Small Business Information


Should I Franchise or Not?


A reader of one of my online sessions asked should he franchise his business or not. He had set up a service business and was getting ready to expand and wanted to know if franchising was a good potential strategy for this.

Franchises Must Meet Legal Definition to be an Actual Franchise


All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise no matter what they call it before it is an actual franchise. This is the Federal Trade Commissions take on the franchise rule.

Mattress Cleaning Business: How To Manual


A Mattress Cleaning Business might be just for you if you have tried everything to contain your allergies, but feel like it is not enough. Instead of just purchasing the equipment to rid your fabric furniture and mattresses of allergens, you can also help others in your community to feel the relief and make a good income at the same time.

How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Company


Opening a carpet cleaning business is a great way to earn money as your own boss. This is a relatively simple business to start, with low overhead, and little experience required.

How to Profit from Business Consulting Opportunities


Business consulting opportunities might be just what your are looking for in a home based business.What do you do? Do you possess a mastery of your career? Are you articulate and able to convey ideas clearly? If so, you may be the perfect candidate for providing business consulting services.

Window Cleaning Business Case Study


How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a fascinating case study indeed, as most all window cleaning businesses start from such humble beginnings; a bucket of water, a sharp entrepreneur and a quality squeegee. I never thought in a million years I would ever enter the Window Washing Industry.

Mini-Blind Cleaning Business, Case Study


Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good money. Take mini-blind cleaning for instance.

Truck Detailing Shop Business Case Study


As an entrepreneur you can learn a lot by following the real life case studies of other entrepreneurs. Often the text books in school leave out the beginning details and the juicy part of how it all comes together and is created out of nothing but a thought.

Carwash Franchisor Case Study


There are only a handful of car wash franchises in the world. This might offer some insight on how car wash franchises come into existence.

Home Based Franchise Case Study


Here is an interesting case study of a company, which franchised mobile car wash units. It started with the humblest of beginnings indeed.

Pressure Washing Business Case Study, Tractor Cleaning


So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which have little if any competition. I know as I built my companies we always tried to identify all the market niches and go after them.

Mobile Truck Washing, Case Study


Most folks in the pressure washing business are happier to do business cleaning concrete or flat work, because it appears to be easy. Some do both fleet truck washing and concrete, which makes sense.

Truck Wash Business Case Study


Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses, things out of the mainstream but businesses, which have a good customer base and steady incomes. This is an extremely interesting story.

Boat Cleaning Business Case Study: Entrepreneurship 101


How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought of turning a hobby into a business? Let me tell you a story of how I got into the Boat Detailing Business when I started our in the car cleaning business which grew into a franchise system. So often we read in business books to study markets and develop business plans when in reality it does not exactly work that way.

Awning Cleaning Business Case Study: Entrepreneurship 101


It is most fascinating to study how entrepreneurs spot opportunity in the market place. "My name is Lance Winslow and I am a serial entrepreneur, I admit I am addicted and need help.

Asphalt Paving: Striping Your Parking Lot


As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do need maintenance from time to time. One known asphalt paving maintenance technique is to have your parking lot re-striped to add a nicer look to existing asphalt paving properties.

The Joy and Hazards Of Finding Your First Office


Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to find office space for me and two part time employees. I am really excited about opening my first official office, but never having rented commercial space before I don't know anything about how this process works.

SBAs 8(a) Program Can Help Some Companies Compete


Q: A friend told me that as a woman of Native American descent I might be eligible for a special SBA program that will help me start a small business. He said I could compete for government contracts through this program.

One Of The Best New Business Opportunities May Be Right In Your Home - A New Daycare Business


The day care industry is expanding. There are now more than 100,000 licensed child-care centers and 250,000 licensed family day care homes across the United States.

How to Handle Rejection When You Start an Office Cleaning Business


"If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you."Thank goodness starting an office cleaning business isn't anything like skydiving! If you fall flat on your face, there's no chance that it's going to hurt that bad.

