Small Business Resource

Mobile Car Wash Waste Water Run Off

2012-02-07T06:06:58Z

Writen by Lance Winslow

If you are going to run a mobile car wash you will need to make sure that you do not allow water to enter a storm drain, as that is illegal and those drains are meant for actually rain water.

Blocking storm drains is easy and then allow the water to evaporate a little and take what is left in the waste tank. Next you will want to make pre-arrangements to get rid of the water for instance contact the city or make a deal with a Coin Op car wash to dump the carwash waste water there which will go into their system properly.

Or you can divert the water if possible into vegetation and that should comply with the NPDES permitting, but be sure to run this by the local water quality control board or city.

One of the easiest ways to collect the wastewater is to dam up the flow towards the storm drain or block the storm drain completely. You can buy a vacuum, which both sucks and pumps the water from a Wal-Mart for about $79.00 and attach a garden hose to it to suck up any collected wastewater. Then you can put it into a small storage tank on your pick-up or trailer unit to remove it from the property.

There are other solutions also, which may include using a mat to wash on and there are a few companies, which sell these; “Car Wash Mats” or “Auto Detailing Mats” that you can purchase. I hope you will protect our Nation’s water supply and consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

Mom And Pop And Their Virtual Assistant

2012-02-06T18:10:25Z

Writen by Dana Wallert

Many different businesses already employ virtual assistants or other online support for everyday tasks. What about those who are not quite as likely to dive into the virtual workforce? Small retail businesses, often know as Mom and Pop shops, are an ideal candidate for virtual employees.

Many owners of these smaller shops may not even realize that virtual employees are a possibility much less, know of the benefits of outsourcing their administrative, marketing or accounting needs. To many smaller retail stores, the thought of hiring on additional staff for any of these tasks can seem much too expensive. In reality, using virtual assistants, marketers or accountants is really a way to cut costs.

Let’s take a look at a few examples.

1. Virtual assistants on a project to project basis. Many small business owners often wish they could have someone on hand when they need them to help with projects of all sizes. Perhaps they need a new brochure or sales flyer designed. Maybe they have a large mailing that is making them pull their hair out! Virtual assistants can step in at a moment’s notice, at any time and support them to whatever degree is necessary.

2. Virtual assistants as marketing consultants. A lot of smaller mom and pop organizations think that marketing is not an affordable option. Yes, marketing can be an expensive venture, but it is vital and can be done on a budget. Many virtual assistants are very experienced in marketing their own companies, as well as assisting other businesses with their marketing campaigns. Their involvement with marketing can be anything from brainstorming and consulting all the way to running or managing the entire campaign.

3. Virtual assistants as webmasters or the online department of a mom and pop shop. Sometimes retailers, like most business people, tend to get in a bit of a rut. If your shop is doing well, you may not see the need for any additions or changes. However, in this increasingly online world, having your foot in the door of the online marketplace is key. This is where a virtual assistant can step in and save the day. Having a website is necessary these days. You may not want or be able to actually do business online, but you must have a site that gives information on your store, hours, address, etc. You can decide how deep in the online pool to swim, but don’t be so scared of drowning that you never test the waters! You can hire a virtual assistant to consult with you to figure out exactly what type of site you need, what you want to say, the most affordable way to get up and running, etc. Virtual assistants can also design, maintain and update your website on an ongoing basis.

So, whether you own the general store, a local restaurant, your town’s bowling alley or any other mom and pop venture, don’t be afraid to reach out to unconventional resources for help to ensure that mom and pop’s business stays strong long after the grandkids take over!

Dana Wallert is the owner of an online virtual assistance company. She has many years experience in sales and marketing, as well as office management. Find more about Dana and sign up to receive her free monthly newsletter at DW Office Solutions – Virtual Assistant Services

How To Investigate A “Business Opportunity” or “Turnkey” Package

2012-02-06T06:10:18Z

A fast way to start a small business is to purchase a “business opportunity” or “turnkey” package. These “kits” come with a manual, DVD, inventory, promotional products, ads, and marketing & bookkeeping software, too. They often come with a lot less! There are no royalties to pay as with a franchise, but there is often no follow-up support such as an 800-hotline for help, etc.

