THE OLD OPPORTUNITY THAT'S RIGHT UP TO DATE! You might well have considered market trading already - and decided it's just too old fashioned! But, you would be most certainly wrong. Your local market place is one of the most lucrative places for buying and selling. A really excellent place to launch a new business at a very low cost!
The fact remains that a market stall is one of the easiest, most profitable and simplest business ventures there is. Markets have been around 100's of years to prove it! The image of a market stall as a small sideline is now diminishing. It can be a large and lucrative business. In fact, a business which exceeds many larger looking ventures in terms of takings - and profits!
If you have previously considered market trading as 'not the business for you', you really ought to think about it again! There are various different forms of market trading you can choose from. All are of the most basic ways of making money you could think of. And, the simple and uncomplicated ideas are usually best. In this guide, we will discuss the two most lucrative opportunities, either of which can make good full or part time opportunities. It is up to you to choose which is most convenient but both would find it hard to be beaten by any other retail ventures.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
MAKING MONEY FROM ART LOVERS
When Miss Francine Taute's father passed away after a long illness, she had to embark on a business venture that would 'keep the wolf from the door', although she actually felt as though the walls of precedence and tradition were tumbling around her proud young head.
The family had undoubtedly been exceptionally wealthy in the past, but those days, frankly, are clearly long gone for Miss Taute. She knew that many of her wealthy family friends were actually very short of money.
Swearing her first customers to utter secrecy and actually carrying out her operatings under cover of darkness, she rented some of their famous paintings, which had hung for years, to a select clientele of art lovers.
Perhaps really it was for the best, since their beautiful old houses and contents were already threatened by the invasion of commerce and industry into this formerly exclusive section of their major Home Counties city.
At any rate, it was only the beginning for the newly enterprising Miss Taute, when she found out that more sporting blood flowed through her aristocratic veins than even she, herself, had realised.
To the astonishment of the blue-blooded and, to be honest, somewhat horrified society, she suddenly pitched head over heels into the operation of the Taute Painting Rental System by buying good copies of famous paintings and renting them out unashamedly to the first reliable takers.
Miss Taute, in self-justification, now claims that there should be no monopoly on art, and that she is doing her part to share its wealth with others, while at the same time keeping the wolf from her door.
In any small area, where there is no such painting Rental System, one would no doubt be profitable and could be started with only a small initial investment.
You can also operate initially (without up-front funds) as Miss Taute is doing now - by renting paintings from local artists, particularly from your local art college and advertising for nothing in the local arts shops (after all, they're supplying your artists with their materials), as well as on the notice board of the local library and art
gallery.
Your local newspaper would no doubt be interested in a story also, and do not expect you to take advertising in return - try the free local paper first if you have one.
With a minimum of space available for safe storage of the paintings, it could be operated entirely from your home, with perhaps a Polaroid camera to give people an idea of the paintings' range
The family had undoubtedly been exceptionally wealthy in the past, but those days, frankly, are clearly long gone for Miss Taute. She knew that many of her wealthy family friends were actually very short of money.
Swearing her first customers to utter secrecy and actually carrying out her operatings under cover of darkness, she rented some of their famous paintings, which had hung for years, to a select clientele of art lovers.
Perhaps really it was for the best, since their beautiful old houses and contents were already threatened by the invasion of commerce and industry into this formerly exclusive section of their major Home Counties city.
At any rate, it was only the beginning for the newly enterprising Miss Taute, when she found out that more sporting blood flowed through her aristocratic veins than even she, herself, had realised.
To the astonishment of the blue-blooded and, to be honest, somewhat horrified society, she suddenly pitched head over heels into the operation of the Taute Painting Rental System by buying good copies of famous paintings and renting them out unashamedly to the first reliable takers.
Miss Taute, in self-justification, now claims that there should be no monopoly on art, and that she is doing her part to share its wealth with others, while at the same time keeping the wolf from her door.
In any small area, where there is no such painting Rental System, one would no doubt be profitable and could be started with only a small initial investment.
You can also operate initially (without up-front funds) as Miss Taute is doing now - by renting paintings from local artists, particularly from your local art college and advertising for nothing in the local arts shops (after all, they're supplying your artists with their materials), as well as on the notice board of the local library and art
gallery.
