Professional Organizer

Most organizers specialize in at least one of five areas: space planning (organizing office arrangement of furniture, traffic, lighting, noise, and leisure space); time management (setting goals, developing action plans, scheduling, and delegating tasks); paper management (organizing the steady ?ow of information materials by setting up filing and retrieval systems, sometimes with the aid of a computer); clutter control (finding the proper and efficient placement for things to keep clutter to a minimum); closet/storage design (organizing closet and storage space). Choose one or two and market your services accordingly. This business would thrive in highly urban areas with busy professionals who want their home life to run as smoothly as the office. And it’s much more fun to organize other people’s lives than to run our own!


You’ll spend at least $500 or so on business cards for networking, but that’s almost negligible considering that you’ll be charging $25 to $45 per hour for your expertise.


Look into the National Association of Professional Organizers for more information. Hook up with an organization that conducts seminars, and off er your services as an instructor. This can supplement the income of your consulting service rather nicely.

Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings: $25,000 to $45,000


Typical fees: $25 to $40 per hour


Where to promote: Write articles for your local newspapers on time management and/or organizing space; WelcomeWagon. com; direct mail coupons; conduct seminars through local community continuing education; network; a Web site with some free tips


Qualifications: You must be a highly organized person by nature, with drive for efficiency; knowledge of systems, furniture, products, supplies and accessories are a must


Things needed: Pager or cell phone, computer


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Mileage, cell phone bills

Home Inspector

In this litigious society, home buyers, sellers, and Realtors are all looking for the best protection they can get. Learning the condition of a home up-front from a third-party professional insures that buyers will know just what kind of home they are purchasing before the sale is complete and, in some cases, even prevents them from making a poor investment. Unfortunately, home inspectors are often targets for litigation, too, so look into certification and licensing requirements in your area and protect yourself by either incorporating or affiliating yourself with a franchise organization. Whichever you choose, your work will change on a daily basis, as you’ll be moving from one home to another to inspect everything from the condition of the wiring to shingles on the roof. You’ll be checking off items in a large binder as you proceed, and this is what you will leave as a permanent record for the potential home owner. It’s a necessary service in this buyer beware kind of market.


Mostly, you’ll need the funds to either develop your own or secure permission to reprint the information contained in each binder you provide your customers. This business will be much easier to get up and running effectively, and in a shorter period of time, if you pay a franchise fee (anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000) to an already established company in this field. That way, you’re also protected legally.


Don’t underestimate the value of contact with real estate agents. Many of your best referrals will come from them. Likewise, thorough and honest inspections will result in satisfied home buyers, a valuable source of word-of-mouth advertising. You’ll have lots of face-to-face contact with them, so excellent communication and people skills are a must.

Approx. cost of start-up:$30,000 to $40,000


Approx. potential earnings:$50,000 to $75,000


Typical fees: $200 to $400 depending on size of home


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, real estate publications, local newspapers, networking with real estate agents, banner ads on Realtor and home-buying Web sites


Qualifications:Thorough knowledge of home construction and building codes or experience in contracting and building, license or permits in some areas Things needed: Electrical tracer; circuit tester; gas detector; basic tools such as screwdrivers, ?ashlights, and ladders; computer; fax; printer; cell phone


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Insurance, telephone bills, association dues

Bridal Show Promoter

Bridal shows are popular in every town; there are always women who seek the best in wedding preparations. You should have no trouble securing an audience if you book in the right places (such as shopping malls, banquet halls, and hotels). Your biggest challenge will be to gain the attention, support, and dollars from participating vendors, who could be made up of businesses like caterers, ? orists, musicians, and cake decorators. You must be highly organized, however, to pull this one off convincingly. Lose sight of details and you’ll instantly lose credibility with your audience as well as your vendors. The best advice is to secure your financial support up front to avoid any out-of-pocket expenses; in the event of a no-show vendor, you’ll still have your cash.


The $5,000 to $10,000 you’ll need to get this business off the ground properly will mainly cover your advertising and promotional costs. Remember that you’ll need to have professional-looking promotional materials (brochures, videos, and a great Web site) to lure vendors in the first place, and then the ? yers and billboards to attract your audience. Do it all correctly and you’ll pull in between $20,000 to $40,000 yourself, depending on how many shows you run per year.


If you can’t get at least fifty vendors for your first show, maybe you ought to rethink your marketing strategy. Try a novel approach, or get a well-known spokesperson or local celebrity to appear. Collect testimonials and put them on your Web site. Offer lots of great contests and prizes. Do everything humanly possible to attract attention.

Approx. cost of start-up: $5,000 to $15,000


Approx. potential earnings: $20,000 to $40,000


Typical fees: $125 per booth rental space


Where to promote: Flyers, radio and newspaper ads, bridal shops, direct mail, billboards, Web site (on which you can sell banner ads as well as offer some useful wedding planning tips or articles), videotape of previous shows to encourage participants and sponsors


Qualifications: Exceptional organizational skills


Things needed: Cell phone, computer with mailing list program, and desktop publishing software (to help create a low-cost, yet tastefully designed event program)


Required staff:Not initially


Hidden costs: Expensive radio ads; try to secure sponsors early in the game or arrange to split costs with them

Sales Trainer

If you have a knack for inspiring and motivating others, in addition to a sales or marketing background, becoming a sales trainer could be a fun and profitable business option for you. You will travel all over the country off ering high-paying workshops, seminars, and keynote speeches that energize sales professionals and motivate them to peak performance. Once you become better known for your motivational abilities, you will see that the largest part of your job is actually marketing your own best product—yourself—to other companies who might sponsor your seminars. Keeping the calendar full will insure that the money keeps rolling in, so don’t forget to get testimonials from each gig in order to continually gain more interest in your services. Forget the tired buzzwords of the past. Develop your own formula for sales success, and you can make yourself a valued resource among thousands of sales professionals everywhere.


Most sales trainers have also written books and produced a variety of spinoff products such as cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, or videos. Expect to spend between $1,000 and $5,000 for marketing materials, including brochures, business cards, and a Web site that is as dynamic as you are. Aside from your self-promotion tools, you really don’t need more than charisma and tenacity to get a business like this off the ground.


In this business, reputation is everything. Inspiring others to reach for their best is a noble profession, but it can only be successful if you constantly promote yourself to more prospects. Having a complete portfolio of “spinoff ” incentive products like books, CDs and self-assessments on your Web site is one way to keep customers coming back—and the money streaming in.

Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $2,500 (for spinoff products, add another $5,000– $15,000)


Approx. potential earnings: $80,000 to $150,000+


Typical fees: $125 to $150 per hour plus travel expenses


Where to promote: Professional sales associations, networking, advertising in local business publications


Qualifications: Sales training or teaching experience


Things needed: Computer, printer, fax, high-speed Internet access, cell phone


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Liability insurance, travel expenses not covered by client, incentives to help secure new clients (CDs, books, consulting time, or other business-building freebies)

Property Management Service

This is the business for someone who likes juggling a thousand balls at one time, pulling many different pieces together, and keeping track of the people and data that go with the projects. If you’re good, you’ll become indispensable to the owners of the properties you manage, and you’ll have a well-established enterprise that will keep you busy and well rewarded indefinitely. Why are good property managers so valuable? You maintain all the financial records for each property, which include income and expenses, bills, and taxes. Skill at auditing bills is extremely valuable just by itself. The ability to keep repair and maintenance schedules up to date is essential, so you will need to be able to pay great attention to detail and also have the people skills required for relating to the individuals who carry out the work on your buildings. Collecting rents is another central piece of this puzzle.


Your own office needs to support you well, especially in communicating to building owners, repair personnel, and tenants. A cell phone will be handy as you travel from site to site. Your computer, which will cost around $3,000 to start, will be the tool used most for tracking all the financial information related to the properties. Depending on your location, you should make at least $25,000 annually.


The owners of properties—your clients—will need to place great responsibility on your shoulders. Things can degenerate very quickly in a poorly managed building. Once the financial records become tangled, it can be very difficult to bring them into order or even to learn if the expenses are exceeding the income. You are asking your clients to have a large amount of confidence in you, and marketing these services successfully may depend on how well you can engender that sense of trust. It may be, however, that you will only need a few clients. This is one small business where constant marketing may not be necessary.

