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How to Start a Caregiver Agency Business: 9 Easy Steps

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Caregiving is a serious job and it is only advisable for those men and women, if they have previously worked in a hospital in nursing. The reason is “to have the experience in care giving and generally taking care of ill people”.

The care giving needs much empathy, patience and the necessary physique as the job sometimes include lifting patients too.

Its almost impossible to give a great service if you do not possess the knowledge, the empathy toward the people who need to be taken care on the first place. In this article, we share a couple of tips on how to start a caregiver business:

How to Start a Caregiver Agency?

  1. You need to set up your goals and decide whether you want to be personally involved with patients or will let your nurses do the job and you do the managing tasks solely. Caregiving is a growing industry and more and more people are in need of continuous care and nursing in their homes.
  2. You will need to employ licensed nurses who can show solid proof of their good abilities in paper and by references. You might also need to go through a nursing and first aid course as the manager of the company, according to the requirements of your country.
  3. You will need a CPR certification as well.
  4. You can decide whether to go franchise or make your business your own way. There are many bigger nursing agencies, which offer franchise, making things easier for you from the start, but of course, franchise has its darker sides as well, so it is up to you. Consider talking to your friends or colleagues to get help and tips in this field.
  5. It is very important in this business to have good references. The best thing is, if you have gained your own experience in care giving for another agency previously. Also, consider asking the families of some private clients to give a reference about you.
  6. As the business will require you to move your employees into a home, you will always be in need of fresh recruits who can be called in case of emergency, meaning when you have no one else at hand.
  7. This business is totally about trust. Obtain references all the time from the family members of the patient because if any one of your employees fails, it can make your business crash within days. You will need to get them papers signed for you and you will always need to get the official medical papers telling you about the client’s state in order to make sure he or she gets the best possible handling. It is wise to have an interview with the client’s family.
  8. This is a business where you cannot avoid having an office in real. You will need to count in all the additional costs that come with it. You will need marketing which also costs a couple of bucks. Think about putting ads in local newspapers.
  9. Later, as you grow, you can consider having some of your own company’s cars. Until then, if you employ nurses with car, persuade them to stick your company logo and contact details, as there is nothing better than a moving ad.

Ideas for Starting an Art Business: How to Open Arts Business

Posted by Scott Wilson on in MD 0 Comment

Types of Businesses You can Do in Arts Field

Art-business-ideas

  • With the economy in a recession, and businesses still downsizing or at the very least not hiring more workers, this would be an ideal time for artistically talented individuals to consider starting their own businesses.
  •  All humans have an appreciation for good art, beauty and style, whether it’s in the form of a painting, or a beautifully designed dress, and many are willing to pay to acquire that pleasing work of art.
  • There are a lot of options to be considered by the prospective artistic entrepreneur, form fashion and design to sculpting, and all others in between.
  • One of the most important considerations is what kind of talent one has as well as whether they have the passion to take it up and do it to their level best, as this is required to ensure the business is viable.

A corporate art consultants

  • Art consultants give advice to individuals and businesses on how or which pieces of art to acquire.
  • This knowledge is used by clients for purposes ranging from building an investment in precious works of art to making chains of hotels aesthetically appealing to customers.
  • The art consultant is usually expected to have a thorough understanding of the current trends in the art world, and be able to tell which works are valuable, what artists are rising, and most importantly what art is not worth investing in.
  • This job is considered a stable career and the rewards are worth the work.

Buttons and badges

  • The humble badge has more uses than just holding pieces of cloth together.
  • Buttons can be personalized for any client on demand. The amount of profit that can be made is upwards of $100 an hour whenever there is work.
  • Personalized buttons can be made with printed artwork depicting team players, army insignia, political parties and the like. Some general purpose buttons and badges can be made for the general public, without any specific cause or bent.

