should be able to answer “yes” to at least one of the following:

Does the product/service business serve a presently unserved need?

Does the product/service serve an existing market in which demand exceeds supply?

Can the product/service successfully compete with existing businesses catering to the same market niche?


Should I write a business plan?
A business plan helps one to organize all aspects of running the venture. It will help you answer all of the questions you need to in order to start your business with confidence.

The business plan should contain: a summary of what your business is; a brief outline on how you plan to sell this product or service; an overview on who your customer is; a budget; a financing plan; a strategy for getting publicity and generating interest in your product or service.


Will I need a lot of money?
The start-up capital you’ll need will vary depending on what type of business you are starting. However, you should: figure out what it costs to make your product or offer your service, and then set a price. Once a price is set, determine how many units/clients you’ll need each month to survive. Your monthly income should, of course, be greater than your expenses.

If your business is seasonal—firewood delivery, for example—figure out how much you need to make during your high season to sustain you through the dry months.


How will I know if my business is successful?
Success is rated in many ways. Picasso said that if one could see no line of demarcation between work and play, they had achieved success. Some measure success in terms of money, others in freedom and flexibility. It’s up to you. •

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