Approx. cost of start-up: $3,000 to $6,000


Approx. potential earnings:$25,000 to $50,000


Typical fees: $25 per hour or a monthly retainer of $500 to $2,500


Where to promote: Classified ads, referrals, memberships in community and business real estate groups


Qualifications: Experience in the field, related degree helpful, outstanding management skills, good ability to communicate and work with people, knowledge of basic bookkeeping, understanding of building maintenance issues


Things needed: Office furniture, computer with Internet access, suite software and possibly specialized property management software, cell phone, printer, fax, business cards, letterhead, envelopes


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Insurance

Product Designer

Behind every good product is a strong design team. If you have a reputation for quality product design done quickly and within budget, you could off er your services to such a team on a contract basis. If you can accomplish all of that, you stand a very good chance of building lasting relationships with product manufacturers. They’ll depend on your ?air and expertise to pull off challenging products. Your experience in design for manufacturability (i.e., designing products with the manufacturing team’s constraints in mind) will be a valuable commodity among your clients. They appreciate working with professionals who understand that good design isn’t just artistic; it’s practical, too.


You’ll need to invest between $10,000 to $20,000 in a high-end computer with a large monitor and a computer-aided design (CAD) software package. Mac computers are superior to PCs for designers. Since most of the people you might work with probably use Macs, compatibility issues can be minimized. Your advertising budget will be virtually nonexistent, because your area of expertise depends heavily on word of mouth. If you are successful in building the kinds of contacts you’ll need to survive on your own, you’ll be making anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 or more. Obviously if you’re working for large, well-known manufacturers, your earnings will be on the high end because these companies are more apt to pay big bucks for quality design.


Your work will not always be your own. Since you’ll be working on a contract basis most of the time, you will often be brought in to solve design problems or pick up where another designer left off—not the biggest outlet for your creativity, but an opportunity to be a creative problem-solver nonetheless. The work is solid, it’s demanding, and it’s profitable for the talented.

Approx. cost of start-up: $10,000 to $20,000


Approx. potential earnings: $50,000 to $150,000+


Typical fees: Varied according to project; can be as low as $500 for a simple design sketch to several thousand for a complete design/technical layout with product specifications


Where to promote: Direct mail, Web site with photo gallery of your work and links to related services with whom you are affiliated


Qualifications: Degree in product design


Things needed: Computer, computer-aided design (CAD) software, digital camera or scanner


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Insurance, excessive changes in product specifications (make sure you’re clear on what’s expected—and get it in writing)

Marketing Consultant

Customers are the lifeblood of all businesses, and marketing is how companies attract them. Sales are the end result of the entire marketing process. Developing ads, writing printed materials and letters, gaining publicity, and designing sales strategies are all facets of marketing. Just developing a focused marketing plan is a demanding activity, let alone carrying out the plan. Most executives need the services of a marketing professional to produce eff ective results. Marketing consultants supply these services to small companies and fill in the gaps left by downsizing at big organizations. Even though this is the second largest category of consulting after management consulting, opportunities abound if you can produce results. If you’re a brand marketing specialist, you can virtually name your price.


Marketing materials require a sophisticated and ?exible computer setup ($4,000– $6,000). You’ll need to be able to produce drafts even if the client’s art department or an ad agency creates the final versions. You’ll spend an equal amount on marketing efforts of your own, including joining associations in which you can build a strong network. If you’re persistent and have the kind of personality that draws customers in, you can earn as much as $150,000 a year.


Above all, effective marketing takes imagination. What do potential customers want, and what kind of message will enable them to see that your client’s product is that very thing? Knowing how to create these interactions will make you a success as a marketing consultant, if you combine that expertise with an ability to scope out your client company. To prove your worth, try to highlight strengths that they may not have realized they had. You may need to structure the goals for the marketing plan and get buy-in from the executives before the ads, promos, or sales letters are developed. Be sure to get a contract with payment milestones in writing as these projects can take many months to come to fruition.

Approx. cost of start-up: $5,000 to $10,000


Approx. potential earnings: $60,000 to $150,000


Typical fees: $50 to $200 per hour; $2,000 to $4,000 to lead a workshop


Where to promote: Referrals; Web site with key marketing trends and links to related resources, plus testimonials and your client list


Qualifications: Broad expertise in marketing or specialization in one area, business savvy, high energy level, excellent written and oral communications skills, creativity, persistence


Things needed: Laptop, high-speed Internet access, laser printer, fax, copier, office furniture, business cards, letterhead, envelopes


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Membership dues, phone bills, Internet service provider fees

Engraving Service

For nearly every school, association, or organization, there is a trophy or an award to be given to its members. For many business, there are name badges to be made for the employees. Think of the potential, then, for your engraving business—it’s a bottomless cup, isn’t it? You’ll need to be a strong networker, as much of this business has already been soaked up by those established much earlier than you. But, to compete, you can set yourself apart by offering unique products to engrave or even by reselling recognition products from other sources, such as the retail shop and catalog outfit, Successories™. Sell people on your exceptional eye for detail and customer service abilities and throw in quick turnaround if you can. Your clients will often need an award or trophy to be made on a tight deadline, so you can reap an additional fee for 48-hour service.


You could spend anywhere from $40,000 to $70,000 or more on your engraving equipment, depending on how high-tech you get and how large a company you would like. Your best bet is to seek out good used equipment first. In terms of earning power, you could make between $40,000 to $65,000 if you work hard and build the right contacts.


You’ll be singled out as a winner yourself if you can keep up with your orders in an accurate, timely manner. The best thing you can do is to send samples to folks with their names or company logos already printed on it, nothing appeals more to a person than a little ego boost. Wasn’t it Dale Carnegie who said that there is no sweeter sound than the sound of one’s own name?

Approx. cost of start-up: $40,000 to $75,000


Approx. potential earnings: $40,000 to $65,000


Typical fees: 40 cents to $100+ per piece


Where to promote: Direct mail, Yellow Pages, networking with business and civic organizations as well as schools, Web site


Qualifications: Training on the engraving equipment


Things needed: Engraver, molds, stencils


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Insurance

Electrical Contractor

Skilled electricians are always in demand, especially ones who can work with homeowners and small business owners. As the general population becomes less handy with tools and wires, your electrical knowledge and expertise will become more and more valuable. This is a classic one-person business, and you may find considerable competition. You will need good estimating skills to assess the cost and complexity of the work you are asked to do. Sometimes it seems as if electricians have to be part detective to interpret the hidden wiring in an old house or to trace the cause of a short “somewhere in the wall.” Of course, you’ll be familiar with code standards in all the communities in your service area.


Costs are relatively high as you must equip yourself to do whatever electrical job is offered. You’ll also need to secure certification; and your educational requirements to stay certified may demand that you take regular refresher courses. Set aside at least $5,000 for all of this, then add your equipment, liability insurance, and related costs.


Many electricians have made an excellent living by focusing on upgrading the wiring in old houses. If your area has a charming neighborhood of old Victorians, twenties bungalows, or quaint cottages that are being restored, you have a golden opportunity to build a client base. Other electricians work closely with an independent builder to install wiring in new structures. For these jobs, getting the work done according to the overall construction schedule will have a big in?uence on profits for the builder. Your planning and time-management skills can help build you a steady stream of referrals and repeat projects from these builders.

Approx. cost of start-up: $10,000 to $15,000


Approx. potential earnings: $40,000 to $60,000


Typical fees: $40 per hour for labor plus parts costs (varied)


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, classifieds, neighborhood flyers, community bulletin boards, radio spots, possibly a Web site in more competitive regions


Qualifications: Skill and experience as an electrician, ability to manage time and expenses, good people skills, license or certification and regular credit hours toward career development in most states


Things needed: Cell phone, tools, parts, and equipment related to the nature of the work, van, marketing materials


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Inventory of parts, vehicle maintenance, insurance

Accountant

This is a service that virtually everyone needs. The challenge is to show potential clients how you can improve their lives by helping them manage their financial affairs better. The two major approaches chosen by solo accountants are (1) to work with individuals on tax issues and personal financial planning and (2) to serve the burgeoning small business market with bookkeeping setup, payroll, tax planning, and all the other financial activities that an enterprise requires. You will need to be creative in distinguishing yourself from this rather crowded field. How are your accounting services better than those of the other accountants in town? How can you show an individual that you can serve him better than the big storefront operations that prepare taxes for low fees during the winter and early spring?


Will you meet clients in your office, or will you travel to their homes or businesses? These decisions will control your start-up costs (which could be as little as $3,000).


Being an excellent accountant and being able to create a profitable business are two different things. The people skills required have probably been completely neglected in your education and possibly in your experience if you have worked for a large firm. Gaining the confidence of potential clients is far more than simply having excellent accounting skills up your sleeve, which is why an informative company Web site might be advantageous for business-building, especially in the beginning. You’ll need to find a way to present your services in a way that appeals to people who want your help but don’t really understand how you can best help them find ways to save money. On the downside, your services will be particularly needed during peak tax preparation seasons; you’ll be busiest in December and March/April.


