Many small business owners will hire a bookkeeper to keep track of their day to day expenses and income. A basic bookkeeper keeps tracks of expenses, profit, receipts, etc. and enters the information into a computer program. The bookkeeper will then provide the information to their client on a monthly basis or however frequent the client requests to be updated.

What skills are helpful?

To become a bookkeeper you’ll want to have skills in the areas of paying attention to detail, basic computer bookkeeping, and absolute accuracy. Honesty and confidentiality are crucial. Your client’s information is private and needs to be kept that way.  

What tools are needed?

A reliable computer, preferably with system for daily back ups to protect your clients data. Up to date bookkeeping software is a must. Other tools that are needed are communication tools such as phone line, fax line, email address, etc.  

How do you get started?

To begin your own bookkeeping business you will want to have some business cards and flyers made up. Send out the flyers to local businesses letting them know what services you offer. Join your local chamber of commerce and begin getting involved in community events where you can put yourself out there to meet business people and become known in your community. Another good way to get started is to place an ad in the local newspaper. Having a website available that details your services and lists your rates might be another option to look into it; build your own or hire someone to build a basic one for you.

Don’t get frustrated when you find that all your marketing efforts don’t seem to be working right away. Word of mouth will go a lot farther than any of your other marketing efforts. So once you have your first client make sure to go the extra mile to ensure satisfaction. A happy client will spread the word!
Resource:
How to Open your own in-home bookkeeping service 2nd edition
 

There are a few different ways that you can start a candle business. There are many Direct sales companies which give you the freedom of running your own business while they supply the candles. If you prefer you can always make your own and start your own business from scratch.

What skills are helpful?

If you’re doing it from scratch, you’ll probably want to learn the process of heating, scenting and pouring wax from someone with some experience.

If you opt for the direct sales approach more than likely you will be doing home parties as a selling technique so you will need to be comfortable with a room full of people and being the center of attention.

What tools are needed?

If you are beginning your candle business through a direct sales company you will probably be required to purchase one of their kits. Your kit will provide you with enough merchandise to get you started.

If you are making your own candles, you will need wax (there is bees wax or paraffin), molds, scents, wicks, dyes and something to melt the wax down in such as a pan.

How do you get started?

A good first step is setting up your website so that you can begin to build an online presence. Once your website is up and running you can start marketing yourself. Candles can easily be marketed offline by giving them out as gifts or renting a booth at a local craft fair and showing them there.

Online it can be a little trickier especially if you have joined a direct sales business where the competition is stiff but if you begin networking with people (join some message boards or forums) and building up personal relationships soon you will find that people are coming to you to purchase candles.

It’s also a good idea to have some business cards printed up so that you have them available to hand out; you never know when they can come in handy. Flyers can also be used to market yourself offline. Post them at local grocery stores, the library, etc.

Building a candle business is going to take time especially if you have chosen to make the candles yourself. Just remember that a good business isn’t born overnight, it takes time. Set daily and weekly goals for your business and celebrate the small triumphs. Don’t let a setback or an unmet goal keep you from reaching your full potential.
Resource:
Your Very Own Candles Online Business-In-A-Box

I know from personal experience that when it comes to planning a party it can sometimes be overwhelming. More often than not local party supply stores only carry this item or that item, not everything that I need to pull a party off. From a customer standpoint, looking for a party supply business I am looking for that company that offers the one stop shopping trip.

Think about building your party supply business so that you offer your customers the ease of only having to shop from you because you carry everything from wrapping paper, gift bags, cards, party favors, streamers, cards, invitations, right on down to little gag gift items - everything that a party planner would need!

What skills are helpful?

Knowing how to throw a good party is key! Having an eye for detail and a fun personality also helps. Good organizational skills are helpful for any small business or home based business owner. Keeping invoices, orders, customer information and even your inventory organized is a must for your business to succeed.

What tools are needed?

First you need to have a source to buy everything you need wholesale. Then you need to develop your rolodex of vendors to work with, like caterers, musicians, etc. Make sure that you have storage space available for your inventory.

Start a book of party plans and fill it with details and photographs as you develop your ideas.

