The biggest complaint I get when talking to people about
starting a business is the cost. But frankly, the cost of
starting a business (to include the materials needed to get your
first customers) can easily be under $100.00. With that in mind,
let's take a look at some you can start this weekend.
1.
Major Home Appliance Tune Up - My stepbrother ran this
type of business in California for 12 years. I thought it was a
great idea I started it myself and make a little under $40 an
hour doing it. Here's what's involved: Clean the refrigerator
coils, drain the sediment from the water heater, change the
battery in the smoke detector, and change the forced air system
filter. Add dryer motor/hose/vent cleaning for and additional
cost. Tools you'll need include a coil brush, a 2-foot piece of
garden hose with the end that goes to the spigot still attached,
a 1-liter Pepsi or Coke plastic bottle, some rags, 9-volt
batteries, and filters for the forced air system. Advertise in
your local Senior Center Newsletter and you're on your way.
Average time for each appointment is about 1 hour.
2.
Internet Online Business Directory - Yes, you can
actually make money on the Internet by setting up a directory of
legitimate home business opportunities. Register a domain name
with godaddy.com (about $9) get a year of hosting and use the
website builder that comes with the hosting and your on your
way. If you don't want to go thought the hassle of setting all
of this up yourself, you can go to the example site below and
find "Plug In Profit" under the "Featured Listings" and you can
be set up in less than 24 hours. There are people that make
$300,000 or $400,000 a year (and even more) from these types of
sites.
Here's a good example of a directory site -
www.MakingMoneyWithTheInternet.com. Everything on this site is
verified and legitimate work at home opportunities. Do a little
research and get one set up! These types of sites are easy to
start and have a huge demand for the information.
3.
Express Detailing Business - This is my main business
and it's very profitable. You'll need a bucket, some rags, bug
remover, tar remover, a vacuum and window cleaner. Now, I
operate a full service auto detailing business but you can offer
what I call an "Express Detail". Charge $29.00 for smaller cars
or $39-49 for larger cars and SUVs. Add an additional $15 or so
if they want to have the vehicle waxed. Just give it a basic
wash and vacuum and clean the windows inside and out. Average
about $29-40 an hour.
4.
Pressure Cleaning Mobile Homes - You wouldn't think it
but there is good money in this business. I did one of these
just yesterday. It took me 4 hours and I charged $225.00 to wash
it and apply a spray was on. That comes out to a little over $57
an hour. Now, you don't need to run out and buy a pressure
washer right away. You can get one from the local rental shop
and you'll still come out way ahead. But you will need about 50
feet of hose and about 50 feet of extension cord. Beware of
doing the roof. In fact I don't even do them myself because of
the potential damage that you can do given how some of these
homes are built. You can get a pretty good Karcher pressure
washer for about $139.00 at Costco when you go to buy one.
Average $40-50 an hour.
5.
House Cleaning - I run into senior citizens all the
time asking for referrals for sometime type of job to do around
their house. The most popular request is if I know anyone that
does housecleaning. If you adopt the attitude of "if you can
see, then you will clean it" then you will have more business
than you can handle. You see, many of the people are looking for
a new house cleaner for 2 reasons. Number one. The person they
had didn't do a good job. Number 2. The person they had doing it
raised their prices too much. You will have this second problem
after word gets around and you can pick and choose what clients
you want. Average $15-25 an hour. Tip: Low-ball the competition
on price and you'll have an immediate customer base. I read
about one woman that did this and had her 1st customer in less
than a half hour!
The last thing you need to do is print up some flyers and
distribute them or have some kids deliver them. I know there are
people say these don't work - whatever. This is exactly what I
did when I started the Home Appliance Tune Up Business. Now word
of mouth is starting to take over on that and I may have to hire
someone soon!
Best of luck!!
Gary Rambo
About the author:
Gary Rambo owns and operates 2 home service businesses. In
addition, he also publishes a Small Business newsletter and does
occassional consulting work for those wanting to start a
business from home.
