Business Overview:

If you have a passion for creating or spotting unique items that get people talking, you must consider starting your own arts and crafts business. Selling hand-crafted items can be a profitable and enjoyable online business idea, and you can get your business up and running quickly. If your interest is piqued, there are a few things you’ll want to know about starting a craft business. For one thing, there are about as many craft business ideas floating around as there are potential customers. From calligraphy to basket making to pottery, there’s a market for just about every handicraft—it’s up to you to decide which goods you want to sell. If it’s a home-based craft business you’re looking to operate, then you might want to limit the number of items you sell in order to maintain control over your inventory without letting it overtake your home. This is often a great way to learn crafting as a business without having to invest much in the way of overhead. Perhaps the best part of this industry, whether you’re the crafter or simply the mastermind behind the business, is that the choices for what you sell are limitless. Your inventory might be seasonal or trendy or traditional, but it should always be something you can feel passionate about. Of course, in order for your craft business to be successful, you’ll have to ensure that there are customers who share your passion for the products and that your prices are on point. Happily, the Internet can make this process a cinch. Using the web as a selling tool—or even just a research tool—can make this business go even farther than traditional selling methods. No matter how you go about it, selling arts and crafts might be just the ticket to doing something you love and making money for it.

A day in the life of an arts and crafts business owner:

When you start a craft business, your day will often begin with choosing and, if you’re the artist, creating the crafts you’ll sell. You will need to make sure you’ve got all the crafting materials readily available and you know how many orders you plan to fulfill for the day. Keeping records is one of the more mundane aspects of the arts and crafts business, but a very important one. You’ll need to record how much you’re spending on materials versus how much you will sell your product for, especially if you plan on shipping your products. If you will try to sell your handicrafts at craft fairs or parties, you will also need to work on securing your vendor status at these events. If you’re selling on the Internet, you’ll need to keep up with your website in case a customer has placed an order.

About Your Customers:

The customers of an arts and crafts business can be more far-reaching than you might think, especially if you sell your products on the web. No longer are handicrafts relegated to a specific age or gender. Collectors, artists, and gift-seekers can all be potential customers if the product you’re selling is what is desired.

What You Need to Start:

• A passion for arts and crafts
• An eye for what might be the next best thing
• The startup costs for materials
• A venue for selling your goods
• An Internet connection (if selling on the web)
• A digital camera if you’re selling online

The Good:

• You can make money while engaging in something you’re passionate about.
• You can make it a part-time or full-time business venture.
• There’s always a market for handmade arts and crafts.

The Bad:

• Being passionate about your crafts can sometimes lead you to misjudge your customer base or the most competitive price point.
• If you hit upon a hot item, you could find yourself overwhelmed trying to fill your orders.

Resources:

• Wikipedia on Arts and Crafts
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Artists and Related Workers
• American Craft Council
• Craft Alliance

Technorati Tags: arts and crafts business, craft business ideas, crafting as a business, home-based craft business, start a craft business, starting a craft business

Business Overview:

If you have a passion for fashion and are looking for a way to turn your love of clothing into a booming business, consider a t-shirt printing business. Maybe you’re a fashionista with a great idea or a stylish office worker who wants to work from home. Even if you’ve never considered fashion as a home business, you should check into how to start a t-shirt business. Until recently, this 20 billion dollar a year industry has only been accessible to those with a large amount of start-up capital and connections to major fashion houses. However, thanks to technology and support for small business owners, it is now possible to break into this lucrative business with little more than an original idea. You don’t need any experience or a lot of money to get your foot in the door of a custom t-shirt business. If you don’t know how to start a t-shirt company, you’ll be pleased to know it’s a very simple process. All you need is a good idea, a few supplies and some knowledge about the fashion industry to make this business idea work. Some small business owners have been successful in the clothing business with nothing more than a logo on a t-shirt. Creating your designs on a computer makes the process easy because you can change it and perfect it, all at no additional cost by using designing software. This is a wonderful online business idea because you can sell your shirts on the Internet to anyone around the world.  You too could make it big in the fashion industry with your very own t-shirt business and see your designs on people everywhere.

A day in the life of a t-shirt printing business owner:

A typical day for a t-shirt printing business owner will begin with a check of any new orders. If you sell your products in stores, you will need to check inventory numbers with storeowners or managers. If you sell over the Internet, check your orders and fill as many as you can with your current stock. You’ll need to spend some time making t-shirts and eventually you can start working on new designs. If you have a staff of workers, make sure they know your production goals and be sure everyone is on task.

About Your Customers:

You customers will be t-shirt wearers. They could be shoppers in local clothing stores or online shoppers looking for a terrific new t-shirt design.