Personalized service and affordable rates are what set apart Kelly M. Zimmerman’s accounting business in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.“I take a genuine interest in my clients’ businesses. I really care about whether or not they succeed.”


Zimmerman says she couldn’t do without a computer, telephone, and calculator.


“Get involved in an organization that you believe in personally and where you can also promote your business. Marketing for accountants is basically word-of-mouth, so be sure to do everything you can to keep your current clients happy. They’ll send you more clients if they know you’ve gone out of your way for them.”


“I would try to be more organized and focused on the types of clients I really want to serve.”

Approx. cost of start-up: $3,000 to $6,000


Approx. potential earnings:$20,000 to $80,000


Typical fees: $35 and up per hour


Where to promote: Membership and active participation in community groups, ads in newspapers and publications for local fundraisers, referrals, possibly your own Web site with tax preparation tips on it as a resource for potential new clients


Qualifications: CPA and some experience with services on which you choose to focus


Things needed:Office area, furniture, computer, suite software, printer, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, cell phone is optional but handy


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Errors and omissions insurance, subscriptions and membership dues, continuing education

Real Estate Broker

As a property broker, you will be focusing on only one part of the residential real estate agent’s job. You will be doing the basic research rather than carrying out the entire process through to closing. You will develop a range of choices based on the buyer interview. This gives the agent and the buyer an opportunity to plan, clarify wants and needs, and consider the financial implications. It is especially reassuring for families making transcontinental moves to know what choices are available to them within their price range, general preferences for neighborhood type, and so on. Your job, essentially, is to match your clients to their perfect home. You’re different from a relocation specialist in that your territory is limited to your own immediate community. You provide information on the homes in your geographic area as opposed to helping clients relocate elsewhere around the country.


Start-up costs could be as low as $500, but marketing efforts will be ongoing unless referrals or subcontracting can bring you adequate business. You could earn $25,000 to $100,000 annually.


You will need to continuously prove that your services add value and don’t threaten other agents but rather augment their services. Keeping good records of your effectiveness will support your marketing efforts. Projecting an enthusiasm for your local area, its different communities, and its varied attractions, will enhance your work. This is a good choice for someone who loves houses and enjoys thinking about what type of family would choose each one, but who finds the sale process unappealing. Not everyone wants to spend all weekend showing picky buyers house after house, only to see the sale evaporate. Acting essentially as a home researcher, you can create a service that suits you as well as it does your clients. You will send them links to online photos and tours of homes in their price range, and then connect them with either the listing agent or the Realtor of their choice.

Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings: $25,000 to $100,000


Typical fees: 20 to 30 percent commission


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, memberships in local business and charitable organizations, local newspapers, Web site with link to Multiple Listing Service and a showcase area for your own current listings


Qualifications: Real estate license


Things needed: Cell phone, computer with Internet access, printer, fax, copier, business cards, letterhead, envelopes


Required staff:No


Hidden costs: Travel, marketing, subscription to online Multiple Listing Services, franchise fees

Online Message Board Manager

More and more folks are seeking ways to communicate with others who have similar interests. If there is no official online message board or interest group on a subject such as iguana ownership or vintage jewelry collections, your business can provide one. You would advertise the availability of such a listserv, then post as many pieces of related information as possible to generate the number of users tapping into your service. The more information you have online, the more you’ll be able to charge individuals for getting to this data—or advertisers for the privilege of enticing your list members with banner ads of interest to them. Checking the messages frequently and removing outdated ones are important aspects of your service. You will need to make sure that messages are arranged neatly and that any inappropriate material is removed on a regular basis. Check with major carriers to familiarize yourself with their message board regulations and any possible charges you may incur from them for use of their online services.


All you will really need to start is a computer (about $1,000) and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Online message boards are widely available; the more popular ones reside at Yahoo.com and Google.com. Be sure you can off er enough to generate a good audience as well as attract advertisers. Check carefully to avoid duplicating another service or you may have some problems. What you earn is directly dependent upon how many people use your service, so make sure your topic is of wide interest.


Selling skills and patience are the two vital ingredients here. To gain repeat business, you have to keep up with the message boards under your care. A large clientele is needed to make an adequate profit overall. Remember that some competing online message boards are offered for free. Keep your list updated often with fresh messages, and actively pursue related businesses to solicit banner ads.

Approx. cost of start-up:$500 to $10,000


Approx. potential earnings: $5,000 to $50,000


Typical fees: Monthly subscription fees typically start at $10 and annual fees at $20 to $50; most of your income will come from banner ad sales


Where to promote: Online directories and links


Qualifications:Online marketing skills


Things needed: High-power computer with fast Internet access, fax, printer, phone


Required staff:No


Hidden costs: Increased server space if your list becomes very popular

Mailing List Service

Although we all deplore the amount of “junk mail” that is dumped in our mailboxes each day, the amazing growth of direct mail is going to continue. Th e opportunity to succeed in running a mailing list service for the companies sending those materials is tremendous. Start-up costs are low, skills needed are easy to acquire, and money is there to be made. Your service can include list maintenance, mailings, creation of lists, list brokering, and even teaching others about mailing lists. Staying on top of the changing regulations of the U.S. Postal Service is perhaps the most challenging part of the job. However, software, pamphlets, and seminars abound to bring you up to speed.


You will spend from $5,000 to $9,000 on the equipment and supplies needed for this business. Depending on your specialty, you may be able to begin for less, especially if you lease a postage meter machine and some of the other equipment. Charges will vary for your services, but you’ll need to set two rates from the get-go: a per-entry fee (usually 15 to 25 cents per name and address) and an annual list maintenance fee of $1 per entry.


Mailing list businesses are relatively easy to start and to promote. You can have as large a customer base as you wish, rather than relying on just a few key clients. The actual work of creating and maintaining the lists is routine, although it does require attention to detail and great accuracy. A thorough understanding of postal regulations is vitally important, and the regulations are constantly changing.

Approx. cost of start-up: $5,000 to $9,000


Approx. potential earnings: $40,000 to $100,000


Typical fees: 15 to 25 cents per entry (name, address, city, state, zip); about $1 per entry per year to maintain the list. Mailing 10,000 pieces of mail could cost your client $800 to $1,200


Where to promote: Contacting local stores, associations, churches, clubs, etc. to offer to maintain their lists for them; networking in business organizations; Yellow Pages; direct mail; banner ads on entrepreneurial Web sites; your own Web site with testimonials and e-commerce capability (so that customers can purchase and download lists)


Qualifications: Detailed knowledge of postal regulations for bulk mailings, computer expertise, fast and accurate typing skills, ability to meet deadlines


Things needed: Computer, printer, specialized software, database, post office permits, office furniture, business cards, letterhead, postage machine


Required staff: None


Hidden costs: A backup for your computer system in the event of a disaster

Licensing Agent

The licensing agent acts as a go-between, helping a technology-driven company find a manufacturer for its invention. In addition, you help manufacturers or service companies find organizations that offer the technology they need. Th e service provided by a licensing agent is often transnational. For example, you may be fi nding technology for Chinese companies that cannot develop it locally. Licensing agents usually specialize in one industry—shoe products, electronic products, and so on—in which they have developed extensive experience and contacts. Th is way they already know many people on both sides of the street before they start. Some technical competence in the field is required, but this can be gained through experience. The other important quality for a licensing agent is patience. You may work for a long time on several deals, only one of which may pay off .


Equipping your office to produce professional-looking reports and to keep in touch with the rest of the world is the main start-up cost; expect to spend at least $3,000 on that alone. However, considering that your 15 percent is spread across a wide range of potential projects, your earnings could be as high as $100,000.


Becoming a licensing agent is an excellent way for a new entrepreneur to use his or her contacts from a previous line of work. If you have the sales skills, the contacts, and the ability to communicate with the “techie” dreamers as easily as the hard-nosed business types, you can build a successful enterprise. Keep in mind that you will be paid a percentage of the final deal. This can take a long time to bear fruit, and it is essential to have the agreement in writing from the start. There tend to be a lot of disputes if that percentage turns into big money.

Approx. cost of start-up: $3,000 to $6,000


Approx. potential earnings: $50,000 to $100,000


Typical fees: 15 percent of the deal


Where to promote: Association memberships, networking, Web site with client list and testimonials


Qualifications: Sales ability, outgoing personality, confidence, ability to communicate with technical people, the business types, and the manufacturing specialists; extensive experience and contacts in the field


Things needed: Computer with Internet access, fax, copier, laser printer, office furniture, business cards, letterhead, envelopes


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Insurance, attorney’s fees to draw up contracts

Jewelry Designer

For those who like to create intricate detail with their hands and have an artistic ?air, this business is ideal. Some people just jump into this with their natural ability; others who really make it big have some form of formal art training and have also been picked up by a major distributor. Hit the jewelry trade shows, craft shows, and antique shows with a vengeance and take a lot of business cards with you. Having earned a GIA certificate will be helpful in that you’ll have studied different types of precious and semiprecious stones and you’ll be able to price your pieces appropriately. This certificate also allows an additional income potential as a licensed jewelry appraiser, where you assist jewelry owners in assessing their collection’s worth for insurance purposes.


