Be Your Own Boss

Join Me Today!

2006-11-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

Wednesday November 1st at 11:00AM Pacific.

You won't want to miss today's class if you're thinking of starting your own small retail business.

Today I'll be talking about how to buy wholesale. Learn all the ins and outs, of this sometimes confusing process, of purchasing inventory for your retail business.

Just select my class -Be Your Own Boss: Practical Lessons for Building Your Own Small Business

If you're not already a member become one at University Of Masters so you can listen to this class and ALL of the interesting classes available there. All classes are recorded so you can listen to them at your own convenience if you don't wish to take part in the live sessions.

Master Teacher: Carol Boles

Be Your Own Boss: Practical Lessons for Building Your Own Small Business
Learn the process and principles to beat the odds as a small business owner from me, a veteran in the field and someone who has succeeded as an entrepreneur. Follow my tried and true template for replicating profitable results.

Bi-Monthly - Wednesdays 11AM Pacific

2006-09-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

If you're the owner of a small business and have limited resources, use the power of numbers to obtain more customers or clients. Create an informal co-op.

Creating such a co-op is simple. First, make a list of other small business owners you know personally, trust, and respect. On your list, include some businesses that have products or services similar to yours and others that provide very different ones.

All of these small business owners probably have limited resources, too. Arrange a meeting with several of these owners and sit down together at a relaxing location (like a coffee shop or bookstore) to discuss how you could all benefit from an informal cooperative (co-op, for short).

For example, do you all attend trade shows for your businesses? Could you share a booth with one or two of these other small business owners to cut the cost of a booth? Do all of you have web sites for your companies? If so, it would be easy to create a blog for your co-op, with links to the web site of each co-op member. Then, each member could take a turn updating the blog, which should result in increased web site traffic (or at least more publicity or exposure) for each member.

Co-ops are also helpful when you would like to join professional organizations but can't afford the dues by yourself. Join as a co-op and you'll probably get membership benefits for at least several of your members. Join several different organizations so that each co-op member can enjoy membership in at least one organization of his or her choice.

Here are some examples of the types of businesses that would make good co-ops:

Car dealerships - car washes - auto parts stores

Childcare centers - children's bookstores - children's clothing stores

Graphic designers - freelance writers - small printing companies

Animal clinics - pet stores - pet grooming centers

Advertising agencies - specialty food stores - gift basket companies

Freelance writers - gift stores - day spas

Are you beginning to get some ideas?

Start thinking about creating a business co-op and you'll probably think of many other cost-saving and service-sharing ways to fit your particular needs.

Create an informal co-op, then sit back and watch your business grow.

by Suzanne Lieurance

2006-09-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a great article, by one of the members of the Lieurance Group

Lieurance Group

Jessica Dockter, a designer, explains how she develops and maintains a business relationship with her clients. I think she has a good approach.

by Jessica Dockter

I believe being a writer gives you a very unique & great power over people. You have the opportunity to affect how people think, how they feel & react to things & even what they do in their lives, for as short as a minute or as long as the rest of their lives. For designers it is a little more tricky, my affect on people will tend to be a little less upfront, generally it is an unconscious reaction to a design that they might not even be aware is happening to then. Either way though, we still all affect peoples lives with our work, (not to mention our day to day routine). I know we are all very fortunate with the wonderful talent we have been given (sort of like a small superpower, everyone has one but not everyone finds theirs). Below are some ideas of how we can put our superpowers to work & offer it to the public in a very nice, neat, desirable package.

• Make it easy & pleasurable to do business with your company.

• In many cases, this can have as much impact on customer satisfaction as the product offering itself.

• Create a consistent customer experience.

• Visualize the perfect customer experience & identify the elements to create this situation

• Learn & use the common elements found in great service companies, such as convenience, positive attitude, competency, have fun, trust, & responsibility.

• Develop training programs & work systems to assist employees with creating the customer experience the company desires.

• View complaints as opportunities, to learn how to handle them for the best result to better yourself in the future.

Be Prepared To Plunk Down the Bucks!

2006-09-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and go into business for yourself then prepare for the many upfront costs, starting a new business requires.

Here are a few business costs you should expect:

Financing Costs
Taking out a small business loan, securing a line of credit? Expect these kinds of charges:

1.Origination Fees -These are fees banks charge for their time and the paper work involved in processing your loan, usually 1% of the loan amount.

2. Appraisal Fee -Banks usually require some form of collateral. If assigning your home, as collateral, expect the bank to require a home appraisal from you.

Fortunately, many banks will finance origination fees and appraisals.

Screening Fees

Found the ideal commercial space for your business? Expect a rental application from your potential landlord. In order to:

1. Verify your credit history.

2. Determine whether you have a criminal background.

In most states Landlords are within their rights to ask for this information. This can cost as much as $50.00 and is non-refundable.

Professional Organizations

Thinking about joining a local Chamber of Commerce once your business is open? It's a good idea because:

1. You're showing your support for the business community your shop is located in.

2. Networking with other businesses is not only good PR it will bring you customers.

Chamber memberships usually cost well over one hundred dollars, even small towns.

These are just a few upfront costs that will require you to plunge deep into your pockets. Keep checking back here for more articles on this subject.

Taking the Plunge

2006-08-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Are You Ready to Open Your own Small Business?

In past years have you nurtured a dream of opening your own small retail business? In the back of your mind are you visualizing your dream job - being your own boss? Do you daydream about how life will be, how your store will look and what you’re going to sell?

Well, before you take the plunge consider the following:

- You’re probably going to have to quit the job you now have. That means you’re not going to have a salary. Ask yourself, “Do I have enough money put aside to live on until my retail business takes off and I can draw a salary?

- As a rule small business owners work more hours that most people. If you have family, how will this affect them? Setting up a running a small business takes time. Be aware that initially you’re not going to have enough revenue to employ someone to help you.

- Running a small business will tie you down. Forget about vacations or going out of town a few days. If you don’t open the doors and consistently offer customers your products and services, you won’t have any customers!

Consider the realities of running your own small business before you take the plunge. Make sure you’re ready to be your own boss in your dream business.