Work At Home Business Ideas

Low cost business opportunity

2011-03-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Something happened in the world in the past three years. While there was this pesky recession going on, the consumers made a radical shift from traditional buying methods to on-line. The consumer turned from simply asking friends who they would use to buy blinds or shutters to asking a much broader group on social media sites. By asking a more expansive group of friends and acquaintances consumers are hoping to “Score Big.” The social sites that appear to me most popular, as you might expect, are Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
As you may recall from "Six Degrees of Separation" (also referred to as the "Human Web"), everyone on the planet is approximately only six steps away of connection from any other person. Therefore, on average, a chain of "a friend of a friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in six steps or fewer. The notion of relatively close connectivity was originally devised by Frigyes Karinthy and popularized by the play (Six Degrees of Separation) written by John Guare. That bit of trivia aside, whether it is price or selection, the consumer is hoping to meet the right person for the job. It’s simple human nature at work.
Our job as window covering professionals is ever changing. The demands on our time and the constant worry of where the next customer is coming from can be overwhelming at times. The question we keep asking ourselves is, "How can I keep up with all this change?"
It used to be that we could easily obtain 20 customers from a single marketing tactic. Today, we're lucky to find 20 new customers by employing 20 different tactics! It's a challenge, at best.
In most communities, the day of relying on the good ole "Yellow Pages" is dead and nearly wiped out in the remaining regions. In San Francisco, they are working on a new law that would require each residence to “Request” the Yellow Pages. Soon, the days of Yellow Pages being dropped off at our doors will be a distant memory. Many phone companies are getting waivers from the Feds to cease printing the white pages - and in Europe, special events are being held just to toss out their Yellow Pages!
Long story short, I think it's time for us to spread our collective wings and find new, relevant ways to attract clients. The good news: customers remain who demand window coverings! Solution: meet them where they want to be met.
In the past year I have expanded into Social Media - and I am excited to tell you, it’s working! I have expanded my web presence and guess what? It’s working. I have produced over 40 videos and you know what? It works! I have written dozens of articles - they too work. I have set up mobile media and it works. I have established an Adwords campaign - it works! I also set up a huge referral system with local business - yes, it works too!
The goal is to “Dominate” your local web presence. Each one of these tactics feed off one another. Similar to spokes on wheel, they all work together. On their own, it's utter failure. But once you have them working together in harmony, you're running the down road towards success.
Tomorrow will bring even more changes and new platforms that the consumer will eventually embrace. Our challenge then, is to find the best possible approach to participate in these changes - that is, if we have our hopes focused on succeeding. Preparing for this ever shifting future is the best and only way to succeed.

Home Business Ideas

2010-11-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

Home Business Ideas
Here is a list of common small business with an estimated hourly earning rate cost to startup and the degree of difficulty.
Window washers earn $50 per hour. Startup under $2K easy to learn easy work
Mini blind cleaners earn $75 per hour. Startup under $5K easy to learn easy work
Window covering installers earn over $100 per hour. Startup under $5K easy to learn
Carpet Cleaners $75 per hour, Startup $25K easy to learn, hard work
Cleaning service $22 per hour, Startup under $2K easy to learn, hard work
Auto detailers $55 per hour, Startup $5K easy to learn, very hard work
Computer tech $125 per hour. Startup $5K 4 years college easy work
Window tinters $65 per hour, Startup $5K easy to learn easy work
House painters $25 per hour Startup $10K easy to learn hard work
Graphic Artist $25 per hour startup $10K 2 years college, easy work
Electrical contractor $125 per hour, Startup $25K apprenticeship hard work
Mason $25 per hour. Startup $5K apprenticeship very hard work
Software consultant $125 per hour, Startup $5K some school very easy work
As you can see from this list the hourly wage is all over the board and the skill set is very diverse. If you’re looking to start a small business either for “extra cash” or for a career change please seek advice from professionals. If you decide you want to start a window washing business, start looking for information of getting stated. Go to YouTube and look for videos on how to start a window washing business, you’ll be surprised how easy to get the info is. Join window washing forms on line, call window washers and interview them on how they stated, tips to getting the phone to ring and how much they earn. Then put a business plan together and get started.

