Follow These Steps for a Successful Business Start-Up

(ARA) – The secret to a successful business is out: there is no secret. Starting your own business takes hard work and a steadfast commitment. Keep in mind these few essential first steps, and you may well be on a path to prosperity.

“Starting a business means starting a business from scratch, buying an existing business, acquiring a franchise or taking over a family business,” says Paul ZeMenye, Business and Accounting Program Coordinator at Brown Mackie College – Kansas City.

According to ZeMenye, every business starts with an idea for a product or service. Once the idea is nurtured, the entrepreneur should find a support system. A support system may include family, friends and other people who may help to bring the business idea to reality once market research is completed.

ZeMenye says it is important “to perform market research/analysis to see if there is a need for the product or service. This may involve talking to neighbors, friends, presenting samples or performing the service as a courtesy or on a trial basis.”

Finding funds to start the business can be both challenging and frustrating, explains ZeMenye. “Bankers and other lenders usually are not very receptive to new businesses unless the business can provide some solid collateral to secure loans,” says ZeMenye. “A well-written business plan and collateral should help to secure a loan. Some people have taken advantage of introductory credit card rates to finance their startup operations. Although risky, it can be a very cost effective way to launch a business as long as the owner sticks to the terms guaranteeing the low introductory rate.”

Once your business is financially secured, your business should be organized into one of three fundamental types of business organizations: sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation. Although there are hybrid forms of business organizations, such as limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies and s-corporations, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Most hybrid organizations will have some tax and legal advantages over the regular forms of organizations, says ZeMenye. An accountant or business lawyer can help you determine the best business organization structure for your needs.

While seeking the help of an accountant or lawyer, you should also determine the name of your business. According to ZeMenye, your business’ name should be secured with the Secretary of State where you intend to do business. The name and location of your business should be adapted to the type of business you intend to conduct.

When choosing the location for your business, take your suppliers, market potential, cost and accessibility into account.

“Choose your location carefully,” says ZeMenye. “It is costly to change locations frequently.”

Next, write your business plan early in the process. It is your original marketing tool and should be an evolving document as you gain knowledge and insight in the process. A business plan should include a marketing plan, a human resources plan, a production plan, sales forecasts and a set of forecasted financial statements. Resources are available to guide you through the early stages of building your business. An organization such as the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), a resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA), voluntarily provides valuable assistance and expertise to new entrepreneurs. The SBA may also provide financial assistance, such as loan guarantees and set-aside programs, for certain groups.

“Many colleges and universities provide assistance to small businesses through their Small Business Assistance Centers (SBAC),” says ZeMenye. “They may provide assistance in matters such as business plan preparation, market research, networking and management.”

When it comes to being a successful entrepreneur, ZeMenye says the biggest mistake new business owners make is giving up after a failure. “Becoming a successful entrepreneur is a learning process. It may take several trials before getting it right. It is who and what you become in the process that determines whether you are a success or a failure.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

Brown Mackie College – Kansas City is one of 16 school locations of the Brown Mackie College system of schools (www.brownmackie.edu), which is dedicated to providing educational programs that prepare students for entry-level positions in a competitive, rapidly-changing workplace. Brown Mackie College schools offer bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, certificate, and diploma programs in health sciences, business, information technology, legal studies and design technologies to over 9,000 students (as of fall 2006).

RALEIGH – Award-winning REALTOR® Linda Craft spoke at the Triangle Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association breakfast meeting on Wednesday, July 18th. The meeting, entitled Insight On Today’s Market, addressed real estate trends and factors effecting home sales. Craft, along with four other Triangle real estate experts, was part of a panel that answered questions from the audience of over 200 builders and new home agents.

About Home Builders Association and Triangle Sales and Marketing Council
The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County is comprised of over 2400 builders, remodelers, developers, and sales and marketing professionals. The third largest and most active local home builders association in the country, they serve as a valuable resource for its members in the areas of education and training. The Triangle Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association offers professional educational training through speakers, special seminars and other programs. To learn more, visit www.hbawake.com.