Your local newspaper would no doubt be interested in a story also, and do not expect you to take advertising in return - try the free local paper first if you have one.
With a minimum of space available for safe storage of the paintings, it could be operated entirely from your home, with perhaps a Polaroid camera to give people an idea of the paintings' range
EASY MONEY FROM OFFICES
David Montgomery, 47, and married with three children, was made redundant by an office supplies firm in the Midlands, following a takeover. He had worked there for nearly three years, knew a lot about the business, and so decided to set up on his own.This is his story.
From my relatively short experience, I knew that the margin of profit on most office supplies is greater than for just about any other product sold at retail, with profits on
many items running as high as 300%. I was also aware that most Office Supply companies are quite large concerns with consequently large overheads, which includes rent for attractive branches in expensive areas, wages for telephone and other office staff, commissions for the expensive representatives, delivery vehicles, etc.Additionally, not
many people appreciate that all the suppliers have two sets of prices for everything in their glossy free 300 plus page catalogues - one set in the free catalogue for their
'direct' customers, serviced by their own reps, and one (with no name on the cover, for independent agents) for which they charge around two pounds.
I operate entirely from home, using a cheaply shelved Talbot Express high roof van (they have more inside space than any other similar vehicle) which I have on a three
year lease for just over 45 per week, including servicing.
Originally, my wife answered the telephone at home and took orders and enquiries whilst I was out delivery brochures to potential customers and requested items to existing
customers, but I now have a smart vodaphone in the van, obtained by taking up one of the cheap offers in the National Press.
The rental is just 25 per calendar month, and as I rarely make outgoing calls, the 25p per minute cost of these is not a problem. I do however make use of the rather clever
'call transfer' system, which automatically at the press of a couple of buttons, transfers any calls to me direct to my home telephone.This ensures that I don't miss any calls
whatsoever; the small cost of this really does pay off as I need never miss a call, which is much appreciated by my customers.
In this way I have totally eliminated nearly all the overheads normally associated with this type of business. Additionally, since I need no other assistants, there are
no wages and so on to be paid. I have established a regular route of small offices and businesses in the area which I call on weekly, taking orders and making deliveries there and then of the faster selling items.
Other items are obtained usually the same day and because I have reduced the overheads to nothing more than the expenses of operating the van, I can undercut all my
competitors by a wide margin.
Although anyone automatically gets at least 30 days to pay for the items, as I do from my suppliers, I also offer a straight 10% discount there and then for cheque on delivery. An amazing 70% of the smaller customers are quite happy to do this - saving us both money!
I have had no problem in obtaining all the customers I can conveniently serve; you could do the same.Start by looking in your local Yellow Pages under Office
Supplies. Nearly all the companies listed there will supply you with their catalogues with blank covers for your own name.I'm now (after only 18 months), making a take home pay of an average 900 + per month.
From my relatively short experience, I knew that the margin of profit on most office supplies is greater than for just about any other product sold at retail, with profits on
many items running as high as 300%. I was also aware that most Office Supply companies are quite large concerns with consequently large overheads, which includes rent for attractive branches in expensive areas, wages for telephone and other office staff, commissions for the expensive representatives, delivery vehicles, etc.Additionally, not
many people appreciate that all the suppliers have two sets of prices for everything in their glossy free 300 plus page catalogues - one set in the free catalogue for their
'direct' customers, serviced by their own reps, and one (with no name on the cover, for independent agents) for which they charge around two pounds.
I operate entirely from home, using a cheaply shelved Talbot Express high roof van (they have more inside space than any other similar vehicle) which I have on a three
year lease for just over 45 per week, including servicing.
Originally, my wife answered the telephone at home and took orders and enquiries whilst I was out delivery brochures to potential customers and requested items to existing
customers, but I now have a smart vodaphone in the van, obtained by taking up one of the cheap offers in the National Press.
The rental is just 25 per calendar month, and as I rarely make outgoing calls, the 25p per minute cost of these is not a problem. I do however make use of the rather clever
'call transfer' system, which automatically at the press of a couple of buttons, transfers any calls to me direct to my home telephone.This ensures that I don't miss any calls
whatsoever; the small cost of this really does pay off as I need never miss a call, which is much appreciated by my customers.
In this way I have totally eliminated nearly all the overheads normally associated with this type of business. Additionally, since I need no other assistants, there are
no wages and so on to be paid. I have established a regular route of small offices and businesses in the area which I call on weekly, taking orders and making deliveries there and then of the faster selling items.
Other items are obtained usually the same day and because I have reduced the overheads to nothing more than the expenses of operating the van, I can undercut all my
competitors by a wide margin.
Although anyone automatically gets at least 30 days to pay for the items, as I do from my suppliers, I also offer a straight 10% discount there and then for cheque on delivery. An amazing 70% of the smaller customers are quite happy to do this - saving us both money!
I have had no problem in obtaining all the customers I can conveniently serve; you could do the same.Start by looking in your local Yellow Pages under Office
Supplies. Nearly all the companies listed there will supply you with their catalogues with blank covers for your own name.I'm now (after only 18 months), making a take home pay of an average 900 + per month.
START YOUR OWN PROFITABLE NURSERY
Four years ago, at the age of forty seven, I was sadly left a widow, and there remained a heavy mortgage for me to pay off on the large three bedroom house which my husband had left.Never having had any working experience whatsoever, I was at a loss to know how to make ends meet, until someone suggested starting a child care service in my home for children of working mothers.
After looking into the financial possibilities of such a venture, I decided to accept my friends advice and made the necessary preparations. I first had the double garage,
attached to the house, converted into a large combination classroom and indoor playroom, paid for from a small second mortgage.
I also had the good sized back garden completely fenced for use as an outdoor play area. Then by shopping around at furniture sales and private sales (but to be honest, mainly in jumble and bring-and-buy sales - places I had never set foot in before!), I was able to accumulate the necessary equipment such as cots, tables, chairs, toys and playground type equipment, all at very low cost.
In fact, a lot of the stuff was later donated by grateful mothers whose own children had outgrown their usage. When everything was nearly ready, just to test the possible
response, (with some trepidation, admittedly), placed an advertisement in the local newspaper under the heading of "Child Care" and was totally amazed by the number of
replies from such a small advert!
I accepted children from two years to six years of age, at 40 per week for full time care, five days a week. I also provided a mid morning and mid afternoon snack, and a hot
lunch at mid day.The cots were arranged around the walls of two of the three spare bedrooms, and each child was required to take a rest at certain intervals during the
day.
Business was slow at first, but as word got around of the type of understanding care which I was giving, the numbers increased until I really had to hire an experienced Nursery Nurse; finding one was easier than I thought, as the magazine "The Lady" is almost full of trained young ladies looking for such a position.
Within a year the day nursery was operating at full capacity, with twenty children to be cared for every day. After paying the Nursery Nurse around 150 per week, along
with other operational expenses, I am still left with a net income of close to a 1000 a month.
Within three years, I was able to pay off the mortgage, and I was able to purchase all new equipment for the nursery school. Before starting a day nursery project of your own, you should check with your local authority for any special rules which may apply in the particular area where it would be in operation. My people, in Huntingdon, were a great help.
After looking into the financial possibilities of such a venture, I decided to accept my friends advice and made the necessary preparations. I first had the double garage,
attached to the house, converted into a large combination classroom and indoor playroom, paid for from a small second mortgage.
I also had the good sized back garden completely fenced for use as an outdoor play area. Then by shopping around at furniture sales and private sales (but to be honest, mainly in jumble and bring-and-buy sales - places I had never set foot in before!), I was able to accumulate the necessary equipment such as cots, tables, chairs, toys and playground type equipment, all at very low cost.
In fact, a lot of the stuff was later donated by grateful mothers whose own children had outgrown their usage. When everything was nearly ready, just to test the possible
response, (with some trepidation, admittedly), placed an advertisement in the local newspaper under the heading of "Child Care" and was totally amazed by the number of
replies from such a small advert!
I accepted children from two years to six years of age, at 40 per week for full time care, five days a week. I also provided a mid morning and mid afternoon snack, and a hot
lunch at mid day.The cots were arranged around the walls of two of the three spare bedrooms, and each child was required to take a rest at certain intervals during the
day.
Business was slow at first, but as word got around of the type of understanding care which I was giving, the numbers increased until I really had to hire an experienced Nursery Nurse; finding one was easier than I thought, as the magazine "The Lady" is almost full of trained young ladies looking for such a position.
Within a year the day nursery was operating at full capacity, with twenty children to be cared for every day. After paying the Nursery Nurse around 150 per week, along
with other operational expenses, I am still left with a net income of close to a 1000 a month.
Within three years, I was able to pay off the mortgage, and I was able to purchase all new equipment for the nursery school. Before starting a day nursery project of your own, you should check with your local authority for any special rules which may apply in the particular area where it would be in operation. My people, in Huntingdon, were a great help.
I MAKE HUNDREDS - FROM CANS - WITHOUT RECYCLING
Phillip Wei-Chung's attitude to a new business concept belies his Oriental ancestry. He is known as a person who 'can'.You'll see why in his story!
I saw a schools television programme early last year, part of which showed some children with a vice like article which put a lid on a tin - or a can as they call them. They
were putting presents inside for, I believe, a party.I wondered where such machines were available from, and after a bit of hunting around in WH Smiths, I came across a
couple of food industry magazines, whose staff were able to put me in touch with a small Leicestershire company.
I obtained from them their 'Canner Splendide II', which cost less than a hundred pounds, although I have since come across similar models for about half that price, so shop
around if you wish to do this business!
I now both devise and purchase articles which amuse party-goers, and then seal them in the tins to be used as party prizes or as novelty gifts. I had some cheap, colourful wrappers made for the tins, using an illustration of a cancan (think about it!) dancer for the adult novelties and cartoon type pictures of animals for the childrens' novelties.
These give added appeal to this unusual novelty item.One never knows that may emerge once the tin is opened, but that is part of the fun. Maybe it will be a plastic penguin
or possibly an article of bright red underwear, but, at any rate, I guarantee a humorous surprise with every tin.
I easily sell them in gift shops, toy departments and in stores that specialise in party supplies. Already I have tinned such articles as jokes, poems, cartoons, greeting
cards and even silk ties, socks and handkerchiefs, and am currently planning for Fathers Day.However, I did far better this last Xmas.
I was allowed to set up a table in the local department store for free, provided I only tinned items bought within the store! The store's display department produced the
banners around my stand and even arranged a small article in the local evening paper, to go along with a mention in their regular advertisements in the run up to Xmas.
Some of the labels read: "Open On Christmas Day" "Open New Years Eve""Do Not Open Till Christmas" "Do No Open In Public", etc. An address label was also attached so that by paying less than a pound in postage, my customers can send it on to friends anywhere.
The tins cost less than 10p each, when bought a hundred at a time, including postage to me, and I sell them for 1.99 - in case you were wondering, incidentally, they are NOT sharp without the lids! This is an idea that will no doubt really "catch fire" nationwide and could surely form the basis for a highly profitable mail order business.
I saw a schools television programme early last year, part of which showed some children with a vice like article which put a lid on a tin - or a can as they call them. They
were putting presents inside for, I believe, a party.I wondered where such machines were available from, and after a bit of hunting around in WH Smiths, I came across a
couple of food industry magazines, whose staff were able to put me in touch with a small Leicestershire company.
I obtained from them their 'Canner Splendide II', which cost less than a hundred pounds, although I have since come across similar models for about half that price, so shop
around if you wish to do this business!
I now both devise and purchase articles which amuse party-goers, and then seal them in the tins to be used as party prizes or as novelty gifts. I had some cheap, colourful wrappers made for the tins, using an illustration of a cancan (think about it!) dancer for the adult novelties and cartoon type pictures of animals for the childrens' novelties.
These give added appeal to this unusual novelty item.One never knows that may emerge once the tin is opened, but that is part of the fun. Maybe it will be a plastic penguin
or possibly an article of bright red underwear, but, at any rate, I guarantee a humorous surprise with every tin.
I easily sell them in gift shops, toy departments and in stores that specialise in party supplies. Already I have tinned such articles as jokes, poems, cartoons, greeting
cards and even silk ties, socks and handkerchiefs, and am currently planning for Fathers Day.However, I did far better this last Xmas.
I was allowed to set up a table in the local department store for free, provided I only tinned items bought within the store! The store's display department produced the
banners around my stand and even arranged a small article in the local evening paper, to go along with a mention in their regular advertisements in the run up to Xmas.
Some of the labels read: "Open On Christmas Day" "Open New Years Eve""Do Not Open Till Christmas" "Do No Open In Public", etc. An address label was also attached so that by paying less than a pound in postage, my customers can send it on to friends anywhere.
The tins cost less than 10p each, when bought a hundred at a time, including postage to me, and I sell them for 1.99 - in case you were wondering, incidentally, they are NOT sharp without the lids! This is an idea that will no doubt really "catch fire" nationwide and could surely form the basis for a highly profitable mail order business.
EASY MONEY FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Many people around Norwich are very grateful to me, James Heggerson, and my wife Maxine, for sharing a few acres of our neighbours spare land with the general public.However, as much as we enjoy mixing with other people, our purpose in converting part of this property into picnic grounds was not entirely an altruistic one: we had to find some way of making additional profits for our coming old age.
A few rows of trees and a lovely little stream, which ran along the local 'A' road, provided the inspiration for a project which has proved to be very profitable for us.It
took considerable time to provide the necessary facilities and equipment, but I did a great deal of the work myself.
One entire summer was spent in cheaply gravelling a suitable access road; bringing in electricity; providing water for drinking and toilet facilities (where the local
Portakabin branch were of great assistance); and I spent many long hours in the construction of barbecue pits.
Some of the trees had to be removed to make way for picnic tables and benches, which we built ourselves. Rubbish bins had to be provided(it's amazing what so-called professional bins cost when metal dustbins are so cheaply available!), and I chopped/bought an initial supply of firewood and charcoal.
Maxine and I decided to provide activities which would require a minimum investment in equipment. Arrangements for archery were made simple by piling bales of hay in the back of some inexpensively constructed targets.Horseshoe throwing, quoits and badminton courts were also provided for without too much difficulty, and an open field nearby furnished ample space for amateur football games.
As it turned out, the sport which our visitors, young and old, enjoyed most was wading in the cool water of the pool on a hot summer's day or just resting and chatting together under the trees, while the children enjoyed a sense of freedom.Maxine takes the money at the gate - a flat rate of admission to the grounds which includes the use of a picnic table and barbecue pit.
There was an extra charge for firewood when it was needed.The first year paid off so well that we decided to invest some of the profits in building a swimming pool, utilizing
the water from the brook, and forming a Limited Company, to protect ourselves in case of any unexpected downturn in business.
We charge for the use of the pool and the small showers, and this has brought in additional income. Next summer, we are probably going to have a small horse riding ring. Many days in winter we can turn a local small hill into a family
sledging resort - you'd be amazed at how many adults join in! I keep some fires going in the barbecues where the participants can warm hands and feet, and where there is
always a hot cup of coffee ready!A small admission charge brings considerable revenue during the winter months.
There is bound to be some spare land within about 25 miles of you where you could do the same, probably starting off very small. The landowner would only require a little money (after all, it's all profit to him!), payable only after you're received admission charges, of course.
A few rows of trees and a lovely little stream, which ran along the local 'A' road, provided the inspiration for a project which has proved to be very profitable for us.It
took considerable time to provide the necessary facilities and equipment, but I did a great deal of the work myself.
One entire summer was spent in cheaply gravelling a suitable access road; bringing in electricity; providing water for drinking and toilet facilities (where the local
Portakabin branch were of great assistance); and I spent many long hours in the construction of barbecue pits.
Some of the trees had to be removed to make way for picnic tables and benches, which we built ourselves. Rubbish bins had to be provided(it's amazing what so-called professional bins cost when metal dustbins are so cheaply available!), and I chopped/bought an initial supply of firewood and charcoal.
Maxine and I decided to provide activities which would require a minimum investment in equipment. Arrangements for archery were made simple by piling bales of hay in the back of some inexpensively constructed targets.Horseshoe throwing, quoits and badminton courts were also provided for without too much difficulty, and an open field nearby furnished ample space for amateur football games.
As it turned out, the sport which our visitors, young and old, enjoyed most was wading in the cool water of the pool on a hot summer's day or just resting and chatting together under the trees, while the children enjoyed a sense of freedom.Maxine takes the money at the gate - a flat rate of admission to the grounds which includes the use of a picnic table and barbecue pit.