A magazine business

  • Magazines are widely read, and despite the presence the Internet and e-reading devices, the magazine still hangs on.
  •  Magazines serve to educate and entertain their audiences; this is achieved through the articles printed in it.
  • The average magazine makes money through advertising and the better and more informative the articles are the better the response to the advertisement placed in the magazine.
  • To be able to start a magazine business one has to do some market research to find out whether the demand exists, whether there is an unmet need and how it may be met. A business plan is important once the market is identified and the niche to target is known.

Jewelry based business

  • Artistically gifted individuals can make valuable jewelry pieces that can be marketed successfully.
  • To do this, one can start business that deals with jewels, the business can be home based or even have its own premises depending on expected revenue.
  • The basic steps to take would be to decide on the type of jewelry and the price range that will be featured, create a name for the business; research the market to find out the demand and the volume of sales that will be feasible.
  • A plan should be made, and once it is reviewed and the model is found to be sound, then the state or federal authorities can be contacted for licensing as well as premises if needed.

How To Start Worm Farming Business: How To Make Your Own Worm Farm

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Worms can be a very lucrative business if the farming and marketing is done correctly.  Worms are used for several sources including bait and breeding.  Starting a worm farming business can be considered a simple venture; however it still requires research, knowledge and a lot of hard work to make the business successful.

How to Start a Worm Farming Business

Planning

  • Before running out and buying up a bunch of worms, carefully consider how much time and finances you have to put into the business.
  • Understand the market and how you can make a profit from worms.
  • Research the different types of worms and how they breed and grow.  It is also important to understand the conditions the worms will require to grow and be healthy.
  • Do you have room on your property to start a worm farm?  If not, you will need to consider subletting land, leasing some property or even buying some property to place your farm.

The Business Plan

  • If you will need financing it is imperative to have an excellent business plan in order before seeking financial backing.  Even if you will not need financial backing, the business plan is important to hammer out details of your business as well as to help you keep on track with your goals.
  • Include all of your financial information for at least the last five years.  Tax returns, bank statements and any loans, equity or other financial information should be organized neatly into the plan.
  • A good marketing strategy is necessary for the success of your farm.  Write a detailed advertising campaign and allocate a certain amount of your budget to marketing.

Starting the Business

  • Visit local venders that might be interested in purchasing worms from your farm.  Bait shops are a good example of businesses that would be interested.  Make several contacts with them so that they get to know you before you approach them with your sales pitch.  Understand what type of worms they like to sell, how much they usually sell, and any other important information you may find worthy to help you.
  • Contact your local city hall to acquire any special licenses or permits that may be required in your area.

How to Make a Worm Farm

  • Start off small.  Don’t go out and buy a lot of worms when you are first starting out; wait until you fully understand how the business will work and how well you are doing in profits.
  • Build or acquire a wooden box to house the worms.  Be sure to drill several small air holes that are not big enough for the worms to escape.
  • Aside from soil, also add shredded paper into the mixture.  It is important to make sure the dirt and paper mixture is kept well moistened without becoming too saturated.
  • Kitchen scraps are a good source of food for the worms.  Once a month or so clean the box and add new soil and shredded paper mixture.  Take the kitchen scraps and bury them in the mixture for the worms.
  • Harvest the worms about every two months.  Sift through the soil to capture the larger and more mature worms and then return the smaller worms to the box to continue growing.

Hydroponic Farming Business: Steps and Plan for Starting New Business

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Hydroponic farming is becoming more and more popular.  The idea of growing plants without soil helps to save farming space and acreage and appeals to farmers who do not have a lot of farming room for their cultivations.  The idea behind hydroponic farming is that plants do not need soil; instead they are fed through water and nutrients alone.  Starting a hydroponic farming business requires knowledge of horticulture, the hydroponic methods, and the financing and licensing required in their area.

