Melody's Mommy News
February 7, 2005
Melody's Weekly Special
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What's New?
This Valentine's Day I will be going up to Maine with my family for three days.
I hope everyone has a wonderfull Valentine's Day Weekend!
Home Business Opportunity of the Week
Each week I will select a business opportunities from our message boards to feature. Want to see your opportunity listed? Go introduce yourself and your business on Melody's Mommy Message Boards! Hint: If you are a frequent "poster" on our message boards, I will use your ad first!
Discovery Toys
K.C. a.k.a. Berkshire Toy Lady
I'm K.C. and I'm an Educational Consultant with Discovery Toys. Since I live in the Berkshires, I indentify myself as "Berkshire Toy Lady".
I got started with Discovery Toys shortly after the birth of my second child. Like most, I was looking for a way to supplement our household income as a work-at-home mom. After sitting in front of a computer for eleven years with a son in daycare, Discovery Toys was the perfect choice for me. My Discovery Toys business could provide income as well as teach me how to relate to and play with my children. (Not always second nature to a career woman.)
As a consultant for Discovery Toys, I share quality educational toys, books, games, puzzles and software. I provide products and services to anyone with children in their lives.... families, day cares, schools, children's services, etc. I hold home parties and catalog parties (allowing the host to earn free product), conduct fundraisers, set up at fairs and other community events, and take internet and phone orders.
One of my favorite activities as a Discovery Toys consultant is to recruit other people into the business. I love what I do and enjoy helping other people get started. I have team members spread across the United States. My team started out small, but is gradually getting larger. I believe my team will continue to grow larger and stronger. For this reason, and because my team originated in the snowy state of Massachusetts, I call my team the "Snowballs".
About Discovery Toys:
Discovery Toys is a direct sales company based out of Livermore, CA. They have been in business for 26 years and are a member of the Direct Selling Association.
All of the Discovery Toys products come with a satisfaction guarantee. If any toy ever breaks or ceases to function, it is replaced absolutely free! The products are all age appropriate, non-violent and exceed mininum safety standards. The products are also mainly "child driven" - meaning the child directs the toy, instead of the toy directing the child.
I would love to have you as a customer or as a new member of my Snowballs team!
Work at Home Jobs
The following work at home jobs are offered on a one-time basis, see if one of them might be a good match for you! (Please note that these leads are unresearched. I have done a quick check on them, but make sure you investigate any opportunitiy for work online before joining.)
Independent Sales Contractor
Edge Production has opportunities for Independent Sales Contractors posted on their website. Direct outside sales will be conducted in your territory.
Must have a home computer and internet access (90% of sales are done online). Commission (percentage)of all orders originating in their exclusive territory. Additional information and how to apply are located on the Edge Production website: http://www.tributemovie.com/isc
This is not a job but a business opportunity, but you will still conduct business with the professional image of Edge Productions. Before applying, please visit to learn more about the company: http://www.tributemovie.com
Freelance Translators/Interpreters
NetworkOmni has opportunities for Freelance Translators/Interpreters posted on their website. Must have 3+ years experience in translation or interpretation. Please visit the website for more qualifications. Additional information and how to apply are located on the NetworkOmni website: http://www.networkomni.com/careersmain.html
Accounting/Administrative Assistant
Looking for an individual with at least 2 years experience in any of the following areas:A/P, A/R, Payroll, Inventory, Financial Reporting, Customer Service, Typing, Computer Literate, Quick Books, Peachtree. Ability to travel. Job Term: Full/Part-Time Location: Job Locations in NY, NJ, and CT. You must reside in one of these areas to apply. NO RECRUITERS. Interested applicatnts, respond to Email: Bookkeepingnmore@go.com
Commercial Loan Officers
This company has opportunities for Commerical Loan Officers posted on their website for Low/Full Document Commercial Real Estate Lending. Work from home. Details and instructions are located on the The Lending Street website: http://www.thelendingstreet.com/LoanOfficersWanted.html
Freelance Advertising Agent/Supervisor
Classifieds USA has business opportunities for Freelance Advertising Agent & Freelance Advertising Agent Supervisor posted on their website. Make client/s realize how advertising will be beneficial with Classifieds USA and can earn them money by referring others. Additional information and how to apply are located on the Classifieds USA website: http://www.class-usa.com/jobdescriptions.html
Doll Artists
The Bradford Group has opportunities for Doll Artists posted on their website. Please visit the website for requirements.
