It can be a bit daunting for new entrepreneurs to start a business. For some, it can be a hard task as finding or creating a business doesn’t happen in just a matter of days. And here come’s craft businesses which is a pretty neat alternative for starters. So what’s with the buzz with craft businesses anyway?

Craft businesses don’t take too long to begin since the process is just like a walk in the park depending on the business. Scouting for a craft business online and you can find myriad of employers looking for someone to help them with their craft business. But before anything else, you have to check if the startup costs are affordable enough for newbies like you. Second, you need to evaluate yourself if you have the skills to do such a business.

To make things a little clearer, here are 3 key points before you start doing craft businesses:

• Make sure that you are skillful enough to do such business
• Check if there is a large demand for the craft business you are planning to enter in
• See if the startup cost is affordable enough for you to handle alone

Without further ado, here are our top five craft businesses that you’ll surely love.

Craft Book Publishing

With myriads of fictional and non-fiction writers publishing books in a year, there’s always room for a creative crafty book brand that you can self-publish yourself. Finding a niche is easy, but you have to mind the startup costs of publishing it as well.

Selling Children’s Toys

If you’re fond of kids, then selling toys for them might just be for you. There are plenty of materials you can use to create one with plastic being the most popular of them all. If you want to go unique, then you can use wood to make such toys. Making these toys for yourself in bundled form you’ll save plenty of cash for startup costs.

3D Printing

The demand for innovation and technology has been rising up every year. One of these piece of tech is 3D printing, which most innovators and inventors are relying on when it comes to prototypes. You can get your own 3D printer for about $250 dollars and start your business. There’s a wide range of objects that you can 3D print such as toys, mechanisms, miniature statues, and the like. If you have good marketing skills, you can use this advantage to advertise your 3D printed masterpiece and sell it.

Jewelry Selling

The startup cost for selling jewelry might be a bit over the top since you will be dealing with the jewelry itself, the place, and marketing. You can get started for as low as $500 covering all of these. However, your income will depend on the type and quality of the jewelry. You can sell it cheap that looks straight out from the dollar store, or you can sell it at a competitive price that washes off the other brands.

Fashion/Sewing Business

If you have the talent to create unique clothing designs, then it’s time to use this to your advantage and earn some cash. The demand for clothing is booming, especially for girls who like to shop until they drop just for the sake of #OOTD. You have to keep in mind the startup costs before anything else, since different fabric also comes with different prices. Not to mention, the sewing machine you’re going to use and the place of the shop as well. Additionally, you have to keep check of the marketing cost too if you’re going to advertise your creations on social media.

The best company isn’t defined by its brand popularity alone, but also its workplace environment as well. A happy workplace is equal to a happy employee. And the more you treat your employees well, the more likely they’ll work and stay at your company for long periods of time. As the company owner, you have the power on how you handle and treat your employees. With that said, below is a curated list on how to build a healthy environment for your company.

Kindness is Key

Being kind to your employees is a no brainer. Of course, it’s already a norm that you treat everyone with kindness and your employees are no exception. You need to treat them like a part of the team, not slaves of your company. Failing to do so is a recipe for disaster and can result in the downfall of your business.

Build Trust

Every person has their own suggestion of a particular thing, that’s why it’s important that you don’t have to be one-sided on your own opinions only. You need to listen and trust your employees as well since running a business is never a one-sided thing. Have faith on their abilities because you never know, it can be the turning point you’ve been looking for so long.

Inspire & Motivate

As the company owner, you need to play your part as a leader that guides your employees to greatness. There’s always room for a little bit of inspiration and motivation. In this way, your employees will work more effectively and will likely stay at your company.

Encourage

Everybody has ideas, and it’s important to know that you should give way for your employees to speak up their own opinions about a particular thing. Working as a team involves discussing ideas that can build your business. Every comment and suggestion is important for a company and should never be overlooked.

Give Cognitive Advice

Distressing moments are inevitable in the field of business. That’s why you need to encourage your team to stay positive and optimistic even in times like this. Give them advice or activities that help them ward off stress. Good thought process is the key to quality work.

