So you want to start a small business but don’t know where to begin? There are a few things you should consider before deciding upon what business would be a best fit for you. First, consider your personality type and your interests – don’t just start a business because you think it will be lucrative. Pick a business idea that will make you feel inspired and excited to go to work every day. Next, consider what type of business will do well in the area where the business will be located. Setting up a certain type of business in a market that is already over-saturated with that business will make running that business very difficult. Once you consider these ideas, there are many free resources available that explain how to fund your small business.With that being said, here are 10 creative ideas for small businesses you can start in your community:1) Create Custom FurnitureStarting a custom furniture business will require you to start small and build your way up, but in the meantime, you can gain experience making furniture and find out what people like and don’t like. Best of all, this business allows you to be active, use your hands, and to hone your creative skills in a way that most office jobs never would.2) Unique Ties for MenWhile many people enjoy making clothing and many small businesses focus on clothing for women and children, not many small clothing businesses are started with the intention of providing something unique for men. Ties make great gifts and never go out of style, and men love to wear ties that set them apart.3) College Laundry ServiceIf you live in a college town, starting a college laundry service business could be a gold mine. Most college students hate doing their laundry and would happily pay someone a small fee to do it for them! The job is quick and simple and you will never have a shortage of customers if you charge the right amount.4) Electronics CoachWith the plethora of new electronics being released onto the market every day, many people find trouble keeping up with how to use the devices that surround them. Your business could send out employees to help people use, maintain, and fix their electronics, or it could allow people to come visit your business when they have trouble using them. You would be amazed at the untapped market of consumers who are waiting for this type of business to exist!5) Pet ClothingPeople love nothing more than dressing up their pets. For many, it becomes a fun pastime, and for others, it can become an addiction! Tap into this market of pet owners who are willing to do anything to make their pets look cute and stand out in a crowd. Best of all, this business allows you to be creative, work with your hands, and meet many different people in your community.6) Home Based Jewelry BusinessThe best part about starting a jewelry business is that, the more creativity you employ, the more likely you will be to succeed. If you have always loved arts and crafts and designing your own projects, the jewelry business is for you. All you need is a few beautiful items and a few happy customers to gain a strong reputation in your community and be on the way to small business success.7) Personal Concierge ServiceDo you live in a community with people who are extremely busy? You may be surprised how many of these people would be willing to pay someone to do many of their quotidian tasks, such as paperwork, taking care of their home and car, watching their kids or their pets, and much more. This type of business has grown in demand in the past few years and finding employees is relatively easy. You can succeed in this business by setting yourself apart and employing a strong marketing strategy to make sure to let people know your business is available to them.8 ) Ethnic Cuisine RestaurantsMany communities lack restaurants featuring certain types of ethnic cuisines that would be a tremendous success if they were only to exist! Love to cook? Bring a little bit of your family history to your local community or research an entirely new cuisine and treat your community to a little international flair. Many small restaurant businesses have been amazed by the amount of people who are willing to try new and creative food, and these small restaurant businesses often become hot spots in their cities.9) Tutoring ServiceWhile tutoring services are becoming increasingly common, the demand for tutors is also greatly increasing. There is an increasing demand of people who want to score better on tests, learn new languages, or improve their grades in school, and the pay can be extremely rewarding. Starting a small tutoring business can be extremely low-cost and easy to accomplish. Usually, the success of a small tutoring company depends on the marketing skills employed by that company – so think outside of the box!10) Unique Spa ItemsJust like several of the other business ideas listed above, unique spa items tend to be popular in many cities because they make unique gifts and they make people feel good about themselves. Because people are always going to need soap, shampoos, and other spa items, this industry is a good investment because it is not going anywhere any time soon. Creating spa items on your own also allows you to be experimental and creative in your work.Once you have thought about a creative business idea that works best for you, you are ready to consider the next steps necessary for starting a small business, such as how to fund your business and where to set it up.
How About Business Migration to Australia?
Australia is one of the most demanding immigration destinations across the world. Its beautiful landscape, sound economic background and rich cultural influences have made it a perfect place to live in. Every year, a large number of people from different corners of the world apply for Australia immigration. This nation provides enormous opportunity for growth to its people and thus it is also known as the Land of Endless Opportunities.People with a business management background, who wish to invest overseas to start a fresh business or purchase ownership interest in an already existing business, for them Australia is a perfect destination. The business immigration program of Australia is a fine gateway to permanent residency for both the applicants and their family.However, to obtain the status of permanent residency in Australia, one has to enter into the nation on a Provisional Visa, which is for the period of 4 years. Once this period is over, one can apply for PR Australia through its Residence Visa programs.Territory/State SponsorshipAustralia promotes investment in businesses in regional and rural areas. The nation provides Territory and State government sponsorship for businessmen who can contribute in the economic growth of these places. Territory and State sponsorship is made available for every Provisional and Resident Visa Class, they are:Temporary or Provisional Visa categories:Business Owner Visa
Senior Executive Visa
Investor Visa
Business Visitor VisasBusiness Owner VisaThis particular visa allows businessmen with ownership interests in businesses to live in this Land of Kangaroos for the period of up to 4 years and to invest or establish a business over there. Business Owner (Provisional) Visa is a temporary visa. Once you have obtained an ownership interest in any business in Australia for the period of 4 years, you will be able to apply for permanent resident status through the Business Owner (Residence) visa program.Senior Executive (Provisional) VisaUnder the Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa category, senior executives who have experience in management in bigger overseas corporations may be issued with a 4 year temporary visa. Once they have come to Australia, these immigrants are required to invest a significant amount of funds in an Australian business or establish a new business over there. One can apply for PR Australia through the Business Owner (Residence) visa category, once immigrant received an ownership interest in any business in the nation.Investor (Provisional) VisaThis visa is issued to those who have an ownership or portfolio of significant investment in any business and who are ready to invest minimum A$750,000 in Australia bonds for the period of 4 years. Once the immigrant has maintained an investment for a 4-year period in Australia or established a business with an ownership interest, he/ she can apply for Australia PR via the Investor (Residence) or Business Owner (Residence) visa.Business Visitor VisasIf you intend to come to Australia for a period of 3 month or less than this, with a purpose to attend conferences of business or to look for opportunities for businesses, then you should apply for the business visitor visa. However, to qualify for a Short Stay Business Visa, you will have to show that:For the purpose of business, you have to travel to Australia, and