How do you get started?

Starting a party supply business takes a little time and research. Some people like to start out with a business plan which can be beneficial but isn’t always necessary. The best way to get a foothold in your area is to offer to plan parties for your friends and just ask them to cover the costs of materials. Gather their glowing testimonials and use them on your website and in your brochures.

Advertise your services in the local paper and in any niche publications that you can find such as bridal circulars that go around in the spring. Sponsor the lunch menu for the local schools, Moms will be reading that every day all school year.

You can have a successful party supply business it just takes time to market yourself and to prove your credibility. Be patient and your hard work will eventually pay off.

 Resources:
Internet Marketing For Your Party Supplies Business

Someone that begins a secretarial service can offer a variety of services to their clients and what you choose to do will depend on your areas of expertise. A few examples of what a secretarial service might offer are: transcription, bookkeeping, preparing spreadsheets, word processing, etc.

What Skills are Helpful?

You need a firm grip on basic office skills and understanding of the common administrative computer programs that your clients are likely to be using.

Now that you are working on your own, more than likely in your home, you will not have a boss giving you rules or a deadline to have projects completed by. You will need to “push” yourself to complete projects in a timely fashion. Good organizational skills are important. Once your business begins to grow and you get more and more clients you will need to keep all their information separate and organized.

What Tools are Needed?

As with any business, small or large, corporate or home based, you will want to have a phone, computer, internet access and possibly even a fax line. Other tools that will aid in your secretarial business will depend greatly on what areas of expertise you offer. For example if you are offering transcription services you need to have a transcription machine (for transcribing from a tape) or a software program if you will be transcribing MP3 audio files.

How do You get Started?

A good idea would be to research and find out what type of competition you have. Are there other local secretarial services? What are their rates? What services do they offer? How can you position yourself to compete? Once you have researched these things and are ready to go your next step would be to choose a name, purchase a domain and build a website (or have it built if you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own).

Marketing yourself will probably require the most time. Have some business cards made up. Send flyers to local businesses that could benefit from your services. Join some online networking groups also. Online networking is a great way to get the word out about your services and also to build some great relationships!

Don’t expect to get rich overnight. Keep in mind that it takes time to build up credibility and establish your business. Once you begin to get clients word of mouth goes a long way. Consider the idea of offering a referral bonus or discount, something to help those current clients spread the word. Beginning your own business is a big venture but if you have the motivation and desire to make it work then success will soon be on your side.

Resources:
How to Start a Home-Based Secretarial Services Business

If you can offer support in the areas of viruses, software issues, spyware concerns, hard drives, etc. then opening up a computer support business from home may be right for you. Your support business can bring some much needed help to other home or even businesses computer users.  

What skills are helpful?

Your local community college probably offers a set of courses that will train you in all of the different areas of knowledge that you’re going to need. If you want to provide services under warrantee, you’ll need to take and pass a proficiency course with the individual computer makers.  

What tools are needed?

A simple computer toolkit is going to include some screwdrivers of varying small sizes, compressed air and cleaning cloths. As most computer owners are afraid to open up their systems for simple cleaning and maintenance, you’ll be cleaning as you go.

How do you get started?

You need a website. Set up contact information, hours of operation, what your support service offers, what your rates are and make your possible clients feel at home when they visit your website. Let them know that you are an expert in your area and show them that by hiring you they are going to get the service and support that they need.

Insurance is another tool that is needed. Insurance will not only make the customer feel safe knowing that if something goes wrong it will be covered but it will also cover you in the unfortunate event that something does go wrong!

Flyers are a great way to spread the word about your new business. They can be hung up at your local grocery stores, bulletin boards at the library, and businesses in your area.

There is a big demand for computer support and you can even offer tutoring for people who want to use the internet but don’t have any experience.  A large percentage of these clients may be elderly people who haven’t been exposed to the internet as often as the younger generation. 
By offering a wide variety of computer support services, you can ensure more regular work. 

Building a business still takes time and perseverance but with a little desire and hard work it can certainly be done.

 Resources:
The Art of Software Support