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

In today’s society families are so busy with running kids to soccer; dance, piano, and everything else that comes up that the need for cleaning services are becoming more and more in demand. A cleaning business can be basic where you have one or two houses you clean for a profit or grow larger where you have several maids or cleaners working for you and you concentrate on marketing the business. 

You can also do residential or commercial cleaning or even both.

What skills are helpful?

Cleaning skills of course! Although it might not take much to please most, after all a clean house is a clean house, remember that there will be those customers that are picky and it will take a lot more to please them. Go that extra mile to satisfy them, show them that you are skilled in pleasing your customers.

What tools are needed?

The main tools for a cleaning business are obviously going to be your cleaning supplies, toilet cleaner, floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, etc. Some customers may ask that you use their products but a general rule of thumb will be to bring your own supplies except for heavier items such as vacuum cleaners. 

How do you get started?

Owning a business where you go into people’s houses it is highly recommended that you purchase liability insurance before you get started. Check with your car insurance provider and see what types of liability insurance is available; most insurance companies give a discount for more than one policy in your name. Having liability insurance will help you attract customers and will cover you if something were to happen while in a customer’s home.

You should also research other small cleaning businesses in your area to see what rates they are charging for their services. I know you are eager to start your business and want to grab some clients fast, but don’t make the mistake of undercharging for your services just to get those first few clients. Cleaning is hard, strenuous work so make sure your clients are paying what your worth!

With determination and the desire to run your own business you can make it work. Just know that becoming successful doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time to build a good business. If you have the determination and will to become successful it will happen.
Resources:
Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Start Your Own A)

Schools today put more and more pressure on students to perform. Classroom crowding means that most teachers are unable to provide the individual support that many children need. Parents are often seeking one-on-one help from tutors. A child’s tutoring service can provide individual training in areas of reading, writing and math along with other specialized areas.

What Skills are Helpful?

There are no specific skill requirements such as certification that you will need to start a tutoring business however if you have a degree in the area that you are specializing in it will definitely help your credibility. Also if you have any prior teaching experiences that will also help you market yourself.

Patience, good listening and communication skills are going to be very important for you. 

What Tools are Needed?

Most of the time you’ll be teaching students from their own textbooks to help them with class work. If you do need further resources the local Teacher Store will have what you need. You will probably develop your own tutoring toolbox with learning aids that you enjoy working with, like flash cards, learning software games, workbooks, etc.  

How do you get Started?

It’s as simple as saying I’m a tutor, well ok not that simple but it can be somewhat easy. Simply spread that word among your family, friends, neighbors, church, etc. that you have opened a children’s tutoring business. Let them know what you are specializing in and more than likely your first student or students will come from friends or neighbors.

Besides sharing the word among friends and family it would also be beneficial to you to let your local schools know about your services. Call and speak to the principal or teachers that work in the area that you are specializing in.

There are many great benefits to starting your own tutoring business - flexible schedule, fulfillment of helping others, and the ability to have your own home based business are just a few.  If you enjoy working with children and are patient, then a children’s tutoring service business may be just right for you.

 Resources:
Start Your Own Profitable Tutoring Business (ATS: Tutoring Franchise Office Templates CD-ROM)

Tutoring as a Successful Business - An Expert Tutor Shows You How