Business Overview:

If you’re looking for a construction business idea that doesn’t mean competing with general construction businesses, consider running a stucco repair business. This niche repair service enables you to start your own business in the construction field with little startup and basic carpentry skills specific to working with stucco. To get started, you’ll need a business license, permit, and insurance as well as the tools of your trade—all of which can be purchased at your local home improvement store. You’ll also want a reliable vehicle that can transport your tools, and perhaps some signage on the vehicle that advertises your business. You might consider hiring employees to work for you or with you on repair jobs, though you can easily start this business on your own. You can even choose to work solely on the weekends as a part-time side business. But before you can do any of these things, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve had enough experience working with stucco and that you’re knowledgeable enough to gain your customers’ trust in your expertise. Beyond that, your work should stand for itself and help garner you more customers through word-of-mouth and any other advertising techniques you use. From there you’ll be well on your way to operating a successful stucco repair business.

A Day in the Life of a Stucco Repair Business Owner:

Whether you will run your business full-time or only as a part-time venture, a typical day will include connecting with current and potential customers and working on stucco repair. Assuming you will be doing the work yourself, at least initially, you will start the day by confirming with your client and ensuring you have all your tools in good repair and ready to work. You will likely spend a good part of the day outdoors repairing the damaged or old stucco. If the job will be completed by the end of the day, you will check in with your client to be sure they’re pleased with your work, you will issue them a bill, and you will return to clean your equipment. Though your days might be long, you will always want to include a check on your finances to see that past invoices have been paid and that your business is in the black. To wrap up your day, a check of your voicemail to see if you have any potential customers will give you a leg-up on the following day’s tasks.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be home and business owners who are in need of a trustworthy and talented repair person to maintain the stucco work of their edifice. They will be looking to your business to provide several things: solid workmanship, competitive pricing, and references from prior jobs. They will also likely want you to be available to start their job sooner rather than later, and will expect to sign off on a professional service contract with you.

What You Need to Start:

• Experience working with stucco
• Business license, permit, and insurance
• Tools for stucco repair
• A vehicle to transport you and your employees and equipment
• Marketing techniques
• A pricing plan
• A service contract or binder for customers
• An answering system for potential customer inquiries
• Financial-tracking software

The Good:

• You can start this business with minimal financial investment.
• This business can be run full-time or as a part-time or weekend-only venture.
• You can make a name for your company in this niche market and find yourself as the go-to person for stucco repair.
• If you choose to hire employees, you can focus on building your business while your employees do the actual stucco work.
• You won’t have to compete with general construction companies in a niche field like this.

The Bad:

• You have to have a good working knowledge of stucco repair to even consider a business idea like this one.
• There isn’t a lot of scope for the imagination when you do stucco repair; you will be doing similar jobs again and again, so you’ll want to make sure you enjoy the work.

Resources:

• International Association of Certified Home Inspectors Article on Stucco Repair
• National Association of the Remodeling Industry
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Installation, Maintenance and Repair Occupations
• Wikipedia on Stucco

Technorati Tags: running a stucco repair business

Business Overview:

If you like to see home decorating done right the first time and want to start your own successful business, you should look into the wallpapering business. You just need to scan the magazine covers in any home improvement store check-out line to see that the home decorating industry is still on the rise, regardless of the economy. Wallpaper is an inexpensive way for homeowners to spruce up a home to sell or simply refresh a living space. As you can see, this is the perfect time to put this business idea into practice. You don’t need to be a professional decorator to be a success in the wallpaper business. You can hire decorators to manage the wallpaper selection and assist you in working with the clients. If you would rather oversee the operation from your home office, you can. You can also go to each job site and be more hands on with the clients and your wallpapering crew. It is unlikely you would be able to hang wallpaper solo so you will need to hire professionals to do the work. In addition to residential wallpapering, you can branch out and start doing commercial jobs as well. Talk to property managers of new office buildings to see if you can get the wallpapering contract for the entire complex. Apartment and condo complexes are other good places to look for contracts. While you’re ramping up your business, hiring your workers and marketing, you can easily run this business part-time. However, once you have a few jobs under your belt, the referrals will start pouring in and you might need to devote more time to your business. But since the majority of the work will be done by your staff and crew, you can take time off when you need to.

