how do I go about starting a soapmaking business from my home?
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Check out the Small Business Administration web site -- they're a great resource for the small business owner. I listed a couple of other handy links as well.\n\nTry reading up on the subject -- check out Amazon, your local bookstore or library. \n\nPrior to investing your time, money & effort into a business name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available. \n\nThis entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark. \n\nResearch is needed to make sure your trade name is legally available, before opening, before expansion, before incorporation or before designing your logo. Similarities in sound, appearance and meaning affect you too!\n\nThere are 16+ million trade names in use in the United States. Similar names matter, if close in sound, appearance or meaning. Similar names in related classes, distribution channels and customer matter too. You are affected by Common Law use (14 million), State Trademarks (500,000) and Federal Trademarks (2 million).
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1. Think what business you'd like to do. Determine what you want to do, and whether it is profitable to do. Will it be a Web business or will you open a Main Street store, or both? Will you sell a product or service? \n2. Prepare a business plan - even if you are not planning to apply for a loan. It can help you think through your business, make you assess the market, let you know how tough competition is out there, and allow you to calculate your expected profit and when you can breakeven. A business plan is your GPS guide to your destination.\n3. Get your financing ready, whether you will get the funds from your bank account or find investors.\n4. Once you have the money, get the ball rolling. Start with making the decision on your business legal structure, then get all the necessary business licenses and permits. Then work on the business name, location, logo, insurance, etc.\n\nSome recommended articles:\n\nHow to Launch a New Business Successfully http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm\nHow to Build a Business from Scratch http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol18/scratch.htm\n5 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol139/questions.htm
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You can draw up a flyer and take it to the copy shop and make a few copies for all the houses on your street.  Do not place the flyers in the mail box as it is illegal to use the mail box for anything but US mail.  On the flyer introduce yourself, name and phone number and list the services you are available to perform.  Babysitting, cleaning baseboards and windows and mini blinds.  Sweeping washing and waxing floors and polishing, if necessary, mowing the lawn, weeding, general cleaning vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing (yes) the bathtub.  Washing the cars, walking the dog, caring for the pets while people are out of town.  Cleaning and organizing the tools and items in the garage (with the assistance of the owner).  Shoveling snow.  You name it, you might be surprised just how many people need and want some extra, affordable help.  Check with your parents about the area in which you offer your services, what you offer to do, and how much you charge.  You can also visit each neighbor and talk to them about your services.  Above all, always let your parents know where you are (phone number also) and just what task you will be performing.  Remember you are 13 years old and some tasks may not be appropriate for your age and stamina, such as moving around really heavy furniture.  Good luck in your endeavors!\nRemember to keep your prices very reasonable, i. e. $5.00 for cleaning bathtub.  I mention this task because for many older peope it is hard to do this task.  A SOS soap pad makes fast and easy work of cleaning the tub with a little dishwashing soap.  Don't use any dangerous chemicals.  And remember to always wear goggles for your eyes when mowing the lawn.  Keep safe and be happy!  And, oh, believe it or not, if you save the money, it'll end up being much more exciting than if you spend it.
1155348
Get your Own Personal Soap!!!!!!!!
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Start baking for friends and family to get your reputation and referrals started.  Find a licensed kitchen that will allow you to use their facilities.  Learn about what it takes to license a kitchen and the investment.  Bake lots of cakes and come up with your own style.  I don't think you need a formal education to market your personal services for events.  Just start doing it and get the word out.  Business cards are cheap.
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Hi there,\nCreate your own 'portable' business.\n\nhttp://webmaster-directory.first411.com\n\nis a great resource.\n\nMore Power to You!
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On the Web, this article “6 Hottest Businesses on the Web  http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/web.htm lists six areas of the new Web 2.0 that present new opportunities to small online businesses\n\nThe best home business that you can be sure is not a scam is one that you start yourself. It will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while another person would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. \n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner\n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\nLow Cost Startup Businesses http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n6 Hottest Businesses on the Web  http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/web.htm \n\nYou can also check out the following books:\n\nTurn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n 101 Ways to Make Money at Home\n\nTo give you ideas on what exactly do you need to start your own business, here are ten things you need to know before launching your own business  “10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Home Business” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/startingbiz.htm .
