Turn your hobby into a small business

(ARA) – Have you ever dreamed of getting paid for something you love to do? Like turning those cookies that your friends rave about into a cookie store? Expanding the sales of the jewelry that you make for the local arts and crafts fair to others? Selling used golf equipment that you clean and fix up on eBay? Or getting paid to help people install and maintain their complicated home electronics?

Each year, thousands of Americans take the leap and start a business, leveraging their expertise and passion for a particular interest or hobby. In fact, more than 600,000 new businesses are launched every year in the United States, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If you’re ready to turn your hobby into a business, it’s essential, according to FindLaw.com, the world’s leading online source for legal information, to do your research, build a business plan, tap the expertise of outside professionals such as an accountant and attorney, and keep good records to avoid the ire of the Internal Revenue Service. Through careful research and planning, you’ll discover what the potential is for your business idea, and what pitfalls to avoid that may otherwise derail you from realizing your dream.

Here are some tips for turning your hobby into a business from FindLaw.com:

Research your idea. The very first step in turning your hobby into a business is to find out who will buy your product or service, how much they’re willing to pay for it, how many of these people there are, and where they’re located. It’s critical to understand your “topline” – the sales potential for your product or service.

Get free help. Trial and error is an essential part of the entrepreneurial experience. But making big, costly mistakes that have the potential of killing your business is something to be avoided. Tapping the experience of seasoned business professionals can help you avoid such mistakes, and provide you perspective in times of great stress. One piece of advice: find a mentor. If you’re not comfortable finding one yourself, check out the Small Business Administration’s SCORE program, a 12,000-strong, nationwide group of retired executives who volunteer their expertise to help small business owners grow and succeed.

Write a business plan. Put your ideas on paper to test their viability and improve your chances for success. A business plan is a very useful tool – it gives you and others, such as your accountant, banker or attorney, a clear idea of your goals, the processes you’ll implement to achieve those goals and how you’ll measure your success.

Have a clear plan for funding. Whether you’re financing your efforts out of your own pocket, or require capital from others to expand, you need to know where your start-up capital will come from (if you need it), whether you will be servicing a debt and what resources you can call upon in the future. Many entrepreneurs start with friends, family and people in their community to fund their initial efforts.

Know how you’re going to bring in revenue. What you make, after all of your expenses and taxes have been paid, is your profit. It’s the ultimate measure of your business’ success. Before you decide to start a business, you need to project whether the revenues (sales of your product or services) will exceed your expenses. This will give you a clear idea of whether you should consider turning your hobby into a business.

Set up your business structure. Contact an attorney who specializes in working with small businesses to get advice on the proper legal structure under which you should incorporate your business, or first visit FindLaw.com’s Do-It-Yourself Legal Forms to learn more about how to incorporate your business. Incorporating your business can help protect your personal assets from liabilities like creditors or lawsuits.

Make it real. One of the advantages of starting a small business is that you can deduct losses such as your expenses and depreciation on assets you purchase – to offset taxable income. It’s best to consult an accountant who specializes in small business to obtain advice on preventative measures you can take to avoid being audited. Some basic steps to take to clearly demonstrate you’re in business, versus treating your efforts as a hobby, are to obtain federal and state tax identification numbers, print up business cards and letterhead, maintain a set of books to record sales and expenses, set up a separate bank account for your business and keep a logbook in your vehicle to record mileage.

Get the proper licenses and permits. Depending upon the type of business you start, you may need to get a permit(s) or occupational license from your city or state. Many cities and counties require every business – even single-owner, home-based operations – to get a business license (tax registration certificate). You also may have to get a sales tax permit from your state.

Protect your idea. In the course of pursuing your hobby, you may create a new process for doing something, a product or a creative brand name. If you think it has any potential, run – don’t walk – to an attorney who specializes in intellectual property to seek a trademark or patent on your idea. Be very cautious about sharing your idea with anyone, who, in the future, could claim that he or she helped you with developing that idea and therefore deserves a cut of your revenues.

Invest in a website. If you want people to know about your new business, you must have a website. Most people now immediately turn to the Internet to find products and services to meet their needs, as well as to find information such as directions and contact information. Nearly equally as important, invest time to set up a Facebook and LinkedIn page for your business, advertise your services online through Google, and consider banner ads on other websites.

