You wouldn't believe how hard to accomplish and how rare the classic American success story is. I would estimate that for every 30 people who start with nothing, maybe one makes it – maybe. I was that one. I emigrated from South Korea about 20 years ago, and since then I have been working tirelessly to get my business start up going. I never made it rich, but I definitely have arrived at a comfortable place in my life – a place where I can provide luxuries for my kids that I never had growing up. So when I found out that there was another, easier way to make money, I was pretty surprised.
I have a friend who offered to buy my business for quite a bit of money – more than I think it was worth. When I asked him why, he was hesitant to tell me at first, but finally he leveled with me. Apparently, his business is to buy and sell business operations. He never runs them, but he makes a huge amount of money off of them. When he first explained it to me, I thought it was some kind of strange joke. This friend, you see, has always had a peculiar sense of humor. But he explained that the buy and sell business career is actually much more straightforward than I would think.
The business buy and sell trade is almost as old as the corporation itself, if not older. As a matter of fact, buying and selling businesses was instrumental in the rise of the giant megacorporations that now dominate so much of world commerce. On the high end, investors get together and pool their resources to buy and sell business by acquiring major shares in the boards of directors of prominent corporations. That way, they can gain economic control and reap the benefits of the work these businesses do, then sell them for a substantial profit. Small traders like my friend, however, can make a killing too. It is all matter of being there at the right time for the right deal.
You see, there are small businesses for sale every day. Perhaps they are family owned businesses and have to be quickly liquidated to raise capital for some type of emergency, or perhaps the owner has simply gotten sick of running the business and wants to retire. Whatever the case, a shrewd investor can buy and sell business operations and turn a substantial profit. Sometimes, my friend will rearrange the running of the business, invest in some marketing, or buy new equipment to make it more profitable. Just as often, however, he will not change anything. If you know the right people, you can buy and sell business making 50% profit or more!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Starting Your Own Business
Have you ever stopped to think about the goals that you have made for your life? We have all had plans and dreams about what we want to achieve in our life time. When I was in college I had thought about many things that I wanted to accomplish. Then life began to happen and many of my dreams were set aside to deal with the reality of what was going on. Instead of working on my master’s degree I was raising a family and keeping my household running. I was enjoying my children and my relationship with my husband but so many things that I wanted out of my life seemed to be slipping away with the passage of time. When my last child finished high school and entered college I decided that it was time to once again focus on some of my dreams and goals.
When I first started working I had decided that I did not want to spend my entire working life working for someone else. I knew that as an employee I was helping to make my employer rich and that I would never see the full benefits of the time and effort that I put in. I knew that the way people made big money was to start your own business. I was beginning to realize that I needed to act on this soon or I would be working longer than I wanted to. My husband warned me that I may no longer have the energy to pull this off. He felt that to start you own business you had to build from the ground level up and establish it through many years. We had agreed that we would retire in our late fifties and he was concerned that my dream to start your own business was going to get in the way of this. I told him that I at least needed to do some research into this to feel that I had at least made an attempt towards the goal. We agreed that I would not become involved in anything that would jeopardize our retirement time frames. I told him that one of my co-workers had received information to start your own business that outlined a ten year plan to make a good living. This is where I wanted to start to see if it involved something that I would be interested in.
My criteria for getting involved in a business were that it would be something I could do from home without a great deal of travel and be product based rather than information based. I looked at many different sites that out lined ways to start your own business. I became involved with a company that has been in business for over twenty years and made products for the environment. I liked the fact that I could get involved with the business while still being involved in my job so we were not losing income. Within six months I was able to quit my job and match the income that I had been bringing in. I love being my own boss and setting my own hours. It is never to late to work on your goals and accomplish your dreams.
When I first started working I had decided that I did not want to spend my entire working life working for someone else. I knew that as an employee I was helping to make my employer rich and that I would never see the full benefits of the time and effort that I put in. I knew that the way people made big money was to start your own business. I was beginning to realize that I needed to act on this soon or I would be working longer than I wanted to. My husband warned me that I may no longer have the energy to pull this off. He felt that to start you own business you had to build from the ground level up and establish it through many years. We had agreed that we would retire in our late fifties and he was concerned that my dream to start your own business was going to get in the way of this. I told him that I at least needed to do some research into this to feel that I had at least made an attempt towards the goal. We agreed that I would not become involved in anything that would jeopardize our retirement time frames. I told him that one of my co-workers had received information to start your own business that outlined a ten year plan to make a good living. This is where I wanted to start to see if it involved something that I would be interested in.
My criteria for getting involved in a business were that it would be something I could do from home without a great deal of travel and be product based rather than information based. I looked at many different sites that out lined ways to start your own business. I became involved with a company that has been in business for over twenty years and made products for the environment. I liked the fact that I could get involved with the business while still being involved in my job so we were not losing income. Within six months I was able to quit my job and match the income that I had been bringing in. I love being my own boss and setting my own hours. It is never to late to work on your goals and accomplish your dreams.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Business Company Name
Starting your own business can be one of the most exciting things that you do in your lifetime. Everyone starts out with high hopes, and wants to get moving as quickly as they can, once they have found a great idea and have secured funding for the project. However, you should never rush through certain things. You want everything to be the best it can be before you open your doors if you want your business to succeed. One such thing you should take your time with is gathering and choosing among your various company name suggestions.
