Credit lockdown and a gloomy economy are putting a squeeze on small businesses, but don't rule out starting yours up. Instead, get creative. Put together a cost-friendly start-up by thinking beyond traditional ways of purchasing office equipment and supplies, steering clear of money-draining investments, and researching diligently. Check out these 8 tips to start up your business outside the traditional way of doing things.
Credit lockdown and a gloomy economy are putting a squeeze on small businesses, but don't rule out starting yours up. Instead, put together a cost-friendly start-up by thinking beyond traditional ways of purchasing office equipment and supplies, steering clear of money-draining investments, and researching diligently.
1. Don't plan (too far) ahead.
Procrastination can actually be helpful when it comes to starting up a business in tough economic times. Competition for your dollars gets fierce and inventory piles up when the flow of money slows. The time is now for shopping around for computer, office furniture, and other large line bargains.
2. Go to estate and garage sales.
Regrettably, lots of people need to get out from under their debt quickly as they're having trouble paying their mortgages. Buying things for your home office at garage and estate sales not only saves you money, but helps out those who need to quick cash. Look for bookcases, filing cabinets, desks, lamps, paper cutters, staplers, paper, desk pads, and other home office items.
3. Be card smart.
With banks being bought up and changing hands, be aware of varying charges and transaction fees when you use ATM and credit cards. With banks in flux, now is the time to shop aggressively for the best deals in business checking, savings, and high-yield money market accounts. Look for the best business debit and credit card deals, too. Some companies are offering cards with no transaction fees.
See Bankrate.com for a comparison of cards and their fees for ATM withdrawals, credit card purchases and cash advances.
4. Organize an office swap meet.
This is a brand new concept that is sure to make starting up a business both fun and economical. During an office swap meet, people from different offices come together to trade their unwanted or surplus office items for items they need. It's a fun atmosphere with lots to choose from, and whatever is left over can be donated to charity.
5. Two words: Free Gas!
Gas cards being offered by hotels as a booking bonus are all the rage. Look for this valuable bonus at chains such as Marriott, Sheraton and Best Western, as well as many independent hotels. Armed with a free gas card, you can easily travel to distant locations to purchase your home office supplies at big discount warehouses.
Check out GasBuddy.com for countrywide gas bargains.
6. Hire LegalZoom.comnot your own attorney.
Save time and money on forming your DBA, LLC, incorporating, or getting your EIN and trademark though LegalZoom.com. Created by top attorneys, LegalZoom helps you create reliable legal documents from your home or office. Simply answer a few questions online, and your documents will be prepared within 48 hours for about half the cost of hiring an attorney.
7. When considering a Merchant Account, consider Costco.
You need a way to accept credit cards via the Internet if you're a home-business owner. At Costco, you can take advantage of their great low rates and fees by setting up a merchant account to accept MasterCard or Visa through your Internet business, mail, phone, or retail. Plus, if you're already a Costco Executive Member, your application fee and monthly statement fee will be waived.
8. Get a professional logo for $45.
Why pay hundreds of dollars for a logo design when 45DollarLogoDesign.com will do it for you for $45? This company will design a professional, customized logo for you if you have a pretty good idea of what you'd like it to look like. Turn around is fast. They'll have your logo samples to you within 24 hours.
Don't let a gloomy economy, rife with news of falling market shares and bank bailouts, stop you from moving forward with starting up your new business. Instead, get creative. Look for ways to start up your business outside the traditional way of doing things. By utilizing these eight tips, you can start up your business in tough economic times and be well-positioned and ready to go when the economy improves.
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