Business Overview:

If you’re looking for an exciting business that lets you meet interesting people and provide a fun service, consider opening a tanning salon. Tanning salons typically have tanning beds that provide customers a summer tan all year long. If you’re unsure of how to start a tanning salon business, it’s a good idea to visit a few salons around town and see how they operate. You may need to travel out of town to get good information from salon owners as they will not be in direct competition with your new business. Make note of what types of equipment they have, how much they charge, what other services they offer, etc. Next it’s important that you draft a business plan to help answer all the questions you have about how to open a tanning salon. This document will help you determine whether or not you want to invest in a franchise or start out on your own. A franchise will likely come with equipment, branding and marketing but it will be more expensive and it will not provide as much freedom in operation as you’ll find if you start a business from the ground up. Research the different tanning options as tanning beds are not the only choice. These days many people are concerned with possible skin damage caused by the bulbs in these beds. Spray-on tans are gaining in popularity because they are quick, easy and much safer than tanning beds. But it’s important you offer as many options as you can afford so you can attract a variety of clientele. When looking for a location, be sure it’s large enough to have a few private rooms, a back office and a reception area up front. You can start with just one bed and as business picks up, you can add more. If you’re not ready to rent storefront space just yet, see if you can put a tanning bed or two in local fitness centers or weight loss centers. In addition to tanning beds and spray-tan equipment, you’ll also need to have towels, goggles, chairs and cleaning spray available in each room. Other accessories like sunscreen, sunglasses and t-shirts can be for sale up front. You’ll find with this business idea that the start-up investment can be high but after you purchase your equipment, your overhead will be relatively low and your profits will be high. You will need to perform regular maintenance on your machines including replacing bulbs, but those costs can be built into your tanning prices. When determining pricing, you should offer one-time prices as well as membership prices. For example, a customer can tan one time for $10 USD or they can tan 4 times a month for $20 USD. You can also offer unlimited tanning options. Pricing should be different for tanning beds and spray-on machines – higher for the spray-on tan because you’ll need to replace the spray periodically. Running a tanning salon business is a fun and easy way to own your own business and provide a service that many people will pay top dollar for.

A Day in the Life of a Tanning Salon Business Owner:

You will arrive before your salon opens and make sure each room is clean and tidy and, if you have a spray machine, it is stocked and ready to go. You will spend your day greeting customers and keeping your salon neat. If you have a staff to handle the administrative duties, you can focus on marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals looking for a clean and friendly place to get a tan.

What You Need to Start:

• Tanning salon business plan
• Storefront
• Insurance
• Tanning bed(s)
• Spray-on tanning machine(s)
• Towels
• Goggles
• Other items for sale (sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.)
• Staff (optional)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• A tanning salon is a fun atmosphere.
• After your initial investment, the overhead is low.
• Franchises are available to help you get started.
• You can start out working with fitness centers.
• You don’t need any experience to start this business.

The Bad:

• The start-up investment is high.
• Competition is high; you will need to set your business apart to attract customers.

Resources:

• Association of Responsible Tanning Salons
• Indoor Tanning Association
• Tanning Salon and Indoor Tanning Bed News Organization
• Wikipedia on Tanning Beds

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Business Overview:

If you are tech savvy and looking for a way to put your skills to use by offering a much needed service, find out how to start a cell phone repair business. These days everyone has a cell phone from middle-schoolers to senior citizens. And with the advent of the smart phone, these devices do not just make and receive phone calls. They are literally tiny computers capable of doing everything a full-sized computer can do. This makes them very popular; it also makes them very expensive. And the more expensive an item is to buy, the more expensive it typically is to fix when something breaks. Having to deal with cell phone companies can be a nightmare. They are usually unable or unwilling to repair your phone, or if they can repair it, it will cost you and it will take weeks to get it back. This is why a cell phone repair business is one of the best business ideas out there today. More and more of these independent shops (not affiliated with a cell phone provider) are popping up but there is plenty of room in this market for a technically inclined entrepreneur to start a repair business. But before you get going, you need to decide the scale of your business. There are franchises available that will help you get started but the start-up investment will be upwards of $25,000 USD so it’s important that you have financing lined up if you decide to go this route. Franchises are a good option because of all the support they come with. Some offer in-store technical support personnel for a certain period of time when you open your store and then they offer live tech support on an ongoing basis. They can also offer repair certification and management recommendations, help you establish relationships with parts distributors, and offer marketing assistance. However, it’s possible to set up your store out of your own home office if you’re looking to start your business with just a few thousand dollars (USD). If you decide on this option, it’s important that your home is zoned for business and your home “storefront” is easy to get to through an outside door. You don’t want customers traipsing through your kitchen to get to your office in the back of the house. A third option is to add on repair services to your existing cell phone or computer repair business. You can add value to your home business by offering repairs “while you wait” or even delivery services. Your customers will not want to be without their phones for very long so keep in mind, the faster your repairs, the higher you can charge. Once your shop is set up, advertise your new business with flyers in coffee shops, on college campuses, in parks and anywhere that gets a lot of foot traffic.

A Day in the Life of a Cell Phone Repair Business Owner:

If you operate your business from your home office, you will need to have your shop neat and tidy and open your store at the appointed time. You will spend your day greeting customers and making repairs. If you operate a storefront business, you will likely have a small staff that handles some of the workload, be it administrative or repair work. As the business owner, you will spend your day ensuring excellent customer service and looking for ways to further market your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals in need of fast, high-quality cell phone repairs.

What You Need to Start:

• Training in cell phone repair or a franchise business
• Storefront or home office
• Repair tools
• Cell phone parts
• Staff (optional)
• Website
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Running this business from a home office requires a relatively low start-up investment.
• Franchises are available to help you get started if you’re looking for a full-scale storefront business.
• You can hire experienced cell phone repair technicians to work for you.
• If you offer fast, high-quality repairs, you can charge top dollar as long as it’s less than the phone company would charge for the same repair.
• You are likely to see referral business from satisfied customers.

The Bad:

• The start-up investment if purchasing a franchise is high.
• It can take some time to get your first few customers.

Resources:

• The Wireless Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Maintenance and Repair Workers
• Wikipedia on Smartphones

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Business Overview:

Starting your own lampshade business is a great way to use your creativity to make beautiful home accessories that will sell for major profits. You can easily run this part-time business from the comfort of your own home, working as much or as little as you wish. All you need is some fabric, decorative trim and either a sewing machine or fabric glue. If you don’t know how to make a lampshade, it’s quite simple, and plenty of instruction abounds on the internet. It can be as complex as taking the time to create a template to as simple as purchasing inexpensive lampshades and covering them with unique fabric and adding more lavish decoration. This may be a good way to start out with this business idea, at least until you get more comfortable with making shades from scratch. If you plan to sell your lampshades online, you’ll need to have a robust website that shows your designs and lets customers order and pay online. If this piece of the business is not in your comfort zone, you can always hire a professional to design and develop your website for you. This will be a good investment that will allow you to make sales 24 hours a day, even when you’re not working. You could also sell on websites like Etsy. You’ll need to have a good stock of lampshades to ensure timely delivery to your customers. You could also offer custom lampshades to customers who wanted to use a special photo for their personalized lampshade. In this case you would need a method of transferring a photo to fabric. Another way to personalize your products is to allow customers to send you a piece of fabric (that matches other items in their house, for example) that you would make into a custom shade. Your website would explain all these options and give a pricelist that reflects different sizes and styles of shades. Be sure to check with local shipping companies to get the best prices on shipping your shades and don’t forget to include shipping costs into your price structure. Finally, you can advertise your business on home décor websites and put ads in your local phone book if you plan to sell locally. As business picks up, you will need to decide whether to take your business full-time and add more items to your inventory.

A Day in the Life of a Lampshade Business Owner:

Since this is a part-time business, you will work as much or as little as you wish. When you are working, you will spend some time working on lampshades, building up your inventory. You will take photos of your new designs and post them on your website. You will check your orders and prepare items to ship out in a timely manner. If you offer custom orders, you will want to contact your customers to discuss those projects.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals looking for unique, handmade lampshades.

What You Need to Start:

• Some knowledge of how to make lampshades
• Fabric
• Decorative trim
• Fabric glue
• Sewing supplies
• Website (if selling online)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• People are always looking for unique decorative items for their homes and offices.
• Materials are inexpensive.
• Your return on investment will be high.
• You can easily run this business part-time and from home.
• The start-up costs are low.

The Bad:

• It can take some time to hone your skills at making lampshades.
• You need to be patient while you build up your inventory and build your website.

Resources:

• National Association of Decorative Fabric Distributors
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Textile, Apparel and Furnishings Occupations
• Wikipedia on Lampshades

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Business Overview:

Attention stylists: if you’re looking for a lucrative niche where you can apply your skills and be your own boss, learn how to open a men’s salon shop. There’s a huge market out there who wants and needs salon services but may be embarrassed to go to a women’s salon. Plenty of men get manicures and pedicures; some even get facial treatments and hair removal but they are self-conscious when they walk into a salon filled with women in rollers under dryers. These men have a great deal of expendable income and would gladly pay for specialized services that focus on men only. There are a number of details you’ll need to consider before opening your doors, so it’s a good idea to draft a business plan to help you focus. Explore the franchise options available. Franchises come with a proven business model and will help you with everything you need to get started including marketing. A slick website will help a great deal by giving your clients the opportunity to fully research your salon and your services (including pricing) before they call for a reservation. You will need to decide what types of services you will offer. Consider starting out with just haircuts, manicures and pedicures then, as business picks up, you can add services like facials and massages. Recruit licensed salon professionals to work for you. This will free you up to market your business and ensure your clients are satisfied. The theme of your salon can be a soothing spa-like atmosphere with soft music, candles and flowers or you can go the other direction and offer a salon with televisions featuring sporting events and “man” movies and louder music. Regardless of your atmosphere and what types of services you offer, just having a salon that caters to men will be a huge draw in your area. Often business ideas that only cater to one niche limit your profits but in this case, a men’s salon will see great profits as your clients spread the word about your wonderful business.

A Day in the Life of a Men’s Salon Business Owner:

If you are one of the stylists, you will spend your day greeting customers and performing haircuts, manicures or other salon services. If you have hired a full staff of stylists and massage therapists, you will spend your day making sure your business is running smoothly and your clients are happy. You will also spend some time marketing your business with online ads and in local magazines.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be men looking for some pampering by getting a pedicure, massage, haircut, etc. in an environment that is only for men.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Storefront
• Salon equipment
• Salon products (to use and to sell)
• Staff
• Website
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Men will pay top dollar for an “exclusive” salon that caters just to them.
• It’s rewarding to see your clients enjoy themselves.
• Franchises are available to help you get started.
• You are likely to see plenty of repeat and referral business.
• You can scale up your business by offering additional services as your business picks up.

The Bad:

• Start-up costs are high.
• It can take some time to get your first few clients.

Resources:

• Salon and Spa Association
• Professional Beauty Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Barbers, Cosmetologists and Other Personal Appearance Workers
• Wikipedia on Beauty Salons

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Business Overview:

Starting a paintball business is a great way to turn your hobby into a business while giving people the opportunity to shoot at each other in good fun. Paintball facilities can be outdoors or indoors and supply paintball guns, paintballs, protective gear and a course of some type that allows participants to plan covert ops and stealthily plot the ambush of their opponents. This fun business does take a great deal of planning, however, so it’s a good idea to draft a business plan to make sure you have addressed every detail before you get too far. First, you’ll need to decide if you want an indoor or outdoor facility. In warmer climates, outdoor facilities are preferable as they give customers the “hunting” feel of being outside in nature. You’ll need to find an area large enough that a dozen or so people can move around without being detected. If the area is not wooded, you can erect barricades in an open field that act as hiding places. If you live in a colder climate with harsh winters, you should consider an indoor facility. Obviously the bigger the better but there are limitations with a built structure so you will have to spend more time designing the interior of your playing field. Talk to your insurance agent to see what type of insurance is necessary for this type of business. You’ll need coverage not only for your business but for your clients as well so that you’re not liable in case of injury. In the US, this liability insurance can be provided by the American Paintball League. Once you have your facility set up and properly insured, you need equipment. Shop around to find the best deals on helmets, chest pads, goggles, paintball guns, paintballs and CO2 cartridges. Decide on a price structure that meets the needs of different customers. You may have a target area that customers can use for practice that can be rented out by the hour and can include the cost of paintball gun rental and a certain number of paintballs. Groups will be your biggest customers so be sure to have a variety of package deals set up that allow a certain number of people on your course at a time. Include paintball guns, balls and safety equipment in the package price. Be sure your customers sign rental agreements to protect your equipment in the case of irresponsible actions of your customers. Decide if your business will be open by appointment only or if you’ll have set hours on certain days where individuals can show up and play with or against another individual. Advertise your business in hardware stores and hobby shops; anywhere paintball accessories are sold. Also send flyers to area businesses who may use your services for team building exercises. Business ideas like this one require a lot of preparation before you start the business but you will find all your work is worthwhile when you see satisfied customers having a great time.

A Day in the Life of a Paintball Business Owner:

Your day will begin by checking your schedule for any appointments you have. If your course is open by appointment only, you will only need to be there when you have customers. If you have set hours, you will spend your day helping customers sign up for a paintball “hunt” and make sure they are properly prepared with balls, guns and safety gear. If you have hired a staff to handle the day-to-day operations, you will be able to come and go as you please and spend your day marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals and groups interested in having a great time playing paintball.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Large area for playing field (indoor or outdoor)
• Staff (properly trained in paintball gun maintenance)
• Insurance
• Equipment
• Rate chart that applies to different types of customers
• Website
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Paintball is becoming more and more popular.
• This is a fun business to operate.
• It’s rewarding to see your customers have a great time.
• You are likely to see plenty of repeat and referral business.
• You can hire a staff to do the work for you.

The Bad:

• Start-up costs can be high.
• If you’re not properly insured, you can be liable in the case of irresponsible behavior of your customers.

Resources:

• American Paintball League
• Paintball Sports Trade Association
• American Paintball Players Association
• Wikipedia on Paintball

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Business Overview:

Opening a sports bar is a great way to exercise your business skills while creating a fun environment where people can relax and enjoy themselves. There are, however, many details you need to nail down before getting too far along in this process. Writing a solid business plan is a good place to start. You may want to hire professionals to help you with this document since it is key to the success of your business. It’s also a good idea to visit with other owners to get a better feel for how to open a sports bar. You may have to travel outside your immediate area so that your new business won’t be in direct competition with the business owners you’re talking to. They will likely tell you that starting a sports bar will take a major financial investment so it’s important that your business plan is of high quality. This will help you secure the financing you need. Next you need to find a good location for your business. One with high traffic is best. Look for an area by a sporting complex, movie theater or other establishment where late-night clientele are prevalent. Once you have selected your location, you need to apply for a liquor license. Find out from your city government who handles these licenses and be prepared to offer information such as what types of liquor you wish to serve, what kind of bar you own and what times your bar will be open. After obtaining your license, you’ll need to purchase items like kegs, taps, bar stools, tables and chairs, televisions, etc. If you don’t want to be burdened with the decisions that come with opening a sports bar, you could purchase a franchise. This type of business will come with everything you need to get up and running including marketing assistance. You will need to hire your own staff but there is likely a training manual available to get them up to speed. You’ll find that owning a sports bar is one of the most fun business ideas you can find. It is a lot of hard work, but in the end it will pay off because you get to spend your days and nights in an exciting environment that makes people happy.

A Day in the Life of a Sports Bar Owner:

Your day will begin several hours before you are set to open as you will need to ensure your bar is clean, deliveries are received and new stock is put away. You could hire a bar manager to take care of these administrative duties in which case, you will spend as much or as little time at your bar as you wish. When at the bar, you will make sure customers are having a good time and are getting excellent service. At the close of each day you’ll need to attend to the finances, make your bank deposit, and ensure your staff cleans everything up so you’re ready to open the next day.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals and groups looking for a fun place to hang out with friends and watch the big game.

What You Need to Start:

• Sports bar business plan
• Liquor license
• Insurance
• Staff
• Restaurant/bar furniture (tables, chairs, bar stools, etc.)
• Bar-ware (glasses, shakers, etc.)
• Liquor and beer
• Relationship with liquor and beer distributors
• Other menu items (optional – bar snacks or a full menu)
• Televisions
• Contract with satellite or cable provider
• Cash register(s)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• A great sports bar will always make money.
• It’s a fun atmosphere; you will enjoy your working environment every day.
• You can hire a bar manager, bartenders and waitstaff to do most of the work for you.
• Franchises are available to help you get started.
• You get to meet lots of interesting people.

The Bad:

• The start-up investment is high.
• There are a lot of elements that go into a successful sports bar; it’s important to do your research and formulate a solid business plan.

Resources:

• International Association of Sports Bars and Pubs
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
• Wikipedia on Bars

Technorati Tags: how to open a sports bar, opening a sports bar, sports bar business plan, starting a sports bar

Business Overview:

Starting a flight school is a great idea for an entrepreneur with flight instructor certification or anyone looking to capitalize on their fascination with flying. To soar high among the birds and the clouds is a dream many people have and flight schools make that dream a reality by offering private flying lessons. If you are already a certified flight instructor (certified by the FAA), opening a flight school is a fun way to share your training with flight students. If you are not a pilot or are not certified to teach, you can always hire certified instructors to work for you. Keep in mind that instructors are only allowed to teach to the level at which they are certified. For example, an instructor has to be IFR (instrument flight rules) certified to teach at night or in foggy conditions. A pilot without certification in a two-engine plane can only teach in single-engine planes. If this sounds like a fun business idea but you’re still unsure how to start a flight school, travel to nearby cities and talk with the owners of flight schools there. Just be sure that your business will not be in direct competition with theirs. Once you have a good idea of your business model, you need to purchase at least one plane, preferably two or three. Look for well-maintained used aircraft since they can be just as safe as new aircraft at a fraction of the price. Start out with a single-engine Cessna or Piper as those are two of the best “starter” aircraft for instruction purposes. Next you’ll need to find a location for your business. An office at the airport is ideal but if you live in a rural area you may be able to use an abandoned field runway if it’s FAA approved. You don’t need to rent hangar space; your aircraft can be tied down outside. Insurance is important in this business as you will need it for your planes, your instructors and your clients. You should have all students sign a waiver prior to going up but you still need to be covered in case of an accident. You’ll also need to have a maintenance contract with a shop certified to work on aircraft. Look for one that’s near your planes so you don’t have to worry about transport. You’ll find that this business is easily scalable; you can start with one instructor and one airplane and add to your staff and your fleet as your client list grows.

A Day in the Life of a Flight School Business Owner:

If you are the instructor, you will meet appointments at your office or at the airport, depending on the level of your students (substantial on-the-ground study and test preparation is necessary at certain points in the training process). You will spend your day instructing your students either in the air or on the ground. If you have a staff of instructors working for you, you will stay in the office, field calls, schedule planes/instructors and market your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals interested in obtaining a pilot’s license.

What You Need to Start:

• Flight school business plan
• Airplane(s)
• Office
• Access to airstrip (airport or rural field runway)
• Certified flight instructor(s)
• Insurance
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• This is an excellent business opportunity for a certified flight instructor.
• It’s rewarding to help others realize their dream to be able to fly.
• If you’re not a certified flight instructor, you can hire one or more to work for you.
• A flight school is a fun atmosphere.
• You get to be around airplanes and other pilots all day and do what you love.

The Bad:

• Start-up investment is high and aircraft maintenance is costly.
• You’ll need several regular students/customers to make money with this business.

Resources:

• Flight School Association of North America
• National Association of Flight Instructors
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Article “Sky-High Careers: Jobs Related to Airlines”
• Wikipedia on Flight Training

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Business Overview:

Attention bakers: if you’re looking to take your delicious baked goods to the masses and want to be your own boss, learn how to start a bakery. When you first start thinking about opening a bakery, you should draft a solid business plan to focus your efforts and answer questions like whether or not you’ll purchase a franchise. A bakery franchise will come with name recognition, furnishings, kitchen equipment and training but it may also come with a larger price tag than starting your own bakery from scratch. Find a good location that gets plenty of foot traffic and auto traffic. A bakery in an outdoor shopping center will get lots of passersby who will be lured in by the sights and smells of your treats. You need to decide what types of baked goods your store will serve. Cookies, cakes, bread and cupcakes are some of the items your store could specialize in. Offering numerous types of baked goods will attract a wider clientele. Starting a bakery is a business idea that will be more successful if you have a small staff to help you. If you are the primary baker, you will be at work in the kitchen well before the store opens. This means you will likely go home before the store closes if you have a small staff to handle customers after you leave. Doing all the baking and helping the customers all day is possible for one person but it would be hard to do day after day. If you’re still unsure of how to open a bakery, consider visiting bakeries in other nearby cities (not in direct competition with yours) and visit with the storeowners to get insider tips and advice. As your business grows, you can add more items, hire a larger staff and even hire pastry chefs to do all the baking for you.

A Day in the Life of a Bakery Business Owner:

If you are the baker for your business, you will get to your shop’s kitchen very early in order to have bread and other baked goods ready for sale when your store opens. You will spend your day helping customers and restocking items in your cases. If you have a baker working for you and a staff to handle the front-of-house duties, you can concentrate on customer service and marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals who want delicious baked goods.

What You Need to Start:

• Bakery business plan
• Marketing plan
• Storefront
• Franchise (optional)
• Display cases
• Baking ingredients
• Baking supplies and equipment (mixers, bowls, cookie sheets, etc.)
• Furnishings (tables, chairs, etc.)
• Serve-ware (plates, napkins, utensils, cups)
• Other menu items (coffee, sodas, etc.)
• Staff (optional)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• A good bakery will always be popular.
• You get to spend your day doing what you love.
• It’s rewarding to please your customers.
• You can hire a staff to do most or all of the work for you.
• You are likely to see plenty of repeat business.

The Bad:

• The start-up investment is high.
• The hours are long.

Resources:

• American Bakers Association
• Retail Bakers of America
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Food Manufacturing
• Wikipedia on Bakeries

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Business Overview:

If you’re looking to start a business that provides an essential service to your community, you should consider learning how to start a taxi service. Once you have determined that there is room for one more taxi business in your area, you need to find out what types of permits and licenses are necessary. Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles for a special taxi driver’s license and check with city hall for regulations. You may need to display something specific inside or outside your cars that shows you are properly licensed with the city. You’ll also need liability insurance for your cars and your drivers. If you want some insider information on how to start a taxi business, go to neighboring cities (that would not be in competition with your taxi business) and talk to taxi service owners. They can offer you some tips that you won’t find elsewhere. Next, you’ll need to decide what types of cars will work best for your business and if you want to buy new or used vehicles. If you plan to do a lot of shuttle-type business at the airport, you may want larger cars or minivans. To set yourself apart from the standard yellow cab, consider a more offbeat car like a PT Cruiser. It might be wise to form a relationship with a local mechanic who can handle all your maintenance needs. In addition to purchasing radios and meters for your cars, be sure to put advertising on your cars that includes your company name and phone number. A website isn’t as necessary for a taxi service as it is for some other businesses since most of your customers will be calling your dispatcher. Try to get a business phone number that’s easy to remember like 555-TAXI or CAB-FARE. And speaking of cab fare, it is likely that your city sets the standard rates you can charge so you won’t need to worry about pricing yourself too low or too high. You’ll make your money with volume of business and excellent customer service. Quick response time and the ability of drivers to accept credit/debit cards will ensure repeat business from your customers. Starting a taxi service is one of the best scalable business ideas available because you can start with just one car and one driver. As business picks up, you can add cars and drivers.

