Life Coaches are emerging more and more every day. A life coach is someone that works with you in whatever area of your life you choose. Most people use coaches because they want someone there to encourage them and ‘push’ them to reach their goals.

What skills are helpful?

Although a life coach does not have to be certified there are several training programs available that offer accreditation for those that wish to obtain a certificate. Life coaches need to have great communication skills, since this is what their business is solely based on. Good listening skills are also a must for any life coach. Don’t try to offer services for all people instead focus in on one area of expertise and be the go to person for that specialty!

What tools are needed? 

As with any business a phone line, computer and internet connection will be needed. A life coach will also need to have contracts for their clients and some questionnaires that clients can fill out before a coaching session. Another tool needed will be payment options; are you going to accept credit cards, paypal, money orders, checks, etc? Make sure those tools are set up and ready to go before hand. A fax line could also be an important part of your business. To assess your clients, or prospective clients you may wish to have a personality profile test available.

How do you get started?

The first step to getting started would be to decide in what area you want to specialize: business, life/personal, relationships, etc. After deciding your area of expertise you may wish to take a training program, although as stated above it is not necessary, to receive accreditation.

Next you will want to set up your online presence and you do that with a website and by networking with others. Become involved in forums and message boards that other life coaches frequent so that you can seek advice, support and build friendships/relationships with others.

Marketing yourself is also an important step to getting started. Decide if you will market both offline and online and what your marketing strategies will be. Take your time, do your research and begin to promote yourself as an expert in the area of specialty that you decided on.

Check out your competition to see what they are offering and come up with something even better. Make yourself stand out above the rest of them. Portray confidence and believe in yourself. To become successful you have to put in the time and effort to build your business up.

 Resource:
How To Become A Professional Life Coach

A Virtual Assistant does many different things. The area of expertise for a VA is going to depend on each individual. Most virtual assistants provide services to business owners that they do not have the time to do themselves such as checking and replying to emails, article submissions, website updating, forum moderation, transcribing audio, sending newsletters, and many more.

What skills are helpful?

To be a VA or to become one it is helpful to have some skills such as basic computer knowledge, time management, organizational skills, and self discipline. Self discipline is important because you need to be able to make yourself sit down and work even if you don’t feel like it; working from home there will always be ‘life’ to get in the way but with a little self discipline you can make it work.

Time management is another important area that you should have some area of skill in. You need to be able to manage your time well so that you can complete projects in a timely fashion; you want to have a pretty quick turn around time on projects if possible. Last but certainly not least is organizational skills. You have to keep your clients information organized so that you can easily access things such as instructions for ongoing projects, etc.

What tools are needed?

You want to have a phone line, computer, printer and high speed internet connection. A fax line is another option that you might want to consider. Depending on the services you will be offering you might also need Microsoft Front Page, Word, Excel, etc. The basic tools needed are the first few that were mentioned - phone line, computer, printer and high speed internet - but depending on the areas of expertise that you will be offering will help you decide on any additional tools that you might need.

How do you get started?

To get started as a virtual assistant you need to purchase a domain name and create a website (or have one built for you) explaining your services and what you offer. Get involved in some online networking groups so that you can get the word out about your business and so that you can build relationships with possible clients.

Finding that first client will be the hardest and probably most challenging aspect of creating your VA business but once you have picked up that client and done some great work for them keep in mind that word of mouth goes a long way! Happy clients will refer other people to you for your services!

Keep in mind that beginning a VA business, along with any other business is a process that will take time, dedication, discipline and the motivation to keep going. Many people expect to start a home based business and make money overnight but the reality is that it takes time to build up a business. Get involved in some online networking groups/forums where you can ask questions, receive feedback and encouragement and build some friendships. Find a mentor or someone that will help you through the process. Remember the saying - where there is a will there is a way!

 
Resource:
Become a Virtual Assistant NOW! You can easily start your own virtual assistant business at home.
 

A catering business is a service oriented business. Caterers will provide food, sometimes supplies and service for social events like weddings, anniversary parties and just about any other gathering.

What skills are helpful?

The number one skill that would be helpful in running a catering business would be the love of food and the passion to cook. To run a successful catering service you will need to be able to work well under pressure, keep your calm and be reliable. When you are offering a service based business you are selling your dependability instead of a product. Deliver what you promise.

What tools are needed?

If you are just beginning a catering service you might be able to eliminate some start up costs by renting equipment instead of outright purchasing it. In the long run renting probably would end up being more expensive if it’s done over and over but until you get a few contracts and some cash flow it could be the way to go.

Besides the equipment you will need to do all the cooking, you’ll need chafing dishes for serving the food hot and insulated containers for transporting it. You will need some other basic business items as well. A phone line, fax machine, client contracts, and possibly even a computer and internet access if you plan on working online at all.

How do you get started?

My first suggestion would be to hold a ‘pretend’ catering event. Have your friends and family be the guinea pigs. Find out what cooking for a large group of people is like if you haven’t done it already. Having a ‘pretend’ party will give you first hand experience with the planning, cooking and pulling off the social event.

If things go well and you are still ready to move forward with your decision and start this catering service you need to choose a name. Even before choosing a name it might be a good idea to check into the legalities of beginning your own business. Check to see if you need a permit, find out what your local and state laws are in regards to starting your own business.

Once you have all the legal issues worked out you need to decide how to market yourself. Print up some flyers and hang them at local grocery stores, your library, etc. Send out a brochure to area companies that could possibly use catering services for social events. Have business cards made up so that they are handy to give out when you are in public.

If you have a love for cooking especially in large amounts and providing a service to others starting a catering business might be right up your alley. Research other caterer’s in your area; you will want to offer reasonable prices and find ways that you can make yourself unique so that you aren’t just another caterer out there. With time, dedication and perseverance you can become successful!
Resource:
Everything Guide to Starting and Running a Catering Business: Insider’s advice on turning your talent into a Career (Everything: Business and Personal Finance)

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