homebiznotes.com

September 1st, 2007

Tips for Starting a Child Care Home Business

When her boys were pre-schoolers, my neighbor was having challenges find a reliable and convenient babysitter or day care while she worked.  Finally she wondered, “Why not stay home [she wanted to anyway] and take in some other children?”

She proceeded to do this and was a stay-at-home mom until her boys attended school.  Then she gave up the day care and took a job with the town.  Another friend has operated a day care (often called child care) in her home for more than 20 years.  She has a waiting list of parents who want their children admitted to her day care.

A relative works for a day care that is located in the owner’s home.  She has found the work rewarding from that aspect. 

If you’ve thought of starting a day care in your home, or already are operating one as a home business, you may like to check out Fiona Lohrenz’s web site, Child Care Only, and  Child Care Only Blog, for information on starting and maintaining a day care in your home.

Fiona has information here for business owners in the US, UK, and Ireland.  She operates her day care in Ireland, and has developed it from caring for one child in 2000 to 50 children now.  Her blog and web site answer many of the complex and simple concerns you might have as you research whether operating a child care business in your home is for you.

If you already have one, Fiona’s sharing of information could be helpful for you, too.

Share This

By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

August 31st, 2007

Don’t Promise Your Home Business Customers More Than You Can Deliver

You’re enthusiastic about a project.  You’re excited you have another customer.  You try to make an impression and agree to finish a project or perform a service in less time than usual.  Or you don’t allow time in case you run into a problem.

Take Eric Eggertson’s advice in this post from his Common Sense PR blog…Quick Tip: Don’t Promise More Than You Can Deliver.

Eric talks about resolving problems, but the advice applies to performing services and supplying products for customers.  If you find you can’t keep to the time frame or get the material agreed upon, let the customer know immediately.  Don’t delay, make false promises…and hope everything turns our okay. 

Good communications make for satisfied customers…or as satisfied as you can make them.

Share This

By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

August 31st, 2007

Home Biz Notes to Participate in “Jump Start Your Business”

Coming in September the b5media Business Channel will sponsor a “Jump Start Your Business” contest.  Keep tuned for details as everything becomes finalized.  There will be numerous prizes and business advice offered.

Kelly at Taxgirl has some details, with more forthcoming there and at the other Business Channel blogs shortly.

Share This

By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

August 30th, 2007

How Do Customers Know Your Home Business Is Open for Business?

Here’s an interesting idea for businesses with a shop in the home where customers stop by?  How do customers know you’re open for business?

You probably have a sign.  Is it homemade (a piece of plywood smeared with paint or poster board with lettering in permanent marker) or is it professional looking.  When I operated a dressmaking business and gift shop in my home, Mea’s Boutique, I did go to the expense of having a professionally made sign to place in front of our house.  It more than paid for itself by attracting customers and giving the impression that I was a professional.

At Art Biz Blog, we learn how to carry this one step further in the post, Do they know you’re open for business?  One of Alyson Stanfield’s readers, John T. Unger, mentioned the success he had by purchasing inexpensive red, white, and blue  “Open” flags and placing them in front of his studio. 

I see so many of these as I go about our town or travel around various areas of the country.  I’ve never thought to ask a business owner if they really worked and brought in more business.

(Make sure, if you place a sign in front of or on your house, as well as the flags, that they’re premitted by zoning regulations.)

Share This

By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

August 28th, 2007

Great Information Site for Home Business Owners

Laurie Neumann, at Christian Home Business Connection, continues to offer useful information and tips for the home business owner, or someone considering starting a business from their home.  She spends a great deal of time researching legitimate business opportunities.

At her web site, you’ll find a very helpful feature, an archive of articles on home business topics.  You, also, can sign up for her free newsletter with it’s business tips.

You may want to check out Laurie’s web site and blog to see what information applies to your situation.

Share This

By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

August 17th, 2007

Additional Domain Name Information for Home Businesses

My post, Don’t Let Your Home Business Domain Name Expire, about keeping track of  expiration dates, sparked an idea with  Miranda Marquit at WorkShak.  She wrote on this topic for her readers, quoted me and linked back to my post.   

You’ll find some additional information on the importance of holding onto your domain name in, Keeping Track of Your Business Domain Name.  Miranda has a wonderful comparison about your web site being your home on the Internet, and your domain name is something you rent rather than buy.  “And every so often you have to renew the lease…”

So….make sure your lease or rent is paid.  If you neglect to renew and pay for your domain name for another year or two years, or whatever, you may find someone else owns it.

Share This

By Mary Emma -- 0 comments

June 19th, 2007

Reach Out to Others Through Interviews in Your Home Business

Darlene, of InterviewChatter blog, shared an experience about interviewing which expands upon my blog post, 5 Tips for Obtaining Interviews for Your Home Business .  This should give you more insight into getting interviewed, or how interviewers find people to write about.  Also, in the process, if one is the interviewer, they might receive publicity, too, for their business, publication, or blog.

Here is what happened to Darlene: I had the opportunity to interview the COO of HireVue.  The interview came about as a result of an article I read in USA Today.  I wrote about HireVue and sent the link to their media email.  I received an email back, thanking me for highlighting them on my blog and asking if there is anything else they could do for me.  That turned into an interview and now my blog link will be included on their media site.  Therefore, people from their blog may come to Darlene’s to read the article and interview.

You find here, in Darlene’s experience,  information on how interviewers obtain interviews.   Learn from this possible ways you can get your name out there to be interviewed to get recognition for your business.  Also, if you’re an interviewer, you also may become better known and possibly get more business.

 Reach out to others in the business world and you’ll often find that everyone benefits.

Share This

By Mary Emma -- 0 comments