Need any ideas, what to do first and how to get started... How to get clients, Licenced help. Need Business plan..
2006-11-30 12:22:01 · 4 answers · asked by Keila O 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
The first step is to decide what you want to do -- especially if you have no resources. Think first whether you want to start a beauty salon or you want a clothing store -- not both if you have no capital whatsoever.
It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.
Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.
Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.
I suggest you read the following books to get ideas of how to finance your business:
Financing Your Small Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572484500/powerhomebizguid
Small Business Financing: How and Where To Get It http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0808007386/powerhomebizguid
Financing the Small Business: A Complete Guide to Obtaining Bank Loans and All Other Types of Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580626815/powerhomebizguid
The SBA Loan Book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158062202X/powerhomebizguid
Angel Capital : How to Raise Early-Stage Private Equity Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471690635/powerhomebizguid
Financing Your Small Business (Barron's Business Library Series) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764124897/powerhomebizguid
2006-12-03 23:00:54 · answer #1 · answered by imisidro 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take everything in stride.
First Thing to do is gather as much research through networking as possible. Find an owner of a beauty salon/clothing store that will agree to answer your questions that you have.
After you have talked to those in the industry you can now figure out what your going to sell. Call suppliers and get as much info as possible on pricing etc...
As far as investors go, you will have to have a business plan to attract any investors to loaning you money or becoming a partner. The more money your looking for the more work you will have to do convincing the potential investor of letting go of their wallets. Grant Money is unlikely unless your a minority that qualifies via income levels. If you know someone that owns real estate property ask them if they would be willing to mortgage that property as an investment in your firm.
Starting a new business is a major headache and ordeal, especially a retail business. But if you love what you do then it is more than worth it.
Good Luck.
2006-11-30 12:59:33 · answer #2 · answered by gjjr2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have no idea but my ex's dad seems to be doing prety good so it cant be that difficult. try making friends who know hair and makeup or prowl a beauty school lookin for seniors who want a job (id suggest in the area of the beauty school putting up signs on streetlights and phone poles saying you need hairdressers and makeup people and leave your number) as for money if your credit is good find a nice building and get a buisness loan from a bank to lease the place and get some supplies and maybe pay one or two stylists till you make more cash and can get more stuff and hire a cuple more people. as for clients word of mouth is a good one just talk to your friends and have them refer people. also find an educational public radio station in your area and buy a spot, it is cheap advritisement and and people like small radio stations so they will hear it. also when you open have a grand opening sale or something to attract people because people are drawn to free or cheap things that works a lot because people love to try new places too. good luck
2006-11-30 12:31:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, maybe ask ur self if this is u really wanted to venture..coz based on my experience before getting started select the business whom u really enjoy....putting up business is a risky one - u risk ur effort, ur money-, the firsth u can do is try to find a place or location which many people passing, accessible to customer...parking area....licensed? hmmm...go to department of trade and industry...register ur business name..then from there u will know what to do next....go to tax office to register ur business....and maybe do some research about dat business if it will click in ur place....
2006-11-30 12:37:35 · answer #4 · answered by polly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