SOURCE:

http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=1news%2edb&command=viewone&id=6042&op=t

Keep the Pet, Eliminate the Odor

(ARA) – There is nothing like the smell of wet dog in a hot car. For pet owners who love their pets, this is something that goes along with owning a dog who likes to swim, roll in puddles, or even just get wet from the rain. You just put up with it, right? You don’t have to. There is a solution.

First-time pet owners are sometimes surprised by pet odors and how stinky pets can be. This is a major cause of pet abandonment. Puppies and kittens are little and cute at first, but as they grow and the realization sets in that you have a large (or small) critter who occupies your house, depositing hair, dragging in dirt, debris and sometimes dead birds or rodents from outside, and sometimes other unwanted problems, like a pup not being fully potty trained, or the necessity of cleaning the litter box frequently, pets are abandoned.

Pet abandonment leads to incredibly high numbers of unwanted dogs and cats left on the streets to fend for themselves and who often end up in animal shelters. Some of these animals are adopted into loving homes, and sometimes they are euthanized. This is awfully sad and can be avoided with proper education for the owner and thorough training for the pet.

While some pet habits are difficult to adjust as they are natural, inbred traits of animals, pet odors can be eliminated, easily, safely and effectively. Fresh Wave Odor Neutralizers for Stinky Pets, are natural odor eliminators. You apply to fabric, pet bed, litter box, carpet — even sprayed directly on your pet (it’s that safe), and odors are gone.

Created by OMI Industries — Fresh Wave odor eliminating products are non-toxic, non-hazardous and biodegradable, and don’t contain harmful VOCs or any harsh chemicals. Tested according to United States EPA guidelines for toxicity, data from independent laboratories and researchers proves that the Fresh Wave formula is effective for all kinds of odors and is safe for humans, animals and the environment.

“I love my dog dearly, and had resolved that I would have a smelly car. I found Fresh Wave and keep a small bottle of the spray in the car to use it after Casey’s been in there. You’d never know I had a dog in my car — especially a wet one,” exclaims Miriam Lambertz, dog owner of Minneapolis, Minn.

Fresh Wave products eliminate odors by electrostatically attracting the odor molecules, capturing them and neutralizing them — leaving you with a natural smelling, odor-free environment.

Eliminating pet odors creates owners that want to keep their pets, and overall happier pet owners everywhere. Loyal pet people take their pets everywhere — on summer vacations in the RV, in the tent, staying in hotels or with friends — and with an environmentally safe odor eliminator you can bring your dog anywhere and not worry about any odors that might be left behind.

And if your dog should come face-to-face with a skunk on a camping trip, you know who loses — whoever has to sleep in the tent with him. Give pooch a good bath to remove any remaining skunk scent; then spray the Fresh Wave on and the skunk smell is gone. Fresh Wave has a fresh, clean scent until it’s dry — then it’s gone, and so is the stink.

To find Fresh Wave products within barking distance from you, log on to www.stinky-pet.com or call (800) 662-6367 to order.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

             How to Green-Up Your Home’s Value
src=’http://www.aracontent.com/images/swansonrussellasociB17_rgb5.jpg’ align=’right’><br>(ARA) – Want a good way to help protect the value of your home? Remember these two words: green matters. Not green paint, mind you, but green space. It’s an umbrella term for the trees, lawn, shrubs and other plantings that can affect not only the salability of your home, but your utility bills as well.

Which is why Project EverGreen, a national non-profit organization, is leading the charge to educate consumers about the many values of green space — especially as it affects their pocketbooks.

According to Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen, “research shows that improving the green space around your home can have real economic benefits.”

Protecting Home Value

Gardner cites a number of studies which show that sprucing up your green space can help protect and, depending on market conditions, bolster home value. For example: a study cited in Smart Money magazine indicated that consumers value a landscaped home up to 11.3 percent higher than its base price. In addition, The Wall Street Journal reported that landscaping investment is normally recovered fully and sometimes doubled by its ability to increase home value.