Anyone with a successful venture will tell you that the right name is essential. It should tell people who you are and what you do, and it should be something that is not easily forgotten. You want to be creative, but you also don’t want to go in the wrong direction with something that is too off the wall. You may start out with your own company name suggestions, and you will probably get many from friends and family. Write them all down so you have all of the options you can possibly have before you begin choosing.
You may find that choosing among your company name suggestions is harder than you thought. This is when you might want to find someone to help you out. If you have a lot of ideas, but you can’t decide which one is truly the best one, there are places that can help you out with some research, and can even put together surveys for people to take. People can hear the suggestions and what your business will be about, and then choose the one they like the best. You won’t have to go with the results, but this can give you an insight into what people think and what the general public likes.
You may also want to hire a business consultant to find out if they can come up with any company name suggestions for you. It might be hard to find the right person for this, but if you ask around, some names should pop up. Before you put any of your company name suggestions to work, remember to find out if it is already in use. There are companies who also search to be sure your name is unique so you don’t get into legal trouble for using a name that a business has already chosen and may have been using for quite some time.
Anyone with a successful venture will tell you that the right name is essential. It should tell people who you are and what you do, and it should be something that is not easily forgotten. You want to be creative, but you also don’t want to go in the wrong direction with something that is too off the wall. You may start out with your own company name suggestions, and you will probably get many from friends and family. Write them all down so you have all of the options you can possibly have before you begin choosing.
You may find that choosing among your company name suggestions is harder than you thought. This is when you might want to find someone to help you out. If you have a lot of ideas, but you can’t decide which one is truly the best one, there are places that can help you out with some research, and can even put together surveys for people to take. People can hear the suggestions and what your business will be about, and then choose the one they like the best. You won’t have to go with the results, but this can give you an insight into what people think and what the general public likes.
You may also want to hire a business consultant to find out if they can come up with any company name suggestions for you. It might be hard to find the right person for this, but if you ask around, some names should pop up. Before you put any of your company name suggestions to work, remember to find out if it is already in use. There are companies who also search to be sure your name is unique so you don’t get into legal trouble for using a name that a business has already chosen and may have been using for quite some time.
Hiring a Consultant for Internet Marketing
If you are considering jumping into the world of Internet marketing but do not have experience in this type of marketing, it is definitely worthwhile to consider hiring a consultant to assist you in your advertising endeavor. This is important because they can do a great deal to assist you in ensuring that the marketing effort is a success. You may pay more for their services than you would to handle the Internet marketing on your own but the results you gain from the effort will likely be significantly higher. Hiring a consultant to assist you in your Internet marketing campaign is even a worthwhile endeavor if you have some experience in Internet marketing but are competing in a competitive niche and need some additional assistance to help you rise above the competition.
The key to hiring a consultant to assist in an Internet marketing campaign is to hire the right consultant. You will find there are many different options available to you as Internet marketing has become a huge industry. However, not all consultants are created equal. You may find that some consultants can create significantly better results than other consultants. There are, however, a few characteristics to look for when seeking a qualified consultant in the Internet marketing industry. Surprisingly cost is not one of the most important considerations. Experience and past performance are much more important. You can compare costs among consultants who are similarly qualified but using cost as a primary source of evaluation is not recommended.
Experience is very important when it comes to selecting a consultant to assist you in an Internet marketing campaign. Experience is critical because consultants who have a great deal of experience also have a great deal of understanding of which techniques work best and which techniques are not as effective. This can save you a great deal of time and money as there will likely not be as much experimentation necessary as there would be with a less experienced consultant. More experienced consultants will also likely be better skilled at dealing with clients and will likely answer your questions more quickly and keep you better informed about the progress of your Internet marketing campaign. All of this is important because you will likely be very interested in receiving progress reports and staying up to date on everything that is going on with your Internet marketing campaign.
Seeking out a consultant in the Internet marketing industry with an excellent past record of performance is also very important. This is so important because consultants who have had a great deal of success in the past will likely have a great deal of success while assisting you as well. Past performance is considered to be one of the best indications of future performance. This does not mean that new consultants are necessarily going to perform poorly but there is some risk involved in selecting a consultant who does not have a great deal of experience or who has not performed well in the past. You can feel much more confident putting your Internet marketing campaign in the hands of a consultant who typically generates the type of results you are looking for in your own Internet marketing campaign.
Once you have evaluated consultants on the basis of experience and past performance, it is time to start considering price. Considering price early in the process of seeking a consultant may cause you to be influenced by price over performance. Some consultants may be incredibly affordable but if they are not capable of producing the desired results, it may end up being a complete waste of money. However, once you have narrowed your list of potential consultants down to a few qualified candidates, it is definitely time to start comparing prices. Once you are confident each of the candidates on your list is well qualified, choosing the least expensive candidate is worthwhile. However it is important to note all of the fees involved to ensure you are making an accurate cost comparison.
The key to hiring a consultant to assist in an Internet marketing campaign is to hire the right consultant. You will find there are many different options available to you as Internet marketing has become a huge industry. However, not all consultants are created equal. You may find that some consultants can create significantly better results than other consultants. There are, however, a few characteristics to look for when seeking a qualified consultant in the Internet marketing industry. Surprisingly cost is not one of the most important considerations. Experience and past performance are much more important. You can compare costs among consultants who are similarly qualified but using cost as a primary source of evaluation is not recommended.