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You can start by reading the article "Starting a Janitorial and Cleaning Service Business" at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm The article contains information on startup strategies, operational considerations (prices, manpower, finding suppliers), and marketing the business. \n\nFrom the article, here are some tips to help market your business:\n\n1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer. \n\n2. The best way to market this business is through cold calling. Drive through the area to look for newly opened businesses, buildings or facilities. Then introduce yourself to the landlords ­ your potential clients ­ and request for an opportunity to bid on their cleaning contract. \n\n3. Draw up a better and more professional proposal by learning firsthand the needs of the potential customer, as well as the layout of the facility (e.g. type of carpeting, etc.)\n\n4. Networking is another effective strategy to get ahead in the janitorial business. Aside from newly opened buildings, get a list of companies that are downsizing or laying off cleaning staffs.\n\n5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other building owners or entrepreneurs in your area.\n\n6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. \n\n7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.\n\nFor more in-depth information about the business, we have compiled a list of books on the topic and you can either purchase the book or borrow them from your library. The list of recommended books on starting a cleaning business can be found at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/bookstore/homecleaning.htm\n\n- Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services: A Resource Guide to Developing and Maintaining Your Own Janitorial or Home Cleaning Business (Author: Walter Fenix)\n- Janitorial Service Businesses : Strategies for Promoting, Estimating, and Bidding Cleaning Services \n- The Janitorial Contractors Bible \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business \n- Cleaning Up for a Living: Everything You Need to Know to Become a Successful Building Service Contractor \n- Introduction to Janitorial Service Contracting : How to Succeed in Your Own Cleaning Business
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Entrepreneur Magazine has made a list of Low Cost Startup Businesses that you can consider\n\nhttp://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\n\nThe best home business that you can be sure is not a scam is one that you start yourself. It will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while another person would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. \n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner\n\nYou can also check out the following books:\n\nTurn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n 101 Ways to Make Money at Home\n\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/BizIdeas/bizideas.htm
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Several ways, but here's a couple:\n\n1.  Call and speak to the business owner to set up an appointment to introduce your service/products.  Suggest ways that you can be of service to them.  Send follow up letter thanking them for their time and confirming your appointment.\n\n2.  Send information and then follow up with a phone call asking if they received your information and that you would like to set up an appointment.  Send a letter thanking them for talking with you and confirming the appointment.  \n\nIf they are not interested still send a letter thanking them for their time and periodically, send them a "touching base" letter or post card.\n\nYou never know.  At some point they may decide to use your service/ products.\n\nBest of Luck to YOU!
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Start with something you or someone you know already own. \n\nI started a business making leather goods with only $300 investment. I already had most of the tools and supplies but I needed a wider range of leather. My first time selling netted $700 profit and I still had 3/4 of my supplies left. I turned it into a $80G a year business in two years.\n\nOne important factor in creating a business is passion. You have to love what you do.\n\nFrom a cleaning service (everyone has enough supplies to do at least the first house or two..then you reinvest your money to grow), to house painting (more supplies but can be bought at dollar stores for the first house), and the list goes on.\n\nI have built and sold 7 businesses in my life and am on business 8. Don't feel that once you start, thats where your stuck forever. Feel free to learn and grow with life. Get the book "Who moved my cheese" to help you learn how to move through tech changes.\n\nTake a piece of paper and draw a page sized T on it. The right side is cons the left is pros. Write your abilities down on the pro side then pencil in the cons to having a business doing that ability. You will find one or two strengths to work on.\n\nOnce you find what you want to do, find someone who is doing it and ask some questions. You will need to know how long it took to become established. Does the business support them and or their family. Do they like what they do. If not, why.\n\n2 out of three privately owned businesses fail the first year. They tend to work best when you have another job the first year or even two so you can reinvest your money to build the business. Its hard work but worth it if it makes you happy.
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what kind of experiance do I need and is it something i would have to have a license for and can i do it from home?\nwllw900@yahoo.com
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If you wouild like to work from home I can help you. It is the fastest growing business in American History and can work it any where you go, if interested look on this website. JJ:)\n http://www.usapowerline.mymagicwand.com
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Entrepreneur Magazine has made a list of Low Cost Startup Businesses that you may want to consider:\n\nhttp://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\n\nThe best home business, of course, will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while you would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. And you said you don't want to sell, make phone calls or involve family and friends.\n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner\n\nYou can also check out the following books:\n\nTurn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n 101 Ways to Make Money at Home
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This courier business is not a simple venture. You need to have a network of couriers in other parts of the country where you have things safely arrived at their destinations. Unless you limit the couriers to within your hometown to start with. Just pass the message around that you are starting this service and as time goes by,with your reputation  establised, people will get you to be their courier man. I would suggest you start a somewhat similar service like paying utilities bills or any other bills as a service for people around your hometown, for a charge. But please be honest and maintain your integrity if you decide to stay long in this business. Good luck to you in whichever busness venture you may decide to go into.
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Check out the library - there are some good books out on starting a cleaning business.\n\nThen network - call apartment complexes and see about prepping apartments for new tenents.\n\nCall homebuilders or realtors and let them know you clean houses and are willing to prep homes for the new homeowners.\n\nAnd just let people know what you're doing.
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Hello, \n\nIt seems you got some very interesting answers.  I believe that anything you feel passionate about can usually be turned into a successful business.  Write your likes and dislikes, pare them down until you get the 3 things you like to do the most that can be turned into a business and then think "outside the box" for each one.\n\nI know that for me a cleaning business would so NOT work.  #1 because I started one years ago in NJ and closed it down after a few months and #2 because i wish I had someone to come in and clean my house for me, but if you would enjoy that it is an easy and inexpensive business to start.  \n\nWith a computer there are many things you could do.  If you are at all artistic you could visit cafepress.com and "create" your own t-shirt designs.  You open a free shop, upload your designs and market your shirts.  They will print and ship them for you.\n\nYou could gather things that you no longer wear or use (and things from your family and friends that they no longer want as well) you can use eBay or Craigslist to sell them online.\n\nYou can start an informational website or Blog and have companies with similar interests advertise for a fee.\n\ngood Luck