Friday, October 3rd, 2008 |
I have been diligently working on a business plan for a small business that I am setting up to create digital storybooks – and I have to say that I have a new respect for all those business owners who have gone before me and created a business plan!
It has been a lot of work – but it is worth it. I never thought I would say that. I was only really working on it in the beginning because it is a requirement for getting financing.
But, after spending weeks on the plan, I have realized just how vital a solid plan really is to setting up a business that will have a chance to survive. You need to really think about everything – your marketing plan, your financial plan, how you can compete with other similar businesses – there is so much that you need to work out.
I have really learned a lot about myself, and a lot about what I will need to build my business in this process. I have had to try imagining any problems I might run into, and how I plan to overcome them. I have had to think about how I want to advertise and market – and who my target market even is!
Through all of this, I have already been having to overcome little obstacles along the way – finding suppliers, working out pricing, deciding on the best possible business model – and one monumental hurdle I have been facing is where to get the software that I need to create the business I am envisioning.
I have just kept pushing forward – and every little setback I try to just step over top of and find another way. I have been in touch with numerous people, who have given me all sorts of prices and quotes. I have even been told by one person (who had not even seen my business plan at all – I just gave him software specs and asked for a quote!) that my business idea was not well thought out!
My point is: If you are wanting to start and grow a successful home busines – or any business for that matter – you need to have a plan. And, you really need to put everything you can into putting that plan together. You will realize little details that you otherwise would have missed. And, your business will suffer in the long run if you haven’t planned for what you need to do.
Find someone who can advise you and guide you through creating the plan for your business. I have been fortunate to have the help of a woman from our local Women’s Enterprise Center who has helped me tremendously – offering feedback and suggestions to help me get my business plan created. And, she has even helped to push me a bit over some of the little bumps in the road as I came across them.
Build your plan, then use that plan as your guide to building your business into something that you can be proud of! Don’t cut corners in the beginning, or you will struggle down the road.
Posted in Moms Home Business | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 |
There are thousands of women searching every day for really good ideas for a home based business. And, the internet has really brought a ton of great ideas that can be easily done by moms who want to work at home. In fact, the internet has made the ability to make any business viable and easy to market.
Just to give you a bit of an idea, there are moms who have home businesses that are centered around a craft that they love to do. What a great way to make money! Doing something you already love, and marketing it into a business.
That is the power of the internet.
Do you enjoy sewing? Set up a shop on Ebay or your own website to sell custom made clothing.
Do you love to scrapbook? Make up page templates and sell them online, or sell your services for creating custom scrapbooks for people who just don’t have the time to do one for themselves.
What about crocheting? Or making jewelery? All of these crafts can be made and sold through Etsy.com, which is an easy solution for people to set up a site to sell their crafts. There are a lot of women already who are selling successfully through their own shops with Etsy.
And, crafting isn’t the only way you can start your own business.
Freelance work has become a huge market today, and there are many, many women who are making good money doing freelance work at home. The problem many people fall into is thinking you need to be a great creative writer, or be a literary scholar to be able to write or do any kind of freelance work.
That just isn’t true – not online anyway. Being able to write a good article really isn’t hard, and either is ghostwriting a short report or ebook for someone else. As long as you have the ability to communicate your thoughts well, you can write them down. People searching the internet for information aren’t nearly as “stuffy” as those who may be searching for that perfectly written masterpiece in the offline world.
And – writing isn’t the only freelance work available. There are tons of freelance sites like, Elance.com, Getafreelancer.com, Guru.com that have job postings for many other things – anything from proofreading and editing, to installing scripts and programming software. And, a whole lot in between!
One of the best ideas I think right now, for those who are interested in learning about it, is starting up a Virtual Assistant business. There is a huge demand for outsourced workers to do tasks that others need done – and a lot of these tasks are very easily learned. Once you have mastered the skills yourself, you can then start to be the “middle man” where you will hire the workers, and take orders for work. You will then hire the work out to your VA’s that you have working for you.
See how simple it can be? There are literally thousands of ideas for a home based business, and thinking “outside the box” can give you the edge to really make your business grow.
Posted in Moms Home Business | No Comments »