Create a workspace. What are the space needs for your new business? Do you require storage space? Industrial strength refrigeration? Extra power? Two sewing machines? A quiet place to make uninterrupted phone calls? According to the Small Business Administration, more than half of America’s small businesses are operated from a home, which offers important tax advantages. However, it’s important to carefully follow IRS rules and clearly designate space for your business from personal space.

To learn more about how to start a new business, visit FindLaw.com.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

You too can break into the scrap metal business on a shoestring and turn someone else’s junk into gold. Start out by becoming a “local junk dealer.” All you actually need to get started is a couple of empty boxes and either a pickup truck or a station wagon with a trailer.

Tools should be on your list as an investment, you will need your basic tools to start-up….. Screwdrivers, hammers, drills, tin cutters and some small power tools

Any metal that you’d find is worth money these days. Check with local machine shops, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and building contractors. And be sure and check in the neighborhood trash containers and service stations.

It’s a good idea to contract with these sources to remove their metal on a regular basis – most of them will just give it to you, it saves them hauling it away. Sort out the metal according to type – copper $2.55 per pound, steel and iron is about $7.00 a hundred pounds, tin $5.00, brass about $1.90 a pound, aluminum about $.90 per pound, etc.

Separated, its worth more. The more you do to separate these metals, the more respect you will earn with your metal processor. Your next step is to search the yellow pages or online city guide for scrap metal processors – they are anxious to purchase all the scrap that you can provide at the going rates. Check your daily newspapers to keep in touch with metal prices, online search engines, Also subscribe to the “AMERICAN METAL MARKET”, “IRON AGE”, AND “FIBER MARKET NEWS”.

Put up signs in Laundromats and bulletin boards all over town. Distribute flyers house-to-house. Place ads in your favorite print newspaper classifieds, online classifieds, Business Directories. Let people know that you are in business of “recycling” scrap metals – most folks will give you what they have free. You can even establish your own “recycling center,” providing separate bins for each metal.

People are super ecology-minded these days and will gladly bring it to you. Newspapers, cardboard and old telephone books bring you a lot of cash too. Contact businesses and pick up their paper on a regular basis. Hundred of fortunes have been build in exactly this way – simple, low-investment beginnings.

Perhaps 9 out of 10 giants of the industry started in exactly this way, and so can you. After you’ve gotten your feet wet, jump into the big time, the “junk automobile” business. This is the best source of scrap metals. It requires a pretty good investment for equipment, such as tow truck, mobile crusher, and a yard to store cars to do the crushing.

To begin, rent the yard, purchase a used tow truck and crusher, and contact your County Clerk for insurance and licensing requirements. Tow in wrecked and abandoned cars, buy old cars for say $45 each and strip them for usable parts – then crush them for scrap. Body shops, garages, and service stations are prime markets for used and reconditioned parts of all types. You still sell the scrap metal to processors or even brokers. Places to sell your scrape metals:

American Metal & Parts Co. 2212 E US 70 Hwy Garner NC 27529, (919)772-6527

TT&E IRON & METAL INC, 1529 W Garner Road. Garner NC 27529,(919)772-9190

Garner NC Online Free Business Directory & Classifieds Ads

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

 2008 even with the economy at a slow-down, the small business entrepreneurialsare still hard a work bring new businesses to market everyday. The engine that drives our

economy is very inventive when it come to starting a new business, and doing it on a very frugal

budget is the the way to go. Over-head cost can be cut by starting your business at home, but what if your situation won’t allow you to use your home.

The primary reason businesses start at home, or with a meager P.O. Box is

because, renting an office can be very expensive.

On top of your basic rental, you will have to worry about buying and setting

up tables and chairs, and bother yourself with a lot of moving-in blues when

you should actually be concentrating on one thing: Making Money.

Therefore, for many start-ups, the kitchen table offers a “ready-to-go”

alternative which is also rent-free. But what if there’s an office “Cube”

with a desk, a phone, access to a copy machine, fax machine and computer?

What if it has a common secretary receptionist who can type your letter and

charge you only based on the amount of work done? What if this office were

to rent out at $200 a month? Would you take it?

INCUBATOR

Many profitable businesses are born and raised in incubator situations. A

mini office is just that – a slightly bigger mailbox where you can physically

show up and do your work.

It’s an ideal breeding ground for start-ups with limited capital, yet need

legitimate workspace that neither the kitchen or a mailbox can offer. This

is where you come in.

