Starting and owning a home business can be both fun and profitable. The first rule to starting a home business is to find something you enjoy doing. Use what you enjoy and know and build your business around that enjoyment and knowledge. Many of the most successful home businesses are owned by people who followed their interests and used their unusual expertise to build their own business. There is a saying “do what you esteem and the money will follow” and while that is not 100% true, as there are other factors involved, it does start you off in the apt direction!
There are many home business ideas out there if you take a bit of time and look around.
Some businesses are able to be started from the ground up with diminutive more than some flyers, business cards and a phone line. Other business opportunities come via Multi-Level Marketing where you can essentially buy a business and the tools you need to succeed for a fairly low price. These include such businesses as Avon, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef and Usborne Books.
Some examples of businesses you can start with limited or no money include the following:
House and Yard Care – With two income families there just isn’t enough hours in the day to get everything done around the house and yard. If you have a knack for organizing, cleaning or gardening you can easily start a business doing those type of tasks for duel-income families.
Pet Care – Many people see their pets as “fur children” and this can be aged to your advantage if you love animals and want to produce a business. You can offer services of walking dogs, cleaning up after dogs, pet sitting for people on vacation, pet sitting for people who work long hours and want someone to advance let their dogs out and play with them while they are at work, etc… Judge of all of the things people do and want for their animals and how you can aid them attain them.
Childcare - Most families need some childcare at some point. Some need 40-50 hours of day or evening care while both parents work. Others need occasional care for when their regular caregiver is not available or for an occasional time out of the house without the children. Childcare can be a very profitable business if you have a adore of children and time to provide them with excellent care.
Errand Business -Elderly or disabled people can often use someone to rush their errands for them. This might include trips to the doctor, pharmacy, post office or grocery store. Often people who can level-headed live on their own need someone who can do simple things for them like their grocery shopping. They also need someone who can carry in the purchases and put them away for them. This service allows them to live on their own, in their own homes, for a longer period of time before having to rely on assisted living or home health care.
Virtual Assistant – Many itsy-bitsy businesses have few employees and often need a myriad of services completed for them. If you have PC, bookkeeping, tax, customer service, sales or other skills that small business owners could use, you can build a thriving home business meeting their needs.
These have been just a few examples of home businesses you could start with little or no money. All of them can be advertised local to your home with flyers and business cards. Once you judge about your skills and interests it is easy to find a business opinion that can make you money and that you can enjoy doing.
Related Posts
Filed under Home Business Phone Systems by on Apr 20th, 2011. Comment. 
Dell has released a new line of computer with limited businesses in mind. There is a wide variety of machines in this line to fit any situation that you may have. There are desktops and laptops both, with the desktops being lauded as having the power to be a runt server for your company. This may all sound good, but is it really true? There are many critics out there, but there are two sides to every story and that includes tech reviews. Keeping in the realm of small business, we will take a look at the basic version of the Vostro laptop. Most entrepreneurs are looking for the cheapest solution to a problem. The Vostro 1014 and 1015 have answered this call. These are referred to as the “well-known” versions on the Dell website. These two do not have any color options for the exterior, but black matches everything, right? The biggest difference between the two machines is the size. The 1014 is slightly smaller and lighter than the 1015. Appearance should be tossed out when you need performance though. Here is a scrutinize “under the hood” on these two models to see if they can really stand up to the test.
When it comes to the tech specs, there is really only one difference between the two models. The memory on the 1015 is up to 8 Gigs, while the 1014 is only upgradeable to 4 Gigs. Other than this, the two machines are identical. They both have a 320 Gig hard drive and 8x DVD +/- RW. They also have the same Core 2 Dual processor and all other components. There is very little difference between the two base models, and at the same price, it would be better to go with 1015 for the extra memory site. Since most people do not upgrade the memory anyways, there is really no dissimilarity other than size. The price is also identical at $399 each for the base model.