Experience is very important when it comes to selecting a consultant to assist you in an Internet marketing campaign. Experience is critical because consultants who have a great deal of experience also have a great deal of understanding of which techniques work best and which techniques are not as effective. This can save you a great deal of time and money as there will likely not be as much experimentation necessary as there would be with a less experienced consultant. More experienced consultants will also likely be better skilled at dealing with clients and will likely answer your questions more quickly and keep you better informed about the progress of your Internet marketing campaign. All of this is important because you will likely be very interested in receiving progress reports and staying up to date on everything that is going on with your Internet marketing campaign.
Seeking out a consultant in the Internet marketing industry with an excellent past record of performance is also very important. This is so important because consultants who have had a great deal of success in the past will likely have a great deal of success while assisting you as well. Past performance is considered to be one of the best indications of future performance. This does not mean that new consultants are necessarily going to perform poorly but there is some risk involved in selecting a consultant who does not have a great deal of experience or who has not performed well in the past. You can feel much more confident putting your Internet marketing campaign in the hands of a consultant who typically generates the type of results you are looking for in your own Internet marketing campaign.
Once you have evaluated consultants on the basis of experience and past performance, it is time to start considering price. Considering price early in the process of seeking a consultant may cause you to be influenced by price over performance. Some consultants may be incredibly affordable but if they are not capable of producing the desired results, it may end up being a complete waste of money. However, once you have narrowed your list of potential consultants down to a few qualified candidates, it is definitely time to start comparing prices. Once you are confident each of the candidates on your list is well qualified, choosing the least expensive candidate is worthwhile. However it is important to note all of the fees involved to ensure you are making an accurate cost comparison.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Promotional Items For Business Marketing
As a new business is launching, the owner is typically concerned about a million different things. There’s a lot to think about and consider when you are trying to get your own venture off the ground. One of the main areas of focus is marketing. If your potential customers don’t know you are out there, they’ll never become paying customers. There are numerous ways to go about trying to catch the eye of future customers. One approach that works really well is using an imprinted promotional product. This can be anything from a t-shirt to a pen, but its main purpose will always be to get your business noticed.
Budget concerns are always on the mind of ever successful business owner. The old adage that you can’t make money without spending money really does hold true. If you want to make a splash on the business scene you need to create a buzz. This can be easily done with the aid of a fetching imprinted promotional product.
Coffee mugs work well for this because almost everyone likes their cup of java in the morning. If you do decide to use a mug as your imprinted promotional product, it’s a wise idea to have the logo custom designed. This can be done by a local graphic designer or you can even find someone online to take on the task for you. That is unless you have already had a logo done. In that case you just need to supply the graphic to the company making your imprinted mugs. These are actually very affordable and useful. Many people will start using a promotional mug they were given and will continue to do so for years. This is one of the easiest ways to get your business name known.
Fitness is the focus of many people’s lives now. They realize that staying in good shape can enrich their lives in so many ways. That’s one of the reasons we see so many new fitness facilities popping up. If you are the proprietor of an exercise related venture there are a number of different products you can use to effectively promote your business. A clear plastic water bottle is an ideal imprinted promotional product for a gym or spa. The company’s logo can be placed on the front of the bottle along with location and contact information. Fun items like beach balls and Frisbees also work well for companies that promote an active lifestyle.
If you’ve only dedicated a small amount to your promotional campaign don’t despair. Pens are perfect as an imprinted promotional product as are key chains. These can be purchased in bulk for just pennies and then the logo added later. Many companies use these small promotional items for years with great success.
Budget concerns are always on the mind of ever successful business owner. The old adage that you can’t make money without spending money really does hold true. If you want to make a splash on the business scene you need to create a buzz. This can be easily done with the aid of a fetching imprinted promotional product.
Coffee mugs work well for this because almost everyone likes their cup of java in the morning. If you do decide to use a mug as your imprinted promotional product, it’s a wise idea to have the logo custom designed. This can be done by a local graphic designer or you can even find someone online to take on the task for you. That is unless you have already had a logo done. In that case you just need to supply the graphic to the company making your imprinted mugs. These are actually very affordable and useful. Many people will start using a promotional mug they were given and will continue to do so for years. This is one of the easiest ways to get your business name known.
Fitness is the focus of many people’s lives now. They realize that staying in good shape can enrich their lives in so many ways. That’s one of the reasons we see so many new fitness facilities popping up. If you are the proprietor of an exercise related venture there are a number of different products you can use to effectively promote your business. A clear plastic water bottle is an ideal imprinted promotional product for a gym or spa. The company’s logo can be placed on the front of the bottle along with location and contact information. Fun items like beach balls and Frisbees also work well for companies that promote an active lifestyle.
If you’ve only dedicated a small amount to your promotional campaign don’t despair. Pens are perfect as an imprinted promotional product as are key chains. These can be purchased in bulk for just pennies and then the logo added later. Many companies use these small promotional items for years with great success.
