Stuart,
Check out this site,
These are retired executives that give free advice for people looking to start a small business. They also have seminars for a small fee that are usually on Saturdays that go into depth on ways to formulate a business plan, advertise, market, and finance a small business. I am in the process of starting my business and have completed a set of 4 of these seminars and have found them to be very helpful and educational. They will also assign a SCORE counselor to you to help you develop your business and it is FREE.
Your question is so broad that there is really not enough time for me to type a complete response. If you have some more specific questions I would be able to help a little better.
J.P.
Replies
Look at the books on this site...there is one on woodworking as a business and things to watch out for.
Also http://www.cambiumbooks.com is a great source as well.
But don't look at the Score for help finding a grant of any kind, they tell you there is not such animal.
Been working on finding financial help for over two years and give up. I've been to busy to wait for some one to hold out their hand. If you have a full time job now , hold on to it until the economy gets moving along better, I've worked 20 years plus in the furniture industry and can't find a job , even with the experience I have, So I just keep working on my own to make enough for the very essentials.
I placed a very small add in the Yellow phone book, but that don't bring in a flood of customers, but it helps. Check out the best places and least expensive to advertise in your area, I asked a few small business that are well established.
Been working on this since just after 9/11. I you have more questions or want some things answered E mail me : [email protected]
Hairfece -
Have you tried posting ads on the internet? About once a month (or so) I post an ad on "Craigslist" (http://www.craigslist.org) in their Skilled Trades section. I'll usually get 4-5 calls from each posting and 1-2 of those will turn into jobs.
j.p. -
Experiences with SCORE differ. I am on Long Island, in New York. About two months ago, I contacted them for some info on business plans and another item. To date, I have heard Nothing. I thought they were a good agency, but I certainly was not impressed the first time out.
Don
Don,
I can only speak for my experience. Perhaps you should try contacting them again. If you don't have any luck I can send you some information on writing a business plan. Good Luck.
J.P.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled