Dear Deb,

FoDreams was selected from 6000+ national organizations to be featured as one of one hundred premiere associations positioned to help women "move beyond the Glass Ceiling" in the ground-breaking book Power and Wisdom: The New Path For Women. Introduced by Pat Moran CEO of the largest woman-owned business in the U.S., businesswoman and nationally recognized psychologist Dr. Marotta helps women control Power Robbers, develop positive power, and activate their unique feminine wisdom in collaboration with men. This book positions women to "Rise above the Glass Ceiling and dance on it". Power-up for the new millennium and read Power and Wisdom: The New Path For Women. Women of Wisdom, Inc will offer Free Shipping & Handling and "I am a woman of Wisdom" bumper stickers to your association members. Let's Link!

Sincerely,
Joy Young
http://www.womenofwisdom.com
 

RPellet537@aol.com wrote:

Hi Deb,

I would like to know how to go about starting a small transportation
business, on a small scale and privately funded.  I am bold and have no problem approaching a big car dealership or those with money for financial help.  I know something like this involves, liability, insurance etc.  But it is a desperately needed service.  Yes, there are companies that already provide a service like this, but the hoops one has to go through in order to get  service is frustrating.  Do you have any ideas? Thanks, Renee in Colorado

Dear Renee in Colorado :)

The very first thing I would do is begin developing a business plan.  I
would do a market survey and find out if there would be enough of a
market base to generate revenue to pay back any loans the business would have to commit to...and how long that commitment would be for.  The second thing I would do is contact a very good National liability insurance company and require them to submit bids and coverage for such a business as I am sure the insurance company has good statistics on what liability coverage is necessary for this type of business.  Let the insurance company do a lot of that work for you.

I would further contact doctors and support facilities of patients and
their families who have the same or similar type problems to see if your services could, in fact, take some pressure off of them.  Surely you are not the only parent in this situation.  Then, before starting the business, I would offer a free newsletter or maillist to provide a support system for parents/patients of this need.  From that support group, I would solidify my reputation and begin building on my customer base.

In closing, I would caution you never to begin a business on anything
but good sound financial planning.  To begin a business out of
"heartfelt" emotions will possibly cause you not to run it as a business
and 2 years down the road you will see your dream turn into a nightmare through the bankruptcy courts.  -- Deb
 
 

Tracy Oddson - Email:  oddones@colorado.net writes:

Dear Deb,

I have begun my training in the Virtual Assistance at AssistU and would like to learn as much as I can about starting a home-based business and micro-businesses.

Dear Tracy,

To find out more information on Virtual Assistant businesses, visit http://www.gava.org or Contact Julie Hewett, of the Branch Office.  Email Julie at julie@julnet.com  Julie is the Virtual Assistant for Field of Dreams and is my left and right arm in handling all the operational side of my business.  Hope that helps you.

Deb
 
 

Lyla Ross - Email:  indecentpr@earthlink.net writes:

Dear Deb,

I started working from home one year ago when previous employer closed it's doors. I have two young boys, ages 5 and 7. They both have asthma and my youngest is at onset of Tourettes Syndrome so his doctors say. 

I love the fact that I can be available to them when needed, however, it's very difficult working at home alone. I am a born communicator who loves to interact with creative people. Do you have any suggestions?

Dear Lyla,

What a blessing that you should love to interact with creative people and are a born communicator.  Both are talents which will assist you in your homebased business and lead you to success.

One of the most difficult areas of business is the communication skills of its owners.  Many business owners have the skills/expertise etc. to produce the product or service, but many do not enjoy marketing, sharing information and networking.  So, take that interest in communicating and start making introduction calls on the telephone to potential clients/customers of your business.  Let them know just how much you know about your business and how they can depend on you for expertise "communication" in those areas of their business.

Take a look at the newsgroups available online for children who suffer from asthma and Tourettes Syndrome and dedicate 30 minutes a day to personal interaction with people of like interest.  You will find answers to many of your concerns but at the same time meet people of like interests with you on a personal basis.  That will give you a social outlet apart from business.

As far as "interact with creative people," I have found most all the business owners in FoD are creative and full of interesting ideas and I learn something new from many of them each and every day I'm online in the maillist, as well as from personal email messages I receive directly from the internet.

The beauty of the internet is the open communication lines which only were available through long distance charges before it.  Today we can established global "pen pals," business relationships and personal contacts to last a lifetime.

To your success,

Deb