Work from Home Ideas

2010-10-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

Looking for home based business ideas?
Are you looking for a Work at Home or a Home based business plan? I have a few for you and I’ll show you the simple process I go through to come up with new business ideas. The following idea combines internet home business and unique home based business ideas.
I’m a bit of a car guy. I attend car shows and auto swap meets with a few friends and I like to nose about. Most of my fellow car guys are teachers on limited budgets. So I like to listen to car guys and why they do what they do to their cars. So I listen, learn and dream. I was at a car show for The Cure a few weeks ago and saw thousands of cars and tens of thousands of people. There is no reason for many cars to be built other than that car has a place in the owner’s heart. Why would someone invest $75K in a 1986 station wagon? So that question got me to thinking. If someone would spend $75K on a station wagon, why would they not spend $200 on a photography session or $300 on a video secession or pay me to post their car on EBAY right there at the show? The idea started to take shape in my head, and I started to visualize myself doing just that!
At many of these auto swap meets shows you’ll see over 1000 cars for sale at one time. So I asked myself, ”How can I profit from my knowledge of the internet and my love of cars? Simple, how about an on-site business at the swap meet offering to photograph, write and post your car or parts on EBAY? So I called my buddy, who’s also one of my fellow car geeks and a teacher and an EBAY expert to see if this idea has legs. (It does.)
Let’s analyze what I did. I have 2 very similar businesses for 2 different markets all wrapped up in one idea. I looked around for a low cost idea that was not being marketed to car guys, asked myself some key questions to determine how I can do this, and reached out to others who were experts in areas I am not. TIP: If I can explain my idea to my wife and she likes it, I usually go for it. God gave women better intuition than men.
Now let’s look at what skills and hardware I’ll need to pull this off. I’ll need a video camera. No problem, the Kodiak Zi8 is under $200 and perfect for what I need. A simple $200 green screen and Sony Vegas video editing software at $50 is all I’ll need to get started. Plus a Cannon Rebel is prefect for the photos. My HP laptop with an air card from Verizon is all I’ll need to get on the internet at the car shows and it is perfect for editing the videos on-site. It should take less than 1 hour per car to shoot the video and edit and about 30 minutes to photograph and put the car or parts on EBAY. I’ll need some really nice post cards, so I’ll go on line and choose some preprinted cards with my own business message, and I’ll rent a booth for $100 at the shows. I’ll use my cell number so owners can contact me at the show to sign up. I’ll pass the cards out to the car owners, and I’ll recruit my EBAY expert friend and offer him some ownership or a fee to take care of the technical stuff at the show. Oh sure, there are many other items to put on my list to get ready, but the point is to let you see the process it takes from idea to inception.
If the crowds look like they are responding positively to my new business, then next week I’ll improve my systems to make it faster, more profitable, and duplicable.
The dirty little secret is I can learn to use the cameras and software for free on You Tube. There are thousands of videos on these subjects.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or hard. Just try it, and see what you come up with. It doesn’t matter what business you start, just do it. Stop making excuses and just do it. What’s the worst thing that can happen if you fail? So what, you’ll try something else. The key is to ask the right questions and implement. Take action today. If you want to steal my idea, go right ahead. I have many more where those came from. I keep a word doc with all my ideas. Ask me about my funeral consultant idea or my Franchise tracker idea or my idea for ?????????? Just keep thinking.

Steve Dale is the founder of Exseed Marketing, Blind Brokers Network, Blind Butler, Advanced Window Tint, decovan Window Fashions, and several other companies. Steve can be contacted at steve@myblindbiz.com

How to write a business plan made simple

2010-09-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Looking for an easy and fast way to write a business plan? Here is a “One Page Business Plan”
Over the past 25 years I have started and sold several different service companies. I’ve franchised 2 different companies and I’ve built 3 different business opportunities. I’ve also set up over 2000 people in their own business, I’ve written dozens of business plans and I’ve consulted with hundreds of entrepreneurs. I’ve read hundreds of books on marketing and I’m even begun the process to write my own marketing book. This short one page business plan has served me well. Over the years I have developed and refined ways to write business plans including this is a one page business plan. I don’t remember where I first saw this however I have saved it and like using it. I have made several modifications to it over the years, to make it simpler and more streamline.
Vision = Graphically describes the Business.
Describe what this business will look like in 3, 5 or 10 years. Include geographical scope, type of business, product & service offering, description of customers and what the business is passionate about.
Mission = Purpose: Why this business exists from the CUSTOMER’S point of view.
Describe why this business exists in one sentence or less.
Objectives = Measurable Results
List four to eight goals that this business must achieve to be successful.
Strategies = Define how business will be built and managed.
Describe five to eight things this business must do extremely well over time to be successful.
Plans = Work or Tasks to be completed.
What are the 6-8 specific business building or infrastructure projects this business must successfully complete to implement the strategies listed above.
I like to see business plans that are short and simple. I have yet to ever end up where I thought I would end up in any business. What will happen, if you keep your eyes open you’ll teach yourself to look for new niche markets, new systems, new ideas and new visions for new business opportunities. My advice is to “Always keep your eyes, ears and mind open for new ideas”.
Steve Dale is the owner of decovan.com, blindbutler.com, startablindbiz.com, myblindbiz.com, exseedmarketing.com You can contact him at steve@myblindbiz.com