A Day in the Life of a Wallpapering Business Owner:

Your day will begin with a check of your schedule to see what jobs are on tap for the day. You will coordinate with your decorators and your crew to make sure they are on time and have the proper instructions. When you’re not on the job site, you will spend time talking to wallpaper distributors and wholesalers and also marketing your business. You will meet with potential clients to discuss their needs. Finally, you will check your finances to ensure everything is in order.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be homeowners, apartment/condo managers and office managers in need of high quality wallpapering services.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Wallpapering crew
• Staff of decorators (if needed)
• Vehicle(s) for transportation of crew and equipment
• Ladders and scaffolding
• Wallpapering equipment (brushes, buckets, glue, etc.)

The Good:

• Wallpapering services are in high demand.
• The startup costs for this business are low.
• You can charge top dollar for high quality wallpapering.
• You can get supplies at a discount to increase your profit.
• Your crew will do most of the work so you can simply manage and market your business from your home office.

The Bad:

• It can take some time to spread the word about your new business and get your first few clients.
• You may run into difficult customers from time to time who are displeased with even the most professional work.

Resources:

• Wallcoverings Association
• Paint and Decorators Resource Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Paperhangers
• Wikipedia on Wallpaper

Technorati Tags: wallpapering business

Business Overview:

Now here’s a unique business idea that’s inexpensive to start, easy to operate, and potentially profitable: The curb painting business. This venture can truly be the answer to your business dreams if what you seek is a low-cost, easy-to-operate business that might not make you millions, but will give you the freedom of being your own boss. Here’s how it works: After securing the proper business license and permit from your local town hall, and purchasing business insurance to protect your assets, head to your local hardware or home improvement store and pick up brightly colored or better yet reflective spray paint and number stencils. This is essentially all the equipment needed to start your new business. After practicing stenciling house numbers on the curbs of your friends and families, you’ll be ready to start advertising your business. This can mean simple signage anywhere your local community allows for small business advertising, or it can mean leaving personalized flyers on the doors of houses in the neighborhoods you’d like to service. You can even go so far as to cold call the listed houses in the neighborhoods you want to work in. When homeowners realize what a valuable and competitively priced service you’re providing, it’s likely they’ll hire you. Once a few houses have your reflective numbering, neighbors will jump on board and your waiting list for work will grow exponentially. You can decide how many customers you want to service daily, thereby determining how much money you can make in a day.

A Day in the Life of a Curb Painting Business Owner:

When you own a curb painting business, much of your daily operations will depend on whether you have employees working for you and what the weather is doing. If you’re striking out entirely on your own, you will start each day with a review of the houses you’re scheduled to paint. Then you will want to ensure you have enough painting supplies to get you through the day. After that, your work day can begin. When you’re through with the day’s painting, you will want to review your profits and check again on your supplies to prepare for the following day’s work.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be homeowners who are interested in embellishing their homes with curb numbers to aid emergency workers, delivery persons, and visitors in finding their homes quickly and easily. Many customers will have seen your work on a neighbor’s curb and be interested in having it done on their curb as well.

What You Need to Start:

• Business license and permit, plus insurance
• Reflective or boldly colored spray paint and number stencils
• An advertising technique(s)
• Financial-tracking software

The Good:

• The startup investment for this business is minimal and can often be recouped in a day’s work.
• You can work as often or as seldom as you want.
• You can choose to hire employees and simply run the business, or act as sole proprietor and painter.
• If run correctly, there is a chance this business can become your full-time salary.
• The work itself is easy to do and requires no formal training.

The Bad:

• The weather can impact your profits.
• You have to price your service competitively enough that homeowners don’t do the task themselves.

