Pet Sitting – Just as the name implies, it entails taking care of animals, usually when the owners go away on vacation. Many pet sitters take animals into their own homes (works only if you have the space and no pets of your own) or visit the animals twice daily. Don’t limit yourself to dogs and cats –There is an ever increasing market for owners of birds, fish, and other small animals.

Dog Trainer – Dog trainers help with proper housetraining techniques, teach animals to follow commands, and provide assistance with choosing the right type of breed for every individual. They can also handle common behavior problems (excessive barking, biting, etc.) and train animals for shows and competitions. The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) offers assistance to potential dog trainers, as well as a certification exam. Check their website for more information.

Dog Walker – Although the primary responsibility is simply to take the animals out for a walk, many dog walkers do much more than that. To set yourself apart, you can learn to plan exercise routines for overweight pets, administer medications, or offer pet boarding as part of your service. Most dog walkers take several dogs at a time and charge by the hour; you can also offer the option of “private walking” and charge more.

Dog Groomer – Dog groomers are in charge of maintaining the overall appearance of the animal, including trimming and shampooing the coat, nail clipping, and brushing and combing. Many start working at pet shops or boarding kennels to gain experience before opening their own business. Mobile dog grooming is a thriving business, which entails the groomer driving to the client’s house, usually in a van, which is equipped with all necessary tools for a complete grooming. For more information, check the NDGAA (National Dog Groomers Association of America) website.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for emergency situations. The American Red Cross offer a First Aid/CPR for Pets certification. Even if you never have a need for it, it would show potential clients you are a serious professional.

Ok, I’m assuming you have a telephone. If you want to be able to have a different business line you can choose something like MagicJack or Google Voice. I talked about these in another post.

1. Get business cards. You can get really cheap cards that still look decent at VistaPrint. (Here’s an offer for 500 for 1.99.) Be savvy and go ahead and pick up the 100 free postcards while your ordering if available so you can make sure that you have some extra marketing materials. Total price with shipping is about $15
2. Go to the local dollar store to get cleaning materials. I know you may want to be fancy and want the name brand, but sometimes the dollar stores have them, if not, so what. It all cleans the same. For the basics like glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, paper towels, sponges, gloves, dust pans, You can have a pretty good starting arsenal for about $15
3. Get a broom ($5 at Wal-Mart)
4. Get a vacuum, You can get one of those from Walmart for as little as $35. Or try CraigsList.

Ok, so far you are only out of about $65. If you need the MagicJack, you will have to probably shell out another $20-$40 depending on where purchased. But you have to have a computer to use it, or you can get on and have t forwarded to another phone so you can have a separate line and voicemail. or try Google voice. They are only accepting invites right now, but at least try because sometime you get one the very next day.

Your ready for business and are only out of about $100. Just start passing out flyers and telling everyone about your business. It may be slow at first but, just keep marketing. Try churches, hair salons, day-cares, small offices, apartments, and homes to pass out flyers.

Hint: You can actually use your business card as a flyer. Contact Info on one side and business info or special ont the other.

I’ll show you how you can get started with as little as $300 or less.

To be able to have a low upstart, I’m assuming you have the following:

1. A telephone
2. A computer
3. A CAR (RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION IS A MUST)

After that, the rest will be easy.

Instructions

1. Decide what area you want to service.
2. Order Business cards and flyers. You can either print these on your computer, or order from services like VistaPrint or Overnight Prints. (Click on the links for great deals from them).
3. Get a website or build your own. (The 2nd would be cheaper, but the first would look more professional)
4. The next part you can do two ways. The first would be more profitable to you.
   1. Contact a local restaurants and ask for a small discount in exchange for the delivery service. Meaning go to the manager, and tell them about your service, explain how your bringing them extra businesses in. Ask for a small discount on the food 10-15%. Then you can resell the food at the retail price (I would suggest still marking it up just a bit more) And you get to keep the difference.
   2. If they refuse, you can just deliver the food anyway. Mark up the food a small amount and charge a delivery fee.
5. Next start passing out flyers on cars, go to office managers, trainers, offices, secretaries, receptionist, anyone who would ever be in charge of ordering group lunches or getting the word out.
6. Wait on the calls. While your waiting make sure you keep telling everyone about your business. (Hint: Car lots don’t like their sales people to leave on Saturdays. They often time pay for their workers lunches to be brought in. It can be a gold mine and quick money on Saturdays.)

Please remember always, always always charge a delivery fee. Making an extra $5 off the delivery is great expecially when you have 15-20 different orders in the same building.This business is perfect for those who need their evenings free. Or you can expand and offer night deliveries as well.