Debt Collection Techniques


Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be followed by businesses to mitigate the bad debt crisis:Sending a pre-collection letter. Hiring a collection agency.

11 Benefits of Starting a House Cleaning Business


One of the biggest fears people have about starting a house cleaning business is the fear of having no real security. But for natural entrepreneurs, security comes from designing your own life.

Employee Induction - Are you Inducting your People - A Practical How To


In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect the small important things!Recently we assisted an organisation prove they had complied with their obligations in inducting their employee. The employee tried to bring a claim for severe stress against the business.

Business Plans - What Consultants Don't tell You!


Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are in a small minority. And if you have a plan, is it integral to your business, and instrumental to its growth? If the answer to this question is yes, then you need to read no further.

Your Business and the Story of a Tree; Part One


This morning, I went to take a short walk outside. I've been feeling a little more flexible since this weekend, and I figured a stroll would help me keep that liquid feeling in my bones that I've missed so much.

Mobile Detailing Expansion Considerations


Expanding your business requires you to take a good hard look at your business (checking under the hood). You need to ask yourself.

Fleet Washing Expansion Considerations


Many times small businesses want to expand their businesses and are not sure when the best time to do that might be. The key of course is cash flow.

Common Mistakes When Planning Your Medical Spa


Everything starts with a business plan: If you don't have one. Write it.

Don't Quit Before You Get to the City!


We were more than excited. Our women's doubles tennis team had won our division, successfully competed in three rounds of the playoffs and had emerged as finalists in the city competition.

Modern Clear Coats, Auto Detailers and visit to Lexus of North America


We visited Lexus USA, home of the Lexus North America Head Quarters to help us better understand the latest innovations in automotive clear coast. As professional auto detailers we must know our customers cars and finishes.

Pressure Washing Graders and Tractor Motors


When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has a slightly different procedure to ensure efficiency. When a pressure washing company is bidding such jobs by the piece of equipment instead of the hour, they must be cognizant of this so they can maximize profits.

Sexual Harassment - Its just not on!


Sexual Harassment is a disturbing part of employment life in the modern era and is unacceptable! From junior clerk to boardroom it continues on in its various guises from seemingly harmless fun to stalking.In most countries there is comprehensive legislation that clearly prohibits this form of behaviour and puts business and individuals on notice that sexual harassment will not be tolerated.

Pressure Washing of Paving Equipment and The EPA


Many pressure washing companies will be glad to take on additional work when a company calls them up to come and wash, but the days of cleaning asphalt compactors, steamrollers, paving equipment with diesel fuel are gone forever. If you are caught doing it the old fashioned way it's a $1,000 fines in the United States, fist offense and you pay for cleanup.

Pressure Washing Heavy Equipment


One of the best ways to make money in the pressure washer business is to power wash heavy equipment. It is not necessarily easy work and you will get quite greasy but it is steady work and there is lots of it.

Presentations and Sales Automotive Detailers


Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I have often shopped the competition to see what their knowledge base was to gage their worthiness as a formidable competitor in the market place.

Trailblazer Interview with Diane J. Levin, Partnering Solutions


Today is a Red Letter Day! It's special because today is the first edition of the Trailblazer Interviews.You'll meet some of the most fascinating, talented folks in the ADR world who I call Trailblazers.

Starting a New Business in a Small Town


Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry after sixteen years to spend more time with my family.

The Misconceptions of the Value Of Disclosures in Franchising


Disclosure laws in franchising are suppose to help the consumer. They don't.

Franchise Buyers from Hell


I ran a franchise company for many years, a car wash franchise, and we use to get the most ridiculous franchise buyers who thought they wanted a franchise. It seems we had to deal with these Kookoo birds because they have consumer rights and the Federal Trade Commission, which looks over franchising goes out of their way to let these consumers get away with these tall tales.

Bogus Investor and Consumer Complaints and Consumer Misrepresentation


Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission gets investor and consumer complaints. But how much of these are actually real? These agencies then act on such complaints and increase regulations.


More Resources


Business Owner--Educate Thyself!
Remember the training programs, seminars, and workshops you had to attend when you were on the corporate side of the table? You were expected to complete course after course for professional development and skill enhancement. Well, where do you get your training now that you are on your own? Do you learn from your clients? Are they the best teachers? What about your competitors?Here are six ways to educate yourself and keep your professional edge:Learn from your clients.
Not Listening Can Hurt Your Small Business
Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them improve their businesses. They want advice from those who have the experience and really know what they're talking about.
Common Sources of Financing for Small Business
The choice of financing is an important determinant of whether a product reaches the market, or whether an existing business can survive. The choice of financing is an important part of being an entrepreneur and business owner, and the ability to raise cash when you have no or limited history takes skill and creativity.
Women and Small Business
In the book Women and Small Business author gives all the guidelines and tools need to start, operate and succeed in a business of their own. In the mentioned book she tried in the fist part to explain how has changed the role of women in the world along centuries.
How to Handle Rejection When You Start an Office Cleaning Business
"If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you."Thank goodness starting an office cleaning business isn't anything like skydiving! If you fall flat on your face, there's no chance that it's going to hurt that bad.
Will Adding a Car Wash to Your Fast Lube Add Additional Crime to Your Facilities?
Car Wash Crime in the Hood. Apparently not everyone is with us and certainly not everyone considers this to be a clean business.
What is Rule 15c211 and Reverse Merger
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S.
Starting an Aircraft Washing Service
To wash an airplane there are many items you will need to keep in mind. The first is safety while working on the tarmac of an airfield.
Are You a Small Business Casualty?
When a person knows and knows not that he knows. Teach him.
Round Pegs In Round Holes: The Amazing Secret of Succeeding in Any Business Every Time!
Success is the desire of everyman on the face of this earth.There is no normal human being without this yearning.
How to Manage Your Pipeline
How is your pipeline structured?I assume most of you have heard about the sales pipeline. Your pipeline is what keeps your business going.
How to Profit from Business Consulting Opportunities
Business consulting opportunities might be just what your are looking for in a home based business.What do you do? Do you possess a mastery of your career? Are you articulate and able to convey ideas clearly? If so, you may be the perfect candidate for providing business consulting services.
Hosted PBX, Is It Right For You?
"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have This New Technology!" "Your Competition Has This Tool, Why Don't You?" Does any of this sound familiar? Does it make you cringe? It seems to be impossible to keep up with all the new trends in business today. It's hard to know which trends are just flash in the pan gimmicks and which are valuable tools that your business can actually benefit from.
Are You Using a Chess or Checkers Small Business Marketing Strategy?
Until the day I learned to play chess I loved playing checkers. Both games require a strategy that maximizes a player's ability to capture her opponents pieces without first losing her own.
Does Your Business Need a Toll-Free 800 Number?
Should your business have a toll free number for customers to make sales, service and billing inquirers? The industry began in the early 1970's and today most customers expect you to have it. Providing a toll free line can bring in a number of benefits to your business.
Your Business and the Story of a Tree; Part One
This morning, I went to take a short walk outside. I've been feeling a little more flexible since this weekend, and I figured a stroll would help me keep that liquid feeling in my bones that I've missed so much.
Everything I Need to Know About Business I Learned From My Nametag
So there I was - sitting in the audience of an on-campus seminar. Surrounding me sat hundreds of fellow students; each of us wearing one of those little, handwritten, adhesive nametags.
Small Business Failure? Nuts!
Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small business'success is somewhere else. Namely, out among the company's important external audiences.
Are You Making the Most of Your Intern?
KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of the program. Interns like direction, but don't like to feel they are being constantly checked on.
Accounting Methods - Cash and Accrual
When starting a business, you have to determine the method you are going to use for accounting and paying taxes. The two choices are the cash method and the accrual method.