The theory with a “turnkey biz opp package” is that all you have to do to launch the business is buy the package, read the material, study the manual, "turn the key" and open your business. Some of these start-up business opportunity packages cost $100 or less. Others cost thousands of dollars. But there is one common denominator: the opportunity should be investigated. Remember, let the buyer beware.

I sent for an “envelope stuffing biz opp” to see what it was: $25 and all I got was a letter suggesting I place ads in magazines and online offering “Envelope Stuffing From Home Business Opportunities”!!!!!

There are several ways to investigate a business opportunity. Do this before you send any $$$$ to anyone:

1. Call the Better Business Bureau in the city where the company is based. Ask if they have a "reliability report" filed on the company. This report provides information on the company and will include whether or not complaints have been filed on the company. It will also let you know how the company handled those complaints. Also visit: www.fraud.org for the National Fraud Information Center and phone the Call for Action Hotline at 301-652-HELP.

2. Call the Chamber of Commerce in the town where the company is based. Just because the company might not be a member doesn't mean they aren't reputable. But ask the Chamber of Commerce if they know of any reason why someone shouldn't do business with them. It doesn't hurt to hear what the word of mouth is about a particular enterprise.

3. Call the Attorney General's office in your state--often located in the State Capitol's office. Also check with the Secretary of State's office to see if there are any complaints filed on the company or if there are investigations pending.

4. Where did you hear about the business opportunity? At a local trade show? Through an ad? If it's in an ad, call the magazine who carried the ad and ask to speak to the advertising department. Do they have information on the company? How long have they been in business? Do they pay their bills on time? Has the magazine or trade sponsor received any complaints about the company?

5. Use your judgment. As you study the ad, ask yourself, "can I figure out what the business opportunity is from this ad?" If not, then run in the other direction. They are trying to be evasive. If you can't contact the company and get more information on what it is you are sending money to receive, then don't send a dime. Remember the old line, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Not in every case, but in many.

6. Ask the company offering the business opportunity package if you can get a list of folks who invested in the package during the last two years. If they are legit, and if they are proud of what they are offering, they will be happy to put you in touch with their satisfied customers. If they won't do this, there very likely is something shady going on with that particular business opportunity program. Companies that have a legitimate business opportunity package for you to look over should not be scared or dismayed if you want to receive some free additional information about the company before you invest in the program. This is a perfectly acceptable request.

7. Perform a Google search on the company and see what turns up.

8. The Federal Trade Commission offers a free package of information about the FTC Franchise and Business Opportunity Rule. Write to: Public Reference Branch, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 or call the FTC at 202-326-2222.

9. Use your instincts. If the opportunity doesn't sound or seem just right to you, stay away. Do some more research before you get involved with the company and follow tips one through 8 to conduct your "due diligence" investigation about the business and the specific opportunity.

10.Don't send money unless you completely understand what you are buying into, and even then, check it out before you send any money.

A Happy Note on Energy

2012-02-05T18:07:52Z

OK, the economy stinks. It’s easy to get depressed. Too easy.

So, while cruising around the Internet, I found optimism in a Financial Post column by Lawrence Solomon from July 12, 2008. It’s titled “Abundant energy will power future growth.”

Solomon puts the supply of energy resources in proper perspective, and at least on this point, there is nothing to be down about. This is a MUST read.

Solomon noted, for example:

Never before in human history has energy been accessible in greater abundance and in more regions, never before has mankind had more energy options and faced a brighter energy future.