Choosing the Type of Hydroponic Business

  • The first thing you should do before starting your business is to decide exactly what kind of business you want, and how your finances and space will determine the type of business you can realistically own.
  • Your own land:  If you own your own land, and have adequate acreage to provide for the farm, then you are one step ahead.  However, if you do not have the land available, then you can do some research to find available plots and acreages for rent, lease or sale.  Whether you lease or buy the land will depend upon the financing you have available.
  • Buying an existing business:  Those who are new to the hydroponic business may best be served by purchasing a business that is already running. This way you will not have the added expense of buying equipment and tools necessary to running the farm.  You will get an idea on how the particular business works in its area so that you will know if it is right for your needs.  The existing business will also already have a clientele list that will help you in the startup process with business already coming in while you make the transition.
  • Franchise:Buying into a franchise has some extra costs, but it also has some added advantages.  With a franchise, the brand name of the farm is already known to customers.  If it has a good reputation, that will only help your business succeed.  Franchises usually work together and will help with essential marketing skills and strategies to help your franchise succeed.

Starting Your Own Hydroponic Farming Business

  • There are a lot of resources on the Internet and elsewhere about hydroponic farming and the way these farms work.  Research the different techniques and plans so that you are familiar with the processes involved.
  • Study the other hydroponic farms in your area; your competitors.  See what they are doing, or not doing, that you can use to improve your own business.  A wise business person is very aware of what their competitors are doing at every moment so that they can continue to compete with them.
  • Talk to some ‘out of the area’ hydroponic farmers to try and get some valuable startup advice.  Most likely, the farmers in your immediate area will not be so eager to discuss their business strategies with you since you will be in direct competition with them.  However, farmers that are not in your area may be more responsive to sharing ideas and their experiences that can help you plan your business.

Dog Bakery Business Plan: How to Start and Setup Pet Treat Business

Posted by JC White on in MD 1 Comment

Have you developed an awesome treat that your dog absolutely adores and that you think other dogs will love as well?  Are you considering sharing that special recipe with other dog owners and make a profit while doing so?  A dog bakery business is a good way to share your creations with others while earning some extra cash.  However, there are a lot of things to take into consideration before starting your own business.

Types of Pet Treat Businesses

Before you embark upon setting up your own business, you will need to decide which type of business is the best for you and what you want.

  • Bakery:  If you are planning on making your own treats, then you will need to have the facilities available to handle your baking requirements.  Have you already developed a specialty recipe for dogs?  If not, and you are planning on opening a dog bakery, then this is the first step you need to take.
  • Outsourcing:  If you don’t really have the facilities, time or desire to do the actual baking yourself, you can hire another bakery to create your treats for you.  Discuss a mutually beneficial financial agreement and be sure that they have a reliable and impeccable reputation before hiring them.
  • Wholesales:  There are a few wholesale manufactures that can provide you with private label doggy treats that you can claim as your own and sell to your customers.  Search the Internet for ideas and wholesalers that can accommodate your needs.

How to Start and Setup Dog Bakery Business

Permits, Regulations and Other Information

  • If you have decided upon having a bakery of your own you will need to check with your local city hall for their rules and regulations.  Permit and license requirements vary from states, cities and counties, so be sure to thoroughly investigate what you will need before starting your business.
  • Some states require that dog bakeries must be in a regulated bakery facility.  If this is the case, you will not likely be able to prepare your doggie treats inside of your own home.  Check all regulations before making a decision.
  • Labels are required on the food items.  They must say that they are for dogs only, or that they are for dogs.  Nutritional requirements are also necessary listing the ingredients with the largest amount/dosage first.  If the treats are just treats and do not necessarily have any nutritional value, this must also be listed.

Marketing

  • Who are your targeted customers?  It is important to discover the type of customers you are trying to appeal and cater to.  For instance, you may want to sell high-end specialty treats that will attract the wealthier clientele.  Or, you may want to make an assortment of treats that dog lovers of all kinds will be able to purchase for their pets.
  • Choose the area where your business will be located carefully so that you are not bombarded with a lot of other competition.
  • Develop a website for advertisement that allows customers to order treats online.  Attend dog shows and other events to get your product out for others to sample.

Ideas for Marketing and Starting a Business on Shoestring Budget

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Starting a business can be a very expensive venture.  Many new businesses fail because they do not have the funds to keep the business going.  If you do not have financial backing and have little money to invest, starting a business on a shoestring budget is probably your best option.  Although it is difficult, it is not impossible to start a business with little or no out of pocket expenses.  Learn some tips on starting a business on a shoestring business.