Have A Career On Business Consulting Firms
Consulting firms are really an amazing thing, in my opinion. They show that rationality can be brought to the often chaotic world of business. You see, a consulting firm possesses no specialized knowledge. Anyone who could succeed in business could succeed in consulting. What a consulting firm brings, however, is a dispassionate, outside eye. Although a lot of consulting firms spend most of their energy on jargon, publicity, and such., the top consulting companies are pretty straight forward with their advice. They employ a wide range of very eclectic and broad-minded people. People get their start in consulting firms from a wide variety of different backgrounds, including the liberal arts, design, advertising, the social sciences, and even the hard sciences. As long as you are willing to look analytically at business processes, management, technology, and facilities, you can really get the job done and with a great amount of success.
I never really contemplated a career in consulting Until I had been in business for a few years. I was in a pretty toxic workplace. Not only was it not a fun place to work, but it was also not a very well organized or a rational workplace. everyone knew it, but no one seemed to do anything about it. The boss was pretty burnt out, and he didn't really want any advice from anyone. The workers were pretty burnt out, and most of us were worried about keeping our jobs. Other people were looking for new employment as quickly as possible. In desperation, the upper management hired one of the top consulting firms. What they did was amazing.
First of all, they fired my boss. For that alone, I would have been grateful. But when they reorganized the entire structure of the business, I was completely blown away. Most of the things that they said were wrong were things that I could have pointed out my own. The thing was that, because they were an outside opinion, the management was more willing to listen to them. I can not tell you how much of an improvement they made to the company. Suddenly, it was a fun place to work again. Yet instead of motivating me to stay at the same job,I was encouraged to leave and seek out a consulting career. Although it was a little bit rocky starting over again, it was more than worth it. I have loved every moment of my work for consulting firms.
I never really contemplated a career in consulting Until I had been in business for a few years. I was in a pretty toxic workplace. Not only was it not a fun place to work, but it was also not a very well organized or a rational workplace. everyone knew it, but no one seemed to do anything about it. The boss was pretty burnt out, and he didn't really want any advice from anyone. The workers were pretty burnt out, and most of us were worried about keeping our jobs. Other people were looking for new employment as quickly as possible. In desperation, the upper management hired one of the top consulting firms. What they did was amazing.
First of all, they fired my boss. For that alone, I would have been grateful. But when they reorganized the entire structure of the business, I was completely blown away. Most of the things that they said were wrong were things that I could have pointed out my own. The thing was that, because they were an outside opinion, the management was more willing to listen to them. I can not tell you how much of an improvement they made to the company. Suddenly, it was a fun place to work again. Yet instead of motivating me to stay at the same job,I was encouraged to leave and seek out a consulting career. Although it was a little bit rocky starting over again, it was more than worth it. I have loved every moment of my work for consulting firms.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Finding Financial Services on the Internet
Finding financial services that can help a large company with their issues can be difficult. With tax time right around the corner for those who reside in the United States, finding the best service can be crucial to helping a company keep it finances in tip top shape. Many large financial companies are available to help the executives, if they do not have an accountant already on staff. One way to find these companies is to do one's research on the internet.
One website that offers global help with company financial issues is www.ey.com. This is the home of Ernst and Young. This firm is dedicated to the global business market. They are only dedicated to businesses, and a private individual would therefore not be able to employ their services. However, if one is starting up their own business, then this is one helpful website that is dedicated to helping a business with any type of financial issues that may crop up, including taxes and even self auditing.
Finding industry leading financial services can sometimes prove difficult. If one looks on the internet they can feel completely overwhelmed. However, if one networks and looks for the best referral, then an accountant who fits their every need can be located with ease. The internet is a great resource, but sometimes a few things need to be researched even further to find the absolute best.
Financial services are vital to a company's success. Finding the best finance company or person can prove difficult and overwhelming. So many options are available. A person must choose between a large company or a private individual. The best way to find what a company is looking for is to do much research and take one's time before choosing.
One website that offers global help with company financial issues is www.ey.com. This is the home of Ernst and Young. This firm is dedicated to the global business market. They are only dedicated to businesses, and a private individual would therefore not be able to employ their services. However, if one is starting up their own business, then this is one helpful website that is dedicated to helping a business with any type of financial issues that may crop up, including taxes and even self auditing.
Finding industry leading financial services can sometimes prove difficult. If one looks on the internet they can feel completely overwhelmed. However, if one networks and looks for the best referral, then an accountant who fits their every need can be located with ease. The internet is a great resource, but sometimes a few things need to be researched even further to find the absolute best.
Financial services are vital to a company's success. Finding the best finance company or person can prove difficult and overwhelming. So many options are available. A person must choose between a large company or a private individual. The best way to find what a company is looking for is to do much research and take one's time before choosing.
Opening a Candle Shop Business
One business that can give you extra income is the candle shop business. Do you have a passion for everything candles, such as the beautiful scented candles that make any space feel warm and inviting or perhaps the beautiful hand dipped candles that are ornamental and functional? Have you considered opening up your own candle shop? It is a great way to combine something that you are passionate about with the ability to have your own business. You can have your piece of the 'American Dream' and still have fun doing it at the same time.
So you have decided to open up your own candle shop and now you need to figure out what you are going to be selling. Will it be home decor candles or scented candles? Perhaps you will want to sell candle making supplies to those hobbyists who want to make their own candles. Either way, you are going to need to start buying your candle making supplies in bulk if you want to make any money. Getting up the right amount of inventory is paramount to success in any business field.