Avoid the Business Opportunity, MLM, Network Marketing Rip-off.

2010-05-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Avoid the Business Opportunity, MLM, Network Marketing Rip-off.
We’ve all seen and heard the Get Rich by tomorrow afternoon pitch. Is it true? Can I really get rich by tomorrow afternoon? I look at hundreds of business opportunities offerings every year. I review MLM, Direct Marketing and Franchisees nearly every day. Let me give you an insider’s view.
Who am I? Steve Dale a expert in Business opportunities, and franchisees. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJOPIl2O1a8 I have set up over 2000 people in their own business. I’ve been doing this biz op thing since 1992. Here’s the bottom line:
MLM/Network Marketing/Direct Selling:
I have met several MLM millionaires or at least they said they were. I have even attended MLM legal forms with the biggest names in the industry. The successful ones don’t care what the product is. They use the same recruiting system to build a few different groups at a time. Why do they do this? Because so many MLM companies go out of business overnight and leave thousands of hungry dealers hanging. So the pros develop 2-3 groups in different categories at the same time. I met a wealthy gal who sold travel with one and diet chocolate with another, and earned millions from each. She also earned big money telling other Millionaire Wantabees how she did it.
If you wanted to get rich very fast start a MLM in the fast growth categories. This week its jungle juice drinks. When introducing a new product you could do it a few different ways. You could invest millions in buying shelf space, inventory, hiring sales crews and a good marketing plan and you might have a shot at success. Or you could convince a bunch of people that they can get rich selling your product and they pay you to get started! MLM cost very little to start up.
Yes, there’s big money in MLM if you’re a recruiting expert and a charismatic person. I’ve been in an office on a Monday morning at a travel MLM and they were opening the hundreds of $35 and $80 checks from the past weekends promo events. I’ve also been told that one very popular MLM founder has a $400 million dollar investment fund from selling his products.
How about starting a real business?
On the next blog I’ll talk about how to spot a good Biz op and after that we’ll talk about the Franchise rip off. http://www.startablindbiz.com http://www.myblindbiz.com

Steve Dale is the founder of : The Dale Group DBA
decoVan, Blind Brokers Network and Blind Butler

Is Hunter Douglas Nuts?

2010-05-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

Is Hunter Douglas Nuts?
It does seem odd that a Window Covering company would stop all internet sales. I could list hundreds of products and I don’t think I have ever heard a consumer products company stopping the sale of their products from the internet. Loads of products require dealers to measure and install their products. Everything from built in refrigerators to dishwashers. However they don’t ban their products from being sold on the web. Does Hunter Douglas think consumers will drive out of their way to go to Hunter Douglas authorized dealers to shop? Not likely, How do I know? I sold blinds and shutters to 2 separate customers last week who did travel to a Hunter Douglas Store and found the prices to be outrageously high. I sold one customer shutters for less than Hunter Douglas wanted for some cell shades. I say,” Good job Hunter Douglas”. Your decision is making me look Great! Perhaps next month you can ban your dealers from advertising on the internet? In the interest of full disclosure we have not sold Hunter Douglas products for several years. When we stopped carrying their products our closing rate increased, our profits increased and our product line increased. I see no downside by not carrying Hunter Douglas.
Steve Dale

2010-05-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

The simple fact is Blinds are a $5Billion Dollar industry. Anyone can get started selling blinds and shutters of all types. There are no special skills needed. All you need is some samples and advertising materials and you’re in business. At Blind Brokers Network http://www.myblindbiz.com we are experts in low cost window fashions business start ups. Our products are designed to give you a competitive advantage.

Our simple started kit will allow you to start selling custom blinds and shutters immediately. We’ll provide all the samples, advertising materials and training DVD’s. Anyone can get started in the window covering business.

Our $1495 sample kit includes: Out new YouTube channel has everything you need to help you decide if the Blind and Shutter business is for you. Check it out.

Call now 949.768.6695

Franchises the good the bad the ugly

2010-04-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

The truth about franchises.
In a world of overload it’s important to understand how to determine which business is best for you.
I’ve set up over 2000 people in their own businesses and have helped hundreds more grow their business.
First I want to recommend a book called Strengths finders 2.0 Buy this book and take the test. It will help you understand what your strengths are and how to profit from them.
I want to focus on franchises and business opportunities.
Many people think that starting a franchise is the safest way to start a business. The truth is they have the same success rate as any other business. The IFA has been trying to correct the success rate myth for years with little success. You’ll still see franchisers quote a false study done in the 80s. Franchising can be the best decision or the worst decision you’ll ever make. How do I know? I’ve franchised 2 different businesses and hated every minute of it. Most franchisees come to resent the franchisor and most franchisors come to resent franchisees. I’ve actually had franchisors tell me they don’t care if the franchisees succeed or not. It you fail they simply resell the territory to the next person. It’s called churning. There’s a famous story of an oil changing franchise with a San Diego location that has bankrupted 16 different owners. You don’t want to be #17. If you’re buying a franchise please do your research. Call 10-20 franchisees and ask questions. I did this for a home improvement franchise a few weeks ago and found most of the owners phones disconnected or the person who answered the phone said they had to get a job to pay the bills. This is not a good sign.
Another thing I want to warn you about is using a franchise broker. If a franchise broker is telling you that this franchise is great again call the other franchisees. Did you know that broker is getting a huge pay out from the franchisor? In my industry there a few mini blind franchises that sell for over $65K and the brokers is paid $20 K or more. So always be suspect of franchise brokers. Ask if and how much they are being paid by the franchisor. I’ve spoken to many brokers who only pitch the franchise they make the most money on.
A better way to find a franchise is to go buy the franchise guide. There are several different ones. One is published by the IFA and this one is by franchise handbook.com Take the time to study each listing in these franchise guides. Did you know you can get the FDD for free on the California dept of corporation website? There are company’s trying to sell this info on the internet. ITS FREE on the ca dept of corp website. Many times FDD’s will give you names and address of the current and past franchisees. CALL THEM!

Let’s say you want to start a pet sitting business. You find a franchise for pet sitting and you really like it. Don’t settle for a franchise. Look into business opportunities or hiring a pet sitting consultant. Many times you will find a biz op or a consultant who can help you start a pet setting business for fraction of the franchise cost. Who knows perhaps you’ll be able to franchise your own pet sitting service.
Instead of a franchise with all types of restrictions look at business opportunities. They cost a fraction of what a franchise cost and usually have no restrictions. The business opportunity hand book has over 2000 different opportunities listed. Many biz ops will be a short cut to starting a business and not having to buy a franchise.

Finding a consultant. Many times if you do an internet search for pet sitting services you’ll find some aggressive pet sitters on the internet. Check their site and look for links to start you own service. Or if you really like what they are doing, call and ask if they would consult with you to get your own service started. Many times they will do it for free because they are so pleased you asked them!
Steve dale Blind Brokers network
949-768-6695
http://www.myblindbiz.com

I made $820 in 4.5 hours last week.

2010-04-27T06:56:00.000-07:00

Here’s how:
Start a mobile window covering business

Keep It Simple…..Beat Home Depot and Lowe’s on price, service and selection.