Resources:

• National Association of the Remodeling Industry
• Article on Curb Appeal
• Wikipedia on Curb Appeal

Technorati Tags: curb painting business

Business Overview:

You only need to turn on the television these days to see how popular cooking is and how lucrative opening a kitchen store business can be. It seems that every TV chef has his or her own line of kitchen supplies, not to mention all the standard names in kitchenware like Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Oxo and All-Clad. There is always a new gadget or line of cookware coming out and as the owner of your own kitchen store, you can be among the first to know about and stock these items. You don’t need to be a wonderful cook to do well with this business idea but it would be helpful to have an appreciation of cooking as an art and recognize that millions of people use cooking as a means of relaxing and expressing themselves. Your store can specialize in any area you are interested in such as baking, outdoor grilling or you could offer a wide range of items as a multi-purpose supply store. Not only will your customers be able to pick up gadgets, knives, pots and pans, you can expand your services to include cooking classes, demonstrations and cookbook signings. The hardest part of starting a kitchen store business will be finding the right location and stocking your store with the best quality products. Buying a franchise is an easy way to help get you started but you might not be able to make as many decisions about what products you carry. Either way, you will need to line up financing as this is not an inexpensive endeavor. Finding a knowledgeable staff will take some time but once your store is running smoothly, you’ll be able to take time off, attend cookware conventions, and enjoy the true freedom that comes with owning your own successful kitchen store business.

A Day in the Life of a Kitchen Store Business Owner:

Your day as the owner of a kitchen store will begin with a check of all your products to make sure everything is in place and priced. You will meet with your staff to tell them about any new products or policies. After you open your store, you will spend some time on the floor visiting with customers, helping them find just the right tool for their particular cooking aspirations. You’ll also spend some time in your office marketing your business (placing ads online and in local magazines) and keeping in touch with your distributors. At the end of the day you’ll record the day’s income, check your inventory and get the store ready for the next day.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be cooks of all levels, from beginner to expert, looking for kitchen supplies.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Storefront
• Kitchen supplies (pots, pans, gadgets, knives, cookbooks, etc.)
• Staff
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• If you’re a food lover who enjoys cooking, this business will be fun to operate.
• It is rewarding to help people find just the right kitchen item.
• You are likely to get repeat business if you offer excellent products and customer service.
• You get to test out all the latest kitchen products.
• Once your store is running smoothly, you can take time off when you need to.

The Bad:

• It can take some time to get your store stocked, hire a staff, and open for business.
• The hours will be long at first as you will need to be at the store whenever it is open.

Resources:

• International Association of Culinary Professionals
• Cookware Manufacturers Association

Technorati Tags: kitchen store business

Business Overview:

If you have a keen eye for design and enjoy using your creativity to give others a sense of confidence and style, consider starting an interior design business. Even if you’ve never been a professional interior designer, learning how to start an interior design business is not difficult. All you need is a good sense of space, knowledge of design fundamentals, color coordination basics and a drive to succeed. You will also need a strong interior design business plan to get this business idea off the ground. This plan will outline what type of design your business will specialize in (homes, offices, stores, hotels, restaurants, etc.), what your rates will be and how you will market your new business. Although you don’t need any official training to own an interior design business, if you have never been paid for your design services, it would be a good idea to research exactly what it means to be an interior designer. You’ll want to learn as much as you can about colors, lighting, furniture, flooring, window treatments, etc. If you’d be more comfortable just running the business and having others do the design work, you can hire interior designers to work for you. You and your team could be working in beautiful homes, lavish hotels or fine dining establishments in no time. You will need to have a solid marketing plan to accomplish this, however. Ask your first few clients to spread the word among their friends and associates. Take out advertisements in local magazines targeted toward your prospective clients. With a little time and patience you could be the proud owner of the best interior design business in town.

A Day in the Life of an Interior Design Business Owner:

As the owner of an interior design business, you will start your day by checking your schedule to see what jobs are ongoing. You or your design staff will pick up any supplies you need and head over to the job site. You may need to coordinate deliveries with contractors for jobs such as demo, construction or flooring. You will meet with your clients (or speak to them on the phone) to hammer out any last minute decisions that need to be made. You may go shopping with a client so they can select certain design elements like tile or fixtures. You will spend some time marketing your business by putting ads online or in magazines and by calling realtors or others in your line of specialty to see if they can put your business on any referral lists they have. You may also spend time meeting with new clients, listening to their wish list, and presenting your plans to them. Finally, you will check on your finances to ensure everything is in order.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals or business managers in need of high quality interior design services.

What You Need to Start:

• An eye for good design
• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Relationships with local interior design showrooms and suppliers
• Vehicle large enough to transport items that you cannot have delivered
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• If you love design, this business will be fun and easy.
• You get to work with interesting people in lovely locations.
• You don’t have to work in an office 9-5.
• You can charge top dollar for excellent design services.
• You can easily hire on more designers to handle an increasing workload.