Something you might want to consider, along with your candles, is teaching candle making classes if you are an experienced candle maker. This is a hobby that many people are picking up. If you sell the supplies on hand you will be able to charge for the classes and charge for the actual supplies that the people will need in order to make their own candles at home.
If resale is your goal, then you first need to find reputable dealers who sell candles that are specifically made for resale. One company that fits this description is The Yankee Candle Company. They offer a huge assortment of scented candles from which to choose. You will want to keep a wide selection of candle sizes and scents. Some people prefer a votive candle, as opposed to a pillar candle. Yankee also makes car fresheners and tealight candles.
Do not let owning your own business intimidate you. You love candles and you love making your own product. Your candle shop is sure to be a success if you keep doing the things that you love. Just make sure that you have enough products on hand, you advertise well and you keep enough diversity within your candles so that you can appeal to different customers. Just relax and you will do fine if you take these things into consideration.
So you have decided to open up your own candle shop and now you need to figure out what you are going to be selling. Will it be home decor candles or scented candles? Perhaps you will want to sell candle making supplies to those hobbyists who want to make their own candles. Either way, you are going to need to start buying your candle making supplies in bulk if you want to make any money. Getting up the right amount of inventory is paramount to success in any business field.
Something you might want to consider, along with your candles, is teaching candle making classes if you are an experienced candle maker. This is a hobby that many people are picking up. If you sell the supplies on hand you will be able to charge for the classes and charge for the actual supplies that the people will need in order to make their own candles at home.
If resale is your goal, then you first need to find reputable dealers who sell candles that are specifically made for resale. One company that fits this description is The Yankee Candle Company. They offer a huge assortment of scented candles from which to choose. You will want to keep a wide selection of candle sizes and scents. Some people prefer a votive candle, as opposed to a pillar candle. Yankee also makes car fresheners and tealight candles.
Do not let owning your own business intimidate you. You love candles and you love making your own product. Your candle shop is sure to be a success if you keep doing the things that you love. Just make sure that you have enough products on hand, you advertise well and you keep enough diversity within your candles so that you can appeal to different customers. Just relax and you will do fine if you take these things into consideration.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Professional Wedding Photography Is It Necessary?
For engaged couples on a tight budget, professional wedding photography is often one of the first places they look to cut corners. Some couples consider purchasing smaller wedding photography packages or even forgoing the package altogether and simply paying the photographer for his or her time and the raw media. Other couples begin to question whether they need professional wedding photography at all.
Professional wedding photographers bring a lot to the table that may be hard to replace. The professional is an expert at capturing subtleties of expression and nuances of the environment. Your friend or relative may be reasonably skilled with a camera, but unless he or she has professional experience, it is likely that the person will miss some of the fine details that a professional photographer would capture.
For traditional professional wedding photography captured on film, professional wedding photographers are extremely important. The lighting, film speed, poses and angles all affect the finished product and only the professional or an extremely experienced amateur fully understands the complicated interplay that goes into good posed shots.
Couples who choose contemporary wedding photography, such as wedding photojournalism, may not feel that hiring a professional photographer is necessary for them. Their shots will be candid, not posed, and will reflect the day as it unfolds. They may feel that a friend or family member will be able to capture these shots accurately.
However, it is important to keep in mind that a friend or relative does not have professional detachment in regards to your wedding. He or she will experience emotions, personal drama, and the gamut of reactions that come with attending a large family event. It is possible that even the most well meaning friend will inadvertently miss some shots due to other things that are happening throughout the day. Additionally, the photojournalistic style requires that the photographer remain completely uninvolved in the unfolding situation. This is a difficult position in which to put someone who obviously cares deeply about you.
Affordable professional wedding photography is available from trained wedding photography professionals. If your budget is truly tight, you may want to hire a wedding photographer who has just started out on his or her own and is eager to build business. Many times, he or she will have been well trained as a staff photographer with a larger company prior to starting his or her own company. Be sure to ask for samples of the photographer's work, but do not write someone off simply because the business is new.
Also, consider hiring a wedding photography professional solely for his or her time plus the original media, forgoing expensive wedding photography packages. Explain to the photographer that you are on a tight budget and enlist his or her help in saving money.
If your wedding is extremely small and simple and you have a friend who is an excellent photographer, you may be able to get away with forgoing professional wedding photography. Otherwise, it is truly worth budgeting your money to pay for the skills of a professional. After all, the other elements of the wedding will be around for only one day. The photographs will last a lifetime.
Professional wedding photographers bring a lot to the table that may be hard to replace. The professional is an expert at capturing subtleties of expression and nuances of the environment. Your friend or relative may be reasonably skilled with a camera, but unless he or she has professional experience, it is likely that the person will miss some of the fine details that a professional photographer would capture.
For traditional professional wedding photography captured on film, professional wedding photographers are extremely important. The lighting, film speed, poses and angles all affect the finished product and only the professional or an extremely experienced amateur fully understands the complicated interplay that goes into good posed shots.
Couples who choose contemporary wedding photography, such as wedding photojournalism, may not feel that hiring a professional photographer is necessary for them. Their shots will be candid, not posed, and will reflect the day as it unfolds. They may feel that a friend or family member will be able to capture these shots accurately.
