how to start a retail furniture business?
78579
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). \n\nI wish you much success & happiness in all your endeavors!
38677
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.
507605
go to a local furniture store and ask if you can have a boxand some of their packing material, go in late pm so they have time to unpack their daily orders.\nthen ask the guys in warehouse for packing tips
191367
I recommend that you start by reading the article "Starting a Clothing Line Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/clothing.htm\n\nYou may also want to read the following books http://www.powerhomebiz.com/bookstore/clothing/clothing.htm :  \n- The Official Step by Step Guide to Starting a Clothing Line \n- Start Your Own Clothing Store (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) \n- The Business of Fashion: Designing Manufacturing, and Marketing \n- The World of Fashion Merchandising \n- So You Want to Work in the Fashion Business? A Practical Look at Apparel Product Development and Global Manufacturing \n- The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing \n- Fashion: From Concept to Consumer
433260
My mom used to have her own business,it was a used furniture store,first she had to get a building,then she had to get the utlities on and the phone,and I believe she had to put a down payment on the building and pay the firsts months rent,and then she had to get a permit,then she started filling up the store.(some stuff she already had)She went to auctions,yard sales, and different places to get her stuff,she had furniture,glassware,tv's,vcr's,and odds and ends of stuff! Every thing that she sold,she put most of the money into buying more stuff. Put up a flashing sign in front of the store,put ads in the paper and make flyers to promote your buisness. I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK!!!!
410132
You can start small and expand:\n\nbe a courier on foot in a compressed urban area\nbe a bike messenger / courier in an urban area\n\nOR you could get on the Small Business Administrations website and check out how to do a business plan.  Once you've done the research and have a plan outlined for what you want to put together, the SBA will often help you locate investors or loan institutions that can fund your business.  Your local SBA office will also help you put together the business plan.\n\nhttp://www.sba.gov/
293446
It's great that you are doing someting that you love to do.\n\nYou have you staff in place , do you have an accountant, laywer, mentors and any other person you need to move you farward.\n\nDo you have a marketing plan?\n\nDo you have a system for the shop from taking out the trash to customer service and any other routines?\n\nWhat results do you want are you after in opening the store? What goals do you want to achieve?\n\nYour well on your way and I am sending blessing to your success.
949689
set up an e-commerce store. Not just E-Bay. Build your own website and start a business selling art,surplus supplies from your local retail stores...Your own candy...craft...bread...clothing...handbags...information about subjects you are passionate about and have knowledge of....
744985
There are so many things you have to consider: location, rent, employees, taxes, permits, filing of business papers, utilities, store fixtures, accountant and/or employee payroll system, suppliers, bank account, loans, insurance, possibly an attorney, knowledge of state labor laws, payment of state unemployment/disability for employees, computer system for ordering, a plan for shipments, etc.  I think you should talk to a business owner in person to ask questions, if possible.  If not, go to www.sba.gov - they have a Small Business Startup Guide.  This should be a good starting point.
336838
There are 2 components to the business you want to start. 1) mobile and 2) dry cleaning.\n\nYou may be able to get started with your day to day car. As business develops though, a van will be necessary.\n\nFor the dry cleaning, you probably don't want to invest in starting one from scratch, so use one that is up and running. My suggestion is finding a local dry cleaner to partner with. Tell them you are starting this business and you need to service a number of clients in the area and what kind of discounts they can offer.\n\nOnce you've determined a price, you can market that price plus a profit to your perspective clients. Take into account, driving time, gas cost, and the dry cleaner's turn around.\n\nYou are basically going to begin this business as the dry cleaner's driver, but once volume picks up and you are sending them lots of business, you will need to renegotiate the cost to make it more profitable for you. \n\nThe hardest part is getting started.\n\nGood luck!
990147
I would start by doing lots of research on opening a business and jotting down just off the top of your head what you'll need to get started before you even try to figure out costs - listing everything will give you a place to start.  Here are some things I would think about:\n\n1) where and how big do you want this shop to be?\n2) what space is available in the area where you want the location\n3) will you need to do your own renovating/remodeling to the space\n4) do you plan to buy or rent the space?\n5) location is really, really important; are there other businesses in the area that draw people and might promote walk-in business for your shop?\n6) how close is your nearest competition? don't even try to compete with starbucks if they're anywhere near unless there's something so unique about your shop that you'll have your own niche following\n7) how will you advertise?\n8) will you need to hire employees\n9) who will handle the legal work? the accounting? \n10) how much insurance will you need - property insurance, insurance against loss of inventory, liability insurance in case a customer or an employee gets hurt in the store\n11)how much inventory do you need to get started?\n12) how much money do you need not just for upfront costs but to keep the shop going in the beginning before the business takes off\n13) have either of you worked at the kind of coffee/tea shop you'd like to own - are you willing to do that for awhile to really learn the ins and outs of the business?
282682
You can start by reading the free article "Starting a Clothing Line Business" at  http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/clothing.htm The article talks of the startup requirements, understanding your market, how to enter the market, question of production, financing the business and resources.\n\nFor in-depth information, I recommend reading the following books:\n\n- The Official Step by Step Guide to Starting a Clothing Line \n- Start Your Own Clothing Store (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) \n- The Business of Fashion: Designing Manufacturing, and Marketing \n- The World of Fashion Merchandising \n- So You Want to Work in the Fashion Business? A Practical Look at Apparel Product Development and Global Manufacturing \n- The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing \n- Fashion: From Concept to Consumer \n\nYou may also want to check the resources offered by the following industry associations:\n\nProfessional Apparel Association http://www.proapparel.com   \nAmerican Apparel Producer’s Network http://www.usawear.org/  \nWorldwide Responsible Apparel Manufacture http://www.wrapapparel.org/   \nAmerican Apparel and Footwear Association http://www.americanapparel.org/ \nNational Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers http://www.nafad.com/ \nFashion Group International http://www.fgi.org  \nApparel News http://www.apparelnews.net/
1158761
first off you need a prototype, a tangible EXAMPLE of the product you plan to sell, this is no easy task, you'll have to get some funding to pay a place that has the ability to make whatever it is you are selling, depeninding on how complex the "idea" is this can costs a lot of money\n\nthen once the example is made, you pitch it or sell it to someone at sears, macy's whoever\n\nyou could try to sell the idea to one of the major retailers first and see if they'd fund the prototype, but you'd need a connection to someone at one of those companies and a really really good idea
279368
http://www.roomandboard.com\ngood furniture. reasonable prices.
872357
For the best profit margin, consider taking mostly high-end, high-ticket items. This will not only net you the best return, but it will also bring in good business if you advertise as such. Make it sound like a boutique, not just a run-of-the-mill used "junk shop." Call items pre-owned, gently used, etc. You can take in nice furniture, jewelry (if you can keep it secure), collectibles of many kinds, electronics like stereo receivers, high-end speakers, computers, high-def televisions, nicer appliances, etc. Make sure you research prices so that you are in line with what a used item should sell for - if people bring in items and expect too much money, it won't sell and will just take up valuable space. Make sure you can test electronics and electrical items, too, because your reputation will be damaged by selling non-working junk! Do make sure to take enough of a commission - if you don't, you won't even make enough to pay the rent. Don't take anything in poor condition as it will make your store look dumpy. If you take CDs and DVDs, you won't make much per piece, yet they will still be a lot of work for you. I wouldn't bother with things like that to be honest. Not worth the hassle! Make sure you advertise a LOT or nobody will even know about the store. Advertising is a good investment. Good luck!
485742
Here are some articles that may give you idea on how to start your own assisted living business:\n\nhttp://www.entrepreneur.com/Magazines/Copy_of_MA_SegArticle/0,4453,274124----13-,00.html\nhttp://www.helpguide.org/elder/assisted_living_facilities.htm\n\nI suggest you read the following books for in-depth information on how to start, manage and operate a senior assisted living facility:\n\n- Senior Living Communities : Operations Management and Marketing for Assisted Living, Congregate, and Continuing-Care Retirement Communities by Benjamin W. Pearce \n- Assisted Living: Current Issues in Facility Management and Resident Care by Kevan H. Namazi and Paul K. Chafetz \n- Assisted Living : Needs, Practices, and Policies in Residential Care for the Elderly by M. Powell Lawton, Sheryl Zimmerman, Philip D. Sloane, and J. Kevin Eckert\n- Assisted Living Administration: Knowledge Base by James E. Allen \n- Seniors' Housing and Care Facilities: Development, Business, and Operations by Paul A. Gordon\n- Developing Active Adult Retirement Communities by Diane R. Suchman
371772
I would suggest you start somewhere small like flea markets and garaging just to get a feel.\n\nI want to open a shoe store and I sell used and new shoes at flea markets and garage sales in the summer.\n\nAnd if that works out try selling on eBay (i know, i know, the fees) and after you get so many customers open an eBay store.\n\nOnce your eBay store is open you can open a yahoo merchant store, or a ProStore, and still keep your eBay store.\n\nAnd find clothing wholesalers, they aren't difficult to find.  By low sell high.\n\nAfter that put your online address everywhere: On blogs, 360pages, My Space pages (yours, one just for your store, family members, and friends), and print adds in newspapers.  And if it can be posted anywhere then put it there.\n\nI wish you all the best and if you get your site up I will gladly put a link on my blog and 360pages.