You have personal attributes and a background of business which is relevant and consistent with the nature of the proposed business in the country.Residence Visa categories:Business Talent (Migrant) Visa
Business Owner (Residence) Visa
Investor (Residence) Visa
Existing Australian BusinessBusiness Talent (Migrant) VisaBusiness Talent (Migrant) visa is provided to those, who have a successful career in business with sponsorship from the Territory or State government of Australia. The applicants of this visa category are expected to have substantial ownership in any business and be involved the business management once they have come to Australia. However, the applicant of this visa doesn’t have to apply for any provisional visa to apply for business talent (migrant) visa. This particular visa is provided only to those, who receive sponsorship from an Australian State or Territory government.Business Owner (Residence) VisaThis visa is issued to people with an ownership interest for minimum 2 years period in an Australian company to permanently immigrate to Australia. To become eligible for Business Owner (Residence) Visa, the applicant has to hold one of these Provisional visas:Senior Executive (Provisional) visa
Investor (Provisional) visa
Business Owner (Provisional) visaInvestor (Residence) VisaImmigrants holding an Investor visa (Provisional) who have invested for the period of 4 years in an Australia business can apply for PR of the country. The eligibility criteria for this visa category include:The applicant must be staying in Australia on one of the Investor (Provisional) visa.
The applicant must be on an Investor (Provisional) visa for minimum 2 years period within total 4 years period before submitting application for PR.
The applicant should be genuinely committed to run the business or investment activities in Australia.
Both the applicant and his/her spouses shouldn’t have any inappropriate business history.Existing Australian BusinessThe Existing Australian Business visa is provided to those individuals who have been the owner of any business in the country for minimum period of 18 months. They can easily apply for PR Australia.
I’m Starting My Own Business: What Do I Need to Know?
Congratulations! You have taken the first big step to becoming your own boss and going out on your own.You know your industry, how to build a brand and are very creative about the details of certain business affairs.However, many first time small business owner’s fall short of putting systems into place to get the business moving in the right direction from the gate.This is where the smart business owner will save time, money and avoid inevitable pitfalls that plague many entrepreneurs the first time out by hiring a business coach.What is a business coach? A business coach is a lot like a personal trainer at the gym: A good trainer will begin by learning your goals, strengths and weakness in what you can do well and where you need assistance. A good coach is skilled in recognizing your skills and also your fears and areas where you need to build strength.It is important to know that there is no certification required to become a business coach, therefore you want to be sure you connect with someone who knows how to work with your business and that you communicate well. A good business coach should be eager to see you succeed and be on board with your goals.Some questions to ask are:
How long has this person been coaching?
How long did they own their own business?
Are they will to take on a small business?
What is their success rate?
Ask for references
What can the coach do for me?
A business coach will offer guidance, expect accountability for tasks assigned and offer encouragement to help you meet the steps to success.Many business coaches offer help in their areas of strength.They help business owners find what they want to do in a particular field. Many call this role a “business effectiveness” approach. Business effectiveness can span a wide spectrum of sales, customer service, human resources, sales, marketing, leadership, financial management, exit strategy, and succession planning.When working with your coach, part of the process will be to establish a safe and trusting relationship. A good way to see if the working relationship can go forward is to feel you will be heard in the exchanges. A good coach knows that business coaching is not a one-way road. As the business owner, you have a voice in the transactions.Comfort in communicationA phrase used in the industry is “safe place,” for business owners, created by Professional Business Coaches Alliance. The expression is important. The words illustrate a supportive environment for the business owner who should feel free and comfortable voicing his or her concerns, opinions and objections to the recommendations of the coach.While many good meaning people like to offer advice, that advice is tainted by the givers own fears and experience, however well meaning. A coach is arms-length and objective.How do I find a coach?Hiring a business coach is not a casual task. It is important to understand your goals first. This is not something to relinquish once you have engaged a coach. You are a team and while you are partnering with a business expert, it is still your responsibility to share your vision for success.A good approach to finding a business coach is first to analyze your own goals. Did you clearly outline your steps to success to your business plan? Or, maybe this is where you need to begin with your coach.A lot depends on the stage of your project. Coaches can help you in the early stages to help you get off a strong start and avoid some of the “newbie” errors that often plague the new business owner.
Talk to other business owners and ask for references
Search online for companies that offer business coaching and start a dialogue. If communication goes well, set up a conference call or Skype. You will get a good sense if there is a good connection
During the interview process, see if the person has some good business ideas to offer. Creativity in the coach is key to the nuts and bolts of setting up a strong foundation.
Understand what you want from your coach. Have your list of questions ready as you do your research and when you area ready to interview potential candidates.
Your questions should reveal, among other things, an emotional intelligence, commitment and communication levels, experience, you seek.
Decide whether you need a coach locally with close personal attention or you can work with someone more remote via phone, text and email.
Obtaining the services of the right business coach for you can make the launching of a new business less stressful. An early start in the good direction will help you gain the footing that is needed in those first critical years.There are times when even the most savvy business person may miss some important key signals because of a laser focus in a different direction. Smart business people understand the need to look for outside perspective.