THE LAYOUT

Picture this mini office in a middlerange commercial location. The ideal

space for you to rent would be around 1,800 square feet. You can build

wall-to-wall cubicles that are about 5 x 5 each. Including common areas

and a small corner for your secreetary, computer, fax and copy machines, you can have

30 Cubes that can each rent out for $200 to $300 a month.

If all your cubes are rented out, this will give $6,000 to $9,000 in gross rental

revenues. If you can lease your space for around $0.75 per square foot, your

1,800 sqft space will cost you $1,350 a month.

Add to this the salary of the secretary, and your margin can still be at

around 50% of your gross rental revenue, or roughly $3000. In addition to

your rental revenues, you will also make money on copies, faxes and

secretarial functions.

BIGGER SPACES

The “office cube” concept can be applied to nearly any combination of size

and location and the extent of service you want to offer your tenants. In

this age of entrepreneurship, the one-person business is very common, so it

will not be difficult to find start-ups looking for an office situation like

yours.

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It 2011! Wow, how time fly, seems like 2010 only lasted a couple of months. I do remember most of the good, thanks to planning and getting things done on a schedule. As administrator here at City5nc I get to talk to lot of people from all over the world, and I get many thoughts and views, on how to make life better, as far as day to day living, some good and others not so good.

These are things we consider essential for most people, from low income to middle class trying to survive in this economy.

1. Try to pay your credit cards down or off, spend cash if possible, pay a few dollars more than the minimum, use only one card with low interest rate, and low balance for emergencies.
2. Eat healthy foods, buy local fruits and vegetables when you can, or grow your own when the seasons are in. buy food in bulk when appropriate, not just when it on sale.
3. If times are really tight, try turning your hobby or crafting idea into a money making venture. Do a search online for crafts and hobbies ideas, go to craft shows, take an online course from your local Community College, use what you already know as a starting point.
4. Remember that what goes around comes around, so don’t wait for someone to do something nice for you first, start by giving or helping someone along with an act of kindness, it just might come back to you when you really need it, or you just might feel good.
5. If you live in the City riding the bus a few days a week, could save you lots of money, gas, less traffic, and no headache.
6. Banking and Savings in the major banks is more expensive, with more fees and banking cost, using your debit card could cost you more at some banks, not just at the ATM but news fees. If you have a saving account and it’s been hard to keep the minimum balance that your bank have on that account, then you are paying the bank to save your own money. Find a bank that has a low minimum balance.
7. Make a plan to become debt free, it’s not impossible to do. Start paying a payment and a half each time you make a mortgage payment, credit card, car, medical bills and before you know it your bills are paid. Start small and test the waters, if you can do this without breaking your bank, then you’re on your way.
8. Down time, well it’s also important to get in your rest and relaxation, so budget enough for that special get away. Whether you are young, older, retired a break from the routine, same old same can can make Jack a dull boy and Jill too. Taking time off for that fishing trip, traveling, sight-seeing, visiting another Country or US State or just taking a break to pamper yourself is all good.
9. Small Businesses should try to invest in their companies, but don’t forget about the employees, before you pass out those lay-off or pink slips try working with your employees to maybe work out a salary or benefit compromise until the economy improves.
10. Don’t Complain about what you dis-like about your life, just add some things you do like, and the rest will fall in place.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here Free Wake County Business Listings

I have been a gardener for all my adult life, but have not always had a place to plant, “well I did” but just didn’t see it, until I bought a small lot in Raleigh NC. I got this house and lot with a small area in the back, that had a flower bed about four feet wide by fifteen feet long and I used this area after I amended the soil the first year, to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and a little mixed salad greens. I did this for about seven years with pretty good results, we managed to can a few things and ate fresh vegetables during the growing season.
In the Spring of 2007 things for us changed when my wife was diagnosed with a rare liver disease that had no cure, just treatment until she could get a transplant. In 2008 late December she got that transplant and recovery has been great. This got me thinking of ways to save and possibly earn some extra money to help pay for those high cost anti-rejection drugs. I tilled up more ground and made the 4×15 feet area to 12×30 feet, and opened another bed at the low end of our lot sized 10×20 feet, then I got some old washing machines and took them apart, got the drums out and painted them for planters,built some wooden planters, about eight sized 36 inches wide by 46 inches long and 13 inches high, great for growing cucumbers and squash.
I built a compost bin and moved the old compost pile to the bin and started making compost for fertilizer. A few years back I had planted some fruits trees, but didn’t take care of them like I should have. I trimmed, feed,and sprayed the trees.