Jewelry has one of the highest markups in the retail world at 100 percent, minimum. So with a $500 investment, a lot of imagination, and some smart marketing, you could be well on your way to a first-year income of $25,000. Try to get noticed by the press, and you’ll nab more business than you can handle because people really appreciate having one-of-a-kind jewelry.


Ever hear of the expression the “small but mighty”? Jewelry has been known to bring in thousands of dollars for a single piece. Here’s your opportunity to cash in on your oneof-a-kind creation. Since not everyone’s tastes are the same, you can create until you’re out of ideas (which, hopefully, will never happen). The only problem with the GIA certificate is that it’s a six-month program and offered only in New York and California.

Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings: $25,000 to $75,000


Typical fees: Some pieces sell for $50 to $75; others for thousands


Where to promote: Jewelry trade shows, newspapers, jewelry retailers, craft shows, Web site with e-commerce capability, online auctions such as eBay and Yahoo


Qualifications: Geological Institute of America (GIA) certificate may be helpful but not required; some formal art training and knowledge of jewelry


Things needed: Vices, pliers, jeweler’s loop, magnifying glass, molds, melting equipment


Required staff: No


Hidden costs:Travel expenses

Feng Shui Consultant

A feng shui consultant uses the ancient Chinese art of feng shui (which means “wind and water”) to help businesses and homeowners recognize the most ideal directions and placements for items in their personal space. The thinking behind this is that if your belongings are in perfect alignment with unseen forces of nature, allowing the positive ?ow of life-giving “chi” energy throughout, then you will have a healthy and prosperous life in that space. To achieve the most positive ?ow of chi, you’ll need to first help your clients identify and remove clutter, so that you can actually see where the best locations are for the remaining “intentional” possessions. This can be a fun and very challenging business for those who enjoy improving other people’s lives. You can really make a difference in the way they live, simply by advising them on the best confi gurations for their meaningful possessions, as well as the virtues of a clutter-free life!


You really don’t need much to be a good feng shui consultant, since most of your trade depends squarely on your knowledge and ability to convey that wisdom effectively to clients. You might benefit from having a computer to help you stay on top of feng shui news and trends. If you follow the traditional school of feng shui, you will be using a compass much of the time to determine ideal directions for furniture placement.


Referrals will be a significant source of income for you, especially in your start-up phase. You would do well in the beginning to network as much as possible with architects and interior designers, but you may also consider offering yourself as a speaker at local libraries and events as a way of getting your name out there. Many feng shui consultants are also teachers of this ancient art, so you should definitely consider offering courses through community centers or adult education programs.

Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,500


Approx. potential earnings: $40,000 to $65,000


Typical fees: $100 to $150 per hour consultation fee


Where to promote: Local business and real estate publications, networking with interior designers and architects, Web site, referrals, teaching community college courses


Qualifications: Training and certification from a bona fide school of feng shui would be helpful


Things needed: Compass, cell phone, possibly a computer for research if desired


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Subscriptions and membership dues, continuing education

Party Planner

A party planner tends to all the details for any given social function, from hiring the caterer, ?orist, and musician(s) or entertainer(s) to addressing and sending invitations. Planners should have a creative ?air and be able to suggest a variety of party themes to fit the occasion. For instance, you could come up with a Caribbean theme where all the party-goers must dress in tropical attire, all the music is calypso-inspired, and giant papier-mâché palm trees sprout from the corners of the room. Or plan a party that is a surprise for your client’s family members, with a little Sherlock Holmes–style caper for guests to solve upon their arrival. Whatever your plan, you’ll need to be extremely well organized to maintain a good reputation, and since your business will grow primarily based on referrals, you’ll need to keep this uppermost in your mind. More than likely, you’ll put in way more hours than you should for each job, but the return will be worth it if your ideas are exciting or innovative and your execution of those ideas is first-class. In other words, the payoff will be directly related to what you put into it.


It’s a good idea to purchase some party planning guides from a bookstore (or borrow them from the library) and build yourself a Web site that showcases your themes and talents. Advertising costs will be your biggest start-up expense. Be sure to get a Yellow Pages ad ($30 to $100 per month, depending on ad size) since this is where many people who don’t know you personally will be apt to look. You can charge either on a percentage basis (15 to 20 percent of total party cost) or a ?at fee of $300 to $500 per party.


While getting started, you might want to plan some friends’ parties for free. Th is will give you valuable experience and build a portfolio, so to speak, of your successes and innovations. Keep at least a photo album if not a video of your parties so that you have something to show potential clients when you meet them in person or participate in local trade shows. Nothing sells better than demonstrated success. On the downside, expect there to be difficulties in dealing with the personalities involved in planning a party. Remember, too, that even though your tastes may be better than your clients’, they will not always be the prevailing ones.

Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings: $20,000 to $40,000


Typical fees: $300 to $500 per party or 15–20 percent of total cost of party


Where to promote: Yellow Pages; direct mail; ?yers; networking; banner ads on community Web sites; your own Web site with photos, party themes, and online booking capability through secure server


Qualifications: Resourcefulness, creative ability, exceptional organizational skills


Things needed: Planning system (hand-held PDA or a good planning book), cell phone, fax, camera or camcorder (to record parties so that other potential clients can see the results of your work)


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Travel expenses, spending too much time on each project for the amount being paid

Mobile Paper-Shredding Service

Mobile paper-shredding services are quite popular in major U.S. cities. It has always been important to certain types of businesses to maintain security; but this is becoming increasingly difficult to accomplish as valuable information becomes increasingly easy to access. Some banks, for example, have suff ered great losses when criminals obtained and analyzed their discarded paper trash. Computer codes, product information, even customer records are essential to keep confi dential. The value of your service is that it guarantees security; shredding is completed on the client’s premises so that no possibility exists for loss of data and information. Shredding can be done by staff, but it is time-consuming and messy. You are saving time and trouble by bringing your shredding machine to your client’s site on a regular schedule to perform this necessary but tedious task.


You will need a heavy-duty shredder as well (about $300). Charge $30 to $50 per office visit; offer a monthly rate to more regular clients, such as attorneys and government officials.


Try to get into this business fast if you intend to do so at all, before the crush of competitors limits your opportunity to make a fair profit by your labors. Marketing will need to include considerable education so that your potential clients become aware of the advantages to their organization of this service.

Approx. cost of start-up:$15,000 to $18,000


Approx. potential earnings:$20,000 to $40,000


Typical fees: $30 to $50 per office visit


Where to promote: Local business periodicals, direct mail, possibly a Web site that details the geographic area your services cover and that includes tips on how to avoid identity theft


Qualifications: Marketing skills, excellent time management and scheduling ability


Things needed: Paper shredder, computer, printer, fax, cell phone


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Vehicle maintenance and repair

Homeschooling Consultant

Communication, organization, and the ability to juggle several things at once are needed in this field. Your job will be to set up the school curriculum and schedule classes for parents who seek to teach their children at home instead of in public or private schools. You could consult for a parent who doesn’t want the child in the school system for religious or intellectual reasons or whose child has to be out of school for a long period of time due to illness or injury. If you are establishing a new curriculum, you will need the ability to evaluate the child’s skill level. If you are helping the student who will be out for a long period, you will have to communicate with her school on a regular basis.


Start-up is low after you have obtained your degree. Be prepared to buy books up-front and be reimbursed for them later. Charging $45 per hour on a regular basis could earn you up to $45,000 per year.


You may need to join a national, state, or local education association program in order to get a job. This business allows for excellent, high-standard teaching without all the hassles of dealing with a classroom. You don’t have to answer to a boss and if you fi nd you don’t care for the environment, you can quit. Networking is a definite necessity, but with enough contacts, you could find yourself with year-round work.