A Day in the Life of a Taxi Service Owner:

Your daily duties will vary depending on your role with the business. If you are the sole driver, your day will consist of taking calls and picking up and dropping off customers. If you are acting as the dispatcher, you will take calls and dispatch your driver(s) to various locations in the city. If you have a dispatcher working for you, you will spend your day making sure your business is running smoothly.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals needing taxi services to get them around town.

What You Need to Start:

• Taxi business plan
• Car(s)
• Driver(s)
• Liability insurance
• Business license and permit
• Taxi driver’s license
• Meters
• Radios
• Garage or other place to store your cars
• Computer with dispatch and finance software

The Good:

• Taxis are always needed.
• You can start this business with one car and add to your fleet as you can.
• You can hire drivers to do the work for you.
• You are likely to get repeat and referral business.

The Bad:

• For drivers, the hours are long and irregular.
• Start-up, maintenance and gas costs can be high.

Resources:

• Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association
• International Association of Transportation Regulators
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
• Wikipedia on Taxicabs

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Business Overview:

Fashion trends come and go…and come again, which is why learning how to open a vintage clothing store is a great business idea for a stylish entrepreneur. Vintage clothing is the term used for new or used clothing items from a past era. Fashion is cyclical and trends from the past tend to be trendy once again even decades later. Young people seem most interested in resurrecting trends from the past, but older adults will also be attracted to a nice second-hand store for a hip vintage fashion item. You will first need to find a storefront location and secure funding for rent and inventory. Scour garage sales, estate sales, second-hand shops and the internet for high quality gently worn items. Also research what current designers are putting out items reminiscent of the past and purchase a few items from their lines to sell in your store. Opening a vintage clothing store will take some thought and planning so it’s important that you have a business plan that will help you to focus your efforts. Be sure you have a clear method of obtaining your inventory since it is a little trickier than buying from a distributor and stocking items in a boutique. In addition to clothing, you should try to find vintage accessories like handbags, sunglasses and shoes to complement your clothing and to attract more customers. Advertise your business in the phone book, newspaper and in magazines that target your market. Post flyers in neighborhood parks and community centers to attract a younger clientele. Aside from your regular customers, you can expect to be busier around Halloween as customers will be looking for vintage items to use as costumes. Be sure your store is fully stocked at that time of year and even include some flashier items that wouldn’t ordinarily be worn day-to-day. With a good stock of quality vintage clothing, you’ll find your customers will come back again and again for something unique from your collection.

A Day in the Life of a Vintage Clothing Business Owner:

Your day will begin by making sure your displays are properly arranged before opening the doors. You will spend your day helping customers find just the right item for their needs. If you have staff, you will oversee their work to be sure they are giving your customers topnotch service. On days you are closed, you will work on securing more inventory and marketing your business.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be individuals looking for vintage clothing and accessories for everyday wear or for use as a costume.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Funding
• Storefront
• Marketing materials
• Inventory
• Staff (optional)
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• Vintage stores are very popular.
• Much of your inventory can be purchased inexpensively.
• A vintage clothing store is a fun atmosphere.
• It’s rewarding to help customers find just what they’re looking for.
• You can expect a bump in traffic around Halloween.

The Bad:

• The start-up investment is high.
• Finding enough items to keep your store stocked can be challenging.

Resources:

• American Apparel and Footwear Association
• International Textile and Apparel Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Clothing, Accessory and General Merchandise Stores
• Wikipedia on Vintage Clothing

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