Next thing we did was tilled and amended the soil and filled planters with amended soil and added compost. I went to Hudson Hardware Store in Garner NC and bought seeds, plants and supplies, we spent about $23.00. We waited about a week before we planted the seed, but the plants was planted right away in the planters. We started harvesting squash, cucumbers, Swiss chard, egg plants, onions, tomatoes, mixed greens, peppers, just before and right after the 4Th of July and we managed to sell a lot of our crop after we used our share.
Once you get your soil amended and weeded the first time , then the labor is at a minimum. I since have started small gardens for other people in the area. This has become to us, a business from a need to save money, I make planters for sell, I till garden spaces for price per square foot, I market our fruits and vegetables and sell at home and any place we can set-up and do business.
My fruit trees are doing great, this 2010 season, we canned 23 quarts of peaches, 11 quarts of tomatoes and made and sold apples and pies. The plums were bigger and sweeter this year and I planted four more fruits and three hazelnut trees. As small as my lot is I know anyone could make use in their yard, and use Mother Nature and a little back-bone to save and profit from a small garden in your Town or City anywhere in the world. It’s nice to save and make or earn a profit, but once you start you will garden just for the love of it.

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FREE APPLIANCE PICK-UP & RECYCLE
We recycle old appliances, Stoves, TVs, washing-machines, Computers, Dryers, refrigerators, electronics, old junk lawn mowers,metal furniture, and most household appliances, we pick-up for free. Please call if you have these items to be recyled: 919-803-4425 or 919-324-8905 Area: Garner, Raleigh, Cary NC. If no answer leave your details in voice mail. We will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

(NAPSI)-All that glitters is golden this holiday season-whether it’s delicate jewelry or sparkling ways to make your home more festive. It can also be a gift that’s easier to make than you might imagine. Jo-Ann Craft and Fabric Stores offer all the basic materials and online instructions for making a variety of one-of-a-kind jewelry gifts.

In just a few hours and with some basic jewelry-making tools, you can make this season’s must-have lustrous pearl bracelet.

Directions:

1. Join 5 pairs of Flower Connectors with 3 silver 5mm round jump rings.

2. Attach a lobster clasp to ending of Flower Connectors with 2 jump rings.

3. To create dangle, slide one 8mm Pearl onto a headpin and form a simple loop. Repeat 9 times.

4. Create dangle by sliding one Pearl Drop on a headpin and form a simple loop. Repeat 9 times.

5. Attach 2 Pearl Drop dangles and two 8mm Pearl dangles to middle connecting jump rings, 2 dangles on each side.

6. Repeat step 5, placing 4 dangles between all Flower Connectors and between last connector and lobster clasp.

Finish this fabulous look with a set of matching earrings. Log on to Joann.com/projects for complete instructions.

Bejeweled items such as wineglass charms and napkin rings can add some extra sparkle to any home for the holidays-especially when created with beautiful Czech beads.

Directions:

1. Cut 4” of 16-gauge craft wire. Bend the wire into S shape with one ¼” in diameter and the other end 1” in diameter. Close smaller end. Leave the larger end open ½”.

2. Cut 6” of 20-gauge wire. Tightly loop the middle of the wire around the bottom of the small end of the S-shaped wire. Thread each hole of a button through the wires. Twist the wires together twice to secure the button in place.

3. Thread Czech glass e-beads and bright acrylic miracle beads in a varied pattern. Loop the wires back through each other to secure. To finish the ends, cut wire to 1” and create a swirl with pliers. Add pieces of wire, beads and swirls as desired.

For more crafty ideas, visit www.joann.com. The site offers instructions on necklaces, earrings, jeweled picks and many more handmade holiday gifts.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here

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Brewing up a winning plan for your small business

(ARA) – Job creation continues to be a hot topic in today’s economic climate. While government actions and policies can play a powerful role in rebuilding and strengthening America’s job market, small businesses on Main Street can also be a part of the solution. Small businesses employ half of the nation’s workforce and account for 60 percent of gross job creation.  

If you are thinking about creating your own business, Samuel Adams Founder Jim Koch has a few tips for starting out. Koch began brewing Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen in 1984.

“When I started Samuel Adams, there was so much I didn’t know about starting a small business,” says Koch. “I couldn’t get a bank loan or find funding so I learned to be creative with my resources because I had to do more with less. This created a company culture of innovation and creativity that still defines our company today.”

Koch offers this advice for anyone thinking about starting their own business:

* Examine your passion. It’s important that your idea is something you are passionate about, whether it is through expertise, personal interest or family tradition. Your passion will allow you to outwork and outsmart your competition.