Approx. cost of start-up: $300 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings: $15,000 to $45,000


Typical fees: $25 to $45 per hour


Where to promote: School boards, Yellow Pages, local newspapers, Web site with links to resources


Qualifications: Degree in education, teaching certificate


Things needed: Books, teachers’ guides, monthly planners


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Mileage What You Do

Music Instructor/Professional Musician

Moved by Mozart? Driven by Dvorzak? Whether you specialize in teaching piano, voice, cello, violin, ?ute or any other musical instrument, you will enjoy filling your home with the sound of music when you are a professional music teacher and/or musician. Students are always plentiful, especially when you live near a lot of elementary, middle, and high schools with music programs. Often, there aren’t enough good teachers to go around, so when you become known for what you do, your appointment book will fill up rather quickly. Still, the young are fi ckle, and there will always be lots of turnover with your student roster due to lack of commitment, moves to other cities, or just plain lack of eff ort. Particularly with the younger set, you will need to work hard to encourage your students to stick with it, to learn how to discipline and “fine-tune” themselves into good musicians. Offer incentives (such as free movie tickets or a free video of their latest recital) to keep your students happy and motivated.


You will, of course, need a performance-quality instrument. Some music stands, instruction books, and maybe even a tape recorder would be a good idea as well. Your students may purchase their own instruction books or purchase them directly from you (if you have the space to stock some). A good tuning fork and a metronome to help keep a steady rhythm are the only other items that you will absolutely need to get started. If you already own a good instrument, you won’t spend more than $150 to get this business off to a quick start. Just make sure you bill your students for a set number of lessons upfront and at the beginning of each month, as music lessons are often the first thing to be cast aside by busy families or students with wavering commitment.


Advertising your teaching and performing abilities in community newspapers is often the best way to generate a strong client list in the beginning, along with off ering your services through schools and universities. But don’t forget to do a little schmoozing with party, wedding, and event planners to get the higher-paying gigs. And always take a full stack of ?yers or business cards with you to each performance. Referrals can get you everywhere in this business, and that is a Bach you can bank on.


Approx. cost of start-up: $150 to $25,000 (depending on whether you already own a professional-quality instrument)


Approx. potential earnings: $15,000 to $70,000


Typical fees: $15 to $25 per class per week $150 to $500 per event


Where to promote: Community newspapers, bulletin boards at local schools and universities, wedding directories


Qualifications: Experience as a professional musician; music degree a plus


Things needed: Performance-quality instrument, a piano or tuning fork, music stands, a metronome, and a room dedicated to musical instruction


Required staff: No (but you could partner with others for a chamber group or quartet and split the take)


Hidden costs: Travel expenses, extra strings and related musical supplies

Management Consultant

The Institute of Management Consulting has members handling more than 250 specialties. Professional consulting is a fast-growing field that is only going to increase in size, and management consulting is the biggest segment of that field.


U.S. companies rely heavily on management consultants, especially in the areas of compliance (with many government agencies), the introduction of new technologies, and to take the place of permanent staff as companies become leaner. Consultants provide many services, from strategy-planning and implementation to analysis and problem-solving. Many who choose to become consultants are those with top-level skills and experience. They want the freedom and greater variety of working for themselves and recognize the world of opportunity that exists in assisting small, entrepreneurial companies get their businesses off the ground—not to mention the opportunity to work as a consultant for much larger companies.


Start-up costs will vary according to the requirements of the specialty you choose. No matter what you decide, however, you will require the basic office and computer equipment, which could cost as little as $2,500 or as much as $12,000, depending on the quality and extent of computer equipment needed. You will also need to budget between $800 and $1,800 for continuing education, association dues, and reference books.


To succeed in this business, you must first analyze yourself; decide what sorts of problems you can solve for a client based on your experience and expertise. Research the companies or types of companies to which you want to off er your services to help you discover needs you can fi ll. Network with every contact you have in your target areas. Remember, though, that not everyone with good technical skills can be a successful consultant. You need excellent listening and counseling abilities as well as patience. Not only does it take time to grow your business, but often it takes considerable time to determine if your efforts have paid off for the client. Meeting the challenges of working as a consultant can be financially rewarding. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects and enjoy helping clients find creative, successful solutions to their problems.


Norma J. Rist, owner of The Boardroom Group based in Akron, Ohio, says her business assists women business owners to become clear about their goals and to achieve them in a shorter period of time and in an easier way than they otherwise could have by providing resources and business information in a group setting.


“A business phone line, fax, copier, and personal computer. Also, a meeting/ conference room is useful for generating group discussion and participation.”


“Segment your niche . . . I started ‘Spirit Groups’ for home-based business owners at the same time so that I could serve a broader population of women owners and generate more income potential simultaneously.”


“I would have segmented much earlier.”

Approx. cost of start-up:$5,000 to $15,000


Approx. potential earnings: $30,000 to $60,000 (average); some make as much as $300,000


Typical fees: Varies by market and client needs; average of $500 to $1,500 per day (can also charge by hour or job)


Where to promote: Networking, referrals, creating audio- or videotapes and CD-ROMs showing your skills, ads in professional organizations’ magazines and newsletters, brochures, direct mail, Web site with forecast of future business trends or free management tips


Qualifications: Technical knowledge, expertise, and experience in business management and operations, good problem-solving skills, good people skills, excellent communication skills (written and oral)


Things needed: Computer with Internet access, printer, appropriate software, fax, phone, office furniture, reference books


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Possibly special insurance, such as errors and omissions coverage; continuing education

Home Preparation Service

What can you do if you are ready to sell your home, but lack the time and energy to do what’s necessary to get it ready for potential buyers? You hire a home preparation service, of course. Such a service can patch the walls and spruce up the paint, improve curb appeal with some quick and easy landscaping tricks, and provide advice on eliminating clutter that might turn potential buyers away. Should you launch a home preparation service, you will likely find customers through advertising in community newspapers under “Home Services” in the classified section. Once you get going, you can do some direct mailings to your local Board of Realtors, who should be able to off er a dozen or so good referrals at a time. Keep in mind that they are often the first to see homes that aren’t in pristine selling condition, despite protests to the contrary from the current owners. A good realtor, if he or she knows about your services, can be the perfect “rainmaker” for your business. Make a “home checklist” to help you determine what needs to be done quickly and efficiently. This can also be used to provide the customer with a written estimate of how long the job might take.


All you really need, besides some ?yers or business cards and a few classified ads, is a general home repair tool kit. Depending on the extent of your services, you may need to add on everything from ladders and gardening tools to cement and paint. Having an account at a local hardware store will help you purchase what you need until your client reimburses you.


It might be a really good idea to have lots of “before” and “after” photos in a portfolio that can be shown to potential clients so they can see the dramatic diff erence your service can make. Better yet, put those photos on your Web site, along with free tips on how to get organized for a move. You’ll be surprised how quickly your phone will start ringing once people recognize the benefit of using a service like yours.

Approx. cost of start-up:$500 to $1,500


Approx. potential earnings:$25,000 to $50,000 Typical fees: $25 to $50 per hour


Where to promote: Local real estate publications, community newspapers, bulletin boards, direct mail, coupon books


Qualifications: Handyman skills, an eye for decorating detail


Things needed: General home repair tools, a large enough vehicle to transport ladders and landscaping equipment (if you offer these services)


Required staff:No


Hidden costs: Liability insurance, advertising

Financial Aid Consultant

The cost of higher education continues to escalate. And while one often hears that many types of financial aid are available, finding them is quite another matter. Families need guidance and assistance in finding the sources to which they can apply and in preparing the paperwork. Your services as a financial aid consultant will be in great demand once your name gets known to the community at large. Word of mouth from students you have helped and from their parents will bring you new business regularly. You will need a lot of familiarity with financial aid options to make a success of this type of consulting, and you will need excellent people skills as well. Some financial aid consultants research options on the Internet, while other specialize in aid for private secondary or even elementary school tuition. The bulk of the market, though, is for students entering college.


Keeping your own knowledge up-to-date and providing a suitable place for interviewing clients are your two main expenses ($2,000 to start). Part-time work could earn you $15,000; rates could range anywhere from $150 to $500 per job, depending on both complexity of paperwork and your geographical location.


Many parents experience major shock when they first realize how much having one or more children enrolled in the ivied halls is going to set them back. And even the “simple” financial aid forms for determining basic financial need are far from easy to cope with. You can also provide vital help in finding the multitude of special scholarships available for students with a certain heritage, a special academic interest, or some other specifi c characteristic.