The Bad:

• Working with contractors and deadlines can be difficult at times.
• You must be able to think on your feet and solve unforeseen problems very quickly.

Resources:

• International Interior Design Association
• American Society of Interior Designers
• Interior Design Society
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Interior Designers
• Wikipedia on Interior Design

Technorati Tags: how to start an interior design business, interior design business plan, starting an interior design business

Business Overview:

Attention all outdoorsmen: Starting a firewood business can keep you physically and financially fit and can be a great way to test your entrepreneurial skills. The basics of how to start a firewood business are straightforward enough. If you don’t own acreage covered with trees, you locate downed trees in your neighborhood or team up with an existing tree-cutting company and offer to haul away the wood at no cost. Once yours, you split the wood into usable, burnable logs and sell them to home and business owners who have fireplaces, fire pits, or wood-burning stoves. The business idea is simple and can prove highly lucrative, but the work itself can be very difficult. For starters, unless you’re prepared to hire wood splitters and haulers right away, you’ll be doing a fair amount of manual labor yourself, and you’ll need the right tools to make it feasible. First, a truck or van that can carry large amounts of wood is necessary. Clearly it will get lots of wear-and-tear so you’ll want to be prepared for that and for keeping your vehicle in good repair. Next you’ll want the tools of the trade that make the job easier and less time-consuming. Though the equipment—log splitters, chainsaws, axes, mauls, and hatchets—can be expensive at the start, having them from the beginning will likely increase your production and make the investment well worth it. Unlike some other business ideas and entrepreneurial ventures, the firewood business can be dangerous. After all, you’re dealing with felling and fallen trees, heavy-duty cutting machinery, and lifting heavy objects. So safety should be your paramount concern, both for yourself and for your employees and customers. Hardhats, boots, gloves, eyewear, and back supporters will serve you well, as will business insurance. Don’t be tempted to scrimp on any of these and your business will benefit. You will also need a place to properly store your freshly cut firewood. To get the best prices for your wood, you will want to ensure it’s well-seasoned and in good shape for burning. Finally, operating as a licensed and insured firewood business will draw customers in (no one wants an accident on their property, no matter how inexpensive the prices are); combine your good business sense with competitive prices and you’re sure to have a successful business.

A Day in the Life of a Firewood Business Owner:

There are many variables to consider when determining a typical day for a firewood business owner. For starters, how big will you start your business—will you operate at night and on weekends only at the beginning? Or will you jump into a full-time enterprise and employ workers? Either way, you’ll likely get your initial work by advertising free tree removal from properties. In this transaction, you get free firewood to cut and sell, and the homeowner gets the annoying fallen tree removed from their property at no cost. The advertising part can be easy—some local flyers or even a decal on your truck can get you a few customers right off the bat. After you’ve scoured your area for these opportunities, you might consider teaming up with a tree-cutting company. They cut down the trees for their customers and you haul off the wood (again for free, or for a small price paid to the tree cutters for their partnership). As the business owner, you will want to make sure your firewood prices are competitive so people buy your wood, but high enough that you cover maintenance of your equipment, payroll if you have employees, and profit for your company. At the end of a long day splitting and hauling firewood, you will want to check in with your existing and potential customers and review your finances.

About Your Customers:

Your paying customers will be in search of well-seasoned, quality firewood at competitive prices and with solid customer service (delivered when promised and brought to the agreed-upon drop-off location). Your “silent” customers will call on your services when they have a downed tree or a tree in need of removal. They will want you to haul off the tree and you want them to call you first because you stand to make 100 percent profit from the firewood if you don’t have to pay to acquire it.

What You Need to Start:

• Business license, permit, and insurance
• A firewood business plan, including time and money investment details
• A vehicle for transporting large tree parts and split firewood
• Log-splitting equipment
• Safety equipment
• Storage for your split wood
• Employees, if desired
• A pricing schedule for your firewood
• Financial-tracking software

The Good:

• This is a business that you can start on the simplest scale, with just a truck and some hand tools, but that can grow to include heavy-duty log splitters and employees.
• You decide if you want to operate full- or part-time.
• You get to work outdoors a great deal.
• It’s a cash business.