What You Need to Start:

• T-shirts
• Computer
• Finance software
• Design software
• Printing equipment
• Trademarks/copyrights

The Good:

• This is a great part-time business that can ramp up to full-time when you’re ready.
• Start up costs are low.
• T-shirts can sell for much more than it costs to make them; return on investment is high.
• T-shirts will sell in any economic environment.

The Bad:

• Coming up with a unique and marketable idea can take some time.
• As trends emerge, your designs will need to change with the times.

Resources:

• Wikipedia on T-shirts
• American Apparel and Footwear Association
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Fashion Designers

Technorati Tags: custom t-shirt business, how to start a t-shirt business, how to start a t-shirt company, t-shirt printing business

Business Overview:

If you love the idea of putting smiles on peoples’ faces while enjoying the freedom of a lucrative enterprise, consider starting an ice cream truck business. And freedom is the key word when it comes to this low-stress business idea. As an owner, you can choose where, when and how much you work, you need no special degree or education to get started, and your startup costs can be as basic (a simple ice cream cart and your own two legs) or as extravagant (one or more trucks with all the bells and whistles or even an ice cream truck franchise) as your budget allows. You can even get your sea-legs in a weekend-only, second-income business scenario until you realize the potential of this venture, though once you see how much profit there is to be made you might just quit your day job. Perhaps the best part of this business is that it is a consistent market – kids will always eat ice cream and parents will always be cajoled into buying it for them. Even in uncertain economic times, ice cream remains an inexpensive treat that makes people happy.

A day in the life of an ice cream truck business owner:

A typical day for the owner of an ice cream truck business will begin with attention to the small details. You must ensure your ice cream truck is well maintained and operating effectively for the safety of both your customers and your business. You’ll also need to keep up with your inventory of ice cream and novelty products and stock your freezers before you start your route. Getting an early start on your route is the best plan to maximize your income potential, and you will want to take note of your sales “hot spots” and frequent them. Before, during and after your hours of operation, you will want to keep your cash flow organized and accurate, whether with a bookkeeping ledger or with a spreadsheet application. Possibly the most important part of your day will be remembering to smile and enjoy your interactions with the many children (and adults) who are the mainstay of your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be the children and adults in the neighborhoods or venues in which you establish your routes.

What You Need to Start:

• An ice cream cart, van or truck with appropriate freezers and icons/decals for safety and marketing purposes.
• An ice cream truck business license (varies from location to location; check with the town hall) and any permits you may need to operate your business.
• Ice cream truck insurance and liability insurance, if necessary for your specific business.
• Your ice cream inventory and a reliable and cost-effective supplier.
• A good route or location for selling your product.

The Good:

• You dictate your schedule from day one.
• Startup and maintenance can be inexpensive.
• Selling ice cream is a steady and profitable business.
• The work itself is not stressful and can be very enjoyable.

The Bad:

• The seasons and the weather can affect your business and profits.
• A child-heavy customer base can be trying if you’re having an off day.

Resources:

• International Association of Ice Cream Distributors and Vendors
• National Ice Cream Retailers Association
• Wikipedia on Ice Cream Vans

Technorati Tags: ice cream truck business, ice cream truck franchise, ice cream truck insurance, ice cream trucks for sale

Business Overview:

If you have a passion for food and enjoy pleasing people’s palates, you should consider starting a concession stand business. Whether you’re a chef wanting to get out on your own or a home cook with a fantastic new idea, there is plenty of room in this industry for new talent. Food concession stands are a popular new trend in cities all over the world representing sales of over 10 billion dollars. Not only is a mobile cart less expensive than renting a fixed space but you can move where the customers are and the location possibilities are endless. You can set up your concession stand at a county fair, outside a sporting event, in the park, on the street, or any number of other high-traffic venues. Some concession stand owners love to set up on the beach or at beautiful luxury tourist resorts so that they can enjoy the sun and laughter all day long while they sell their food. Supply costs are low because the menu is small. You can work when you want to, take vacation when you need to and really enjoy your work for a change. You may find that your business is so successful that you soon have an entire fleet of concession stands with many people working for you. This mobile food business idea is hot and this is a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of it.

A day in the life of a concession stand business owner:

A typical day for a concession stand business owner will begin with a check of your schedule. If any large events are taking place, you’ll want to get your stand ready to roll. Take inventory to see if you need to replenish your supplies. If you have vendors working for you, touch base with them to make sure they’re setting up in appropriate locations. Finally, you will get your stand on the road, set it up in a high-traffic area and wait for your hungry customers.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be hungry passersby at various locations like county fairs, concerts and sporting events. You will also sell to hungry business people and tourists passing by on the street.