Be Approachable Even Outside the Workplace

During holidays or day offs, an informal connection is vital for you and your employees. You don’t need to be serious all the time and drown yourself with work-related things. Be approachable, invite your team to a weekend getaway, or anything that can build your relationship with them even outside the workplace.

Reward & Celebrate

Everybody loves rewards, and I’m sure your employees do too. If they have done something good for the week, then reward them with something they’ll surely love to accept. Be it free pizza, early lunch, bonus payment, or anything that you can think of as a reward. There’s always time for celebration as well. You can either hold a party or have an employee’s night out with them.

If you want to start your own home-based daycare service center, then there are a few things you need to know. Keep in mind that the start-up costs for such isn’t costly. All it needs is thorough research and planning for it to be successful.

Decide First

Before anything else, you need to know if you want to open a “childcare center” or a “daycare center” since both of them are two different things. So what’s the difference between the two of them?

Daycare

• A daycare center is a commercialized establishment that caters a large number of children complete with meals and activities throughout the day. Schedule for a daycare center often runs from 6 am to 6 pm where parents are most likely at work. And since it’s a commercialized business, it requires licensing, facilities, and a group of people that can help you out since you will be handling a large number of kids.

Childcare

• Childcare, on the other hand, you only tend two to three children without the need of a structured activity. Childcare is more affordable since you don’t need a license to start one. This saves you cash and the facilities you need can already be found in your own home, or you can buy newer ones if that’s your cup of tea.

But How About Home Daycare Service?

A question that is often asked by many is if it is necessary to acquire a license to run a home day care center. To answer that question. yes, you need to have one and the process can be quite lengthy. Different states have their different set of laws to protect children. What you need to do first is to contact your state agency and ask how to obtain a license.

The first process involves attending an orientation. Next, you need to have a spacious home where you can build your own daycare center. In most cases, home modification is needed and a Child Abuse Index check is also required to ensure safety.

After that, you need to keep detailed records for each child and have your home ready for compliance for safety measures such as fire safety and the like. You also need to be at home all the time when children are present. Alternatively, you can hire a substitute that’ll look out for the children in case you will be going out for a while. Smoking is strictly prohibited as well.

Lastly, you will be paying lots of fees ranging from the orientation fee down to the application fee. Other fees may also apply as well depending on the number of children you will be tending throughout the day.

Creating a Business Plan

Even if it’s just a “daycare”, you will still need to write a business plan just like any other businesses. A simple business plan never hurts and it is crucial to create one to avoid overspending and to keep track of your business as a whole.

Creating Rules and Regulations

Having a special set of rules and regulations is a must for every business and a daycare business is not an exception. Because if you don’t have one, you may have parents coming too early or parents not picking up their child in the middle of the night at all. With a set of rules, all of these will be prevented, and you’ll have a more organized home daycare center.

Insurance Matters

Insurance saves yourself from trouble just in case something happens unexpectedly in your business. Keep in mind that your homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover your daycare needs so you have to get a new one that’s solely for your business only. Additionally, you can also get a worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance as well.

Upgrading to a Daycare Center

If you already outgrow your home-based childcare business and want to start something bigger and more profitable, then it’s time to have your very own daycare center. Keep in mind that you will be handling lots of permits and licensing to acquire one such as food service license, occupancy permits, space requirements, and the like.

And since it is a daycare facility, you need to have a large number of children for it to be a profitable business. You may want to partner with your local church so they can support your daycare center. However, if you already have start-up funds, then you’re good to go. Make sure that the commercial space you’re renting (or owning) is within an area where parents can easily reach and drop off their kids.

And when it comes to hiring workers, ensure that all of them are dependable and willing to commit to the business. It is also important that all of them knows how to treat and love children. Keep in mind when a worker does something wrong to a child, then there will be consequences that may shut down your daycare business.

A construction business, just like any other businesses, requires a lot of thorough planning and hard work. Think of a puzzle where you have to start at the edges and build all the way through the middle. That’s how a construction business goes. There are also times where a specific part of the puzzle won’t fit in and you have to find an alternative to get it right.