Now that we have touched on the tech specs, how does it really work? Is it worth my investment? These are likely the questions on your mind. This really depends on what you need it for. The base models do not have Bluetooth installed. You have to upgrade to this. This can be crippling to a small business. If you want to sync these machines with your phone, or even utilize a wireless mouse or docking station, you will have to upgrade. The other downside to this machine is the sound. If you do not have headphones, do not get this machine. No matter how worthy you upgrade it, the sound stinks. It has a single speaker mounted in the bottom and you can not hear anything, even at max volume. You will have to use a third party amplifier, and these have been known to blow speakers, crash the system, eat up all of your memory, cause promenade, etc. If you make a lot of conference calls or video messaging for your business, be prepared to toss more money on the price tag. There is no built in microphone or camera. Both of these will need to be added. Once again, the sound does not get loud enough for a beneficial conference unless you use headphones.
Overall, the video and sound capabilities of this machine are very lacking. No matter how much you upgrade or invest into this machine, the sound is sub-par and the graphics seem large and pixilated. For many businesses that rely on communication via the computer, this can be a real problem. If you do not need the video conferencing and have some headphones, this is your machine. The basic $399 version is really all that you need performance wise. It has the hard drive to handle all of your customer, supplier, financial, and other databases. The sleek and shiny look are also sure to effect at meetings. The look and speed of these machines is great.
The notice is another big problem for this machine. Dell has begun to derive into the fast food mindset with the dollar menu lures. These machines are priced dirt cheap, but when you actually get into what is included, the ticket gets pretty high, dazzling swiftly. The $399 version is very tempting, but many people are not comfortable with using Ubuntu Linux. Of course, you can not upgrade simple items like many of the al a cart PC ordering systems. You have to upgrade to a whole new package to get Windows, and another package to score Bluetooth. By adding in some trash you do not need with the tools that you must have, the cost gets out of control quickly. You will want to piece one of these together before you buy one. There are so many options and they are very difficult to customize. If you only want one or two options added, you may be stuck buying the whole package. When you get the perfect combination, the price is no longer perfect and is usually better elsewhere. You could even try piecing together an Inspiron if you are a Dell fan.
Overall, these systems are solid and can handle your business needs. The sound is a huge factor that many people are not happy with. The fact that you can buy a comparable machine for grand less at a Best Buy or Office Depot. The base sign of this may awe you into it, but it is not as cheap as it sounds. The upgrades that you will need to incorporate will get really expensive, really fast. The sound is also weak and, without external speakers or headphones, will cause you to strain even at max volume. Overall, this is a good computer for a small business, if you only use it for the day to day tasks that you need. If there is any video conferencing or if you need Windows or Bluetooth, there are some better options out there.
Sources:
*The above source was used for technical specs. Evaluation of this products performance was conducted in person by the author.
Related Posts
Filed under small business phone system reviews by on Feb 24th, 2011. Comment.
I work for a very small company where I wear way too many hats. I’m the IT person, the accountant, the admin assistant, the depart agent, the shopper, the go-to for the partners, etc, etc.
I take my job very seriously and conduct myself as if it were my own business. As a result my boss trusts my decisions for the most part. I have a great deal of leeway at my job which I appreciate. My monetary compensation is another story but I take pride in my job and try to do the best I can. In these dangerous economic times where the small businesses are the first to go, its an absolute MUST for business owners to sever costs.
Over the past 4-5 years I have taken little steps to increase productivity and reduce cost and time.
Here’s some examples:
Our company does not have a dedicated email system. Before me, my 2 coworkers used AOL for their business email. As a result there were too many issues with SPAM, lost emails, limited serviceability, etc. I’m not knocking the AOL guys but I do believe their service leaves a great deal to be desired. I switched us all to Gmail and created a generic GMail add for our business. In the past we had co workers impress up for business services and mailings using their personal business email. When they left, no correspondence was forwarded and we lost out on valuable reporting.
Cost savings by changing the system $1,000 a year. (Hard to gauge since investment decisions are made on information available.)
Utilities
The accountant before me never bothered to inquire of any charges on our phone or Internet bills. She paid them without ever checking. As a result we paid in excess of $25 per month on line savers that did zilch for us. I design it a habit of calling up our utility providers to renegotiate our packages on a quarterly basis. A rough estimate of savings, $300 a year.