Job Term: Project per project basis.
Web Developers/Graphic Designers
National Web Design has opportunities for Web Developers and Graphic Designers posted on their website. Freelance from home. Please visit website for qualifications. Additional information and how to apply are located on the National Web Design website: http://www.nationalwebsitedesign.com/career.html
Freelance Writers
Aahh has opportunities for Freelance Writers posted on their website. Write articles on credit, insurance, health care, finance, and home business.
Article of the Week
Do you write your own articles? Post them on my message board for consideration. You may see them in the next newsletter!
WANT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS,
AND DON’T KNOW HOW???
Ask Yourself
Is Entrepreneurship for You?
There is no way to eliminate all the risks associated with starting a small business. However, you can improve your chances of success with good planning and preparation. A good starting place is to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as the owner and manager of a small business. Carefully consider each of the following questions.
Are you a self-starter? It will be up to you – not someone else telling you – to develop projects, organize your team, and follow through on details.
How well do you get along with different personalities? Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, banks and professionals such as lawyers, accountants or consultants. Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor or cranky staff person in the best interest of your business?
How good are you at making decisions? Small business owners are required to make decisions constantly, often quickly, under pressure and independently.
Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business? Business ownership can be challenging, fun, and exciting. But it is also a lot of work. Can you face 12-hour work days, six or seven days a week?
How well do you plan and organize? Research indicates that many business failures could have been avoided through BETTER PLANNING. Good organization of – financials, inventory, schedules, and production – can help avoid many pitfalls.
Many people desire to start their own business. However, they are unaware of the most important ingredient in operating an efficient business. This ingredient is vital to the very existence and viability of the business.
There are three types of people who want to start their own business:
(1)Those who have an idea and never put their ideas into action;
(2)Those who have ideas and say “Let me do this and see what happens”;
(3)Those who have ideas, plan how they are going to transform their ideas into a vision, and implement their vision.
Of the three kinds of people mentioned above, only the type of person in (3) will be successful because he/she has engaged in PLANNING – the key ingredient. As a matter of fact, the Small Business Association (SBA) estimates that 80% of start-up businesses fail in the first three (3) years of operation due to the lack of planning. Therefore, it is crucial to convert your ideas into a Business Plan (action plan) in order for them to produce fruit.
The Business Plan is the foundation of the long-term success of any business venture, and it must be:
- Well-conceived and Researched
- Communicated to All Levels of the Organization
Benefits of an Effective Business Plan are:
- Clear direction for the organization
- A focused organization working together
- Participation of all levels in developing the plan
- Ongoing analysis and improvement
- A benchmark for evaluation
- Forum for idea generation and sharing
Five Basic Components that must be discussed in the Business Plan are:
THE COMPANY
- Short Term and Long Term Objectives
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
MARKETING STRATEGY
- Discuss the products/services offered.
- Identify the customer demand for your product/service.
- Identify your market, its size, and locations.
- Explain how your product/service will be advertised and marketed.
- Explain the pricing strategy.
MANAGEMENT/OPERATIONS
- Explain how the business will be managed on a day-to-day basis.
- Discuss hiring and personnel procedures.
- Discuss insurance, lease or rental agreements, and issues pertinent to your business.
- Account for the equipment necessary to produce your products or services.
- Account for production and delivery of products and services.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
- Explain your source and the amount of initial equity capital.
- Develop a monthly operating budget for the first year.
- Develop an expected return on investment and monthly cash flow for the first year.
- Provide projected income statements and balance sheets for a two-year period.
- Explain your personal balance sheet and method of compensation.
- Discuss who will maintain your accounting records and how they will be kept.
START PLANNING TODAY, DON’T DELAY –
You will be on your way to operating an efficient business.
Karmen A. Booker is an Attorney and Business Consultant. She is also the owner of Compu-Perfect Professional Services – a business consulting firm that specializes in providing business services such as business incorporation, establishing limited liability companies, contract drafting and reviewing, etc. (Please refer to her website at www.compuperfect.net and e-mail her at kbooker@victorypress.net)
That's it! See you next week!
