how can i start to build a small business.(dogie treats)?
452027
Best way to approach this is to make yourself known locally. For example attend local flea markets...farm markets and even yard sales displaying and selling your products. You will get repeated customers and through word of mouth sales will pick-up. Don't be disappointed if you recieve negative results from some people...dogs have different tastes. Insure you have a contact name and phone number labeled on each product you sell. Good luck with your venture.
340472
The Small Business Administration website has a wealth of resources including a 'startup kit' and online tutorials that will help you through the process.  Go to http://www.sba.gov
805847
I suggest you get experience working with a game company, or a software developing company. That will help you gain some insight as to how to run your business. Anything is possible.
609458
Maybe you could start with the neccesary things first, then expand. If you can undercut any competition within a reasonable driving distance, and can remember names well,sell goldfish, dog and cat food, treats, manufactured as well as custom built houses, then add your designer clothing as a small addition, just to see how it goes. You know if your items cost the same or more the traffic will be very low. But yes I think pet sales account for a real good income. Now, location, the better the locatiuon the more it'll cost you. People in towns where traffic is 9 cars long  to the intersection find that corner lots are not as good as they were when cars only lined up 2-3 long. Too busy of an intersection makes it impossible to get in and out. \n\nOr you could purchase a franchise. But here's a clean little example of what it might take to seriously consider such an enterprise:
268758
The simplest way to answer this is to see a need and fill it. \nThere are many different kinds of businesses out there \n( Large Corporations, small businesses, Franchises etc.). If you want to start your own, my suggestion is to take a Entrepreneur class at a local community college. It is not necessary but it will give you a good overall view of what may be ahead and answer alot of questions. \n\n1. have an idea on paper, write it all out, think it all the way thru, is it a service or a product? Will you make it yourself? resale? Who is your competition? and so on.\n\n2.Write down who your customers will be and why they will go to you rather than someone else.\n\n3.Do research on the area you think will be good to market in or set up shop. (surveys, cold calling, demographics,etc)\n\n4.If there is someone who is doing what you would like to, call and ask them politely if they would spend an hour or so to help you with your research. Come prepared with a good list of questions and be ready to do most of the listening. (AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE AT LEAST 40 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE YOU ARE THINKING OF LOCATING AS TO NOT COME ACROSS AS THEIR COMPETITION)\n\n5. The most important thing to remember is ** LOCATION **. As it is the second reason businesses fail. (the #1 reason they fail is poor money management)\n\n6. You will need to apply for a business license and place an newspaper ad with a ficticious business name. It is also a good idea to become incorporated, the tax benefits are well worth it.\n\n7. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of being a business owner and that is it something you really want to do.\n\nAs for the best business is concerned, it should be one you have a passion for.
1110066
To get started, I suggest contacting the Small Business Administration (SBA) – links below. Entrepreneur also offers a great site dedicated to money & finance – see below.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Free Money for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs by Laurie Blum\n* Finding Money: The Small Business Guide to Financing (Small Business Series) by Kate Lister, Tom Harnish\n* Financing Your Business Dreams With Other People's Money: How and Where to Find Money for Start-Up and Growing Businesses by Harold R. Lacy\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
1028158
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\nCatering Specific:\n* How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, 5th by Denise Vivaldo\n* How to Run a Catering Business from Home by Christopher Egerton-Thomas\n* Start and Run a Catering Business by George Erdosh\n\nBakery Specific:\n* How to Open a Financially Successful Bakery by Sharon Fullen, Douglas R. Brown\n* The Baker's Trade: A Recipe for Creating the Successful Small Bakery by Zachary Y. Schat\n* Baking for Profit: Starting a Small Bakery by George Bathie\n\nIndiana Specific:\n* How to Start a Business in Indiana by Entrepreneur Press\n* How To Incorporate and Start a Business in Indiana by J. W. Dicks\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
286520
Start by asking yourself why you want to be in the bakery business.  Like most business ventures, a lot of sweat goes into a start up.  The bakery business is physically and mentally demanding.  And the hours will be longer than what you might expect.  A passion for baking and food helps.\n\nIt may be helpful for you to get a job with a bakery depending on your background and work experience.  You'll get hands-on training and a better understanding of what's involved.  There are also numerous schools that can provide formal training.\n\nYou must be confident in what you want and put your full energy into it.  Do some solid research as you will need a niche to succeed as a small bakery.  Read up on the industry about what works, what doesn't, and try to understand why.  There is a great deal of information online and at the library.  Read industry publications either online and/or subscribe (many are at no cost if you're in the industry, or planning to start a bakery).\n\nI'd also suggest that you talk to as many bakery owners as possible.  They started somewhere too.  Get their advice and benefit from their experience.  If you have the time and resources, industry conferences are a good opportunity to meet others and get advice as well.\n\nThe websites below are not in any particular order.  You can use these as a starting point and broaden your search from there.\n\nGood luck with your venture.
11573
US Government Small Business Administration\nhttp://www.sba.gov/\nThey can help & questionairs that help you get started.