That sounds good, but Gardner adds this important caution: “It’s wise to plan before you plant. Make sure you begin landscape improvement or renovation with well-thought-out ideas for maintaining and/or improving your green space. You may want to do the work yourself — and that’s good exercise; however, it’s always wise to seek professional advice to get the right balance and placement of trees, shrubs, grass and other plantings.”

As evidence of this he cited a research project conducted by the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI). This showed that a sophisticated landscape design with trees and large, colorful bedding plants can raise the perceived value of a home between 5 and 11 percent. On the other hand, consumer reaction was that minimalist landscapes (i.e. with small plant size and low sophistication) actually decreased the perception of home value.

Saving Energy Costs<br

Planning the right mix of trees, grass and other plantings can also make a difference in a home’s energy consumption. One study has estimated that when properly placed to shade your home, trees can reduce air conditioning demand by 10 to 30 percent. Another study found attic temperatures could be up to 40 degrees lower when adequate shade was present.

“There are two ways you take advantage of this natural cooling effect,” Gardner says. “First, if you have mature trees make sure they’re pruned properly to maximize shade benefits, and second, in planning for future shade, seek professional advice as to the type and location of the trees you should plant. Both steps can help lower your electrical bill.”

Also, don’t overlook how maintaining a thick, healthy lawn and other plants also provides cooling benefits. “This is due to a process known as evapotranspiration.  Gardner says. “When vegetation is warmed by the sun it gives up water which then evaporates to cool not only the plant itself but the surrounding area as well. The result is one of nature’s most overlooked, and yet most efficient cooling systems. In fact, researchers have calculated that evapotranspiration from the front lawns in a block of eight houses, produces cooling equivalent to 70 tons of air conditioning.”

You can find more information about these and other benefits of green space by accessing www.projectevergreen.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent<br />
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RALEIGH, N.C. – The Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County (HBARW) will announce a major long-term partnership with Wake Tech Community College. The goal is to increase the number of graduates in construction-related trades and meet the demands of the booming home building industry in the Triangle.

Who:

Source: CarolinaNewswire.com

<b>Set the Stage for a Quick Home Resale <br />
</b><img src=’http://www.aracontent.com/images/lcwilliamsB7_rgb5.jpg’ align=’right’><br>(ARA) – In this buyer’s market, how do you make your home stand out in a sea of “For Sale” signs? According to the International Association of Home Stagers, investing in small improvements that make your home look more inviting and appealing to prospective buyers can increase its ultimate sale price by 7 percent and make it move up to 100 days faster.<br />
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Experts say that it’s the little touches — like a fresh coat of paint, updated window coverings or a new floor — that make all the difference. And since the decision to purchase a home often is made within eight seconds of walking in the front door, it’s crucial that spaces where the eye automatically rests (such as walls, windows and floors) are impeccable. <br />
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Follow these quick and simple tips from the experts to increase your home’s chances of selling sooner rather than later:<br />
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Lighten Up<br />
Light is the second most cited reason — behind location — for a buyer to choose a property. One easy way to illuminate your home’s interior is through paint. Neutrals always make a safe choice, but nothing says sunshine and warmth like yellow. While this shade won’t work for every area, it can be beautifully incorporated into public spaces like living and dining rooms.<br />
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According to Barbara Richardson, director of color marketing for ICI Paints (maker of the Glidden brand), yellow has the natural ability to elevate our mood and make us think of opportunities and possibilities. Richardson suggests pairing yellow hues with complementary shades of blue-violet on a home’s walls to make the color truly sing. &nbsp;<br />
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Combined with dark woods or white accents, the color takes on a classic look and adds a sunny disposition to an interior. And for an even quicker way to inject a touch of vibrancy to any room, Richardson recommends yellow accessories — such as pillows, artwork, rugs and vases.<br />
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Create a Clearer View<br />
Prospective buyers are curious to know how a new home will change their perspective on the world. Don’t obscure the view of a beautiful natural landscape or a charming street with heavy curtains. Consider replacing draperies with sheer or solar shades. For instance, LightWeaves from Graber allow light to be filtered and diffused, while maintaining a clear view to the outside and reducing glare on television and computer screens.<br />
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And once you’ve installed shades that let the sun shine in, don’t forget to make sure all of your windows are sparkling and dust free prior to an open house. It also helps to add a breath of fresh air and reduce stuffiness by opening up windows an hour before visitors are expected to arrive.<br />
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Put Your Foot Down<br />
Scuffs, stains and scratches under foot can make a home appear older and unkempt.<br />
Cover worn carpet and torn vinyl with laminate flooring. According to Don Cybalski director of design for Pergo, laminate is inexpensive, durable and easy to install in just a weekend. Not only does it closely replicate the look of real woods — from cherry to oak to maple, and even the hottest exotics like merbau, jatoba and bamboo — &nbsp;but it also maintains a “like new” appearance for longer. Laminate is guaranteed to effectively stand up to the wear and tear of hundreds of footsteps that may track through your home while it’s on the market.<br />
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For more information on home staging, visit www.iashp.com. &nbsp;<br />
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Courtesy of ARAcontent<br />
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Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally

(ARA) – By now you’ve probably heard that the air in your home may actually make you sick. But did you know that a growing number of Americans are also allergic to many of the chemicals used to “clean” the air of offensive odors?

Experts agree that in many homes, schools and workplaces the indoor air quality can be poorer than outdoor air quality. The problem can occur in both older structures and new construction. Older buildings are more prone to mold and dust problems, while newer construction, built to be more energy efficient and air-tight, can trap air contaminants inside.

“Poor ventilation is a leading contributor to indoor air pollution,” notes Kari Warberg, whose company, Crane Creek Gardens, develops all-natural air cleaning products. “Improving ventilation is not always practical, so demand is high for cost-effective alternatives. And consumers want those alternatives to be environmentally conscious as well as successful.”

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a three-prong approach to improving indoor air quality: control the source of pollutants, clean the air and improve ventilation. Here are some suggestions for improving the air in your home, office or school:

Source Control

Wherever possible, eliminate sources of pollution and their emissions. Adjust gas stoves, furnaces and hot water heaters to decrease emissions. Seal off or remove household materials that trigger allergic reactions.

The EPA points out that controlling the source of pollution is often the most cost-effective way to tackle the problem of poor indoor air quality.

Improve Ventilation

Improve ventilation. In many cases, the air outdoors can be more healthful than the air inside. Bring outdoor air inside with open windows or doors, attic fans or window air conditioners with the vent control open.

It’s even more important to exhaust indoor air out of the house when you’re performing any fume-generating task, such as painting, sanding, cooking, soldering or operating a kerosene heater.

Cleaning the Air

If improving ventilation isn’t possible – such as when the stale air is in a basement or inner room without windows – consider an air cleaner. Chemical cleaners – such as over-the-counter air fresheners – may mask an offensive odor, but can also add another layer of irritation for those with allergies and chemical sensitivities. Mechanical air cleaners may improve air quality, but they vary widely in effectiveness, convenience and price. Commonly, they are unable to remove gaseous pollutants from the air.

Natural alternatives, such as placing houseplants in the interior environment, and non-mechanical air cleaners that use zeolite – a type of volcanic ash – have proven effective, safe and less costly than some other alternatives. A disposable, bio-degradable freshening pack, dubbed Prairie Aire, is a top seller for Warberg’s Crane Creek Gardens. Zeolite, which is commonly used to absorb ammonia spills, filters allergens and odors from the air. Available in six scents, each Prairie Aire packet is effective for 30 days or longer. Selling for less than $5 per packet on the company’s Web site, www.cranecreekgardens.com, the Prairie Aire solution has been adopted by government buildings, offices and businesses (such as painters) throughout the country.