The Bad:

• The initial investment can be a bit steep if you’re starting from scratch.
• The work is labor-intensive, especially if you’re working alone.

Resources:

• Tree Care Industry Association
• Firewood Association (Australia)
• Wikipedia on Firewood

Technorati Tags: how to start a firewood business, starting a firewood business

Business Overview:

If shopping for antiques is your favorite pastime and you often find hidden gems, you might want to consider learning how to start an antique business. Not only can starting an antique business be great fun for someone who truly appreciates all that is vintage, it’s a business idea that can prove very lucrative. If it sounds like an enterprise for you, here’s more on how to open an antique store of your own. Among the first things you’ll need to work on is finding the right location and space for your shop. While diehard antique seekers will search your store out, it’s nice to be in the heart of town or in a quaint shopping district so that you can lure in curious passersby and make sales that you otherwise might not make. So real estate should be one of your top priorities. Next up is your inventory. You’ll want to have a nice variety of high-end and very affordable antiques, in addition to unique items that will draw in shoppers. Some antique shop owners sell their goods on consignment to curb their investment costs, and you can consider doing this too. In this case, you offer other people’s antique goods for sale in your shop, and if they sell, you get a percentage of the revenue. It’s a great way to increase your inventory without breaking your budget. You will also have to decide on your sales policy—are your items returnable? Do you negotiate prices? You’ll want to have a clear idea of your rules before you open your doors. Of course, there are a number of tasks that must be completed on the business side of things, including licensing, permits, and insurance, as well as bookkeeping and employee payroll.

A Day in the Life of an Antique Business Owner:

Since you’ll be running a shop, you’ll likely spend some or all business days in your store, checking on inventory, maintaining the atmosphere, and keeping the records, even if you have employees working for you. These daily activities will take up a good portion of your time. When you’re not maintaining what you already have, you will likely be shopping for items to add to your antiques inventory. Your shopping might be web-based or it might be that you go scouting for new goodies at estate sales and thrift stores. If you choose to sell items on consignment, you’ll want to ensure you have your client’s items properly tagged and logged so that there’s never any confusion about how much your business earned and how much your consignment client earned. Finally, you will want to spend some of your time interacting with your customers. They likely share your passion for antiques and might have some interesting stories to trade—a most enjoyable aspect of your new business!

About Your Customers:

Customers of an antique business will be in the market for acquiring new items to add to their own collection of antiques. They might be serious collectors or just dabblers—you can learn more about them when you strike up a conversation. You will likely find some customers who are just browsing the unique or reminiscent items you have for sale, or customers who are looking for the perfect gift for a friend or loved one. If you and your sales staff are there to answer questions and explain why an item is unique, you will be more likely to find success at the sales register.

What You Need to Start:

• A storefront in a good location
• Business license, permit, and insurance
• Antiques inventory
• Sales and pricing policies
• Employees
• Financial-tracking software

The Good:

• This is a passion-turned-business type of venture where you can truly enjoy what you do each day.
• You can build your inventory slowly and even open a second shop or online component if you find initial success.
• You’ll meet likeminded hobbyists who enjoy learning about and discovering antique items and the stories that go along with them.
• It’s a trendy business that continues to gain popularity.

The Bad:

• The initial investment can be steep, especially the real estate and inventory outlay. You have to be well-prepared with savings or a small business loan.
• Your revenue might grow slowly—as you start out on some days you might only sell a couple of antique items, though you’ll also likely have some highly profitable days.

Resources:

• Antiques Dealers’ Association of America
• National Art and Antique Dealers’ Association of America
• Antiques and Collectibles National Association
• Wikipedia on Antique Shops

Technorati Tags: how to open an antique store, how to start an antique business, starting an antique business

Business Overview:

