Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Community Blogger

Attention Savvy African American Entrepreneur: If you have even half way decent writing skills and like the idea of keeping your community abreast of what is going on in your neighborhood, town or city then here is a free and easy way to make some extra cash! Just click on this link and in less than 5 minutes you are in business. Setting a blog is easy and Blogger has an excellent help section should you run into any trouble. You can choose from many different designs to fit you taste as to how you want your blog to look. As a blogger I am very partial to this idea. I initially was going to title this idea as a community reporter but with the advent of free blogging tools like Blogger, I changed this one accordingly. Blogger allows you to update information as frequently as you like. So as events happen you can log on and inform your readers. You may be covering stories already in print in the local paper or broadcast edon the news but some people don’t read the paper on a daily basis or may have missed the news that day. Also there are many things that happen in our community that never make the news, usually the good things. Like a well liked and known community leader passing on or a outstanding student graduating from high school or getting a scholarship.

You may ask how can you make money with your blog. There are many ways. You can sell advertising space to local businesses or you can simply add what is called adsense to your page. These are the small ads you see on many sites including my blog site that say ads sponsored by google. Every time someone clicks on these ads you get paid sometimes $.10 or upwards of $50 per click depending on how much the owner of the ad has agreed to pay. One catch to program is that you don’t know how much each ad will yield but if you get enough traffic clicking on these ads, the money can add up. If you choose to use adsense and I highly recommend you do, Blogger is owned by Google and they will guide you through how to add them to your site.
If you choose to blog make sure you keep in updated and interesting for your readers. You want to encourage them to visit often and tell others so you can not only maximize your adsense exposure but also if you choose to sell ad space to local business they are going to want to see some return on their investment, in other words customers referred from your blog site.

For more information visit:

Blogging To The Bank 2.0.

Blogging for Dollars

E-Books Galore

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Start ATeen Party Planning Business

This is another excellent idea for the the Savvy African American Entrepreneur. Can you say “My Super Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party?” Unless you been living under a rock or don’t have any pre-teen or teenagers in your immediate or extended family, this is one of the hottest shows on MTV. Basically you have a bunch of spoiled, bratty, rich kids whose parents go all out and spend a “crap” load of money on their child’s 16th birthday party.
If you like to plan parties and don’t mind dealing with bratty kids and over indulgent parents, you can make a lot of money throwing parties. Realistically unless you live a big city like L.A., Chicago, or New York City and other big money markets, you may not be dealing with millionaires but just about every city in this country have parents who make enough money that they can afford to spend a good deal of money on an extravagant party for their teen. You can even work strictly with parents on a tight budget. Either way, there is a market for this business.


And as I always I want to remind you:
Don’t overlook the African American Market! You can strictly market to the African American Community. As I always say, we have money too and we also love to over indulge our children.
For more information on how to start a Party Planning Business check out:

Start a Party Planning Business

E-Books Galore

Friday, November 9, 2007

Start A Used Children Clothing Business

I specifically like this one as a business start up idea for the discerning African American Entrepreneur. There are many reasons why this a good business to start. The main and the most obvious reason is that children are still growing and if you have children or know someone with children, they outgrow their clothes fast! A common objection to starting such a venture would be that the competition already has a leg up on anyone just starting out. However, I live in Cincinnati and we have quite a few second hand children’s clothing stores. One of the most popular is Plato’s Closet that specialize in pre-teen and teens. They cater to clothing from Abercrombie, Aeropostle, and other brands similar in nature. We also have some smaller independent shops that will only take clothing from places like the The Children Store, Baby Gap, The Limited Too. You get my drift. The catch is they don’t really want the urban hip hop wear that a lot of African American parents and children want. You will be hard pressed to find second Baby Phat, Rocawear, Sean John or Ecko clothing for children in the shop in my community.