However, it is important to keep in mind that a friend or relative does not have professional detachment in regards to your wedding. He or she will experience emotions, personal drama, and the gamut of reactions that come with attending a large family event. It is possible that even the most well meaning friend will inadvertently miss some shots due to other things that are happening throughout the day. Additionally, the photojournalistic style requires that the photographer remain completely uninvolved in the unfolding situation. This is a difficult position in which to put someone who obviously cares deeply about you.
Affordable professional wedding photography is available from trained wedding photography professionals. If your budget is truly tight, you may want to hire a wedding photographer who has just started out on his or her own and is eager to build business. Many times, he or she will have been well trained as a staff photographer with a larger company prior to starting his or her own company. Be sure to ask for samples of the photographer's work, but do not write someone off simply because the business is new.
Also, consider hiring a wedding photography professional solely for his or her time plus the original media, forgoing expensive wedding photography packages. Explain to the photographer that you are on a tight budget and enlist his or her help in saving money.
If your wedding is extremely small and simple and you have a friend who is an excellent photographer, you may be able to get away with forgoing professional wedding photography. Otherwise, it is truly worth budgeting your money to pay for the skills of a professional. After all, the other elements of the wedding will be around for only one day. The photographs will last a lifetime.
Create a Limited Liability Company
Perhaps the most notable vehicle to come about in the business industry is the LLC, or Limited Liability Company. Many assume that it is a never-before-heard-of practice but in reality merchants, financiers and others related to the business industry have been looking for ways to reduce or eliminate their losses for years. So, to form a limited liability company may not be exactly a new concept, yet it is still quite appealing.
You may think that with all of the advantages an LLC business offers it must be a fairly difficult and expensive endeavor. However, you would be wrong, as most experts say that with all of the LLC information available, the process is much easier and less expensive than forming a corporation and it just may be the best decision you have ever made.
It is necessary to check with your state to see what rules they may have pertaining to naming your LLC business. States requirements do vary but generally the rules state that the name you choose cannot already belong to another business, it may not have words that are prohibited by the state, such as Bank, Insurance, etc. When you form a limited liability company, your company name must end with an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "L.L.C."
Of course, as with everything else, there are some disadvantages as well. Corporations can be around forever, whereas an LLC business is dissolved when a member dies or undergoes bankruptcy. A sole proprietorship or partnership is a little less complex and includes less paperwork than a LLC, yet that certainly does not mean that the paperwork is not worth the effort.
Some states have specific requirements to be followed when you form a limited liability company, but there are some that are fairly common in all states. For instance, after naming your company, you will be asked to file the Articles of Organization, normally through the Secretary of State. This entails choosing a business name and making sure it is compliment with your states laws, and listing the names and addresses of the organizers (though 1 is usually sufficient) and stating the nature of your business or purposes to be followed.
You may think that with all of the advantages an LLC business offers it must be a fairly difficult and expensive endeavor. However, you would be wrong, as most experts say that with all of the LLC information available, the process is much easier and less expensive than forming a corporation and it just may be the best decision you have ever made.
It is necessary to check with your state to see what rules they may have pertaining to naming your LLC business. States requirements do vary but generally the rules state that the name you choose cannot already belong to another business, it may not have words that are prohibited by the state, such as Bank, Insurance, etc. When you form a limited liability company, your company name must end with an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "L.L.C."
Of course, as with everything else, there are some disadvantages as well. Corporations can be around forever, whereas an LLC business is dissolved when a member dies or undergoes bankruptcy. A sole proprietorship or partnership is a little less complex and includes less paperwork than a LLC, yet that certainly does not mean that the paperwork is not worth the effort.
Some states have specific requirements to be followed when you form a limited liability company, but there are some that are fairly common in all states. For instance, after naming your company, you will be asked to file the Articles of Organization, normally through the Secretary of State. This entails choosing a business name and making sure it is compliment with your states laws, and listing the names and addresses of the organizers (though 1 is usually sufficient) and stating the nature of your business or purposes to be followed.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Creating Logo For Your Business
Sometimes, it is easy to create a logo, but more often it takes a lot of work. Creating logos is a funny business. Often it only takes a few minutes, but it can still make or break a company. The right logo can inspire the right image, and give the customers confidence in your business and what you do. Still, the process is deceptive, and much harder than it seems. After all, when you create logos, you aren't just creating a pretty picture! A logo can be attractive, professional, eye catching, and still not hit quite the right note. A logo is basically a microcosm of your whole branding strategy. In that one image, you want to convey the essence of your brand.
A lot of my friends like to create logos in shop. It saves them a lot of money, after all, when they can get their own people to do it. They are often baffled when they hear that I have hired someone from outside to propose some logos for my company. After all, it costs a lot more. Still, you can not argue with results. Sometimes, it is essential to bring in some outside experts to listen with an objective ear to what your company wants from its branding and marketing. Someone with a fresh, outsider perspective can do wonders when you are creating logos.
Nonetheless, more often than not, you should at least start trying to create a logo on your own. There are, after all, so many excellent tools available nowadays. Even if you have no sketching ability, you can use tools like Photoshop or Corel Draw for creating logos, sometimes with excellent results. There are also a variety of online logo creators available, as well as millions of public domain images to draw from. The possibilities are limitless, whether or not you have graphic design experience.