Careful planning is the key for a successful business among other things. This includes various strategies that you will undergo as well. Lastly, you have to make sure that you have all the resources you need before starting to build from the ground up. Below are four tips that can help grow your construction business.

Teamwork is a Must

Teamwork can make or break any kinds of businesses, and construction business is no exception. That’s why it plays a vital role, especially in construction business. You need to assure that all men from the team are skilled, dependable, and fast learners. Lastly, always reward their efforts to keep them motivated to stay on your team.

Learn How to Adapt to New Technologies

In a construction business, everything is evolving as time goes by. Each day, there will be new projects, new materials, and of course, new technologies for you and your team to explore and make use of. As a construction business leader, you must embrace these new technologies and take advantage of it. Innovation is a never ending process and there will be more likely even newer and more advanced technologies to come in the future.

Train > Replace

It wouldn’t make sense to kick out some of your workers just because they didn’t understand a thing or two in your construction business. Instead of treating them badly, you can train them so they can adapt to the changes in your business. A little training never hurts, and it will also save yourself from extra expenses on hiring new ones. Keep in mind that the more workers you have, the more you will spend extra to pay them. That’s why it’s ideal to keep fewer but well-skilled ones.

Be Mindful for Material Management

In a construction business, proper material management is the key to let the materials coming into your business flow smoothly. It is the process of making sure all the materials are precisely supplied whenever needed. Lack of materials is a recipe for disaster in a construction business. That’s why you need to find the right material supplier that can fill your construction company’s needs.

If you’re considering on making money by driving for Uber, then you should know that the business itself has its own pros and cons just like other businesses do. So with that said, what are the pros and cons of being an Uber driver? Let’s find out below.

Schedule Flexibility

• Pro – You can drive whenever you want depending on your selected schedule. This means that you can work flexibly without minding the time. You can drive and earn to almost anywhere if you have time.
• Con – However, there are certain times of the day where it has little to no customers that want to go for Uber. This means that there is going to be a little bit of trial and error to go on.

Taxes

• Pro – Being an Uber driver makes you an independent contractor, meaning you can deduct the expenses that is associated on your business income such as the distance you travel while driving.
• Cons – However, since you’re an independent contractor, you are not eligible for overtime pay and other benefits just like traditional business. This also means that you have to pay your own taxes as well.

Insurance

• Pro – Uber provides a commercial insurance that covers the vehicle you’re driving from the start of your business until the time you’re going to retire.
• Con – Your existing auto insurance doesn’t cover the vehicle when you become an Uber driver. That means you have to pay extra to Uber to get a separate insurance for the vehicle.

Wear and Tear

• Pro – Uber will help out on the expenses when the vehicle you’re using starts to wear and tear since cars can depreciate over time the longer you travel.
• Con – However, although Uber covers up the expenses, you will be cleaning the mess your passengers have created. This includes vomit, stains, spills, accidental damage, and the like.

Safety

• Pro – Uber has integrated a driver and passenger feedback system where both of them can give feedback to each other to ensure safety. This data will then be monitored by Uber to ensure the safety of both parties.
• Con – Drivers still need to take extra precaution when picking up passengers because there have been plenty of reports where passengers are making inappropriate gestures on Uber drivers. You might end up risking your lives if not being careful so make sure that safety is your top priority if you’re going into this business.

Verdict

• If flexibility and quick cash is your cup and tea, then being an Uber driver is a good sideline job for you. However, don’t expect to make a thousand dollars in just a single week. There are still plenty of things you need to learn when it comes to Uber driving. For now, expect low and that will gradually increase later on. Instead, focus on having realistic expectations then you’re good to go.

There are a plethora of construction tools available in the market and the number count of the suppliers of these tools are increasing year by year. That’s why construction workers are enjoying their time scouting for the best tools since there are myriads of options to choose from. However, a debate on whether to hire or buy such tools is still ongoing up to this day.

A lot of companies are offering customers to rent tools instead of buying them. The flexibility these companies give enable workers to have an option to choose and save some cash later on. So what are the benefits of renting tools instead of buying them?