This is were the savvy African American Entrepreneur comes in. Lets face it, there are a lot of young parents in our community that like to dress their children in pricey, trending clothing. When their kids outgrow their clothes they more than likely give them away. Why not offer to buy or take their clothing on consignment. You then cater to parents of young children that will buy these gently worn, well taken care of clothing from you. It’s a win-win situation.
For more information on how to start a used clothing store or consignment shop check out:

Start Your Own Consignment Store

E-Books Galore

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Start A Cleaning Service

This a tried and true, low cost, business idea. Yes, there are tons of cleaning service companies out there. All you have to do is open your local yellow pages and I’m sure you will find at least a full page of listings. So I offer this ideas with words of caution: Although this is an easy business to start on paper, it takes a Savvy African American Entrepreneur to get this one successfully off and running. However, I believe it can be done. When you face a lot of competition it usually means the market ahs probably reached saturation. (Meaning you will have to fight for every customer you get!)

The problem as I see it is that most cleaning services try to be everything to everyone. The will clean anything that can be cleaned for any and everyone. This forces them to lower their prices just to compete with others in their line of business. For many new cleaning services this forces them to close down their business before they can make their first buck.
I challenge the Savvy African American Entrepreneur to build and grow a successful cleaning service with a little of my help. First, find a niche and stick to it. Of course I first suggest you market strictly to the African American Community. If you can identify those African Americans who like to support African American owned businesses and you can effectively cater to the needs that are particular to our community, you have a foot in the door. I am very aware that there are many African American owned cleaning services out there, but they usually don’t strictly market to our community, at least not in my town. I realize that there are cities were this does occur, but if you live in a conservative city like mine, this may be the ticket to making a livable income with this business.

Other niches would include single men, new parents and the elderly. You can dig even deeper and focus in not on the type of people who could use your service but on industries that are currently under served or not being served by cleaning services. Off hand I can’t think of one but you may be able to. If you can concentrate on just one market you can leave it to the bigger companies to fight over the rest.

Another way to go is make your cleaning services exclusive. For example, in order for you to clean someone’s home they must meet your criteria and not the other way around. Create an atmosphere of exclusivity about your service and people who like to be one of a few and most importantly have the money spend, will flock to you. This is a deep niche to crack. You client base will be small but you can charge double or even triple of what other cleaning services are charging. You can also keep you over head low because you will not need as much manpower or supplies that a larger operation would require. Most importantly if you are going to go this route, you must be able to provide superior service.

For more information check out:

Start Your Own House Cleaning Business

E-Books Galore

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Start A Personal Assistant or Concierge Service Business

In the growing list of businesses to start why not take a look at being a Personal Assistant/Concierge. The truth of the matter is that people who can afford Personal Assistants/Concierge Services are busy people and they are too busy to tend to all the things they need done through out their work day! Whether we are talking about professionals (Lawyer, Doctor, Business Executive, Athlete, Celebrity, etc…) or the a two parent working home with combined incomes at or over six figures, they need help. That is where you come in to save the day.

For professionals you can be their go to guy or girl. You can help them organize their day outside of the office or even help them by running errands as simple as picking up a package for them or getting their oil changed on their cars. Or as involved as making travel arrangements or schedule meetings. Many professional may have office assistants that can take care of these things but quite a few do not. If you carefully market your services you can reach these individuals.

If you focus in on working families who can afford your services and have a need for your help, you can focus on all the task they need done while they are at work. From waiting on the cable guy, dropping of cookies for their children’s school bake sale to mailing out Christmas cards. The possibilities are endless. The rates you charge depends on your experience and the professions and income markets you target. For more information on how to start a Personal Assistant/Concierge Service check out:

Start Your Own Concierge Service

And as I always I want to remind you:

Don’t overlook the African American Market! We are doctors, lawyers, business execs and there are many two income earning African American families that make well over six figures. Most importantly we would love to have access to good quality products and services the majority community enjoy. If you can deliver on all accounts, then it should not be a problem for you, an African American Entrepreneur, to get their business.

E-Books Galore

Monday, November 5, 2007

Start A Business Writing Ebooks

For The Savvy African American Entrepreneur, this on is a goldmine. Millions of dollars in profits have been made by well established internet marketing "gurus" for years. Fortunately for A Savvy African Amerian Entrepreneur looking to make a good living online, we as a community have not even reached the tip of the iceburg when it comes to using our creative writing abilities and know how to exploit this opportunity.

Let me start with the basics for those you not familiar with ebooks. It is simply an information product that you can write about anything you are interested in or knowledgeable about. People purchase your ebook online and it is instantly delivered to them. The beauty of this idea is that you don't even have to be a good writer to get started. If you don't have faith in your writing abilities, you can contract someone write it or edit your materials for you.

For example if you have a passion for gardening, write an ebook on called "The African American Gardener". If you are a Realtor or Financial Planner, you can write a ebook detailing for African American tips on how to purchase a home or to even finance one. The possibilities are endless. Here is one of my favorite examples: Dreadlocks Secrets Revealed. It sells for $27. The authors only needs to sells 2 books a day to $1,620/mo. Imagine if you created a similar product how much money you can make.

To get started Check out:

Ebook Farming: How To Grow Money Selling Your Words And Ideas

Or just do an online search on writing an e-book. You will get tons of information.

E-Books Galore

Friday, November 2, 2007

Start A Talent Agency

This is one of my favorites. I like this idea because African Americans truly have talent! Although there are tons of talent agency out there and the competition can be fierce, if you niche market to the African American community, you will enter in as one of a few. Most expert suggest you start of by working for a talent agency however that is easier said then done. The next option is to go online and research. I have listed a few sources for you below. You can also check out Randy Charach, an expert on starting a talent agency. He publishes an ebook that will help jump start this endeavor.

From the Hood To Hollywood - An informative article on how a former gang member made it big in the talent business.
Ujaama Talent Agency An African American online talent booking agency. Check out there site. They book some of the hottest urban/hip hop and up and coming talent in the industry today.

E-Books Galore

Pet Sitting/Doggie Daycare Business

If you are a dog lover or a pet lover in general, opening a pet sitting or doggie daycare business is the perfect fit for someone looking to start their own business. How much you earn would more than likely depend on where you live and how you target your market. Well loved pets are like family members and spent $34 billion on their pets last year, which is double the amount of the year before. Why not get in on the action?

Research your local market and check out the competition. If the market is well represented in your communty then seek out a niche market. Market your services for example to African American pet owners, single people with pets or stick to a popular breed. Think outside of the box and start a potentially great money making opportunity.

E-books On How To Start Popular Pet Businesses
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
E-Books Galore

Authentic Designer Handbags Sales

Authentic designer handbag sales is a great idea whether you opt to sale them on or off line. If you are able to find a good listing of distributors who will sell them to you at a decent wholesale price you are in business. You can sell top quality designer handbags directly to your friends, family and associates or you sale them online through your own personal website or an auction site like Ebay.

****Word of caution****
Beware of wholesalers local and abroad that offer to sale you "knockoff" or "designer like" handbags. It is against the law and the federal government in partnership with top designer labels are aggressively cracking down on offenders. So stick to legitimate sources. Take a look at: Wholesale Directory For Designer Handbags. In addition to a listing of wholesale suppliers, this ebook offers plenty of extra on how to get started selling your bags on ebay.
Happy Selling!

E-Books Galore

Start A Virtual Assistant Business

This businss has been tauted as one of the fastest growing homebased business around. If you have the time and experience. Virtual Assisting is the way to go!

According to Entreprenur.com "Virtual assistants are independent entrepreneurs who work remotely and use technology to deliver services to clients globally. Most work from their home offices and receive their project instructions by phone, fax, e-mail or even instant message. Although many virtual assistants offer secretarial services, as more people with diverse backgrounds and skills enter the ranks, virtual assistants who specialize in such areas as marketing, graphic and Web design, IT support or even translations are becoming more common.

Clients are most likely to hire virtual assistants to save money-virtual assistants pay for their own equipment, taxes, training, healthcare and insurance-or because they need help with a temporary project. Industries most often hiring virtual assistants include the real estate, coaching, financial services, accounting and legal."

For more information on this growing industry, visit:

Freelance From Home As A Virtual Assistant
Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business
E-Books Galore

Start A Daycare Business

How many people do you know that send their children to some form of daycare? I am sure you can name more than a few. This is an industry that will always have a need for the simple reason people have to work and they are always looking for good, reliable and reputable individuals to take care of their children. If you love working with children and looking for a low cost and needed business to start. This is a no brainer.

For more information on how to start your own daycare business and free resource check out the following links:

A Step By Step Guide To Success....How To Start and Operate a Daycare
National Child Care Information Center
National Child Care Association

Also check with local Health and Human Services Providers in your community. Many offer training and certification for those wishing to accept govenment sponsored voucher assistance.

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