A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“Dear, never forget one little point. It’s my business. You just work here.”

Elizabeth Arden (1884-1966) US entrepreneur & cosmetics manufacturer 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“If the government is big enough to give you everything you want, it is big enough to take away everything you have.”

Gerald Ford (b. 1913-2006) US former president 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

Association management refers to the handling of administrative functions such as bookkeeping and accounting, or more mundane tasks such as taking minutes at meetings or distributing newsletters. These are repetitive tasks which do not take up large amounts of time so if you are well organised it will be possible to have a number of clients without a negative impact on your quality of work.  

Skills needed: The most important skill you will need is the ability to stay extremely well organised when dealing with multiple clients. In addition, it is important that you are able to communicate well with all your clients. Some basic administration skills would be helpful.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  There is not a lot of potential for international business because you will need to work closely with clients. It is likely that only firms in the local area will be your customer. This is an inexpensive business to set-up as no inventory is needed to begin. The overall start-up cost will range from £500 to £5,000 (650 - 6,500 EUR, 1,000-10,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use strategic banner advertising to target appropriate businesses in your local area
• Become actively involved in mailing lists and discussion groups for business in your local area, remembering to include an eye-catching signature linking to your website
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could also offer to handle promotional services for your clients such as newsletters. If you can attract advertisers to the newsletter then you will generate extra revenue.  

Notes: To avoid confusion or disputes you will need to have a clear contract with each client detailing the services that you will provide and the timeframe in which they must be completed.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Association Management Resources
• Virtual, Inc
• LoBue & Majdalany Management

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“We feel the spear of the marketplace in our back.”

Tony O’Reilly (b. 1936) Irish former CEO of Heinz 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

It can be difficult for a small business to know how to get their press release seen by the right media outlets. This can result in the business wasting valuable money on a press release which nobody ever sees. Therefore, many businesses make use of a press release distributor (otherwise known as a wire service) experienced in handling the media. If you have experience of doing this previously or have many contacts in the media then this business could be right for you.  

Skills needed: You will need to be familiar with the press release procedure and have some kind of background in journalism.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  It is possible that you will have international clients who want to outsource their press release distribution, either because they cannot handle it themselves or because they want to test the market. This business is fairly inexpensive to start if you already own the basic equipment (computer, printer & scanner). The main cost to you will be information you might need to purchase regarding media contacts and media research. This kind of information can be quite costly but it will be a necessary purchase if you do not have a media contact database already. The overall start-up cost will range from £2,500 to £12,500 (3,000 - 15,000 EUR, 5,000-25,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Use viral marketing to get people to let their friends and colleagues know about your website
• Promote your service through your own press release distribution channels
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could offer a service which tracks the exposure of your press release across the media.  

Notes: The success or failure of this business depends mainly upon the accuracy of your media contact information. You must also be able to target the appropriate contacts for each press release or else you run the risk of annoying them with irrelevant information.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Express Press Release
• PR Web

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

A monogram is an overlapping motif which forms a symbol. If you are good at embroidery then you could sell your monogram designs online. You can place your entire catalogue online so that customers can easily browse it. The majority of your sales will come from corporate clients who want their logo on clothing; therefore if you impress them then you are likely to get repeat business.  

Skills needed: You will need monogramming experience in order to make the products. It will also be important for you to have an eye for selecting high quality clothing suppliers, as poorly made items will reflect badly on your company. It would be helpful if you had basic web publishing skills so that you can update your website easily.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  The items you will be producing are quite lightweight and therefore can be shipped internationally without incurring massive postage costs. If you own all the standard equipment (computer, printer, digital camera & scanner) and specialist embroidery equipment already there is not a huge cost to start this business. You will need to pay for a professionally designed website and online storefront. The overall start-up cost will range from less than £2,050 to £12,500 (2,500 - 15,000 EUR, 4,000-25,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Reciprocate links with marketing agencies due to their strong links with corporate branding
• Set up a mailing list to communicate with your clients in the future
• Have a ‘Featured Product’ page on the site to encourage repeat traffic
• Develop an affiliate network to generate income from referrals
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: The other main outlet for your products (other than corporate) is the gift market.  You could offer a gift registry service for special events and add-on services such as gift wrapping.  

Notes: You must be competent at pricing your products well and also able to manufacture whilst working within a tight budget.  

Online examples & resources:  

• STITCH
• Bishop Embroidery
• Three Hip Chicks

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“Too much creative involvement can blind an entrepreneur to the hard reality of the bottom line.”

Heather Robertson (b. 1942) Canadian author, Taking Care of Business (1997) 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

Here are some more business ideas that cost nothing (or very little) to start-up. 

1. Costume Supplies – If you are talented at sewing then you could design and make costumes to order.
2. Car Detailing – This service includes a thorough car wash (by hand) and waxing.
3. Lighting Design – This business involves choosing and installing the appropriate lights for both residential and commercial customers.
4. Special Events Videos – If you have an expensive high quality video camera and enjoy making home movies, you could earn some extra money by filming corporate events, weddings or gigs in the local area.
5. Pool Cleaning – If you live in an affluent area with a lot of private swimming pools then you could start a pool cleaning business. Many people already own the cleaning equipment but do not have the time to clean them properly.
6. Gift Baskets – Customised gift baskets are an excellent present to give. The profit margin is also quite high for the seller.
7. Herb Garden – You could build and stock a herb garden for clients. They may also want you to come back and maintain it.
8. Knife Sharpening - Many people have blunt knives which they never get round to sharpening. This business could work just through knocking on doors and offering the service
9. Computer Tutor – If you are knowledgeable about computers then you could teach novices.
10. Meal Delivery – This business involves taking food orders (such as freshly made sandwiches from a local deli) and then delivering them.

A small business quote a day keeps you thinking, inspired and entertained 

“The business of the Civil Service is the orderly management of decline.”

William Armstrong (1915-80) British civil servant 

To find previous Quotes of the Day look here 

The traditional art supply store is becoming a rarity as more people start to buy their supplies online. The convenience of the Internet allows artists to easily purchase the supplies they need. This is especially useful for people who require uncommon or niche supplies that would be hard to find in most art shops. All you need to run this type of business is a website with an integrated online shop.  

Skills needed: It will be helpful if you are familiar with the products which you sell so that you can deal with customer enquiries.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  This business has potential for being successful in other countries, especially if you sell a diverse range of products. The cost to start this business is relatively low. You will need to pay for the design and hosting of your website and online shop, plus the initial cost of purchasing an inventory.  The overall start-up cost will range from less than £1,250 to £2,500 (1,500 - 3,000 EUR, 2,500-5,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Become active on the art newsgroups and discussion forums that potential customers are likely to frequent, remembering to include a signature linking to your website
• Have a mailing list which informs your customer base about new additions to your product catalogue
• Regularly write some original content for your website such as art tips in order to attract repeat visits
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could work in partnership with your artist customers to help them sell their artwork. This could be achieved through listing classified adverts or by running an auction.  

Notes: As with every online shop, it is essential that your inventory is kept up to date. If you are out of stock then your website must display this immediately because it is very unprofessional if a customer orders something you do not have.  

Online examples & resources:  

• London Graphic Centre
• Jerry’s Art Supplies
• Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here