Saves You from Storage and Transportation Cost

Construction equipment takes a lot of space and costs a lot of money to begin with. Aside from that, large power tools and equipment need a lot of manpower and effort from your team to transfer them into your site. But by renting such tools, all of these problems will be gone. The rental company will do all the transportation stuff for you without putting hassle on you and your workers.

Saves You from Expensive Tax Prices

Keep in mind that rented tools have deductible taxes compared to buying such tools. That means all the tools you rented becomes a project expense and can be claimed back in your file. Thus, making it beneficial for your construction company when filing a tax return. Talk about saving cash to the next level.

No More Commitment

Buying tools means having long term commitment. But by renting, you won’t be held back by limitations that come with a specific set of tools. That means whenever something isn’t working or you’re in dire need of a better tool or equipment, you can just swap it out in a jiffy without paying extra. Talk about flexibility at its finest.

Upgrade Whenever You Want

Every year, there will be a new set of tools and equipment with better specs and performance. With renting, you can upgrade easily since you are not committed with a specific tool or equipment as mentioned above. Renting tools lets you update your equipment without spending too much cash on it. Compared to buying, where you’re stuck with that one and put a dent in your wallet once again to buy the newer ones.

Saves you from Initial Loss

For start-up construction businesses, spending on your initial costs and capital equipment can put a toll on your wallet before you even begin. However, with tool renting, you can completely avoid this initial loss altogether since you will be only renting the tools you need and all will be covered by the contract.

Verdict

As you can see from the list above, the benefits of renting tools really show. That’s why a lot of construction businesses are making use of tool renting to save time and cash, putting both of these factors on their site projects.

It’s not a piece of cake to start your own business. For new entrepreneurs, this can be a challenging task to do. Starting a business involves a lot of things starting from the startup costs and the rest of the whole business itself. But there’s so much more going on behind the scenes than what we have seen on our naked eye. With that said, listed below are ten tips on how to successfully build your business from the ground up.

Willingness is Key

When it comes to building a business, we need to make some sacrifices for it to be successful. That means you have to evaluate yourself if you’re willing to risk a huge amount of cash to build your own business. And not just that, the number of hours per day, and the fact that you’re away from your family (if you’re doing business outside the city) for a while plays an important factor as well.

The Right Business is a Must

The traditional formula of finding needs and filling it plays a huge role in the field of business. That means there will be a little bit of trial and error going on behind the scenes. But that doesn’t matter as long as you find the right business that suits you.

Check if There’s a Market Demand for Your Business

Business means giving solution to problems of people or giving them what they need. That’s why it is important that you should consider the market demand of the business you’re doing. If there are only a few potential people that is likely to purchase your product or services, then it will fail. To avoid this, never assume that there is a market. And you must do a research first to do things the right way.

Mind Your Competitors

You will have a plethora of competitors when doing business. That’s why you need to research your competitors and see what kind of products/services they offer. When you do, think of something that’ll make your product/services better than them and see if it satisfies the people’s needs. Competitive research will never hurt and will likely get you to the top.

Start Small and Grow Big

Business doesn’t mean going all the way up in an instant. You need to start with small beginnings at first and gradually improve in the long run. Don’t be afraid to take risks. You never know, this will be your stepping stone that’ll get you ahead of the competition.

Don’t Fixate Yourself on Mistakes

Mistakes are inevitable when doing business. However, don’t fixate yourself on such because doing so is a recipe for disaster. Think of ways how you can handle these problems without getting stressed out about it. Successful businesspeople don’t dwell on their own failures and just continue to seek for alternative paths that’ll lead them to greatness.

Learning is the Best Teacher

In a business, learning from others is a good way to gain knowledge. Connect with like-minded people, initiate a conversation and ask for a few tips and tricks. Take business training courses when there is one available. Remember, you can’t do anything all on your own and a little help will never hurt.

Hire the Right Investors

In order for a business to grow, it needs investors, and hiring the right one is a recipe for success. Scout for some investors and seek for one that is interested to invest on your business. A good place to find one is by attending business meetings where investors are present.