Of course, many companies save creating new logos for when they are marketing new products. In reality, even successful logos should be reviewed and updated from time to time. If you can create new logos, you can get fresh attention to you product. You can even use stickers, promotional items, or other fun, novel approaches to increase recognition of your brand. Creating logos is, above all, about creativity. When you are doing it, you should be creative! The more fun you have with the artistic process, the more fun your consumers will have, and the more they will buy!
A lot of my friends like to create logos in shop. It saves them a lot of money, after all, when they can get their own people to do it. They are often baffled when they hear that I have hired someone from outside to propose some logos for my company. After all, it costs a lot more. Still, you can not argue with results. Sometimes, it is essential to bring in some outside experts to listen with an objective ear to what your company wants from its branding and marketing. Someone with a fresh, outsider perspective can do wonders when you are creating logos.
Nonetheless, more often than not, you should at least start trying to create a logo on your own. There are, after all, so many excellent tools available nowadays. Even if you have no sketching ability, you can use tools like Photoshop or Corel Draw for creating logos, sometimes with excellent results. There are also a variety of online logo creators available, as well as millions of public domain images to draw from. The possibilities are limitless, whether or not you have graphic design experience.
Of course, many companies save creating new logos for when they are marketing new products. In reality, even successful logos should be reviewed and updated from time to time. If you can create new logos, you can get fresh attention to you product. You can even use stickers, promotional items, or other fun, novel approaches to increase recognition of your brand. Creating logos is, above all, about creativity. When you are doing it, you should be creative! The more fun you have with the artistic process, the more fun your consumers will have, and the more they will buy!
Document Management Systems
There are many ways to keep files and other important papers together and in the right place. However, when you have a lot of them, you do have to think about document an systems. This is something that works both in offices and on the computer. Many have paper files that they keep and that must be kept in order, but there are more and more that also have computer files that are important, and it is essential that they are stored in a way that is easy to use and that makes the documents easy to find and pull up.
Filing systems are often very simple in the way they work. If you have a doctors office and you have to keep track of your client’s files, you normally would use document management systems that keep files in alphabetical order. That is probably the best way to keep them all in an order that is easy to sort through, and that will make files easier to find. However, over the years, this type of document management system is going to have to be broken down by years, especially when patients come and go.
For other companies, the best type of document management systems are the ones that go by date. If you don’t care about the name, but rather the date of the project, this is the way to go. This means that you can break the system down by the year, month, and the day for easy access. If you have been in business for quite a long time, this can even be broken down by decade. This is also a great way to keep track of whatever it is that you have saved in your home. Taxes, bills, and personal documents can be stored by name, and then by date in this case.
For document management systems on your home computer, you are again better off going by date. Make as many subfolders as you need to keep things straight. If you label a folder by year, you can have a sub folder for each month, and then date the inside files so they appear in order when you open that folder. If you are not very good at organizing, you can find document management systems that come in the form of software that you can use at home, in the office, or on your computer. These are meant to help you keep organized and to leave the guesswork out of finding the best system for your needs.
Filing systems are often very simple in the way they work. If you have a doctors office and you have to keep track of your client’s files, you normally would use document management systems that keep files in alphabetical order. That is probably the best way to keep them all in an order that is easy to sort through, and that will make files easier to find. However, over the years, this type of document management system is going to have to be broken down by years, especially when patients come and go.
For other companies, the best type of document management systems are the ones that go by date. If you don’t care about the name, but rather the date of the project, this is the way to go. This means that you can break the system down by the year, month, and the day for easy access. If you have been in business for quite a long time, this can even be broken down by decade. This is also a great way to keep track of whatever it is that you have saved in your home. Taxes, bills, and personal documents can be stored by name, and then by date in this case.
For document management systems on your home computer, you are again better off going by date. Make as many subfolders as you need to keep things straight. If you label a folder by year, you can have a sub folder for each month, and then date the inside files so they appear in order when you open that folder. If you are not very good at organizing, you can find document management systems that come in the form of software that you can use at home, in the office, or on your computer. These are meant to help you keep organized and to leave the guesswork out of finding the best system for your needs.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Take A Shot On Profitable Franchise Businesses
I have always been an unapologetic skeptic. Where I grew up, it was somewhat of a survival instinct. Any city kid will tell you that a little bit of disbelief goes a long way towards keeping you safe and out of trouble. So when I heard about all of the profitable franchise businesses available from one of my friends, I immediately scoffed at the idea. I didn't believe in any of his get rich quick schemes in the past, and I certainly didn't believe in this one. Perhaps there were profitable franchise opportunities somewhere, but I figured that for every good opportunity there were six duds that would waste years of your life and make no money. I don't want any part of that type of business ventures.
Nonetheless, he finally talked me into looking into some franchise business opportunities. To say that they surprised me would be to state it mildly. I was practically shocked. The fact is, people will buy almost anything provided they recognize the name of the company. Profitable franchises are such a great idea because it to take advantage of the brand loyalty people already have. Whether you are starting a fast food restaurant or a home care facility, being part of a national chain is always an advantage. Almost overnight, I was ready to go into business with a friend
One of the great thing about profitable franchises is that they take a lot of the work out of starting your own business. With many franchise businesses, promoting your company is already taken care of. If you are starting a McDonald's franchise, for example, your don't need to take out ads – everyone already knows McDonald's and either likes it or doesn't. You simply have to have a restaurant in a convenient location where people drive past every day. The rest will take care of itself.