There was an extra charge for firewood when it was needed.The first year paid off so well that we decided to invest some of the profits in building a swimming pool, utilizing
the water from the brook, and forming a Limited Company, to protect ourselves in case of any unexpected downturn in business.
We charge for the use of the pool and the small showers, and this has brought in additional income. Next summer, we are probably going to have a small horse riding ring. Many days in winter we can turn a local small hill into a family
sledging resort - you'd be amazed at how many adults join in! I keep some fires going in the barbecues where the participants can warm hands and feet, and where there is
always a hot cup of coffee ready!A small admission charge brings considerable revenue during the winter months.
There is bound to be some spare land within about 25 miles of you where you could do the same, probably starting off very small. The landowner would only require a little money (after all, it's all profit to him!), payable only after you're received admission charges, of course.
START A HOME REMNANT SHOP - WITH NO CAPITAL
It often amazes our commissioning editors how often a "spur of the moment" idea for making money has somehow snowballed into a full scale business.
Our Chief Editor, William Donaldson, recently met with the proprietor of a 'home remnant shop' and was fascinated to learn how easily and quite unexpectedly she had become established in her little business.It seems that Laura Reeves, originally from Fulham in West London but now living in Wednesbury in the West Midlands,
was divorced in her twenties, a few years ago.
She had little income except the rental income from a small shop, adjoining her flat, both of which were part of the divorce settlement. While talking with the owner of a
remnant shop in her native London one day, where she had gone to make a purchase, she got the idea that she might make more money selling remnants, using her shop for a display and sales room, than she could get if she continued to rent the property.
Since her tenants were ready to move to newer premises in about two months time anyway, she decided to give it a try.She found some good sources of materials among the many textile manufacturing mills in her area, and started off with a small amount of stock.
At first she ran an advertisement in the newspaper every Thursday and only opened her shop on Fridays and Saturdays.As its popularity grew, however, and tales of bargains to be found there spread, she was soon able to discontinue the newspaper advert, and also found that it was necessary to keep her shop open every day to accommodate her steadily increasing number of customers.
Such a shop could be operated easily from a cheaply rented shop in a poorer end of own, where people are willing to travel a few extra hundred yards for real bargains.There
is no reason why you couldn't start in a very small way from home, though, if you have no prior experience in business.
Incidentally, Laura stresses that you certainly don't have to have a mill 'on your doorstep' - even the smallest town has outlets for cloth and has remnants often hidden away at the back which they sometimes will be glad to give you for free. Don't be afraid to ask or you won't know!
Our Chief Editor, William Donaldson, recently met with the proprietor of a 'home remnant shop' and was fascinated to learn how easily and quite unexpectedly she had become established in her little business.It seems that Laura Reeves, originally from Fulham in West London but now living in Wednesbury in the West Midlands,
was divorced in her twenties, a few years ago.
She had little income except the rental income from a small shop, adjoining her flat, both of which were part of the divorce settlement. While talking with the owner of a
remnant shop in her native London one day, where she had gone to make a purchase, she got the idea that she might make more money selling remnants, using her shop for a display and sales room, than she could get if she continued to rent the property.
Since her tenants were ready to move to newer premises in about two months time anyway, she decided to give it a try.She found some good sources of materials among the many textile manufacturing mills in her area, and started off with a small amount of stock.
At first she ran an advertisement in the newspaper every Thursday and only opened her shop on Fridays and Saturdays.As its popularity grew, however, and tales of bargains to be found there spread, she was soon able to discontinue the newspaper advert, and also found that it was necessary to keep her shop open every day to accommodate her steadily increasing number of customers.
Such a shop could be operated easily from a cheaply rented shop in a poorer end of own, where people are willing to travel a few extra hundred yards for real bargains.There
is no reason why you couldn't start in a very small way from home, though, if you have no prior experience in business.
Incidentally, Laura stresses that you certainly don't have to have a mill 'on your doorstep' - even the smallest town has outlets for cloth and has remnants often hidden away at the back which they sometimes will be glad to give you for free. Don't be afraid to ask or you won't know!
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