Take oil, the scarcest of the major energy commodities. In the Americas, proven oil reserves have increased from 170 billion barrels to 180 billion barrels over the last two decades, according to the 2008 Statistical World Review from British Petroleum. In Europe and Eurasia, proven oil reserves almost doubled, from 76 billion barrels to 144. Africa’s proven oil reserves did double, from 58 billion barrels to 117. Even the Asia Pacific region, where China and India are reputed to be sucking up everything in sight, has increased its proven reserves. And the Middle East, the gas tank of the world, shows no sign of slowing down — its reserves soared by almost 200 billion barrels, from a whopping 567 billion barrels to a super-whopping 756…

Most of the oil we know about lies in the well travelled portions of the globe. But most of the world remains unexplored — the interiors of Africa, Asia and South America have seen relatively little oil exploration. Oil exploration in the oceans, too, is in its infancy. For all practical purposes, mankind has limitless oil supplies available to it. The story is similar for natural gas and coal, the other major nonrenewable sources of energy.

Thanks, Lawrence, I needed that.

Raymond J. Keating
Chief Economist
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

How To Create A Small Business Website …. That Actually Makes Money

2012-02-05T06:07:17Z

OK … you’ve finally convinced yourself that you DO need to have an online presence for your small business. The next step …. creating a business website.

Your first inclination may be to focus on “what it looks like”. OK … looks are important. BUT … there’s much more to it than looking like a fancy brochure.

If you want your website to actually attract customers AND make sales for you….you need to optimize for targeted traffic AND have content that converts visitors to buying customers.

Rather than dive into a lot of detailed “how” and “why” …. I’ll just recommend a resource that will do it all for you. From soup to nuts.

Simply check out these links and DO IT:

Website Development Questions

Website Development Services

It Consulting Firms Helping Business Grow

2012-02-04T18:07:19Z

Writen by Joshua Feinberg

IT consulting firms typically start with just a few people. And while it can be exciting at first for those people getting into the business, a few years of running the show can become monotonous and exhausting, and the need to expand becomes imminent.

Making Business Grow

Running a small business is a big job, particularly for just a few people who are required to do every aspect of the work. As the owner of small IT consulting firms, you need to plan to delegate some of this work to others in order to free up your time and allow more business. But you need to make sure your business is prepared to handle changes in workload before you begin.

Financial Stability

Sometimes small IT consulting firms will have an available source of funding that will cover hiring new employees. Other times you might have to wait to build income before adding personnel. Regardless, reviewing your finances will help determine where you are and when you can expect to support additional employees.

A Benefits Package

Good employees will expect to be offered a benefits package. Look into basic health insurance plans and find one that suits your small business. Since this is an expensive benefit, you can expect that the employee will pay the premiums, and that the health insurance coverage probably won’t start until three months on the job. You can offer additional benefits such as laptops, travel allowances, cell phone plans and uniforms to sweeten the deal.

Dependable Employees

Assigning responsibilities to others might be harder than you think if you are used to doing all the work yourself. As an IT consulting firm owner, you probably have developed high standards and have a hard time imagining anyone but you doing the job properly. Finding employees you trust is critical and will help ease the transition into a freer schedule. Giving new employees three months on trial will help you determine their working style and reliability. During this time, you can get feedback from customers and decide if the new hire is the right person for the job.

IT consulting firms are important to everyone today and yours needs to grow eventually. If you consider all the factors for business growth, you will have a better plan for your future.

Copyright MMI-MMVII, Computer Consultants Secrets. All Worldwide Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in author resource box required for copyright compliance}

Joshua Feinberg helps computer consultants get more steady, high-paying clients. Learn how you can too. Sign-up now for Joshua’s free Computer Consultants Secrets audio training.

You Have To Touch Your Clients More Often To Be More Client Attractive

2012-02-04T06:08:39Z

Writen by Fabienne Fredrickson

Every time I speak in front of an audience, whether it’s 50 or 1,200 small business owners, I get the same old question. Then following my answer, I always see a roomful of dropped jaws and gaping mouths.

The question? How often do I need to reach out to my prospective clients and clients?

