Q&A for How to Start a Small Business

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  • Question
    How can I start my own business with no money?
    Helena Ronis
    Business Advisor
    Helena Ronis is Co-founder and CEO of AllFactors, a unified web analytics software to drive company's marketing and business growth. She has worked in product and marketing in the tech industry for over 8 years, and studied Digital Marketing & Analytics at the MIT Sloan School of Management Executive Program.
    Business Advisor
    Expert Answer
    You need investors or a small business loan. The easiest way to go about this is to find business partners that are willing to put up the money needed to start your business. You can also reach out to friends and family for help.
  • Question
    How can I learn to advertise for my small business?
    Christine Michel Carter
    Global Marketing Expert
    Christine Michel Carter is a Global Marketing Expert, Best-Selling Author, and Strategy Consultant for Minority Woman Marketing, LLC. With over 13 years of experience, Christine specializes in strategic business and marketing consulting services including market analysis, organizational alignment, portfolio review, cultural accuracy, and brand and marketing review. She is also a speaker on millennial moms and black consumers. Christine holds a BS in Business Administration and Art History from Stevenson University. She is a leader in multicultural marketing strategy and has written over 100 articles views for several publications, including TIME and Forbes Women. Christine has worked with Fortune 500 clients such as Google, Walmart, and McDonald’s. She has been featured in The New York Times, BBC News, NBC, ABC, Fox, The Washington Post, Business Insider, and Today.
    Global Marketing Expert
    Expert Answer
    I recommend you research consumer data to better understand your target audience. Luckily there are many free resources available to small business owners including reports by the Census Bureau, the Department of labor, and private companies.
  • Question
    What is the best kind of business to start?
    Michael R. Lewis
    Business Advisor
    Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.
    Business Advisor
    Expert Answer
    The best business to start is one where customers want your product or service at a price that enables you to make a profit. Ideally, new customers are easy to attract and there are few competitors. Finally, it should be a business in which you have experience (or can be trained) and enjoy the work.
  • Question
    Do I need to have a certificate and experience to open a specialized company?
    Michael R. Lewis
    Business Advisor
    Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.
    Business Advisor
    Expert Answer
    Generally, no specific expertise or certificate is necessary to open a company. However, a certificate and experience — and license — may be necessary to operate or sell specific services to the public. Check with the Secretary of State to learn the legal requirements to offer a specialized product or service in your State.
  • Question
    How can I write a plan?
    Community Answer
    Writing a plan is simple. You need to first have a firm understanding of your goals. Basically, a plan is a set of objectives to accomplish the goal(s). Take the end product and go back a single step and do that until you reach what you have now.
  • Question
    Do I have to be a certain age to start a company or webpage?
    Community Answer
    You can make a company or website at any age, but you may have to be 18 to officially register your company with your state.
  • Question
    How do I protect my idea if I am a novice?
    Community Answer
    Don't talk to people you don't trust about your idea. Consult a copyright attorney for advice on trademarking your idea.
  • Question
    My friend and I live in a golf cart community. We would like to go around and sell ice cream products from our golf carts. Is this a good idea to make money?
    Community Answer
    If you have a cooler that can keep the ice cream cool enough, it's a great idea.
  • Question
    How can I estimate my budget?
    Community Answer
    Consider every detail you will need to start your small business, from insurance and product supplies to marketing and property costs. Total each item and add at least 10% to the total to accommodate for surprises.
  • Question
    How can I start a recreational center?
    Community Answer
    Create a business plan that outlines your funding sources, goals, staff requirements, location ideas and other details, then use it to guide the beginning of your business.
  • Question
    Is it okay to start a business if I am young?
    Community Answer
    Age isn't an issue as long as you have the money and planning skills to start your business!
  • Question
    How do I start a dog walking business?
    Community Answer
    Ask your neighbors if they need their dog walked, and arrange times and payments if they do. Ask friends or relatives to help as needed.
  • Question
    Where can I get clothes to sell for a business?
    Liam Sawyer
    Community Answer
    You can make your own clothes, ask people for donations, go through your own closet, buy them from thrift stores or eBay, etc. The possibilities are endless.