Manage Your Expenses

Keeping track of expenses is a must when doing business. You need to separate the ones for personal use and the ones that you’re going to use on your business. This way, you will prevent overspending and empty bank accounts.

Be Open to Embrace New Things

Being in the field of business is not a constant thing. Along the way, you will be discovering new things that you never have thought before.  These things can either make or break your business and it’s up to you to take the risk. Keep your eyes and ears open for new things. Don’t be one-sided and think of ways that you can market your product or services to more people.

There’s always a norm that whenever a business becomes successful, people will say that it is run by a Chinese owner or because of the help of Feng Shui. Most of us probably know by now what Feng Shui is. But for those who don’t, it is the placement of objects (or rocks) to balance the flow of energy take a thing or existence productive and prosperous.

This ancient Chinese art has been the staple of all successful business for decades. Wherever you go in the world, you will always hear people saying that a successful business uses Feng Shui and any kinds of Chinese trickery. So what’s with the buzz going on with businesses and Feng Shui?

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of placing objects that will bring negative or positive effects to a thing or existence. The placement of such objects will base on the energy flow of the energy of the universe which is called ‘chi’ with relations on the yin and yang symbol.

Feng and Shui means ‘wind’ and ‘water’ and it is said to believe that through the movement of both wind and water is why ‘chi’ existed which flows into the universe. This chi is said to be impeded but balance so every negative forms will be balanced with positive ones.

The Yin and Yang symbol is the perfect representation of what Feng Shui is all about. The black area represents weakness, dark, coldness, and female. While the white side, on the other hand, represents a characterized strong character, brightness, warm, summer, and male. As you can see on the symbol itself, the white part has its own black spot, which is same on the opposite side as well. This represents balance like all things should be.

Applying Feng Shui to Your Business

Decluttering Your Desk/Workspace

According to Feng Shui experts, decluttering your desk improves work performance and increases the chance of being productive on your work as well. The clutter symbolizes barricades that hinders your ability to work more effectively. That’s why it is important to clean and declutter your desk for a more productive and happy work session.

Desk/Workspace Positioning

Feng Shui experts says that the position of your desk plays a vital role for positive energy to come into your business. The best position of your desk should be where you can get a view of your whole room or workplace as possible where your back is facing the wall. The door or window should also never be at your back to prevent negative energy from coming in. The optimal position for your desk is placing it diagonally with the door in front of you.

Flowers and Plants

Plants and flowers also play a huge role in the success of a business based on Feng Shui. That’s why you should fill your office desk with cute little flowers/plants that are placed in little pots. However, you must avoid putting sharp-pointed plants or cactuses as these types of plants will attract negative energy. Whenever a plant dies, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible and replace it with a newer one.

Water

Water is known as the symbol of money in Feng Shui. That’s why it is important to keep water clean and fresh as possible. Scaled-down desk fountains is a worthy addition to your office desk not only because it brings luck, but it also breathes life to your desk as well. An aquarium is also ideal too but make sure that the water is clean all the time and doesn’t get murky.

For Home Offices

Feng Shui has its own way to bring luck to home offices. For instances, the ceiling of your home office should be flat as it generates the flow of positive energy. Home offices that is a part of a larger room should be partitioned with a divider such as a large plant or a furniture.

Even if you’re working at home, Feng Shui says that it is still important to dress well as you do outside your home. This will attract positive energy to your overall health and appearance. Never work if you haven’t taken a bath yet or if you’re still in your sleeping clothes.

You know what they say about never do anything you’re good at for free? That is completely true. So if you’re passionate about something and are good at it, don’t be afraid to milk some wallets to earn some cash. Woodworking is another hobby that can be transformed into a personal business.

There are plenty of woodworking crafts around and listed below are five of them that you can do to earn money. Keep in mind that these woodworking jobs will depend on the skills you have as a woodworker. What might be suitable for you might not be suitable for others and the other way around. Without further ado, let’s have a look at them.