Of course, profitable franchises don't always work out the first time. In our case, we simply didn't have a good enough location at first. We opened a Quiznos sub shop, and it did alright, but after six months we folded. We were simply working too hard for not enough money. When we reopened in a better location downtown, business took off right away. Soon, we were practically rolling in the money. I don't want to brag, but we are now running one of the most profitable franchises in the city. Although the corporate office takes a big cut of the profits, there is still plenty left for us.
Nonetheless, he finally talked me into looking into some franchise business opportunities. To say that they surprised me would be to state it mildly. I was practically shocked. The fact is, people will buy almost anything provided they recognize the name of the company. Profitable franchises are such a great idea because it to take advantage of the brand loyalty people already have. Whether you are starting a fast food restaurant or a home care facility, being part of a national chain is always an advantage. Almost overnight, I was ready to go into business with a friend
One of the great thing about profitable franchises is that they take a lot of the work out of starting your own business. With many franchise businesses, promoting your company is already taken care of. If you are starting a McDonald's franchise, for example, your don't need to take out ads – everyone already knows McDonald's and either likes it or doesn't. You simply have to have a restaurant in a convenient location where people drive past every day. The rest will take care of itself.
Of course, profitable franchises don't always work out the first time. In our case, we simply didn't have a good enough location at first. We opened a Quiznos sub shop, and it did alright, but after six months we folded. We were simply working too hard for not enough money. When we reopened in a better location downtown, business took off right away. Soon, we were practically rolling in the money. I don't want to brag, but we are now running one of the most profitable franchises in the city. Although the corporate office takes a big cut of the profits, there is still plenty left for us.
Starting A Real Estate Business
I have reached one of those times in my live where I am reflecting on what impact I have made on the world around me and how many of my personal goals I have achieved. This year I will turn fifty years old, a definite mile marker in my life. I have decided that it is time to take a long look at what I still want to accomplish.
One of the areas I am most proud of is how I have parented my children. My husband and I were blessed with two sons and a daughter. Each of them has had many accomplishments and is successful in the career paths that they have chosen. My daughter and her husband have started their own home based business. This business involves buying real estate and selling it in a quick turn around for a profit. My daughter has a degree in computer programming. She worked very successfully for a major computer company. This job involved a great deal of travel to help set up companies with computer systems and to trouble shoot problems that they had with the systems. She enjoyed the work and travel a great deal; however it was not the type of job that is conducive to raising a family. When she learned that she was pregnant with her first child she decided that she needed to research career options that allowed her to be at home. The computer company she was with had some options that she could do through telecommuting; however she thought she would like to try something new. She is good at work with computers, but she wanted a new challenge and also wanted to stay at home with her child.
She began looking into home based businesses that can create income and would require only part-time work. Out of the many possibilities the business she decided to pursue was buying real estate. She went through training on-line and began her new business by buying a small apartment building in the western part of the untied states. She then listed the property and sold it for a profit within three weeks. She was very excited about her success and immediately bought another property. She has been buying real estate and selling it for a profit for three years. She has been so successful at doing this that her husband has quit his job and is working the business with her. They put in about twenty hours a week and are making a six figure income. She loves the work, but is more thrilled with the fact that she is home full time. She is now about to give birth to their second child. She has been a full time mom to her first born and is excited that her husband will be able to be a full time dad to both of the children. Buying real estate is not the home based business for everyone, but it has been very successful for them. She insists that I should look into getting involved with it also. It may be fun to start a new career as a reach the half century mark of my life.
One of the areas I am most proud of is how I have parented my children. My husband and I were blessed with two sons and a daughter. Each of them has had many accomplishments and is successful in the career paths that they have chosen. My daughter and her husband have started their own home based business. This business involves buying real estate and selling it in a quick turn around for a profit. My daughter has a degree in computer programming. She worked very successfully for a major computer company. This job involved a great deal of travel to help set up companies with computer systems and to trouble shoot problems that they had with the systems. She enjoyed the work and travel a great deal; however it was not the type of job that is conducive to raising a family. When she learned that she was pregnant with her first child she decided that she needed to research career options that allowed her to be at home. The computer company she was with had some options that she could do through telecommuting; however she thought she would like to try something new. She is good at work with computers, but she wanted a new challenge and also wanted to stay at home with her child.
She began looking into home based businesses that can create income and would require only part-time work. Out of the many possibilities the business she decided to pursue was buying real estate. She went through training on-line and began her new business by buying a small apartment building in the western part of the untied states. She then listed the property and sold it for a profit within three weeks. She was very excited about her success and immediately bought another property. She has been buying real estate and selling it for a profit for three years. She has been so successful at doing this that her husband has quit his job and is working the business with her. They put in about twenty hours a week and are making a six figure income. She loves the work, but is more thrilled with the fact that she is home full time. She is now about to give birth to their second child. She has been a full time mom to her first born and is excited that her husband will be able to be a full time dad to both of the children. Buying real estate is not the home based business for everyone, but it has been very successful for them. She insists that I should look into getting involved with it also. It may be fun to start a new career as a reach the half century mark of my life.
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