  • Question
    How can I start an online listening business for people who just need to talk and have someone listen to their problems?
    Community Answer
    Start a website with daily live chats. That way, people can listen while it's happening.
  • Question
    I want to make money and sell necklaces, earrings, head bands, phone cases, key chains, and wallets. How do I determine what people will buy?
    Community Answer
    You could try things out and see what sells. Phone cases are doing pretty well since everyone owns a smartphone these days, and people like to personalize their cases.
  • Question
    Should I go to college and take business classes if I want to open a shop?
    Community Answer
    You don't really need to, but it wouldn't be a bad idea if you're financially capable of going to college. It would definitely help you learn how to manage your business more effectively.
  • Question
    Can I start a business as a young teen with the help of a parent?
    Community Answer
    Sure! You will probably just have to use your parent's name for anything official like signing contracts, setting up social media accounts, etc. that require you to be an adult.
  • Question
    I want to start a business, can you give some ideas?
    Community Answer
    Try thinking of something you either like, or that you think is needed. A lot of successful businesses start from filling a need for the general public.
  • Question
    Can I start a fish business?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you could definitely do that. You can breed fish and sell them to pet stores, friends, individuals, etc. Just make sure you have everything you need as well as the appropriate amount of space. You could also sell related items like tanks and filters.
  • Question
    How can I start a business of selling hair pieces?
    Community Answer
    Figure out what type of hair pieces you would like to sell and decide on how to manufacture them. Once you do, you can decide on price, make a website and come up with an advertising strategy.
  • Question
    Can I successfully begin a dry cleaning business by marketing door to door?
    Community Answer
    It is very unlikely that this will be helpful in starting a successful dry cleaning business. You will need to have other marketing tactics as well.
  • Question
    How do I start a fast food business?
    Community Answer
    You would still follow these instructions, but customize them to fast food. You may also find it helpful to talk to other successful fast food owners and see what tips and tricks they used/ have for you.
  • Question
    How can I start a small-scale clothing industry?
    Community Answer
    You should start by making and selling clothes to friends and coworkers, and perhaps set up a Facebook page, and an eBay and Etsy account.
  • Question
    How can I start a business selling plywood?
    Community Answer
    You can set up a website which will help you to get your business out to people. You can also promote yourself with signs, advertisements and on social media.
  • Question
    How can I start a doughnut business in Mumbai, India?
    Community Answer
    You can follow the steps listed in the article above, and customize them for a doughnut business.
  • Question
    What does 'see eye to eye on the big picture' mean?
    Community Answer
    It means to agree on the main focus of something. For example, if you and a partner are trying to make a budget for your business, you both may have different ideas as how to itemize your expenses, but as long as you both agree to stay within the budget, you are 'seeing eye to eye on the big picture', which is keeping a balanced budget.
  • Question
    How do I start up a clothing line/store?
    NOBOSS
    Community Answer
    It depends on where you're getting the clothing. If you're a designer, you're making them. If you're buying wholesale, you will need to find manufacturers to buy from. Find a location for your store front, promote your business with a grand opening, and be sure to give customers a reason to keep coming back week after week. If you're designing, you will need to showcase your clothing line in fashion shows and meet with buyers of department stores, etc. You want orders to come in before you start producing.
  • Question
    How do I start a car cleaning business?
    Community Answer
    Just start! Find people who might need their car washed. Follow the steps above, and make sure you do good work.
  • Question
    Can I start a business as a teenager with my parents' help?
    Community Answer
    You certainly can. They may have to sign some of the legal documents for you, but other than that you can maintain full proprietorship.
  • Question
    How can I start an e-commerce business?
    NOBOSS
    Community Answer
    Decide on the product or service you want to sell, create a website or a web store on eBay, Etsy, Amazon, etc. Promote your product or service to your target market (those that want, need, will buy it). Sell said product or service for a profit. If you're selling a product, take lots of nice pictures to use on the website and in your advertising. If you're selling a service, you will likely need images that represent the services you will perform.
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