Checking the Charges
We use Open from American Express. They are a ample service with great customer service. Previously AOL (another reason why I really don’t like them) was billing us on this card for utility services at $25 a pop. Each month from the inception of the business we were getting billed. When AOL started providing free service, they detached billed us. The previous accountant didn’t check this. She never got that charge waived and reversed. Needless to say, the moment I saw the bill, I got that fixed using Dial-A-Human since AOL service and billing support is non-existent. That’s $300 a year.
Transcription Services
We were paying $175 on average for conference call services. I tried talking my boss out of this and told him that we can gather free transcripts through Google Finance and Seeking Alpha. He was wearisome to switch but finally agreed. That’s a cost saving of $2,100 a year!
Calendar and Scheduling
We are a mac based office. Previously we traditional Up to Date and Now Contact. As a result we would have to consume the packaged software each time there was an update since the older versions were not supported. By taking some time (4 hours or so) to switch everything over to iCal and mac’s address book we saved on the software seize fees. By coordinating iCal with Google calendar we have access to all scheduling from the web. Cost savings? I would estimate $160 for the software and $100 for not missing important appointments. $260 a year.
Misc. Fees
Banks charge fees. Whether its corporate activity fees, maintenance or wire fees…its all there. A simple phone call to your derive saves you the hassle. Savings of $500 per year on average.
Office Supplies
It sounds silly but I never ordered office supplies without checking novel inventories. I also shopped around. Unprejudiced because staples mails me OOOODLES of coupons doesn’t mean they are the best deal by any means. I use ebates for all orders to get some cash back. I acquire generic. I don’t waste my time buying high quality paper for boring work printouts. That all costs moola. I shop around ink refills or bulk cartridge. By putting in a little research I found that buying a printer that has individual cartridges instead of the all in ones saves ink. Savings? Oh, I would say about $2,500.00 per year.
Time and Space
My boss is anti-technology to a great extent. He likes having stuff on paper. He never uses PowerPoint (I don’t blame him) and prefers something he can hold. However, I am a paperless kinda person. I save us both time (and money) by having a hard copy for him and an e-copy for backup and reference purposes. Another fantastic use? By implementing simple PDF technology I’ve made it easier for the partners to get emailed PDFs of all relevant meeting material. As a result there is more flexible scheduling for meeting. The partners can own meetings over a free conference call instead of actually meeting. Cost savings on the actual meeting amount to $1,000 per year. Over the years I’ve also looked into donating traditional hardware. The write offs aren’t broad enough to list here but it is relevant.
Points
We secure points through Amex. I now charge everything that’s free to do so. All our phone, other utility, transportation and maintenance expenses rep charged. As a result we have increased points for the partners to redeem for gift cards, office supplies, etc. Ballpark savings per year – about $500 on the low demolish.
Total savings per year: A whopping $8,460.
Related Posts
Filed under Small Business Voip Phone Systems by on Feb 15th, 2011. Comment.
Here are some easy to expend tips for marketing a home business that owners can use to find more customers and sell more products and services. Home business generally do not have a marketing budget or only a very small one, but the splendid news is that home businesses can thrive and grow when started with only a handful of customers. This is the key for an entrepreneur, to find those first few customers that will support a business while it grows.
Let Everyone Know
While everyone you meet might not be a prospective client, they may know someone who is. Make certain that everyone around you knows what you do and how to contact you. Having business cards with your contact information is vital and expend them as much as possible, even for personal reasons, to get your contact information out to as many people as possible.
Target Your Marketing
Whether it is as simple as sitting by the right people at a football game or PTO meeting, or advertising your home business in industry specific magazines, a home based business owner needs to catch potential customers and market their products or services directly to them. Selected mailings might be a pleasurable way to advance target audiences as well.
Emphasize What You Do Differently
Home businesses are typically small and deal with a small number of clients and customers. This can allow them to work more efficiently to meet the needs of their clients. Home business owners need to be willing and able to cater products and services to their customers and communicate this ability to the customer.
Provide Excellent Customer Service
There is no better marketing than a satisfied customer. With many larger businesses cutting costs wherever possible, it is difficult for them to provide personalized service. This is where cramped businesses can excel. By always answering the phone or quickly returning calls, promptly responding to emails, and being available after hours and on weekends, microscopic home based businesses can capture clients from larger service and product providers. The home based business will reap the benefits of this work not only by developing a loyal customer, but also when the customer tells others what a great experience they have had.