Approx. cost of start-up:$2,000 to $4,000


Approx. potential earnings:$15,000 to $40,000


Typical fees: Flat rates of $150 to $500


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, classified ads, direct mail, membership to and participation in community organizations related to education, seminars and speeches for community groups, networking, Web site that’s easily located via search engines


Qualifications: Experience as a school guidance counselor or college admissions officer, extensive knowledge of the field, ability to relate well to college applicants and their parents


Things needed:Office with conference table for meeting clients, computer, suite software, Internet access, fax, printer, business cards, letterhead, envelopes


Required staff:No


Hidden costs: Subscriptions, Internet Service Provider fees, association dues

Rare Book Dealer

Some avid readers will go to extraordinary lengths to find a used or rare book that they’d relish having in their private collection. Whether you’re providing this service in addition to running a bookstore (as many rare book specialists do) or running it as a separate business, you’ll need to be highly detail-oriented and well organized to make this business profi table. The good news is, there are plenty of publications that you can subscribe to, and these provide monthly listings of what books are currently available through other dealers. Sometimes, you’ll be lucky enough to work out an even trade (and maximize your own profit on the book you’re selling to the customer). Most often, however, you’ll derive your income from a search fee ($10 to $15 in some areas) and a sales commission on the book itself, which you will have priced accordingly to suit your bank account’s needs. The older and more rare the book, the harder it is to locate. But if you can manage to drum up one yellow-paged copy, your earnings could be quite high on just one book.


It will take between $5,000 to $10,000 to get started with your computer and online searches. Expect to spend $1,000 or so on advertising in your first year. If you are good at what you do, you could earn between $20,000 and $40,000 per year.


The stress level is actually quite low in this field, and you can search for a book at your own pace for the most part. However, you don’t get paid as much for looking as you do for finding. Sign on with Web-based services such as www.abebooks.com to expedite your searches as well as to automate your sales.


Approx. cost of start-up:$5,000 to $10,000


Approx. potential earnings: $20,000 to $40,000


Typical fees: $10 to $15 plus a percentage of sale on book (based on your markup)


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, book industry publications, networking with bookstore owners and managers, Web site, and banner ads on book club Web sites


Qualifications: Good organizational skills and excellent follow-up ability


Things needed: Computer with Internet access, printer, fax, phone with toll-free number


Required staff:No


Hidden costs: Internet service provider package, phone bills

Nanny Service

Not just your average babysitter, a nanny provides daily care for children in addition to helping with household chores. Obviously, then, nannies should enjoy being essentially another mom in a busy household. You need to carefully screen your nanny candidates (including running a background check with the police to make sure they have a clean record) and match them carefully to prospective households. Make sure that your client homes fill out a questionnaire detailing their preferences and exactly what kinds of work they expect to have done by the nanny. Also, since many nannies drive kids to soccer practice or other recreation activities, be sure that each nanny has a valid driver’s license. Your nannies should be CPR certified as well.


Your costs to start a nanny service are generally quite high for a number of reasons, including liability insurance, office overhead, and benefits. Once you factor in your advertising costs (a good-size ad in the Yellow Pages and ?yers or brochures for parents’ and professional groups), you’ve spent anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000. Nanny services are particularly lucrative in large cities, where most of the need is.


It is a challenge to match the right nannies to each of your clients’ households, but if you ask all of the right questions up-front, your chances of success will be high. Nannies are filling an important void in the lives of working families, and if the two-income family trend continues to rise, your service will be among the most profitable businesses to start.


Approx. cost of start-up: $10,000 to $40,000


Approx. potential earnings:$40,000 to $70,000


Typical fees: $20 to $35 per hour


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, newspapers, parents’ groups, business associations, Web site with testimonials and information about your fees and services


Qualifications:Business experience, preferably experience in managing a sizeable staff


Things needed: Computer with high-speed Internet access, cell phone, fax


Required staff: Yes (about 20–30 nannies)


Hidden costs: Liability insurance, health benefits and possibly background checks for your nannies (however, some nanny services require candidates to cover that cost)

Incorporation Service for Businesses

With more business start-ups than ever before, the need for quick, inexpensive help in forming a corporation is greater than ever. Many people who consider starting a business simply have no idea which form of business is more advantageous for them. A nice benefit to incorporating is that you are personally protected from any lawsuits fi led against the company. In other words, you probably won’t lose your house or car. You’ll be networking with entrepreneurial groups to fi nd clients in need of your services or fielding calls from your advertisements, then meeting with the client(s) to fill out the necessary, and often straightforward, forms required by the government. You may also have to set up the client’s Employer Identifi cation Number. You’ll present them with their corporate package, which will include easy-to-fill-out forms such as the Articles of Incorporation, any minutes from board of director meetings, stock certificates, and so on. Essentially, you’ll be getting a company started on the road to greater growth potential.


Advertising will be your largest out-of-pocket expense (between $500 to $1,000). It would also help you to have business cards for networking (add another $100 to $200). But you could charge as little as $175 and as much as $300 for your services, depending on your area or the size and complexity of the client company.


If you like working day in and day out filling out the same forms, this job could be just what you’re looking for. If, on the other hand, you thrive on excitement and variety, perhaps you should look into starting a business that specializes in putting together business plans.


Approx. cost of start-up:$500 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings:$25,000 to $45,000


Typical fees:$175 to $300


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, business publications, direct mail to entrepreneur groups, classified postings on online services, banner ads on entrepreneurial Web sites, your own Web site with information about why incorporation is a good idea for business owners


Qualifications: A good working knowledge of incorporation law


Things needed: Computer, cell phone, fax, legal forms, business cards


Required staff:No


Hidden costs:None

Computer Maintenance Service

Computers and dust don’t mix. That seems like a simple idea, but many people have little understanding of that concept. They don’t understand why computers tend to crash without regular maintenance, and they need much reassurance before they will trust you to remove a cover and begin cleaning the drives. Once you gain trust and develop your clientele, though, you’ll be able to negotiate ongoing service contracts that will give you a steady ?ow of work, and income. Twice a year you can service each client on your list, cleaning the vital components of the machines that keep their businesses running. You may also develop connections to possible add-on services you could offer, such as training, software installation, file backups, and so on.


The computer for your own office is the largest expense because the actual computer cleaning tools are quite simple and not very costly. Fees are usually in the $50 per hour range. Your biggest challenge is to make potential clients aware of the benefit of maintaining their systems. All too often they’ll wait until something catastrophic happens before they call you. Consequently, a decent Web site, some advertising and maintenance reminder cards will cost you at least $1,000 to $2,000 per year.


If you have the ability to clean computers and peripheral equipment, you can provide a service needed by almost all businesses and many individuals as well. Satisfied customers will probably provide you with plenty of referrals, but you will occasionally be working with distraught clients. You might need to work at your customers’ sites, so careful planning is necessary to make best use of travel time.


Approx. cost of start-up: $5,000 to $10,000


Approx. potential earnings: $50,000 to $70,000


Typical fees: $50 per hour on cleaning or repairs


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, flyers, business card, opportunities to teach classes, Web site with links to related resources


Qualifications: Knowledge of computer hardware and interfaces, ability to deal with upset clients diplomatically and sympathetically


Things needed: Computer with Internet access, printer, fax, tools, cleaning supplies, diagnostic software, spare parts, office furniture, business cards, reference books


Required staff:No


Hidden costs: Staying abreast of new technology

Auditor

As bills become more complicated, the opportunity for finding errors and overcharges in them increases. For most businesses, though, the tedious, detail-oriented work necessary to check each bill and interpret all the data is just too time-consuming. An auditing specialist can work through all the paper records, uncover overcharges, collect a percentage of the money saved, and make an excellent living. To be very successful, you will need the ability to consider what lies behind the rows of figures on a utility bill. Something as basic as a misplaced decimal point can have a huge effect, but it’s harder to spot incorrect rate assignments, double billing for small segments of the service, or opportunities to use a different rate structure.


You’ll need a good place to work. This is a lot of detailed reading, calculating, and thinking, so your equipment needs to fit you comfortably (around $3,000 to start).


If you focus on utility bills, look for organizations that consume large quantities of electricity, such as businesses that are open all night. Government organizations, churches, and other institutions with big buildings and inadequate staffing are excellent prospects also. Some auditing services focus on insurance costs or telephone charges. In spite of the clear benefits you will offer, however, marketing is a challenge. People aren’t used to the idea of auditing specialists, and they probably have no idea how much money they are pouring down the drain each month in their businesses. In other words, they undoubtedly need your service, but they don’t realize it. You will succeed when you find a way to help them understand the benefit you offer.


“I don’t just punch numbers into a computer . . . I delve deeper to find out more about my customers and how I can help them on a long-term basis,” says Dianna Stahl, President & CEO of E.R.S., Inc., in Akron, Ohio.


Stahl says she absolutely couldn’t do without a computer and a phone.


“Find a good mentor in whatever area you’re weak in. I was weak in sales, so I found myself a good sales mentor and it helped immeasurably.”


“Know the people you’re going to go into business with well before you do it. I was starting my business based on someone else’s promises, and they didn’t come through. Fortunately, it worked out.”