Crafting Children’s Toys

Wherever you go, there’s always a demand for children’s toys. Unless if it’s an irresponsible parent who just gave their kids iPhone and iPads at such an early age. Wooden children’s toys such as puzzles, building blocks, and tic-tac-toe boards are on the rise because they are safer and cheaper than plastic ones. So if you’re a creative person and has the skill to make children’s toys, then go for it.

Wooden Boxes

People love to keep wooden boxes. It is to make their belongings, especially smaller ones such as keys and stuff, more organized and less cluttered. So if you have a few wooden planks lying around, then use them to create small wooden boxes and sell it.

Floating Wine Bottle Holders

This one can be a bit tricky because you have to measure the exact angle of the wood for the bottle to be balanced. Once you get the hang of it, let gravity do its thing and behold! You have yourself a floating wine bottle holder that you can sell. Additionally, you can also let your creative mind work and create different variants as well so that your buyers have options to choose from.

Wooden Candle Holders

Ceramic and glass candle holders tend to break easily. That’s why wooden candle holders are the best alternative for that. Everyone will love owning a wooden candle holder to add a little bit of romantic touch into their dining table or rooms. Just like wine holders, let your creativity sparkle so you can create different design and variants as well.

iPad Stands

Traditional iPad stands are a thing of the past. Wooden iPad stands are the real deal! Wooden ones are durable, sturdier than those company-manufactured ones. Tired of holding your iPad while watching your favorite Netflix series? Just snap on that wooden iPad stand and you’re good to go! Wooden iPad stands are easy to create and it doesn’t take too much time. All you need to do is measure the dimensions of the bottom of an iPad and start from there. You can easily make these wooden iPad stands in batches and sell it to the masses for easy money.

 

The hardest part when having a business is finding the right customers and clients. It can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you don’t know where and when to begin. Even for already established businesses, finding customers is still not an easy thing to do, especially with the vast number of businesses in the competition.

Having a good enough product is not enough to win customers. That’s why you need to make some effort to gain one. With that said, here are ten ways how to find customers for your business.

Use Social Media as an Advantage

Social media is the platform where different people meet, including business-minded ones, and also customers of course. That’s why you need to take advantage of social media to gain some attention. Create a Facebook or Twitter account for your business, engage with people and tell them how awesome your products and services are.

Door-To-Door Method

If your products and services focuses more on bringing goodness to homeowners, then the answer is right in front of their doorbell. However, you may feel rejection when doing so but don’t let this stop you from spread the word about your business.

Make Use of Coupons and Discounts

Customers love low prices and added benefits for their every purchase. That’s where coupons and discounts come into play. If you think your products/services are not doing well, then this is the best thing you can do to persuade people on trying them.

Use Networking

If you have a lot of friends and partners, contact them and ask if they have connections that might be interested in your business. You can also offer special benefits for referrals that will make people more interested on your products/services.

Learn from Successful Businesses

See your competitors at a different angle. Instead of looking at them as a threat, treat them as a stepping stone for gaining knowledge that you can use on your business.

Feedback is a Must

If ever some people have already tried your products/services and didn’t like it, don’t be afraid to ask for some feedback. Customer opinion is vital and you can use this to improve aspects on your business that it may be lacking on.

Start with Small Ads

Don’t just go blasting all your way out when it comes to using ads for your business. Instead of using big ones, start with small ones at first. Doing so will only take a toll on your bank account.

Follow Up After Meetings

Whenever you’re done attending business meetings, be sure to get everyone’s contact details so you can call or chat them anytime soon. You never know, these people may be potential prospects for your business. Don’t feel down when they reject your offer for the first time as there are plenty of fish in the sea.

Give a Little and Get a Lot

Building trust is the key to get customers. And one way to do that is by offering them free sample of your products and services. This way, customers can test your product in real time before they decide to purchase the whole package. On the other hand, you can also give newsletters and offers via email as an alternative. This will make them feel important because you contacted them.

Take the Risk

The path to success doesn’t rely on a single road only. In a business, you will encounter multiple paths that can make or break your business. That’s why you need to plan carefully on which path to take and see if this benefits your business. And if it does, continue following that path until you reach the top of the market.