What You Need to Start:

• Food truck, cart or stand
• Cell phone
• Generator
• Food supplies (dependent on your products)
• Licenses and permits
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• No experience needed.
• Start up costs are low.
• You can work when and where you want.
• This business is recession proof.

The Bad:

• Inclement weather can play a role in the success of your business.
• Being on your feet all day can be tiring.

Resources:

• Wikipedia on Concession Stand
• Concession Stands

Technorati Tags: food concession stands, starting a concession stand business

Business Overview:

If you love treasure hunting and are looking for a unique business idea, you should consider storage unit auctions. There are over 51,000 self-storage unit facilities in the U.S. with over 2 billion square feet of storage space. Unfortunately, not everyone can pay the bills to keep their things stored. That’s where auctions come in. Storage facility operators need to recover lost rent income so they will hold a storage unit auction to clear it out in order to be able to rent it to someone else. Auctions are held each month for an estimated 100,000 storage units. That’s a lot of items! And these items can be purchased at auction for pennies on the dollar and then resold for a huge profit. You can purchase the contents of an entire storage unit or you can purchase individual items from a unit; it depends on how the auction is set up. Either way, there is a big business opportunity in storage unit auctions. You can buy items and sell them at garage sales and estate sales. Or, if you prefer to work from home, you can list your newly acquired treasures on eBay (or any online sales site) and sell to buyers across the country. This is a massive untapped market and there is plenty of room for new business owners. As your business grows, you can even hire a staff to scope out auctions across your town or across the country.

A day in the life of a storage unit content sales business owner:

A typical day for a storage unit content sales business owner will begin with a check of your calendar to see if any auctions will be taking place that day. Next, you might contact local storage facilities to see if they have any upcoming auctions. You’ll mark those on your calendar and get in touch with the facility operators for details about how the auction will work. If you have items that need to be listed online, you’ll focus on that next. If you have a garage sale coming up, you’ll spend some time pricing items and getting the proper permits. Then you might move on to check your online sales to see if you need to ship any items to buyers. You may spend some time each day checking your finances to make sure you have enough money to purchase items at upcoming auctions. You’ll want to be sure to record any income in your financial software. Finally, if you have staff working for you, you’ll make sure their auction schedules are correct and talk to them about particular items you want them to be on the lookout for.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be anyone looking for your items. They can be walk-up customers at a garage sale or online customers shopping on an auction website.

What You Need to Start:

• Computer
• Finance software
• Vehicle (with trailer for larger items)
• Permits (if holding garage sales)

The Good:

• This is a large untapped market.
• Start up costs are low.
• Return on investment is extremely high.
• You can easily do this job part time and from your home.

The Bad:

• A good deal of footwork is required to stay on top of the auctions.
• Loading up and transporting larger items can be exhausting.

Resources:

• Wikipedia on Self Storage
• Self Storage Association

Technorati Tags: storage unit auction, storage unit auctions

Business Overview:

If you enjoy being outdoors and like talking with friendly people, you might be interested in learning how to start a hot dog cart business. Americans love hot dogs, there’s no doubt about it. Over 3 billion dollars are spent on hot dogs at grocery stores each year, and during the warm weather months (Memorial Day to Labor Day), Americans eat 7 billion hot dogs. That’s a huge market! But did you know that 15% of hot dog sales are from street vendors? That’s why starting a hot dog cart business could be the answer you’ve been looking for. All it takes to be top dog in this industry is a few supplies and some footwork. Literally. You can run your business from any location at any time. You can take a break when you feel like it; you can take vacation when you need to. And this business idea could not be easier to get up and running. Buy supplies, pick a spot, and wait for the hungry passersby to pay you in cash. In today’s business environment, it would be a good idea to have a computer and some finance software to keep up with your income since cash can be difficult to track. Once you get your business up and running, you could even branch out and have a fleet of vendors working for you.

A day in the life of a hot dog cart business owner:

A typical day for a hot dog cart business owner will begin with a check of your inventory. Stop by the store to pick up more items if necessary. Next you will transport your cart to your desired location and set it up. All that’s left to do is wait for the lunch crowd and serve up some tasty hot dogs. When you decide your day is over, likely late afternoon, pack up your cart and head home. Be sure to record your day’s earnings in your finance software. If you have vendors working for you, communicate with them throughout the day to see if they are in the proper locations or if they need you to bring them any additional supplies.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be hungry hot dog lovers. These will usually be business people on a lunch break, tourists, or, if you are set up at a sporting event, hungry sports fans.