* Explore financing options. In addition to typical business loans, conduct a search to see if you are eligible for a low-interest loan through a government program – www.sba.gov is a good place to start. Organizations like ACCION USA also offer microloans with favorable rates for small business owners. More information can be found at www.accionusa.org. Koch’s experience starting Samuel Adams inspired him to team up with ACCION USA to create Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, a program that provides microloans and business coaching to entrepreneurs in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, helping them get started.

* Attend business seminars. Seminars provide an opportunity for you to get free advice from people who have been successful in operating a small business and get answers to the questions you’ve been dying to ask. Through Brewing the American Dream, Samuel Adams hosts speed coaching events where those interested in starting a business can consult with experienced staff from within Boston Beer and other partners from various business disciplines, like marketing, packaging and publicity for quick tips and ideas for success.

* Know your competition. You should have a clear picture of your competition, as well as an idea of how companies in your industry are doing. What do they do well and what do they need to do better? Learn from their successes and failures.

* Push boundaries. One of the only ways to attract and retain customers is by giving them quality and character they can’t get from someone else. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope with your product. It’s a good thing if your customers see something different in what you offer.

Running a successful small business comes down to hard work and passion for what you do. “And, realizing your dreams by doing what you love is the most fun you can have while working,” says Koch.

For more tips and information on Brewing the American Dream, visit www.samueladams.com.

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7) Seven ways to promote your crafts and handcrafted products

First of all we as crafters, know that its hard to get paid for the labor you put into you projects, and if you are not marketing at the right places you might find it hard to get paid a fair price for your work or your creativity. First you must know the difference between handmade or handcrafted as to homemade.

Homemade the term can be used but most people think homemade means just make and sell it, and they may forget that it still has to be presentable in a nice presentation and not just put together in hast, clean packaging, with instructions etc.

1.Attend local crafts shows,fairs, festivals,farmers markets these places will appreciate your handiwork, do not take your products to a flea market its a big! big! mistake.(more on this later)

2.Don’t forget your community, sell your crafts at your church, community clubs, farmers markets, team up with fund raisers, work a deal out to your liking, that benifit all.

3.Sell to your friends, family, the people you work with, Display your crafts at home, pass out flyers,and business cards,have an event, and inviting customers.

4.Try consignment shops, remember anything over 25% is too much.

5.Advertise! advertise! in your local papers once a week, your city guide or shoppers and bi-weekly publications, most of these ads are fairly inexpensive. Dont forget to use on-line and local advertising on Garnernc-online.com.

6.Build your own website with shopping cart,
Web max studio offers the whole package that you can add 500 products and shopping cart is included, plus extras. Go here: Webmaxstudio

7.Get a merchant account it will increase your sales and your customers will respect your business more.
Try to find a local provider or Bank.
 
 Please send us your feed-back and help us make this a great community for all  businesses, crafters and webmasters.Add your business to City5nc.com

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

Most small business owners who have managed to survive the proverbial
first 2 years in business probably started out thinking mail order was an
easy business to get into.
Chances are the experience would have been a fun-filled nightmare they may
not want to experience again. Sure, it was full of fantasy and hope. But
it also means a lot of hard work and long hours.

Start your advertising  in your local Newspapers and online local searchengines
and pay-per clicks. Set and know your advertising budget, it can be very
tempting to place ads in other media, including TV, Radio and National Magazines.
Staying with your start-up plans will keep you on target..

Trying to figure out where you want to take your business financially,
it is common for entrepreneurs to extrapolate numbers based on their
advertising budget. This style is perennial among mail order people who equate
advertising as the foundation of their operations.

This approach sounds very logical and statistical, but it doesn’t happen
like that in the “real world” of mail order! Well, maybe once in a blue
moon, but most of the time – it just don’t happen. It’s not always because
your offer is bad or the price is too high. And it’s not always because
your mailing list was bad. Often times, the reason lies in the fact that
you and your company are unknown.

But one of the most important reasons this statistical data only works well
on paper is that most beginners are not skilled in the area of TARGET
MARKETING. Yes – that word is vital to the money your business will make.

Target marketing is the process of focusing on a select and specific group
of people you are advertising to. And it has everything to do with the
product you are selling.

For example, if you are marketing infant products, it would be very unwise
to stage a direct mail campaign on a random list.

How many times have you got a mailing that went in the trash just because
it was selling a product or service you have no interest in? See what I mean.
If the company mailing these catalogs and advertisements would have
pre-qualified you or I and target-marketed their items correctly – we would
have never received them. It is wasted money for the company!