The answer? A minimum of 25 times a year, preferably 52 or more times a year.

Silence. Jaws slowly creak open and begin to drop. You could hear a pin fall.

52 or more times a year??? I’m not kidding. The comeback I often get is “Are you crazy?!?” Nope, I’m not crazy and I know it works because I do it. Now that you know me a little better, you’re probably expecting that I tell you how to create SYSTEMS around this and you’re right. Read on?

The reason people go into semi-shock is they start to realize their boring cookie-cutter quarterly mailing isn’t cuttin’ it. It gets even worse when I’ve got someone in the front row who’s super-proud of their monthly e-zine, thinking they’re doing “what it takes to get clients” and yet they’re wondering why the pipeline of prospects is not full enough, and their bank account leaves a little to be desired.

It’s because they’re not “touching” their prospects (and clients) enough. Well, one of my clients, Jill Foster of www.TheMortgageArrangers.com, came up with a brilliant campaign during our coaching to change that. She got her hands on the list of Obscure Holidays (National Punctuation Day, National Poetry Day, National Wear Red Day For Women, etc.) and sends a postcard to her prospects, clients and joint venture partners each month (in addition to all the other ways she reaches her list). In each postcard mailing, she somehow finds a way to tie it in to the mortgage services she offers, while adding high content and high value. It’s funny, irreverent and gives her another excuse to be in TOUCH with her list.

Sometimes you want to be in touch to add high value and high content (this establishes credibility faster than anything else I know).
Sometimes you want to be in touch to promote your products and services (this keeps you in business).
Sometimes you want to be in touch to say “happy birthday” (this shows you care).
And sometimes you want to be in touch to just say “hi” or “I was thinking of you when I read this” (this shows you’re not heartless).

All these ways of TOUCHING your list build the “know, like and trust factor” that we’ve talked so much about in this e-zine. That’s because people don’t buy from those they don’t know, they don’t buy from those they don’t like, and they CERTAINLY don’t buy from those they don’t trust.

OK, how can you do this without going absolutely bonkers? It’s all about SYSTEMS, my friend, as always. Example: One e-zine per week (like this one). One mailing per month (your Virtual Assistant can stuff the envelopes and take care of the printing and postage). A few personal notes, handwritten. A Hallmark e-card. Etc.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

Start thinking about ways to be on your clients’ and prospects’ radio screens over and over again, by bringing high value and high content, or just by touching base to say hi. Create a system for everything.

Not sure as to how to systematize all this and put your marketing on auto-pilot? I show you exactly how in the last chapter of the Client Attraction Home Study System?. Here’s where you can get your own copy: www.TheClientAttractionSystem.com.

Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Expert, is founder of the Client Attraction System?, the proven step-by-step program to help you attract more clients, in record time and consistently. To learn more about Fabienne’s Client Attraction Home Study System?, sign up for her FREE client attraction tips and no-charge teleclasses on attracting more clients, visit http://www.ClientAttraction.com.

Should You Take a Credit Card or a Loan for Your Business?

2012-02-03T20:58:13Z

Small business owners who wish to grow their business are often in need of a loan to accomplish this goal. Most people think about taking out a loan to finance the growth of their business, but in some instances and depending on the amount of money, it may make more financial sense to use a credit card instead.

Business owners who are in financial trouble and trying to save their business may not have the credit rating necessary for a regular loan and may have to apply for loans for bad credit in order to secure financing for their business. These loans for bad credit are the solution if getting a regular loan is a problem.

There are many financial institutions offering attractive interest rates on loans. A closer look, however, reveals that many of these loans require a substantial amount of money borrowed to qualify for the low rates. Each financial company is different in how much is required to qualify for low rates, but if this minimum amount is not met, the interest rates can be quite substantial. If larger amounts of money are required, it makes perfect sense to get a loan, but any amount that does not qualify for these low rates may be better put on a credit card.