More Small Business Information:

Related Articles


Collect that Debt - Your Business Depends on it
The efficiency of debt collection is the difference between a business that will succeed and a business that closes up.If you do not have control of your debt collection then you will eventually fail.
Why You Need A Virtual Assistant
How much is your time really worth? Is it worth £50 an hour or £100 an hour? YOUR time is most valuable because it is your responsibility to generate new revenue for your business. Doing small and often trivial admin chores yourself does not really add value to your business and the sensible solution is to delegate those less profitable tasks by hiring someone more than capable of carrying them out, but who's hourly rate is somewhat less than your real financial worth.
How to Create an Information Plan
What is in an information plan?Before you even meet with a potential customer, you should have an action plan in place. The action plan should consist of 5 areas.
How to Bond a Business Relationship
When should you create a foundation in order to solidify a business relationship?Before you bond any business relationship, you need to make sure that this is a relationship that you both want to have. No relationship is a one way street; the relationship must work in both directions.
Electronic Franchise Disclosure and E-Signature Future for Investors
It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose franchise documents to the public and prospective franchisees. If the Federal Trade Commission wants to make UFOC information available electronically through email to catch up with the newest technologies then it will get complaints and make up another rule saying no unsolicited UFOC maybe sent through email.
11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Rudy Giuliani
1. Leadership Is Learned - While many people appear to have an innate ability to lead, most learn from their life and business experiences, then put these lessons into practice.
11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Tiger
1. There Are No "gimmes" - They count two-foot putts on the PGA Tour.
How to Write a Credit Policy for Your Business
The book, "Become the Squeaky Wheel," by New Hampshire author Michelle Dunn, says the different ways people use and extend credit makes or breaks your credit policy and bottom line, which could result in less or more sales and money for your business."Business owners all have different types of businesses but can all extend credit," explains Michelle Dunn.
Virtual Assistance for Healthcare Professionals
Administrative and clerical tasks are the bane of every industry. No matter how small or large your business is, you will eventually find yourself with stacks of paperwork that need your attention and phone calls that need to be made.
How To Start A Blind Cleaning Business Quickly And Easily
Starting the blind cleaning business is one of the best marketable business ideas you could latch on to. If you give the requisite amount of time and dedication, there will be no cap on your earnings.
Pressure Washer Concrete Cleaning Equipment
Cleaning concrete is tough and there is an easy way and a hard way. There is one thing you need to understand when you are pressure washer cleaning concrete; the concrete cannot always be made to look brand new again after it has been stained.
Entrepreneurs Go Virtual!
With the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing, you'll be hard pressed to not know of someone going down the entrepreneurial route. Nowadays you can set-up shop and start trading in a matter of days, and the preferred choice for the neo entrepreneur is a service called Virtual Offices.
6 Ways Small Businesses Can Survive In A Crazy Economy
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy economy by taking some proactive steps.Provide spectacular customer service -- every time.
Do You Love Food? - Then Maybe Opening a Restaurant is Not Such a Crazy Idea
The restaurant industry in the United States employs an estimated 12.2 million people, making it the nation's largest employer outside of government agencies.
Becoming Recession Proof
A lot of business owners I've spoken with lately have commented how their business is slow because of "the recession." If you are one of these people, you might want to reconsider your position.
North County San Diego Small Business
North County San Diego has had some significant growth, and it appears to be a wonderful place to run a business. It has a strong middle class upward bias and plenty of opportunity and employment.
Franchise Territories are Generally Delineated On a Map; Why?
If you own a mobile service or home based franchise your exclusive territory will be delineated on a map in the attachment of your franchise agreement. You will be assigned generally a single city, county or region and another franchisee or team member of the same system will not compete with your although may be right around the corner.
Keeping your Business Alive
As long as you eat and breathe you will stay alive. But is that really living? In a crisis that may be enough.
Lack of Vigilance Can Harm the Bottom Line
The easiest way to lift profits is to cut the fat out of costs.Cost cutting and profit increases can amount to much the same thing if handled correctly.
13 Steps to Protect Yourself from Your Bank
The success of your business is critically dependent on how well you negotiate and manage your financial partners. Banks, investors, credit cards and financial services companies work for you.