52760
Starting your own dog walking service might work.\nhttp://www.indulgeyourpet.com/dogs/startdogwalking.html\n\n"A Dog Walking Business can be a very profitable business to start with little overhead costs to run! Typically dog lovers go into a dog walking business so you will also have the luxury of 'loving your job'."
241223
Start you own business WITHOUT QUITING YOUR DAY JOB.\n\nJust work from 9 to 5 in your day job and from 5 to 9 in your business.
41737
First, get a job in a bakery and learn all you can about they're run. Learn all the asspects of what needs to happen. Then go to the SBA http://www.sba.gov/ and get an advisor. If you know the business, they'll likely help you out. If you just bake cakes in your own kitchen, it could be a harder sell.
129314
I don't have a specific business in mind but any service type business is a good bet. Think of things you don't like doing that have to be done as a way of developing ideas.\nTaking note of some of the simplest things might give you an idea.\nGood luck!
1103598
Well, first of all, if you want to start a "business," it better be a garage/yard sale.  It's not so easy.  You can't just go to the government and say, "I'm making a business, can you give me some land?"  NO!\nI hope I don't sound rude with this reply, but if you want to start a business, it will take a while and again, will not be easy.\nAs for the whole, "What should it be?"  You're the one to decide that.  If you want to make a sports shop, do that!  If you want to sell shoes, go for it!  Doing chores for average households, giving art lessons, whatever it is, go for it!
64507
If you want to be up and running ASAP:\n\nhttp://smallbusiness.yahoo.com
41961
Suggestions For Building Your Subscription Business\n\nAs an Independent agent of  , your opportunities are unlimited to build your subscription business. As an agent, you are authorized to use magazine covers in any of your own promotional material. You are allowed to market your business any way that you want. Here are a few suggestions to help build your business.\n\n\n(1) Think large for the long term, but think small in the beginning. Start your business by contacting people that you know ( friends, family, neighbors etc. ). Let these people know that you are in business, and explain to them what a convenient service you provide. Sample promotional letters are available upon request. For example:  Since the average household takes approximately six magazine subscriptions, by ordering and renewing through you, they would only have to write one check, one time, to you, for all of their subscription needs. The customer also does not have to deal with any customer service issues, so if there is a problem, you can handle it for them (by contacting our office ).\n\n(2) Network your subscription business as a fund-raiser. Contact local schools, churches, civic groups etc. who want to raise money for their organization and keep a percentage of sales as your profit.\n\n(3) Take advantage of any gift giving occasion ( holidays, birthdays, engagements, graduations, etc.) Keep a log of all special occasions for your customers. For example:\nWhen it is the birthday of the mother of your customer, contact the customer and suggest a subscription as a gift. Not only will your customer had not thought of previously. Again, you are providing a service and your customer will probably be glad that you called and made the suggestion.\n\n(4) Contact local business who having waiting areas (family doctor, pediatrician, dentist, beautician, mechanics etc.) More than likely, these offices have someone who is designated to handle magazine renewals in addition to their other job responsibilities. This is an excellent opportunity for you to offer your service at little or no additional cost to the customer.\n\n\n(5) Ask existing customers for referrals. Most businesses get their start this way. For example: Your beautician built his or her client base from referrals of existing customers. Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertisement.\n\n(6) Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to get a listing of businesses ( and their address / Phone Number) in your area. Write a letter of introduction, or use our suggested letter of introduction, to contact them. There may be a small fee to get this list.\n\n(7) Contact large businesses in your area. These employees not only have reception areas, but the management staff usually receive a variety of subscriptions.\n(8) Keep updates on new residents in your area. Write a letter to welcome them to the community and tell them about your service. Form a business relationship with a local company that deals with major purchases ( real estate brokers, car salesman ). Suggest that they give a gift subscription to any new customer who makes a purchase. If you deal with a real estate broker, you will know who the new residents in the community are, and you can contact them for other subscription business.\n\n(9) Build relationships with your customers. Follow up with existing customers on a regular basis ( every 3 mos. ) to make sure that they are happy with their subscriptions. And there are NO problems. Hint: Customers follow up is crucial to your business. If you do not follow up, your credibility can be destroyed. If you only call your customers once a year (when it is time to renew ), they will be less likely to renew through you if there have been problems and you were not available to handle them throughout the year.\n\nHere is a suggested contact schedule:\n\n1st Contact - Make the subscription sale. Let the customer know that you will be contacting them in approximately 3 months to verify arrival of
675266
A good place to start is www.sba.gov.  It is the small business administration website.  There is a ton of information on the site.  Your first step in starting a business is to write a business plan.  A business plan will help you work through your idea an see if is a viable business.  There are a variety of books and software that can help you with this.  Also, the sba website offers mentors and there are actually sample business plans for several different business types on the site.  You can also take classes through the sba and there should be information on places where you can get help with writing a business plan.  Don't be afraid to ask people questions, talk to other ice cream business owners.  The more you know, the better.  Good Luck!