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Small Business Ideas Many potential entrepreneurs have difficulty deciding on their list of small business ideas. They either have too many small business ideas or too few. If you are going through this guide in order and not skipping any steps, you should at this point have prepared yourself to become your own boss. In Step 3 you should have at least determined what factors are important for you in deciding what business you want to start. In Step 4 you decided whether working from home is right for you and in Step 5 you decided whether buying a franchise was right for you. The approach we are taking is the same as a shopper deciding what he wants to buy and then going to the mall to get it, as opposed to wandering the mall aimlessly wondering what present he could possibly get for his wife this year. If you are still looking for inspiration for your small business ideas, read about and then watch a video giving you four business principles to look for when deciding on a business idea. Here are some more ways of thinking about the personal and business goals you thought about in Step 3, "Your Goals". Go through them carefully to come up with a list of small business ideas. As you come up with your list of small business ideas remember this philosophy which bears repeating:   ...Business is not about tricks, win-lose deals, and dishonesty.  It's about action, persistence, patience, honesty, faith and hard work.  Business is about creating long-term relationships; it's about making those relationships WIN-WIN.  Business is about creating value in the world and being compensated because you have made people's lives better.  Business is about getting what you want by giving people what they want or need.

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Follow your passion--

What do you enjoy doing in life? What are your hobbies and interests? Do you enjoy dealing with people or are you happier working on your computer? Don�t be afraid of sales. Every person has to sell, even if they are selling themselves. What�s important in your life? Go to the Business Goal Setting Form and determine which of the listed factors are important for you.

What large need can you fill? What niche can you occupy? Be a specialist, not a generalist. Consider what people will still want or need during a recession. In fact, think of what people need more of during a recession. How about helping people create larger incomes or helping people save money?

� Don�t try to fight big companies unless you have a big competitive advantage they won�t be able to overcome with lower prices--

You will never be able to compete with the big companies on the issue of price. You will be able to win on the issue of service.

� Consider the trends--

Can you fill a growing need? Remember that business is about making people�s lives better in some way. Think of solving a problem for people, filling a need, or satisfying a want. Determine your unique value proposition.

� Establish repeatable business systems--

The more predictable, repeatable and reliable your business activities are, the more efficient you become. By studying, streamlining and then documenting a systemized approach to customer service, financial management, team communication, marketing, etc., you'll be able to free your mind of the procedural aspects of your business and focus more time on creative and innovative ways to be valuable to your customers.

Special for the Work at Home Mom

List of Small Business Ideas that May Work for You

For the brand new consultant or even the seasoned consultant, The Consultants' Consultant is your resource center no matter what type of consultant you are. You'll find lots of free tools, from articles to forms, templates, FAQs, checklists, and lots of useful links. You can also enroll in a course to improve your consulting and client managing skills.

For products that are even more useful in developing your consulting skills, you can purchase online any of our range of books and support tools. For each book there are web pages with further information, summaries, reviews and sample pages, including tables of contents.

You can also organize coaching or training from Cindy Tonkin The Consultants' Consultant. Virtual Assistant Advice - A friendly information site for prospective and existing virtual assistants. Great information for Work at Home Moms (WAHMs) and independent contractors who want to work from home.
The Asphalt Kingdom Business Opportunity is simple and straight forward. All you need is the desire and a few dollars (under $6000) to get it started and you have to be willing to work hard and follow the Asphalt Kingdom operating system.
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More Low Cost Business Ideas

If You Still Don't Have Your Small Business Idea

One place to find ideas may be in the example of the author of this website. Find out my story, read about how I got into my business, fill out the questionnaire, watch the 25 minute educational video which will give you an overview of what I do, and I'll be happy to contact you. If you and I are a good match I may offer to mentor you personally in following my business model.

Your First Financial Tool -- Break-Even Analysis

You Now Know...

� that the best ideas are those that meet your goals.

� how to establish a framework of goals to test your list of small business ideas. You have a list of goals I used to help you come up with a goal sheet.

� that you can look at my business model and how that model achieves my goals.

� of various sources to help you find your idea.

� a financial tool--the break-even analysis--which can help you determine whether your idea is viable.

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