Yes, that’s key to the amazing system developed by Steve Dale. That’s what you’ll learn when you become a window covering consultant. Learn from one of the best window covering executives in the industry, Steve Dale, who has over 20 years experience selling and installing blinds and shutters. Hundreds of window covering companies use his marketing systems, unique ideas and unparalleled advice to grow their companies. His clients range from mom and pop stores to multi million dollar companies. His marketing systems will help you get started faster and for much less money. You’ll learn his secrets to success that have been tested by over 400 other window covering consultants. Using Steve’s simple start up system you’ll be up and operating in less than 30 days for a fraction of the cost of a traditional franchise.
http://www.myblindbiz.com

How to make $100 Per Hour

2010-04-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Steve Dale here, I wanted to talk to you about a window covering product that seems to be recession proof. Interior plantation shutters. In the past 20 years they have been the standard of any luxury home. Most experts consider shutters to be the finest window covering money can buy.
Real estate experts tells us that a shutter are the only window covering product that increases the value of a home.
The newest generation of shutters are simply amazing in beauty and quality.
A shutter purchased 10 years ago is no where the quality of today’s shutters. Shutter used to take 3-4 months to get and cost over $30 a sq foot. Today we can get them is 3-6 weeks and retail for $15-22 sq ft. Technology and manufacturing systems have revaloutionized the shutter industry. Shutters are easier than ever to install.
The demand for shutters is growing everyday and so is the need for shutter consultants. As the product become more affordable to the masses, the demand continues to grow.
As Shutter consultants, I sell and arrange for the installation of shutters. While most shutter companies only carry 1 or 2 different shutters, I carry 14 different shutters. It’s this selection that separates me from other shutter sales people. As a consultant I’m able to offer the best selection, the fastest service and best price on a wide variety of shutters.
All I do is Measure the window, show the client the samples like this and then give them a price. Once I have the order the factory will make the shutter for me. The installation is remarkable simple. It actually takes longer to unpack the shutter than to install it. www.myblindbiz.com
949-768*6695

Start a business full/part time

2010-04-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Start a Blind and Shutter Business
Work from Home, Start Full/Part Time

Keep It Simple…..Beat Home Depot and Lowe’s on price, service and selection.

Yes, that’s key to the amazing system developed by Steve Dale. That’s what you’ll learn when you become a window covering consultant. Learn from one of the best window covering executives in the industry, Steve Dale, who has over 20 years experience selling and installing blinds and shutters. Hundreds of window covering companies use his marketing systems, unique ideas and unparalleled advice to grow their companies. His clients range from mom and pop stores to multi million dollar companies. His ideas will help you get started faster and for much less money. You’ll learn his secrets to success that have been tested by over 300 other window covering consultants. Using Steve’s simple start up system you’ll be up and operating in less than 30 days for a fraction of the cost of a traditional franchise.
http://www.myblindbiz.com

Oct 2009

2009-11-02T08:35:00.001-08:00

We just finished Oct 2009. Early in Oct business had a noticeable slowdown. However the end of the month it picked up right back to the previous 4 months, which have been pretty good. I checked with several vendors and many BBN members who also had the same slow down and pick up. It’s very unusable to have a slowdown in Oct. We were moving for the last 2 weeks so I didn’t do my weekly mailings. I sill profited $3600 for the month. Remember I only do this part time! All signs point to a very good finish to 2009. I’m putting more energy into our shutters and the Graber Crystal pleat line. They are very profitable for us. Don at TIP printing and I are developing a few new 4x6 postcards. We will have a few different versions. One just for shutters, and another for cells and a 3rd for wood blinds. A few BBN dealers have already ordered some 4x6 cards based on the “Yellow” card. I’m waiting to see how they preformed. I’m starting next week to expand my area of operation for decoVan. I’m will start marketing to all OC.
As many of you know we have been trying for a few years to introduce a software system for all dealers to use. We are currently testing an on line system that all dealers will be able to use. The system will do the estimating for you. It will compare several product lines and vendors for you and you’ll be able to keep track of all orders. All you need is a laptop that connects to the internet. I’m using my Blackberry to connect my laptop to the web. It actually works quite well. I’m shooting for a monthly cost of $50 to use the system. I’ll know more in a few weeks.
http://www.myblindbiz.com

Raise my prices?

2009-08-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

I was at Lowe's yesterday nosing about in the window covering dept. I asked the sales person about some shutters. She told me the price for a 60x60. $909 for a Graber wood shutter. I sell that same shutters for $525 and I get it the customer 7-10 days faster. When I asked how much that was a sq foot she didn't know how to do the math! As I did the math for her, her co worker asked me if i wanted a job! I checked their prices on 2 in faux wood and real wood from Bali. A 60x60 faux was $175 I sell it for $135 and the real wood was $217 and I sell it for $175. I offer Free measuring and Installation and Lowes charges a whole lot of money to measure and much more to install. I think I need to raise my prices! Don't worry I wont. I may lose money on every job but I make it up in volume! God just keeps my phone ringing.