Approx. cost of start-up: $5,000 to $8,000


Approx. potential earnings: $50,000 to $75,000


Typical fees: Percentage of the savings you find for clients: often 50 percent for past savings and about 10 percent for two or more years into the future


Where to promote: Business and trade publications, direct mail, membership in business groups, networking, your own Web site with free, money-saving tips for businesses


Qualifications: Accounting degree and certification, knowledge of area of specialty (utility bills, telephone options), excellent math skills, good detail orientation, selling skills


Things needed: Cell phone (with or without hands-free accessories), office furniture, computer, suite software, printer, calculator, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, marketing materials


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Ongoing marketing time and materials, continuing education

Business Form Production and Sales

This type of business is so standardized and easy for people to learn that it is among the top franchise businesses on the market today. All you need to do is find out what potential customers are using for business forms (such as inventory records, receipts, invoices, and other important documents). Then you sell them on your customized service, quick turnaround, and easy terms. Remember, though, that you will be competing heavily against some fairly large organizations (such as Office Depot and Office Max) as well as other independents like yourself; you will need super sales skills to stay on top of it all and make your regular goals. In the old days, cold-calling was the primary way of finding new business, but now you can place banner ads on entrepreneurial Web sites and you’re one click away from finding new customers on a regular basis. The income potential is great for those who sell online and who can stomach the competition. If you capitalize on your strong points, you should be able to come up with forms that make every customer happy (and, ultimately, result in your own profi tability). You can either design your own forms, or purchase them from paper suppliers and related sources found on the Internet.


You’ll need between $20,000 to $40,000, particularly if you buy into a franchise operation, but can get away with $5,000 to $10,000 if you do the whole thing on your Web site. This investment will usually cover your catalogs, inventory, and training materials, and may also cover printing equipment (typically including specialized software). You may also partner with a supplier who helps you develop your own Web page that links to their site, and from which your customers can purchase and download forms. You’ll charge $25 to $30 per type of form; more if it’s a complex custom design your customer wants you to create from scratch. In the end, you’ll wind up making between $35,000 to $65,000 per year if you’re working full-time and full-throttle. Expect to make anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 per year, but more like $35,000 to $60,000 as a Web-based business.


There is probably no more straightforward, easy business to learn than this. But do recognize that you’re going to need to be well connected to get regular, dependable business. Network with anyone who’s anyone, and make the daily fifty or so phone calls it may take to get one fresh, new lead. After all, you’re competing against major office store chains, and you need to tell people that what sets your business apart is the customized service. On the Web, offer special deals (such as 10 percent off ) to customers who purchase three or more forms at one time.


Approx. cost of start-up: $20,000 to $40,000


Approx. potential earnings: $35,000 to $60,000


Typical fees: $25 to $30 per form; more if it’s a complex custom design versus a predesigned template


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, classified ads, direct mail, Web site with e-commerce capability (for easy online purchasing and downloading of forms)


Qualifications: Basic editing and desktop publishing/design skills, knowledge of e-commerce, sales experience


Things needed: Computer, Adobe Acrobat software (for .pdf creation), printing equipment (if not using a subcontractor), extensive online or color catalog of your goods, inventory of a wide variety of forms


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Costs of cold calls—use the Internet to your highest benefit by advertising your Web site in as many places as possible

Event Planner

Whether large or small, corporate or intimate, religious or ceremonial, any event requires a lot of planning as well as the ability to execute that plan like clockwork. As an event planner, you will map out themes, strategies, resources, and supplies for events as diverse as bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, retirement parties, weddings, fundraisers, and corporate sales meetings. You will develop a timeline for all of the components of your plan, and will network with key suppliers to ensure that you are getting the best deals on the most innovative elements and points of interest involved in your event. You can probably order a lot online, but you might also look at opening a vendor’s account with a local craft supply shop. If you are not 100 percent sure you can make it on your own at first, you might consider doing an online search for a “party business in a box,” which has everything you’ll need to launch your business successfully, including tips from many others who have launched similar businesses before you. You may also offer to work with another event planner fi rst, serving as a backup and then branching off with the pro’s over?ow work. That would help you understand all the details involved in operating an event planning business. There’s a whole lot of pressure to get everything right, but there’s also a whole lot of reward for those who can stand the heat while running the kitchen.


You will most definitely need a computer with Internet service and a good event planning software program. Together these will cost around $1,000 to $1,500, but the software program will be well worth the investment, as it will keep you organized and take some of the think-work out of the entire process of event planning.


Networking with those at churches, rental halls, and party centers will help you to spread the word about your business. You will sometimes need to do events for less money than you might like, but when you do, try to make sure the events become photo opportunities for your local newspaper. Keep a clipping book and scan your own event photos into an online gallery on your Web site. People will enjoy seeing samples of your work, as well as reading testimonials from your happy clients. Do surveys at the end of each event to capture their thoughts, and gain permission to post their comments on your site and in your marketing materials.


Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,500 ($5,000 to $15,000 more if you need a delivery van)


Approx. potential earnings: $45,000 to $150,000+


Typical fees: $25 to $50 per hour (depending on market and your reputation) for small events; 10–15 percent of total event cost for large events


Where to promote: Community and business publications, Web site, eye-catching marketing collateral, referrals


Qualifications: Extremely attentive to details, strong project management skills


Things needed: Computer with good event planning software program, cell phone with hands-free accessories (if mandated by your state), e-mail access, a PDA, a good delivery van would be helpful


Required staff: May need to hire assistants to help occasionally


Hidden costs: Staffing costs might take a bite out of your profits when you’ve just begun, since you’ll likely need some help from time to time

Ticket Broker

How many times have you wanted to buy tickets for an event or a show only to fi nd that they’re all sold? For those who simply can’t get to the big tickets, ticket brokers provide a welcome relief by offering tickets, often at a discounted rate, and the convenience of purchasing by phone or via the Internet. Organization and responsibility are key to this business. Your job includes assigning seat locations, providing ticket sales information, making recommendations about ticket pricing according to the area or event, soliciting group sales, and keeping a customer ticket list. You’ll need to purchase specialized software that allows you to search online for ticket availability and accept credit card orders over the phone. Or, better yet, purchase an e-commerce Web site that allows you to make money while you sleep. An accounting or bookkeeping background would prove especially helpful, as there are a million little details that need to be managed on a daily basis to keep this one up and running.


Computers are a way of life for this occupation. You have to be able to hook up to the ticket distribution center. Your fee will depend on the event and place. Typically your cut is between 5 and 40 percent of each sale, depending on whether you’re selling locally or nationally.


You may need to hire a staff to run this from your home; it all depends on how big you want to get. There may be some travel involved, and you’ll want to attend all of the trade shows so the industry knows you are out there. Most of the big ticket brokers have been in business a long time and have a good reputation. Get to know them; you may need to network with them sometime.


Approx. cost of start-up: $15,000 to $35,000


Approx. potential earnings: $25,000 to $35,000+


Typical fees: 5 to 40 percent of each sale


Where to promote: Industry trade publications, newspapers, Web site with e-commerce capability via secure server


Qualifications: Knowledge of state licensing requirements


Things needed: Computer with specialized software program/hookup, toll-free phone number, e-commerce capability on Web site


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Being liable for unsold tickets because contract didn’t state otherwise

Executive Search Firm

Executive recruiters (also known as “headhunters”) are paid by companies to fill management, professional, and technical slots within their firms. Most of a recruiter’s work is done via phone and E-mail, so you can do this job anywhere. You will collect as many qualified applicants as you can, gleaned mostly from your vast resume collection and a few friends in high places. Many consultants choose niches in which to specialize; others serve all areas. A sales personality is helpful in this business, as is the ability to be self-motivated. Often fi nding good people for the positions is easier than finding clients who will hire you to conduct the job search. You will need self-confidence, tenacity, and good networking skills to make it as a recruiter. This career choice gives you a great deal of ? exibility and personal freedom, since you can work from any location that has a phone.


A computer and printer are essential, as is database, word processing, and communications software and a professional-looking Web site that showcases some of your current job openings. These items will cost from $2,500 to $5,000. You will need a telephone, a headset, and fax, along with office furniture and business cards, letterhead, and brochures to promote your business. These pieces will cost $1,500 to $4,500. You’ll earn an average of 25 percent of the new hire’s salary, so it behooves you to search for the high-end, top-level managers.


Competition for the best companies and top-notch candidates is stiff, and you get paid only when you successfully match a company with a candidate. But the fi nancial rewards can be considerable, and the satisfaction of helping a good candidate to find a job and your client to fill a key position, makes your eff orts worthwhile.