• Your vision regarding the size and nature of your business.
• The level of control you wish to have.
• The level of structure you are willing to deal with.
• The business’ vulnerability to lawsuits.
• Tax implications of the different ownership structures.
• Expected profit (or loss) of the business.
• Whether or not you need to reinvest earnings into the business.
• Your need for access to cash out of the business for yourself.

Sole Proprietorships

The vast majority of small businesses start out as sole proprietorships. These firms are owned by one person, usually the individual who has day-to-day responsibilities for running the business. Sole proprietors own all the assets of the business and the profits generated by it. They also assume complete responsibility for any of its liabilities or debts. In the eyes of the law and the public, you are one in the same with the business.

Advantages of a Sole Proprietorship

• Easiest and least expensive form of ownership to organize.
• Sole proprietors are in complete control, and within the parameters of the law, may make decisions as they see fit.
• Sole proprietors receive all income generated by the business to keep or reinvest.
• Profits from the business flow directly to the owner’s personal tax return.
• The business is easy to dissolve, if desired.

Disadvantages of a Sole Proprietorship

• Sole proprietors have unlimited liability and are legally responsible for all debts against the business. Their business and personal assets are at risk.
• May be at a disadvantage in raising funds and are often limited to using funds from personal savings or consumer loans.
• May have a hard time attracting high-caliber employees or those that are motivated by the opportunity to own a part of the business.
• Some employee benefits such as owner’s medical insurance premiums are not directly deductible from business income (only partially deductible as an adjustment to income).

Partnerships

In a Partnership, two or more people share ownership of a single business. Like proprietorships, the law does not distinguish between the business and its owners. The partners should have a legal agreement that sets forth how decisions will be made, profits will be shared, disputes will be resolved, how future partners will be admitted to the partnership, how partners can be bought out, and what steps will be taken to dissolve the partnership when needed. Yes, it’s hard to think about a breakup when the business is just getting started, but many partnerships split up at crisis times, and unless there is a defined process, there will be even greater problems. They also must decide up-front how much time and capital each will contribute, etc.

Advantages of a Partnership

• Partnerships are relatively easy to establish; however time should be invested in developing the partnership agreement.
• With more than one owner, the ability to raise funds may be increased.
• The profits from the business flow directly through to the partners’ personal tax returns.
• Prospective employees may be attracted to the business if given the incentive to become a partner.
• The business usually will benefit from partners who have complementary skills.

Disadvantages of a Partnership

• Partners are jointly and individually liable for the actions of the other partners.
• Profits must be shared with others.
• Since decisions are shared, disagreements can occur.
• Some employee benefits are not deductible from business income on tax returns.
• The partnership may have a limited life; it may end upon the withdrawal or death of a partner.

Types of Partnerships that should be considered:

1. General Partnership
   Partners divide responsibility for management and liability as well as the shares of profit or loss according to their internal agreement. Equal shares are assumed unless there is a written agreement that states differently.
2. Limited Partnership and Partnership with limited liability
   Limited means that most of the partners have limited liability (to the extent of their investment) as well as limited input regarding management decisions, which generally encourages investors for short-term projects or for investing in capital assets. This form of ownership is not often used for operating retail or service businesses. Forming a limited partnership is more complex and formal than that of a general partnership.
3. Joint Venture
   Acts like a general partnership, but is clearly for a limited period of time or a single project. If the partners in a joint venture repeat the activity, they will be recognized as an ongoing partnership and will have to file as such as well as distribute accumulated partnership assets upon dissolution of the entity.

Corporations

A corporation chartered by the state in which it is headquartered is considered by law to be a unique entity, separate and apart from those who own it. A corporation can be taxed, it can be sued, and it can enter into contractual agreements. The owners of a corporation are its shareholders. The shareholders elect a board of directors to oversee the major policies and decisions. The corporation has a life of its own and does not dissolve when ownership changes.

Advantages of a Corporation

• Shareholders have limited liability for the corporation’s debts or judgments against the corporations.
• Generally, shareholders can only be held accountable for their investment in stock of the company. (Note however, that officers can be held personally liable for their actions, such as the failure to withhold and pay employment taxes.)
• Corporations can raise additional funds through the sale of stock.
• A corporation may deduct the cost of benefits it provides to officers and employees.
• Can elect S corporation status if certain requirements are met. This election enables company to be taxed similar to a partnership.

Disadvantages of a Corporation

• The process of incorporation requires more time and money than other forms of organization.
• Corporations are monitored by federal, state and some local agencies, and as a result may have more paperwork to comply with regulations.
• Incorporating may result in higher overall taxes. Dividends paid to shareholders are not deductible from business income; thus it can be taxed twice.

Subchapter S Corporations

A tax election only; this election enables the shareholder to treat the earnings and profits as distributions and have them pass through directly to their personal tax return. The catch here is that the shareholder, if working for the company, and if there is a profit, must pay him/herself wages, and must meet standards of “reasonable compensation”. This can vary by geographical region as well as occupation, but the basic rule is to pay yourself what you would have to pay someone to do your job, as long as there is enough profit. If you do not do this, the IRS can reclassify all of the earnings and profit as wages, and you will be liable for all of the payroll taxes on the total amount.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

The LLC is a relatively new type of hybrid business structure that is now permissible in most states. It is designed to provide the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership. Formation is more complex and formal than that of a general partnership.

The owners are members, and the duration of the LLC is usually determined when the organization papers are filed. The time limit can be continued, if desired, by a vote of the members at the time of expiration. LLCs must not have more than two of the four characteristics that define corporations: Limited liability to the extent of assets, continuity of life, centralization of management, and free transferability of ownership interests.

1. Cleaning Service
Requirements – household cleaners, mop, broom, vacuum, towels, bucket, business cards – approximate cost $150. Molly Maids is a multi-million dollar business started with a broom, a mop, and quality and reliable service. I can 100% guarantee you that the CEO of Molly Maids doesn’t clean houses any longer.

2. Gardening or landscaping
Requirements/ mower, edger, blower, rake, shovel, clippers,business cards – approximate cost $450.
You don’t need a lot of training if you are just offering a weekly services. As a kid you may have cut grass on Saturday mornings. But thinking efficiently, you can always cover more ground and market better because you Mom will not let you leave your neighborhood ?

3. Internet sales
Requirements – computer – approximate cost $500.
It’s likely you already have a computer at home so this just might be the cheapest and easiest business to start. It has been estimated that by the year 2020, nearly all retail purchases will be done over the World Wide Web. Getting on the bandwagon now may set you up for a prosperous internet business in the near future. Look into working with “drop ship” companies to avoid up front expense and storage fees. You can also try online garage sales and start out using eBay.

4. Food Delivery Service
Requirements -business cards/fliers – approximate cost $150.
With a half hour lunch break, employees at many companies have little time to leave work and order lunch. Providing a morning menu for lunchtime delivery can be helpful to these people and provide a good source of income for you. Your job? Call in the order, pick it up, and deliver it; for a fee of course. Delivering 15 lunches to one company at $3 to $5 profit apiece can add up quick. Or how about a hot dog cart at special events?

5. Pool service
Requirements/ pool cleaning supplies, start-up chemicals, brush, net, hose, business cards – Approximate cost $400.
States with warmer climates have many homes with swimming pools needing weekly care. Service to numerous homes in the same area can net you a small fortune. Business cards on the door or mailbox lets the homeowner know you are available. Also contact real estate agencies because with the foreclosure market in full effect, a lot of pools have went unattended and create a health risk. You may be able to convince them to pick up your service for aesthetic, resale vale, and liability reasons. It may take some time to get a solid clientele, but be patient; established pool service routes can be very valuable if and when you decide to call it quits.

6. Consulting service
Requirements – know-how, business cards – Approximate cost $30.
What do you know that might be of monetary value to others? Sell your smarts!

7. Delivery service
Requirements – the car, scooter, or bicycle you may already have business cards – Approximate cost $30.
A great business within large city limits. Corporations, small businesses, restaurants, etc. may be in need of delivery services. Whether it is paper documents, payrolls, food, or other items, delivery services can be a steady and profitable business.

8. Painter
Requirements/ brushes, rollers, edger’s, towels, tarps, business cards – Approximate cost $200.
Visit local hardware stores to let them know you are available for work and will purchase paint through their stores. Their referrals may keep you busy for months at a time.

9. Handyman
Requirements/ basic tools, business cards – Approximate cost $500.
Depending on they type of jobs you acquire in this business, a contractors license may eventually be required. Check with your local or state governments before you start determine at what point you will need one.

10. Daycare
Requirements/ toys, educational materials, bedding, a safe and clean home, love – Approximate cost $300.
This business requires patience and child care experience. If you care for more than three children at one time, it’s likely you will be required to be licensed. Check with your local and state government offices for restrictions and requirements.

Most of these take for granted that you already have the essentials, like a telephone. You also need to make sure your business is properly licensed so that you will be able to operate without getting into any legal trouble. Different cities and states have different requirements so check first. Its always better to ask than assume.