Choose Your Business Wisely

  • Operating on a small budget means that you need to be very detailed and choosy how and when you spend any money.  You probably do not want to get a loan or other financing as that will create more debt when you already have a low amount of cash flow to work with at the moment.  If possible, try to avoid borrowing money to start up your business.
  • What type of business do you want?  Consider all the types of hobbies or interests that you have and see if any of them can be incorporated into a business without much cost to start.
  • Choose a business that you can use inventory that you already have in your possession.  For example, if you want to start a sewing company, and then make sure that you already have sewing machines and other equipment so that you will not have to invest in new equipment.
  • Research your market to make sure there is enough of a demand for the business you would like to startup.  If there isn’t much demand, then you might want to consider another type of business so that it is easier to make a profit and grow your business.

Marketing on Shoestring

  • Marking usually give more expenses to any new or startup business. If you are planning to do marketing on Shoestring budget, I can suggest some of the cost effective way to market your venture
    • Have your own website, do the online marketing.
      • Google AdWords is most effective way of putting ads online.
      • You can do online banner ads
      • You can also take help of Email advertising.
      • Best idea is to directly consult with local online marketing agency or company.
      • On a website, you can have your own blog, this help you give regular updates to your niche’s buyers.
  • Do SMS (Mobile Text Message) Marketing
  • You can also take help of SMS (short messenger service) to send periodic updates about your services and products to your customer.
  • Nowadays Social Media Marketing (SMO) is also one way to advertise your services. It is basically like putting your ads on Facebook, Twitter and other similar websites. You can find any SMO agency in your area, just contact them directly.

Use Your Own Abilities; Do Not Outsource

  • Hiring others to do something that you can do or can at least learn to do will cost you what little funds you have available.
  • If you know how to create a professional website then do so yourself instead of spending hundreds of dollars paying someone else to do so.  If you do not know how to design websites, go to a library or do research on the Internet to learn how.  It may take you some time, but it’s free and will save you a lot of money.  An added bonus is that you will be able to update and upgrade your site as needed without paying someone else to do it for you.

Useful Tips for Starting Business on Shoestring

  • Try to make your business look professional.  In other words, you don’t want to let your customers know that you are a one-person company working out of your basement or garage.
  • Instead of filing as a corporation, which is much more expensive, get your business license as a proprietorship.
  • Do not spend all of your earnings right away.  Always put some aside for marketing, upgrades and so forth.
  • If you are buying and selling products, make sure that you keep a low inventory of things that sell well.  It won’t do you any good to purchase a lot of items that move too slowly so that you have inventory you’ve paid for that isn’t earning you any income.

Home Repair Business Ideas and Plan: How to Start Home Improvement Business

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A home repair business is an excellent business to get into.  Many people need help with home repairs, landscaping and other home projects and are always looking for the best quality deal.  If you are interested in starting a home repair business you will need to make a business plan, get the proper certificates and permits and market your business for success.

Business Plan for Home Improvement

  • Every good business starts with a detailed business plan.  The business plan puts into perspective your goals and projections for the business as well as providing a way for you to stay on top of and meet your goals.
  • Start by writing a summary of the type of business you are planning on incorporating.  In the summary, include the different types of services you will be providing such as landscaping, roofing, plumbing and so on.
  • All financial records should be included in the business plan.  Gather together your financial records for at least the last five years including bank statements, tax records and other assets and liabilities.  List the names and contacts of financial institutions that hold your current and past accounts.  This is essential if you plan on finding financial investors to help fund your business.
  • Plan a marketing strategy to help grow your business.  Include website development and maintenance, phone book advertising and newspaper and local magazine advertisements.