How’s this for a lucrative business idea: Learn how to start a roof cleaning business and earn yourself a six-figure income in no time flat. The truth is that most people would rather pay for a company to clean their roofs instead of attempting to do it themselves, and if you’ve got a good business plan in place, yours will be the company they rely on for this service. To start a roof cleaning business, you will want to understand the basics of what the service entails: pressure washing or solution cleaning the roof, applying protective solutions, cleaning out the gutters, and observing and noting any damage or potential issues for the customer’s benefit. Since most people either can’t or won’t get up on their rooftops, you can provide your customers with notes or even pictures of the state of their roof, as it is a major aspect of the maintenance and safety of their home. You can even establish service contracts with your customers so that you’re the one they call when they need cleaning or basic maintenance. To get your business going, you will also need a reliable vehicle that can transport your roof cleaning equipment—ladders, power washer, cleaning agents, etc.—and one that has a GPS system so that you get to your appointments at the scheduled time. If you’re working by yourself you will probably only get to clean one or two roofs per day, but if you hire others to work for you, this number can be greatly increased. In addition, some people may just want their gutters cleaned, which is a job you can do quickly and charge premium dollar for. You might also provide your service on weekends only, and keep your business as a part-time scenario, at least until you have a waiting list of customers. Speaking of customers, the best way to get them is with a combination of local advertising (think newspapers, Pennysavers, and a decal on your work truck) and competitive pricing. Add stellar customer service to this package, and you’re sure to have people in line and ready to pay you to get up on their roofs.

A Day in the Life of a Roof Cleaning Business Owner:

Since you’ll likely only get to a few roofs per day until you hire more people to work for you, you will want to set an appointment time and stick to it. Of course the weather will play a role in your appointment setting and in your ability to start or complete a job, so you will want to always have your ear to the ground when it comes to the forecast. You will start your day with a quick call to your customer to confirm your appointment, and then with a review of your supplies to make sure you’ll have everything you’ll need in your work van. Having the work bill or contract ready to sign will make your life easier and is one less thing you’ll have to worry about on site. If you work alone, you’ll want to ensure you have a cell phone or some means of communication on the roof with you to ensure your safety, and if you have employees you will want to make sure they are practicing safe work techniques. At the end of the day, you will want to review your profits, order any supplies you will need, and scan your finances.

About Your Customers:

Anyone who owns a home or business and who knows the value of cleaning and maintenance in the longevity of their roofs will consider using a service like yours. Your customers might not be physically able to climb on their own roofs, or might opt to “leave it to the professionals.”

What You Need to Start:

• Business license, permit, and insurance
• An understanding of how to clean roofs and gutters properly
• Work vehicle, possibly with GPS device
• Service receipts and contract paperwork
• Roof cleaning equipment
• Employees, if desired
• An advertising plan
• Financial-tracking software

The Good:

• This business can be run as a weekend-only, part-time venture or it can be operated as a full-time business, possibly with employees.
• You can earn a solid revenue, even in a part-time scenario.
• You can decide how involved you want to be in the actual work process, and you might even act solely as a contractor.
• To start a business like this doesn’t require much startup investment, just the equipment and any licensing fees.

The Bad:

• You might have to bid on potential jobs and hope your company is chosen for the work. In this case, it could take some time to establish your business and your work reputation.
• You need to have a basic knowledge of the business, and will likely have to clean a few roofs yourself before you can truly market your services.

Resources:

• American Roof Cleaners Association
• Roof Cleaning Contractors Association
• Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Technorati Tags: how to start a roof cleaning business

Business Overview:

If home decor is your forte and you’re looking for a gainful business idea, learn how to open a furniture store with a solid furniture store business plan. With the right entrepreneurial spirit and a sizeable startup investment, you can learn how to start a furniture store and offer pieces that inspire you and lure in paying customers. If you’re a craftsman, you can showcase your work in your storeroom, or if you just have an eye for expertly crafted home furnishings, you can build an inventory that works for your location, your business, and your customers. To begin, you will need to have the money to invest in a retail storefront and in your initial inventory. This is probably the most daunting aspect of learning how to start a furniture store business because your location can determine the type of furniture you stock as well as your ability to be successful in furniture sales. If you love handcrafted, solid wood pieces of heirloom quality, you must find a neighborhood that can support a high-end store like that. Then you will need to stock your showroom and have a catalog of items for your customers’ perusal, and you’ll need to have access to these products for delivery if they are purchased. Delivery requires a truck and licensed driver and movers who can safely transport your sold items to customers, usually for an included delivery fee. Depending on your store hours, you might want to hire employees who can handle the demands of the store when you’re not available. Of course, you might also consider the possibility of selling your furniture online, either in addition to your store or in lieu of it. This could eliminate the need for a storefront and even for stocking inventory if you have pieces shipped directly from a warehouse. There are many options when it comes to a business like this, and many details to consider as well, but the potential for success is great if you love what you do.