What You Need to Start:

• Hot dog cart
• Hot dog ingredients (hot dogs, buns, condiments)
• Extra food items like chips and sodas
• Computer with finance software
• Health department permit
• Street vendor license (in some cities)

The Good:

• You have total freedom in this business.
• The hot dog business is recession proof.
• Hot dog carts are easy to maintain.
• You don’t need office space.

The Bad:

• Weather plays a significant role in foot traffic. If you live in a particularly rainy or snowy area, this business might not work very well.
• Being on your feet all day can be tiring.

Resources:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Street Vendors
• National Hot Dog and Sausage Council
• Wikipedia on Hot Dogs
• Wikipedia on Hot Dog Carts

Technorati Tags: how to start a hot dog cart business, starting a hot dog cart business

Business Overview:

If you love the nightlife and would like to turn your passion into a profitable business, you should consider starting a bar and nightclub promotions business. There are over 75,000 bars and nightclubs in the U.S. and the majority of them have events that need promotion. Such events include club openings, concerts, sponsored events and charity events. A party promoter is responsible for getting people into the club. They promote a nightclub by spreading the word about an event and the more people who attend the event, the more money the promoter makes. The best part about this business idea is that anyone can be a party and nightclub promoter. With some tips from those in the business, great social skills and a love of parties, nightclub promoting will be a breeze. All it takes is a little knowledge and dedication to become a nightclub promoter and get paid to have fun with your friends and all the beautiful people. You may wonder why everyone doesn’t want to be a nightclub promoter. The truth is that no one knows how easy nightclub promoting is. If you think you can get people to attend your event, and you like to have fun, then you can be a great success in the nightclub and party promotions business.

A day in the life of a bar and nightclub promotions business owner:

A typical day for a nightclub promotions business owner will start with a check of your schedule to see what events are coming up. You’ll manage your marketing materials to ensure they are all in place for these events. You’ll be checking your email to see if any new clients have contacted you regarding upcoming events. Then you’ll contact these potential clients to discuss their events and your services. If you have party planners working for you, make sure their schedules are correct and that they are on track for any future events.

About Your Customers:

You customers will be bar and nightclub owners and managers who need help promoting their establishments and/or special events or concerts at their establishments.

What You Need to Start:

• Computer

The Good:

• Demand for this service is high.
• Start up costs are low.
• Pay for promotion services is high.
• No experience or special skills are needed to get started in this business.
• No additional supplies are needed.

The Bad:

• Party promotion requires you to work very late hours.
• It can take time to get your name out there to local establishments.

Resources:

• National Club Industry Association of America
• Wikipedia on Nightclub Promoters
• MANTA

Technorati Tags: bar and nightclub promotions business, be a nightclub promoter, become a nightclub promoter, nightclub promoting, party and nightclub promoter, promote a nightclub

Business Overview:

If you enjoy writing and are looking for a way to turn your pastime into a business, you should consider starting a freelance writing business. A freelance writer is someone who is not employed by a single company but rather writes for many different clients on various topics. A freelance writer is self-employed and gets to pick and choose what jobs to take. Online freelance writing jobs are abundantly available and all you need to get this online business idea going is a computer and the right connections. There is a huge market for freelance business writing since many people are looking for a business idea they can do from home and they look to business blogs for that information. Someone has to write these articles, and that someone could be you or one of the freelance writers you have working for you. There are many freelance writing opportunities such as writing for magazines, blogs and news organizations. As the Internet grows, so does the demand for online content, and as a result there will be a constantly growing demand for freelance writing businesses.

A day in the life of a freelance writing business owner:

A typical day for a freelance writing business owner will begin with a check of your regular clients’ needs to see if any new projects are available. If you have a number of projects in progress, continue to work on them. You may need to contact your clients or do some independent research in order to finish up your current articles. If you have writers working for you, you will need to give them their assignments and check on their progress. Finally, you will need to spend some time marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will vary greatly. You could write an article about a small business opportunity one day and the next day write a news story. It all depends on your availability and comfort with various subject matter.

What You Need to Start:

• Computer

The Good:

• You don’t need to be a professional writer to make it in the freelance writing business.
• Start up costs are low.
• Demand is high.
• You can write from anywhere; you don’t even need an office.

The Bad:

• If you are not used to writing, it may take some time to be able to write enough articles to ensure your business makes a significant profit.
• It can be difficult to dedicate enough time to writing if you have a busy schedule.