License, Permits and other Requirements for Home Repair Business

  • The type of licenses and permits you may need will depend upon what services you will be providing to your customers as well as the rules and regulations for the city, county and state where you are located.
  • Insurance is another must for a home repair business.  There are several types of insurance policies to check into to make sure that your company is completely protected.  For instance, you will need insurance for you and any helpers or employees as well as a liability insurance to cover any accidents or damages that may occur at a customer’s home or business.
  • It’s a good idea to get certified for the different services you will be providing.  Certifications instill confidence in your abilities for your customers.
  • Several types of documentation will be needed once the business is started.  Estimating reports, financial reports, contracts and agreements for your customers, and a host of other reports and documents will need to be constructed and tailored to your business needs.

Marketing your Business and Services

  • Without a good marketing strategy your company will not be able to survive.  Marketing is important to gain new customers to keep the business going.  Develop a website that details your services and post ads in local newspapers and magazines.  Ask your customers if they know of any friends or family members who might be interested in your services and offer them a discount if they refer someone who uses your company.
  • Post flyers and posters around town to announce your business.  Visit trade shows and other related events to see what your competitors are doing and also to learn about any new trends or equipment that can help your business.

How to Start Dating Service: Steps for Starting Online Dating Agency

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People everywhere are always looking for a way to meet their special someone and dating services have become extremely popular in helping couples meet and get together.  With the popularity of the Internet, romantic hopefuls are finding new ways to meet potential mates without the hassle of going to nightclubs and other traditional meeting grounds.  Starting a dating service may seem like an easy thing to do, but in actuality it takes a lot of planning, work and knowledge of the competition to succeed.

Choosing the Right Type of Dating Service

  • There are thousands of dating services available so choosing the right type of business for you is extremely important.  Dating services are plentiful and the competition is stiff, so it is imperative that you do your research and know what type of clientele you are trying to reach.
  • First, you will need to choose what type of dating service you would like to open.  Most likely, you are considering an online business as that seems to be the most popular as well as the most successful.  Do a research online and study all of the Internet dating sites you can to get an understanding of how they do their businesses.
  • Next you will need to realize what targeted audience you are trying to reach.  Do you want a general site where anyone of any adult age can meet online or do you want to make it more specialized?  Specializing in a specific age range, nationality or religion may help to make your business more unique and profitable.
  • Some people are looking for certain types of relationships.  For example, there are millionaires who are looking for companions and women (or men) who are looking to be set up with only wealthy clients.  There are divorced people with families who are looking for a similar background from their potential mates.  There are older men seeking younger women and vice versa.
  • Consider all of your options well and decide which types of clientele you will want to attract the most and concentrate your efforts on learning about that market.

Getting Started

  • Once you have decided upon the clientele you are trying to reach you will need to develop a business plan.  The business plan will include your financial information for the last five years including bank statements, tax records and any other loans or equity you may have.
  • Developing a professional website that is user-friendly and informative is very important for the success of your business.  Consider hiring a professional to design the right type of website for you.

Marketing your Dating Agency

  • Post ads and flyers around your community for local potential customers.  Post advertisements on other websites and write up press releases that can be posted on the Internet.
  • Hold a free ‘meet and greet’ night for your customers where everyone can get together to meet and talk with those that they’ve been chatting with online, as well as others that they haven’t yet met.
  • Consider sponsoring speed dating events that will attract more people to your website and business.

Beekeeping Business Ideas and Plan: How to Start & Run it Successfully

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Beekeeping like any other agriculture based business requires some measure of good “care-taking” skills, patience and planning.

The business usually needs at the minimum some capital, a little expertise on the subject matter and a piece of property on which to establish the hive.

As the insects can strike fear in some individuals, prudence and common sense is required, in ensuring the safety of all personnel likely to have some contact with the bees as well as oneself.

The profitability of the business largely depends on the output of the hives, which is highly dependent on the available food sources and their suitability for honey production.

How to Start Beekeeping Business

The basics

  • A beekeeping venture is going to require the proprietor obtains some of the following: a hive (these come in different designs), a queen bee and most importantly worker bees.
  • These can be obtained mainly from specialty distributors, or in some cases from established beekeepers. Some safety equipment will be needed, like protective clothing and a smoke box.
  • The smoke has the effect of calming the insects so they do not get agitated when the hive is opened up for inspection.