A Day in the Life of a Furniture Store Business Owner:

A typical day for a furniture store business owner will consist of reviewing inventory, confirming deliveries, and assisting customers with furniture purchases. Certainly, being an effective salesperson for the furniture you love will help you ensure your business revenue, but knowing what to purchase and include in your inventory is crucial as well. In a business like this, keeping track of your profits and expenses is also critical to ensure you’re selling enough each month to support your store and build your business. For an online store, you will need to closely monitor your warehouse inventory and ensure timely shipping. You might also need a web designer to maintain your site. As with any business, exceptional customer service will be of paramount importance.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be in the market for purchasing new furniture for their homes or businesses, or they will be shopping around to decide what style and price of furniture they want. A potential customer can become a paying customer when they are impressed with the quality and style of furniture your store offers, and when they can justify its price point and know they can rely on a favorable customer service policy.

What You Need to Start:

• Business license and insurance
• A retail storefront and/or online sales site
• Furniture inventory
• A knowledge of the furniture you sell
• Access to a warehouse
• A reliable delivery truck and movers
• Sales transactions forms (receipts, return policies, etc.)
• Financial-tracking software

The Good:

• You can become an expert in the type of furniture you sell.
• It can become a family business.
• The business can be very fruitful.
• You can eventually hire a staff to take care of most of the business responsibilities.
• You can enter into a franchise scenario, or build your own business to include multiple stores.

The Bad:

• This business requires a good deal of startup capital.
• Finding a great location for your store will require some time and energy.

Resources:

• National Home Furnishings Association
• American Home Furnishings Alliance
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Furniture and Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
• Wikipedia on Furniture

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Business Overview:

If you want to help our environment and have been looking for a green business, you should consider starting a compost business. Starting a composting business is a great way to go green and be a successful entrepreneur at the same time. These days everyone is looking for a way to save money and help the environment. This business idea has been around for ages but was previously only utilized by rural populations. Today, with the popularity of environmental friendliness, more and more urban and suburban gardeners are interested in using compost in their organic gardens. The only problem is they don’t have the time or space to make it themselves. Compost has to sit for at least six months in order for all the microbes to be killed by the heat of the heap. Naturally, finding space for a rotting pile of compost could be problematic for your average gardener. But if you have some space you can designate for a large compost heap, the compost business may be perfect for you. But before you start collecting organic material in your back yard, you really need to have a composting business plan. This plan will help you decide how much compost you will be able to maintain, what types of containers you will store it in and how you will transport it to your customers. There is also a scientific component to the compost business. It is very important you don’t sell compost with any microbes present. You will need to inspect your compost regularly before packaging it for sale to ensure it is microbe-free and ready for use. This old practice can be a great new green business for the environmentally friendly entrepreneur. You could even decide to sell purely organic compost—something many environmentally conscious gardeners really want. You could carve out a niche for yourself selling only high-end organic compost and have a web site that explains the uniqueness of your product.

A Day in the Life of a Compost Business Owner:

You will need to check on compost that is nearly ready to sell. You will examine it for microbes and package it for transport. You will work with a drop-shipper or other delivery service to ship your compost to your customers. If you’re starting to run out of room, you will need to purchase more containers and get them set up. You will regularly add organic material to your newest batch of compost. Finally, you will spend some time marketing your business in green magazines and on the Internet. If you have a website, you’ll also want to check for new orders and ship out the product to your customers.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be gardeners looking for organic compost for their gardens.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Space to set up your compost bins
• Compost bins
• Organic material
• Relationship with shipping company

The Good:

• This is a relatively simple business to start.
• The startup costs are low.
• The demand for organic compost will continue to rise.
• There are tax incentives for operating a green business.
• You can set your own hours and work only when you want to.

The Bad:

• There is a storage issue to consider.
• Organizing shipping can be costly if you don’t work with the right carriers.

Resources:

• Association of Compost Producers
• U. S. Composting Council
• Wikipedia on Compost

Technorati Tags: compost business, composting business, composting business plan