But how can you pre-quality or target market your audience before placing
an ad? If you are a beginner, it will take some time before you are
experienced enough to do so. However, you can always get a sample copy
of the publication first and see what items other people are advertising.
Then, test your ads in the smaller mail order publication that offer
low-cost advertising until you refine your ad and hit the right market.
As soon as you begin generating responses to your ads, keep in contact
with these customers and grow from there. They will bring you more customers
like themselves because “birds of a feather flock together.”

Therefore – SLOW DOWN a little – but if you don’t slow down, you could easily get ripped-off
and lose a lot of money. Just like attending college – you won’t get a
Master’s Degree the same day you begin classes. It takes 3-4 years!

Take your time to get to know some of the pros and read what they have to
say. Survey and study the market. Read and educate yourself by investing
time into study. Start out in mail order like you would start working for
any company – at the bottom. Learn the tricks of the trade. Make friends
and associates with “good” dealers and stick with them. Honor your word and
work dealerships to the advantage of yourself as well as others.

Mail order is only a process by which products are advertised and delivered
to consumers. It works for any product and works for anybody. You don’t have
to be rich, educated or a certain age, color or heritage. You don’t have to
wear certain kinds of clothes or have your hair styled in the latest craze.
The only limitations are your own abilities and confidence in yourself.
I know because I started out really poor and brought my business up to
a thriving, self-supporting home business!
a lot of money. Just like attending college – you won’t get a
Master’s Degree the same day you begin classes.

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Most small business owners who have managed to survive the proverbial
first 2 years in business probably started out thinking mail order was an
easy business to get into.
Chances are the experience would have been a fun-filled nightmare they may
not want to experience again. Sure, it was full of fantasy and hope. But
it also means a lot of hard work and long hours.

When trying to figure out where you want to take your business financially,
it is common for entrepreneurs to extrapolate numbers based on their
advertising budget. This style is perennial among mail order people who equate
advertising as the foundation of their operations.

This approach sounds very logical and statistical, but it doesn’t happen
like that in the “real world” of mail order! Well, maybe once in a blue
moon, but most of the time – it just don’t happen. It’s not always because
your offer is bad or the price is too high. And it’s not always because
your mailing list was bad. Often times, the reason lies in the fact that
you and your company are unknown.

But one of the most important reasons this statistical data only works well
on paper is that most beginners are not skilled in the area of TARGET
MARKETING. Yes – that word is vital to the money your business will make.

Target marketing is the process of focusing on a select and specific group
of people you are advertising to. And it has everything to do with the
product you are selling.

For example, if you are marketing infant products, it would be very unwise
to stage a direct mail campaign on a random list.

How many times have you got a mailing that went in the trash just because
it was selling a product or service you have no interest in? See what I mean.
If the company mailing these catalogs and advertisements would have
pre-qualified you or I and target-marketed their items correctly – we would
have never received them. It is wasted money for the company!

But how can you pre-quality or target market your audience before placing
an ad? If you are a beginner, it will take some time before you are
experienced enough to do so. However, you can always get a sample copy
of the publication first and see what items other people are advertising.
Then, test your ads in the smaller mail order publication that offer
low-cost advertising until you refine your ad and hit the right market. 
As soon as you begin generating responses to your ads, keep in contact
with these customers and grow from there. They will bring you more customers
like themselves because “birds of a feather flock together.”

Therefore – SLOW DOWN a little – but if you don’t slow down, you could easily get ripped-off
and lose a lot of money. Just like attending college – you won’t get a
Master’s Degree the same day you begin classes. It takes 3-4 years!

Take your time to get to know some of the pros and read what they have to
say. Survey and study the market. Read and educate yourself by investing
time into study. Start out in mail order like you would start working for
any company – at the bottom. Learn the tricks of the trade. Make friends
and associates with “good” dealers and stick with them. Honor your word and
work dealerships to the advantage of yourself as well as others.

Mail order is only a process by which products are advertised and delivered
to consumers. It works for any product and works for anybody. You don’t have
to be rich, educated or a certain age, color or heritage. You don’t have to
wear certain kinds of clothes or have your hair styled in the latest craze.
The only limitations are your own abilities and confidence in yourself.
I know because I started out really poor and brought my business up to
a thriving, self-supporting home business!
a lot of money. Just like attending college – you won’t get a
Master’s Degree the same day you begin classes.

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