Benefits of Business Credit Cards

Applying for a business credit card is easier than applying for a loan. You simply have to apply for the credit card and then use it. There is no need to have a good credit score or have a large amount of equity in your business in order to apply for a business credit card.

When you use your business credit card to make purchases, it is easy to keep track since every purchase is recorded. This type of card is flexible because you don’t have to pay any interest on a loan, only on the purchases that you have put on your card. If the bill is paid promptly every month, there is no interest charge at all.

Business credit cards give you insurance because you are protected by law as well as by card policies. You are protected from fraudulent sellers and some cards even provide replacement and product insurance guarantees. Loans do not come with this type of protection. If your business should fail and you can’t pay your credit bills, the consequences are not as serious as those incurred with defaulting on a loan.

Business credit cards are not secured by the assets of the business, in the way that a loan is and this makes it very difficult legally for a lender to seize business assets. If you find yourself unable to make payments on the credit card, it is possible to negotiate with the credit company to come up with a payment plan.

It should be noted that whether you have a business or personal credit card, if your business is not incorporated and the card is not issued directly to the business, you are held personally responsible for any accrued debt. This continues even if your business fails and you may spend years working off the debt.

Many entrepreneurs forego using business credit cards because of the interest rate charged by credit companies. If you are able to pay your bills in full every month, this doesn’t present a problem. If, however, you cannot make the payments in full and are able to obtain a business loan with a lower interest rate, it may make sense to do this instead.

Incoming Searches that might interest you:

low rate interest credit card

Featured Business: Cool Moose Cafe

2012-02-03T18:07:12Z

I really like Tony Jarvis. Here is a guy with an advanced degree that decided in 1998 that Jacksonville really needed a touch of New England in the form of a neighborhood breakfast/lunch/coffeehouse. As a CBA, I have seen coffee concepts come and go, but his Cool Moose Cafe is a neighborhood favorite. Located at Park and King , it is a small business anchor for this popular commercial intersection. Tony was one of the first to enroll in the FastTrac small business workshops I was facilitating when I was with the University of Florida. If you talk to Tony, you better think Red Sox Nation. Tony is as big a fan as any Gator devotee is in Northeast Florida. I love his coffee and it is a great place to meet clients for lunch. He understands that customer service, a warm atmosphere and great food are the keys to success. Tony is accessible to his clientele. They go there because they like the aforementioned qualities and that he is like able (for a yankee). Feel free to call this Jersey boy a Yankee, but a baseball fan from Boston, not so much. The Florida Times-Union just did a great video piece on the Cool Moose Cafe. Click here for the story.

Politicians vs. Economists

2012-02-03T06:06:49Z

What’s the difference between a politician and an economist?

Too many politicians deal in a fantasy-like land, while economists (well, at least, a good number of economists) deal with reality.

Economist Thomas Sowell pointed this out in a recent column. He was focused on politicians who love to give things away, noting that in order not to take responsibility for the costs involved, often push those costs onto the backs of business owners.

Sowell wrote:

The most politically painless way to hand out goodies, without taking responsibility for their costs, is to pass a law saying that somebody else must provide those goodies at their expense, while the politicians take credit for generosity and compassion.??

Employers are ideal targets for such mandates, since there are always more employees than employers, and that is what counts on Election Day. Whether it is health insurance, time off with pay or whatever, these mandates on employers can be washed down with a little rhetoric about business’ “social responsibilities.” …

While you are enjoying all the goodies that politicians are sending your way, you may notice that your taxes are going up or that the money you earn or the money you have saved won’t buy as much as it used to…

If you are someone looking for a job — maybe a young person entering the labor force or a woman coming back into the labor force after spending a few years taking care of a small child- — you may find that there aren’t as many jobs available as there used to be before employers had to pay for “social responsibilities,” in addition to paying for the value of an employee’s work.

Sowell points that informing people that there are no free lunches makes economists less popular than politicians.

Raymond J. Keating
Chief Economist
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council