Approx. cost of start-up: $5,500 to $9,000


Approx. potential earnings: $40,000 to $150,000


Typical fees: Varies, but often equals 25 percent of first-year earnings of person placed with client


Where to promote: Cold calls, attending trade shows, newsletter to potential clients, direct mail, business and regional publications, Web site


Qualifications: Excellent people skills, patience, self-confidence, knowledge of specialized fields to be able to select appropriate candidates for jobs


Things needed: Cell phone, computer and office equipment, telephone, business cards, letterhead, brochures


Required staff: None


Hidden costs: Phone expenses and advertising costs could exceed budget early on

College Application Consultant

Nowadays the hardest part of getting into a college is choosing the right one; it’s a vital decision for a young person’s future, one with far-reaching implications. Now more than ever, a bachelor’s degree is almost a requirement to secure a decent, well-paying job. And although some high schools do have respectable advising departments, many do not invest the time and money into this important aspect of continuing education that they could and should. That’s where you come in. As an independent college application consultant your services are in high demand in a low-competition field. What more could a business person ask for? If you are amenable to long hours of research and documentation, this business could provide you with just the intellectual challenge you need. Your main hurdles are problem-solving for high school seniors and their families and dealing with emotional/sentimental issues (primarily of the parents). You would conduct a skills/ needs assessment, match them to an appropriate choice of universities, assist the customer in obtaining and fi lling in financial aid and application forms properly (and mailing them on time). You will also relay necessary facts about ACT/SATs, placement tests (such as math, English, and foreign languages), degrees, program requirements, extracurricular activities offered by schools that might be of interest to students, and so on.


A computer is the largest expense at about $1,500, if you choose to buy one. It isn’t a necessity but it will tremendously speed the search process. College catalogs available online show listings of courses and a description of each, as well as some information about application procedures, fees, deadlines, requirements and other general facts about the schools. Buying many of these print catalogs, as well as a few specialized publications that rate universities or give little-known information about them, will cost several hundred dollars. Placing only small ads will help keep advertising costs down to $100 or so, but the price of calls to colleges may add up quickly, so remember to monitor your phone time. Charges for these tasks could be determined a number of ways: per task, per package of tasks, hourly, or however else seems reasonable for the area and best covers the particular request.


Good listening and problem-solving skills are your biggest assets in this business. Customers are trusting you with a very important part of their lives: their futures. High self-motivation and research skills will also help keep you enthused and knowledgeable about colleges and what’s new on campuses. If you enjoy being the middleman, then college consulting is for you.


Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $1,000


Approx. potential earnings: $15,000 to $30,000


Typical fees: Extremely varied; some consultants charge as little as $150 or as high as $1,000 for this service


Where to promote: School and local papers, direct mail, Yellow Pages, banner ads on college-oriented online message boards, your own Web site with helpful information


Qualifications: Familiarity with various colleges and programs


Things needed: Computer, variety of available databases, reference materials


Staff required: No


Hidden costs: Long distance phone calls and Internet Service Provider fees

Food Item Manufacturer

The sky is the limit in food production. Anything from eggs and bottled water to candy and organically grown tomatoes can be manufactured by a home-based entrepreneur. What’s involved in such a business varies greatly, depending upon which product you choose, but either offering a unique food item or marketing a tried-and-true favorite in a new way spells success. A package of pasta, for example, can be produced for as little as 46 cents and sold for $3.50 or more. How about pizza? Everyone loves pizza, it’s easy to make and, with your own marketing or recipe twists, you can make a tremendous amount of money. Want more ideas? How about food by mail order, a food-preserving business, specialty breads, sassafras tea, holiday cookies, or maple syrup? If you are willing to learn the ins and outs of producing and marketing a particular food product, you can establish a profi table business.


Start-up costs depend on the food product you choose. If you need ovens or an assembly line to manufacture your products, it may be relatively expensive to begin. On the other hand, a product such as soup can be started on a shoestring. Packaging and marketing costs for any product must be carefully considered. Explore your market area, examine packaging of similar products, and research the costs.


Your livelihood is greatly affected by weather and the seasons if it requires growing a crop. You may need considerable knowledge about fertilizers, plant diseases, and so on. You must have a consistent supply of ingredients and a consistent manufacturing method to ensure that your products always taste the same. Any food product is subject to safety and health regulations. The good news is that many food manufacturing operations are quite simple, requiring few ingredients and no great technical skills. Everyone loves to eat, so food products are always in vogue.


Approx. cost of start-up: $500 to $5,000 (depending on the food product)


Approx. potential earnings:$30,000 to $75,000


Typical fees: As high as $50 for some items, but most range $2 to $25 each


Where to promote: Mail-order catalogs, brochures, direct mail, groceries, farmers’ markets, Web site with testimonials about your products and an online store with a secure server for safe ordering


Qualifications: Knowledge of how to manufacture and market the item


Things needed: Depends on the item


Required staff:None


Hidden costs:Legal advice

Printing Broker

For those who are inexperienced in the world of printing and publishing, a printing broker can be a godsend. Relying on an extensive background in printing sales, a printing broker can actually save the client hundreds or thousands of dollars in printing costs by shopping for the best (and most current) rates. The broker does not work for one specific printer, but represents all of them, in a sense, because he or she will offer a client the best going rate without sacrifi cing quality. Clients could be anyone from advertising agencies to community newspapers and book publishers. To be successful, you’ll need to have a natural sales ability and the technical know-how to get printing jobs accomplished. You’re servicing two sides here: the customer who needs a brochure or book printed and the printing house. If ink is in your blood, this could be a terrific opportunity for you.


Your start-up costs are only $1,000 to $3,000, because you’ll only need to have a basic office setup and some advertising to get things off the ground. With a printing background, complete with contacts, and some heavy shoe action, you could make $35,000 to $50,000 per year, especially if you can build a solid reputation with documented savings for your clients.


Your contacts will make or break you in this business; always be honest and reputable, and you’ll reap the benefits threefold. Why threefold? Because your satisfied clients will tell at least two other contacts about your services and how much money you saved them. On the sour side, you could wind up spending a lot of your own time trying to negotiate deals that don’t materialize. And that means you’ll have to eat the related costs.


Approx. cost of start-up: $1,000 to $3,000


Approx. potential earnings: $35,000 to $50,000


Typical fees: 10 to 15 percent commission on sales


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, trade publications, direct mail, cold calls, referrals


Qualifications:Printing sales background


Things needed: Cell phone, computer, printer, fax, copier


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Insurance, mileage

Meeting Planner

You can have a great career as a meeting planner if you like handling the myriad of details involved in planning formal events and if you have the organization, negotiation, and communication skills necessary to pull it off . Corporations, associations, conventions, and trade shows are all potential sources of business. As companies become leaner, employees can no longer be spared to plan meetings.


Also, meetings and events are increasingly viewed as great sales and marketing opportunities. Therefore, creative, talented meeting planners are in demand. You will need to be knowledgeable about many areas, everything from hotels and catering to travel. You may need to negotiate a block of hotel rooms, find exotic locales for company meetings, book speakers and entertainers, set up promotions, and handle all the many small and large details that make for a successful event. In return, you may get to travel and stay at exclusive resorts and hotels, you will meet interesting people from many walks of life, and you will have the satisfaction of seeing people enjoy the event.


A computer will cost from $1,000 to $3,000. Additional software, printer, telephone, and fax will add from $900 to $3,000 or more. Office equipment, reference books, insurance, letterhead, and so on will bring the total costs to $2,700 to $8,500. Fees are typically $40 to $50 per hour or $400 to $600 per day. To get more assignments from the get-go, you should do a few “free” events to give potential clients a good idea of how spectacular your meetings really are.


Meeting planning can be very rewarding, but it often requires long days and hard work. If you are good at handling details, you’re halfway to success already, because all of those little pieces of the puzzle are crucially important. To hear about conferences and conventions, plan a civic or charitable event on a volunteer basis to gain experience. In addition to making sure you have adequate money for your start-up, bear in mind that a meeting planner’s livelihood is often tied to economic conditions, since companies may tighten their meeting budgets to cut costs. However small they may become as a result, meetings and conventions will always be around, and the trend toward outsourcing them to professional meeting planners will continue—good news for you!


Approx. cost of start-up: $2,500 to $6,500


Approx. potential earnings: $25,000 to start; possibly as high as $100,000 once established


Typical fees: $40 to $60 per hour or $400 to $500 per day; planners handling large events such as conventions may get 15 to 20 percent of the overall projected budget for the entire event


Where to promote: Networking with convention and visitors’ bureaus, caterers, and travel agents; ads in meeting trade publications; Web site with tips, resources and testimonials


Qualifications: Excellent organizational and negotiation skills; attention to detail; good business background; good communication and troubleshooting skills


Things needed: Office and computer equipment, high-speed Internet access (for using online meeting resources such as WebEx. com), fax, cell phone, PDA, reference books, business cards, stationery, envelopes


Required staff: No


Hidden costs:Phone calls