Resources:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Authors, Writers and Editors
• Editorial Freelancers Association
• American Society of Journalists and Authors
• Wikipedia on Freelance Writers

Technorati Tags: freelance business writing, freelance writing business, freelance writing opportunities, online freelance writing jobs

Business Overview:
If you have a love for all things sweet and have thought about starting a candy business, you may have wondered how to start a chocolate business. Chocolates will always be in high demand, being one of the top favorites for gift giving and indulging.  In fact, the demand the candy business has experienced over the last decade has caused a continuous rise in sales and new products. When researching how to start a candy business, you must determine whether it will be home based or whether you’re ready to have your own store.  Since chocolates mass-produced in factories won’t be able to compete with your product in terms of quality, starting a candy business with “uniqueness” as the key selling point will definitely give you a head start. The secret to successfully taking your chocolate business idea to the next level is a combination of having a well-researched business plan, providing only the highest quality of chocolates, and having a passion for confections.

A day in the life of a chocolate business owner:

A typical day for a chocolate business owner will start with checking emails, orders, and receipts. Some days you will create displays in your store or update your online store if you choose to take advantage of the Internet with this online business idea.  Each day you will inventory and purchase any needed ingredients. If you have an assistant or staff working for you, you will assign them their respective duties for the day such as sorting products, packaging, or making deliveries. Part of your day will also be spent monitoring sales, brainstorming for new chocolate ideas, and trying new recipes.  Once your business is established, you might attend chocolate conventions so that you continue to increase your knowledge about the chocolate industry.

About Your Customers:
Your ultimate customers are candy and chocolate lovers. However, you may choose to sell to candy store operators who will stock your products in their shops. If you sell your sweets online, you can sell directly to customers.

What You Need to Start:

• Baking goods that your recipes call for
• Baking supplies (candy thermometers, molds, pans, etc.)
• Computer
• High-speed Internet connection if you will be selling online
• Small business software

The Good:

• The chocolate industry is here to stay.
• Active word-of-mouth advertising drives new customers to your door.
• Starting up is easy and resources for information are abundant.
• Learning the basics is easy and you can soon create your own brand of chocolates.

The Bad:

• Your chocolate will need to be unique in order to stand out from the competition.
• You will need a large space to create enough chocolate to meet demand.

Resources:

• National Confectioners Association
• Fine Chocolate Industry Association
• Wikipedia on Chocolate

Technorati Tags: candy business, how to start a candy business, how to start a chocolate business

Business Overview:

If you have a passion for martial arts and want to impart that knowledge to others, consider starting a martial arts school. Taking the right steps for preparation and having a well-researched business plan are the key elements in knowing how to open a school. This business idea will succeed with thorough preparation.  You need to equip yourself with the right knowledge, use strategic business planning, and have great determination. Not only is it easy to start a martial arts school using your many years of experience, but you can also teach and guide people of all ages in their quest to learn martial arts, which is a very fulfilling endeavor.  The interest in learning Martial Arts today is on the rise, fueled by Hollywood action movies and the increasing need people have in wanting to be able to defend themselves. This is the right time for you to turn your passion into a business venture.

A day in the life of a martial arts school business owner:

A typical day for a martial arts school business owner may start with organizing the day’s work by making sure the practice area and equipment are in good shape and ready for the students. If you are the instructor, you then will spend time preparing for the classes you have that day. If you have a staff working for you, you will assign them their work for the week. Part of the day will also be spent on monitoring each student’s progress, continuing your own study of martial arts skills, administrative duties, and promoting the martial arts school. There also may come a time that you will travel to other clubs or institutions to be a part of special workshops.

About Your Customers:

One of the best parts of having your own martial arts school is that your customers come from every walk of life, across all age groups. There are four year olds who love their martial arts classes and there are seniors in their seventies still practicing martial arts. You can target school-age children in the afternoon and focus on moms for your customers during the day when their kids are in school. In addition, many young men and women pursue martial arts as a way to stay fit, filling up your evening class times.

What You Need to Start:

• A rental space large enough to hold classes of up to 10 people at a time.
• Knowledge of martial arts or the ability to hire someone with the training and skills necessary to teach a wide variety of classes.

The Good:

• This business is in line with your passion.
• Many people are interested in learning martial arts.
• Starting up the business requires no costly equipment, only a large enough rental space to hold your classes.

The Bad:

• There are many competitors in the martial arts school industry.
• You will be spending most every day at your studio/gym.

Resources:

• United States Martial Arts Association
• American Martial Arts Association
• Martial Arts Association International
• Wikipedia on Martial Arts
• Martial Arts Teachers’ Association

Technorati Tags: how to open a martial arts school, opening a martial arts school, starting a martial arts school