Related Posts
Filed under Home Business Phone Systems by on Feb 8th, 2011. Comment.
Wireless internet service providers or WISP’s allow us to stay in touch using our computers from virtually anywhere in the world. Some of these services are free or you can have this service at your home or mobile for a monthly charge if you don’t live in an area where it is provided.
Wireless internet began by setting up towers in rural areas where a lot of people did not have access to regular internet. It has since grown by leaps and bounds and thanks to the popularity of laptops, it is now available in almost any area.
Most laptops now come standard with a wireless internet card. This allows you to exhaust you laptop where ever there is wireless internet available. If you have a wireless router in your home then you may use your own internet from anywhere inside your home and outside as well as long as the laptop can communicate with the wireless router.
Of course you have can also have your desktop hooked up to your wireless internet as well if you like. This may eliminate some of the cords that are connected to your computer and save you from having to race another line to set up your computer in another room or when you are setting up another computer period.
Let’s not forget your cell phone of course. Most cell phones now reach with internet capabilities and connect directly to wireless internet. You can usually get wireless internet for your computer through your phone carrier as well. This will allow one monthly payment for both bills. You should read the terms and conditions carefully because they may charge per MB of use if you are out side of their area.
Hospitals often have wireless internet allowing you to connect to theirs if you are in the hospital itself or on the grounds. This means you can keep up with business and personal matters even if you are confined to a hospital bed. This is also true for libraries and many other places of business, especially hotels. If you have a laptop with the right capabilities you can connect from just about anywhere.
If you don’t live in an area where you can access free wireless internet then you may be able to do so by paying a monthly fee. One of the primary factors you will want to consider is the stability of the internet connection. Without a stable connection you can lose necessary time and it can be extremely frustrating if it works one minute and not the next on a regular basis.
You will also need to consider any hidden fees, such as bandwidth usage. They sometime charge these fees depending on how much you use your computer and what it is used for, such as excessive downloading or uploading of files and sending mass amounts of communication. This can add up rather quickly if you have several computers on the same connection.
While some companies may rent the equipment, some may require that you buy it which can be expensive. They will also need a state to set the equipment up which will need to be free of trees that can block the signal. They often place the equipment on a roof top or other high area.
Internet service providers may require the use of a password to access the connection so that unauthorized connections are not made. This is a good idea especially if they charge for bandwidth so that you will always know who is using the connection that you are paying for and you know that not just anyone can use your service.
If you have a small business or if it is do home use then you may consider getting a wireless modem rather than going through wireless internet service providers. This allows the convenience of wireless internet from just about any internet service provider in your area. While it may not cover quite as much area as a wireless provider would you can still use your laptop where ever a signal is available.
If you cannot connect a wireless internet modem to your internet for some reason then another option may be a wireless hub, which does basically the same as a modem, but it connects to the modem and then sends signals to your computers. These may offer more distance than simply having a wireless modem installed.
You can also obtain wireless internet through most satellite companies or 3G Wireless Providers. These require only the equipment that you have for your satellite television, satellite dish, or RF device. If you already have satellite television then you may be able to simply call and add the internet service to your monthly package. This is another instance where a password may be required to access the service.
An accessory you may want to consider getting is a Wi-Fi finder. This will secure the wireless internet signal and let you know how strong it is. That will help you to decide the best place to access the wireless internet and where you will have the fewest problems. This is wonderful especially if you are using your computer out doors.
If you have wireless internet then you can allow anyone you like to use your service by providing them with the password or code. This means that when your friends come over with their laptops they can hook into your internet with out a lot of problems.
Wireless internet providers can give you a quick and easy quote on what it will consume to set up wireless internet for your home or little business. If you are not required to occupy any special equipment then you will most likely only have a small monthly fee, though it will vary depending on the areas in which you live.
Wireless internet is also great because you are no longer tied to your desk to use your computer. You can seize it outside with you or where ever you want and with no cords.
Related Posts
Filed under Small Business Voip Phone Systems by on Nov 5th, 2010. Comment.