Growing a Small Business from Home

Many Filipinos today are considering going from being an average employee to becoming a small-time business owner. And this could be just one great move for them. Robert Kiyosaki once said in his book entitled “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” that financial freedom can be attained through establishing a business and investing.

Nevertheless, the country is undeniably booming with various business and investment opportunities. From manufacturing hand-crafted products to opening restaurants, the ideas are endless. They come up with innovative products and services that can stand even during tough economic times.

Starting a small business from home is usually the scenario here in the country. With a decent capital to get by, budding entrepreneurs are slowly climbing their way to the top through ingenious strategies. But just like any other venture, it doesn't come easy. Surely, challenges may come even if you're building your business at home. But with the right mindset and techniques, the journey towards financial freedom wouldn't be that much difficult.

A Conducive Work Environment
Regardless of what industry you're in, it is crucial to designate a workspace suited for you. There are lots of home office ideas swarming over the Net which you can take advantage of. Set aside some space in your house, preferably somewhere with minimal distractions. Moreover, investing in professional office equipment and furniture is a sound investment. Spending time in front of the computer means you need to be mindful about ergonomics. An ergonomic chair and keyboard saves you from repetitive stress injuries.

Keep a Strong Team
A home-based business isn't equivalent to a one-man show. The fact that it is business means you need experts to help you out. These are people who must be adept with aspects you are not familiar with. For instance, if you are not familiar with setting up an online presence, you may hire a web developer with an SEO and internet marketing experience. Aside from that, you may need the help of accountants, bookkeepers and even lawyers. Assess what your strengths are when it comes to running a business and focus on the parts which you are good at. Leave the rest to your competent team.

Branding Helps
Building your company also means building its identity in the market. Part of your business plan should be impressive yet feasible marketing strategies. Branding is all about establishing your business' credibility through delivering the message of your products and/or services clearly. Create ways to connect to your clients and customers emotionally.

Customer Service
No matter what size, businesses should always make their customers feel valued. When you come to think of it, your company wouldn't even suffice without them. Cultivating relationships with your target audience is extremely essential during the first stage of your business. Winning their loyalty is a matter of being grateful and respectful of them, be it through exceptionally answering to their queries and attending to their concerns.
Managing and growing your small business at home is definitely possible. Starting out while keeping in mind these concepts may even give you a bigger and brighter opportunity in the corporate scene.

AUTHOR BIO
Anna Garcia writes for Regus PH. Regus Philippines offers excellent serviced accommodation and business solutions in three of the largest metropolitans in the country: Manila, Makati and Cebu City.

12 Ways to Attract and Keep More Customers in your Business

1. Have a quality product and maintain it. Make it sure that you are selling a very good product or service. It must have a good quality and must meet the standard of the market.

2. Be honest to your customers. Products or services that do not meet the expectation of your customers will give a bad reputation in your business. So everytime you promote your business do not underdeliver of overpromise.

3. Know your market. Before you attract customers in your business, make it sure that you know your market well. It will give you more understanding of what products to offer and what kind of marketing promotion you will do.

4.Use social networking. People nowadays love to hangout in social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Why not use it to promote your business? It will boost your business by sharing it to your friends’ friends or by tweeting it. Also, it is fun and free.

5. Always listen to your customers. Do get angry or get insulted if your customers tell you that something is wrong in your product or service. Listen to them and fix the problem.

6. Be a “people person.” Attitude is critical to your business. Be friendly to your customers and they will be friendly to you, too.

7. Use attractive promotions to boost your product sales. Why not offer something to your customers that will keep them come back to you? Use Loyalty Program, buy 1 take 1, Buy 5 get 1 free. Did you get the idea?

8. Eye on your competition. Remember that you are not the only one who is selling your products. Business is a game of competition. Learn from your competitors and study how they sell or provide service to their customers. It will give you extra ideas to become more effective business person.

9. Be creative. Do not stick to one product if there is an opportunity to sell other products. If you are selling exercise machines, then look for another method to expand your business. Maybe you can add health products like vitamins in your product list. Always be creative.

10. Updgrade yourself. Do not be afraid to go back to school. It will help you to learn new things about your business.

11. Treat your employees properly. A piece of advise for those who have employees – always treat them properly. How you treat them will reflect on their working attitude.

12. Be willing to change. Hundreds of products are produced and sold in the market daily. Always update yourself of the latest info of your products or service. If you have seen that what you sell is outdated or old, be willing to change it. Do not stick to old ones, but try something new.

6 Things To Consider Before You Setup A Laundry Business

To setup a laundry business requires no prior experience. You do not need a degree to become a successful laundry shop owner. Also, this kind of business is considered safe and profitable. Nowadays, many people do not have time to wash their clothes because of their busy schedules, so this is a kind of business that can provide laundry service for them.

If you are planning to become a laundry shop operator, then there are 6 things that you must consider to become a successful laundry business operator.

First, location.

Second, capital.

Third, customers.

Fourth, supplies and equipment.

Fifth, operating hours.

1. Location.

To setup a laundry business is a good start for your business to grow. You need to put your business in a large community of large customers. A location within dormitories, schools, business establishments is ideal because of its large volume of people.

2. Capital.

Today, a typical laundry shop will require a starting investment of 300,000 – 500,000 for small laundry shop, and 500,000 – 1,000,000 pesos for big laundry shop. You will spend more on the machines that you will use while other expenses will go on other expenses.

3. Customers.

Customers are the backbone of this business. It is very important to provide quality service to them because through your customers, your business will grow by word of mouth and referrals.

4. Supplies and equipment.

A beginning laundry shop with a minimal budget must have at least two pairs of washers and dryers. You must also remember that the cost of the machines also depend on the brand. To cut off expenses, it is also suggested that you make your own fresheners, detergents, and fabric softeners.

5. Operating hours.     

It is important for laundry shops to consider the available time for customers. It will give them time when to deliver and pick-up their laundry.

6. Manpower.

A small laundry shop requires two or three workers. However, if you have a big laundry shop and you are providing services to big institutions, then you need a big manpower. Your employees must be trustworthy, diligent, have knowledge in washing and taking care of clothes, etc. To have good workers will keep your customers come back again to use your service.

Now that you know what to consider in setting-up a laundry business, it is time to know the different ways to increase your income. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, there are 5 ways to increase your laundry business profits.

First, increase the price or target high volumes. “You may either charge more for the services or keep your prices low but target higher volumes.”

You can do this through promotions or adding valuable services like free pick-up and delivery.

Second, “design the shop to make it functional and to minimize costs.” A laundry shop consumes a lot of electricity, and in our country, electrical companies charge the consumers with high amount of money. To avoid this, you can plan your shop by making a big room for drying area. This is very helpful especially on summer or dry season because it cut the cost of electric usage. You can also buy drums and use it to store water instead of using pressurized tanks for the water supply.

Third, “look for commercial and institutional clients for faster return of investment.”  You can charge big commercial and institutional clients with more money. Also, these kinds of establishments can provide more items for your laundry shop to wash. The more items you wash, the more money you will have.

Fourth, “charge more for bulky items and heavy garments.” As a laundry service provider, you must know the service price that you will charge in each item. Charge more for big, heavy, and bulky items like bedcovers, comforters, blankets, jeans, and jackets.

Fifth, “offer dry cleaning.” Dry cleaning service provides high profit in laundry business. However, it requires lots of practice to master it because it can ruin a fabric or garment if not done properly.

Here are the following websites where you can get more information on how to set-up laundry business in the Philippines:

http://laundrybusinessphilippines.com/

 http://www.businesscoachphil.com/

 http://mrlaundryshoppe.com/