The colony

  • A bee colony can be started in about three different ways, these are : swarm, a complete hive and a nucleus.
  • A nucleus will usually consist of the queen and a few hundred workers, normally this type will need to be supported with sugar and water till they can fend for themselves sufficiently.
  • This nucleus can be obtained from another hive.
  • Something to note is that the super (a separator) should not be added to the brood chamber until the bees have filled all the frames in there with honey.

The local regulations

  • Bee keeping is legal in many places but on occasion some communities may be found that have banned beekeeping.
  • Know the rules that apply to the area, you intend to have the hives and the bees.
  • Most beekeeping accidents may be mitigated by using common sense, so one should take every opportunity to keep people and bees separate, to avoid the possibility of injury.
  • Bees have been successfully kept in urban areas like Manhattan and Vancouver, living in the balcony or on the roof tops of buildings without a glitch.

Honey production

  • The way that the hive is managed plays important role in the business.
  • The hive will need consistent inspection and these checks should ensure that bees are collecting nectar, the queen is laying and there are no sign of disease or distress in the colony.
  • The queen’s condition affects that of the entire colony, and whenever necessary, she should be replaced. New queens cells must be removed since if a new queen arises, the old one will leave with part of the workers an all the honey they carry.
  • If there are oilseed rape plants that the bees patronize for pollen, the honey should be extracted quickly as it tends to harden with time. In the main honey harvesting season, the frames are removed and the wax caps taken off sung hot knives or other specialized equipment.
  • Selling the honey can be done by direct sales to consumers, through shops or in county fairs. There are large honey production brands that will subcontract small producers to produce the honey under their label.

 

4 Easy Summer Business Ideas for College Students & Teenagers

Posted by JC White on in MD 4 Comments

The summer time usually has a lot of individuals on vacation and ready to spend. It is an ideal time to launch a business whether as a young student or a mature individual looking for a long term opportunity.

Top Summer Business Ideas

Event planning

  • An event planner usually arranges and brings together all the requirements that go into making specific gathering successful. Some of these events include weddings, trade shows, conventions, parties, exhibitions and even meetings.
  • The planners have to be adept at both formal and informal types of events to be able to enjoy a wide client base. Generally event planners need some form of qualification that can be from a university or college, in the form of a course on event management and public relations or an equivalent.
  • There are trade associations that can offer some form of certification after one gains some experience, this will go along way in attracting the attention of high profile clients. Such organizations go by names that sound like “Special Events’ Society”, but this may vary from place to place.

Summer camp

  • Summer camps are a staple for young people and they will find a camp to attend no matter the cost and effort.
  • The types of camps out there are academic, adventure camps, art camps, religious camps, sports camps and technology camps. One can start a camp for kids during the summer, and depending on ones qualifications, interests or abilities choose one of the categories of camps.
  • The typical camp charges about $500 a week, quite a tidy sum, but some small camps only charge $200 a week while some high end camps charge u to $500 a week.
  • The types of c amps can be classified on the basis of whether they are day camps or overnight camp.

Pickup service for trash

  • The winter months caused a lot of trash and dirt to accumulate in the house, and not all people are fond of cleaning up immediately the snow starts melting.
  • The late cleaners are numerous and they have a lot of trash to get rid of. This can be turned into an opportunity to exploit as a business. One needs a truck for the job as a minimum and a simple advertisement campaign to reach out potential clients.
  • A phone, an address and a permit from the local business office and health authorities will also be needed before the business can begin.

 House exterior cleaning

  • Windows, exterior walls and other hard to reach exterior surfaces can be cleaned for a small fee.
  • The number of homes needing an exterior touch up is not decreasing, and the ever increasing workload of many families makes it hard for them to do it by themselves.
  • This business requires no special qualifications, and registrations may not be necessary. The investment required would be minimal and may include detergents, paint brushes, window cleaning equipment and the like. The business is unique since it has great potential to create repeat business every year, if one does a high quality job.