Blind Sales are hot!

2009-07-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy selling and installing blinds. I've spoken to several factories and all say they are very busy. Thats good! I just returned from 2 small mini blind jobs. The first was 2 mini blinds and took 20 minutes and the second was 3 mini blinds and it took 12 minutes. I profited over $200 for a 1.75 hours of work. (Including Driving Time) I LOVE America. Since decoVan #1 is in the body shop due to a clients 17 year old backing into it, I've been using a 4 door pick up to operate out of.

Been busy!

2009-06-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

I started to advertise in some home improvement magazines and the returns are very good. The last 2 months were 1/4 pages and this week I expanded to a 1/2 page. Ill know the results in a few weeks. I'll earn over $5K profit this month. Remember I do this part time! In a few months I'm going to start hiring a installer and a 2nd sales person. The affiliate marketing is slow but steady. I'm building the data base which takes a huge amount of time. Once I'm ready I'll start to send the new HTML email. I just finished a youtube video for our affiliates check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe5JxNnD5oo

Business is great

2009-01-28T13:41:00.000-08:00

I just returned from the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. I went with Mike Fitzgerald of A+Window Pro in Va. We meet up at a seminar for a new retractable awning and disappearing screen door. Both products are going to be introduced to my clients and dealers. The awning is the best I have ever seen. I saw many new products for home owners and many new ideas for helping our clients.
I just sent out over 300 post cards to new homeowners and already got a call. I’m surprised how much business I am doing right now. January is usually not this busy! Last week I sold $2800 shutter job and did several bids. I’m working on a huge job for a dance studio, a 50 blind job for an ocean view home and a 15 blind job in San Clemente. I’m hoping to close all three by months end.
I’m working on a dance studio job with roller shades that have a dance scene printed on them. As it turns out I found an amazing source for this. They have 20 windows and now she wants to do all 5 of her studios and they want me to speak at their national convention next June to all 300 franchisees. All this because of a simple yellow page ad.

Oct/Nov numbers

2008-11-13T16:42:00.000-08:00

Oct has ended and I earned over $2000 last month selling blinds and shutters part time. So far in Nov I have earned $1373 in profits for a few hours work. I'm hearing from many dealers that they are starting to get busy with the holiday orders. I know I am. A quick not on the 4199 program. We will have an ala carte system. You'll be able to purchase the samples seperate and all the marketing msaterials and web site. I'm working on a web site that for $25 a month dealers will have a replicated site. This is so as a group we'll be able to go up in the search engines. I'm searching for the right site.

Franchises are a rip off

2008-11-07T12:57:00.000-08:00

http://www.bluemaumau.org/6327/ifa_urges_franchisors_stop_bogus_industry_claims

Check this out! I used to be a franchisor and always knew this was true and now the IFA is asking their members to stop saying that franchises are a safer bet than starting on your own. I have always thought that most franchsies are no better that starting on your own. Yes, I know there are many exceptions to this, however don't be fooled into thinking that because you purchased a franchsie your going to be a success. It simply is not true.

Great part time income

2008-10-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

I've been out most of last week at a convention. I'm back in the office Mon am only to find several orders arrived while I was away and a few more jobs came in. I just took a credit card on a $1200 job with over $400 in profit and I also had over 200 new home owners lables. I got the post cards out and schdueld the install. I thought the economy was in the tank! Not here. I'm also hearing form my over 300 dealers that business is still good. People will always move and they will need window coverings. People will always be re-decorating and need blinds.

Part time income

2008-10-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

Update on last Fri. I just placed the orders for the $1600 job and the 3 blind job($375). I'll profit on the $1600, $547 and on the 3 blind job I'll profit $214 It will take me about 2 hours to install the $1600 job and 20 minutes to install the 3 blind job. Total profit for 3 hours work will be $761

Great business opportunity

2008-10-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

For the first 2 weeks of Oct I have profited $1814.35 The last 3 days have been very busy. At 8 am I sold 3 blinds to a repeat customer, at 8:20 I sold $1600 to a person who saw my van, at 9:30 in installed 5 blinds and made $309, at noon I installed 4 blinds and made $123 The Noon job all I have to do was take down the old , leave the brackets up and re install new blinds. I was there 10 minutes. Also in the last 24 hours I took 2 very strange calls. One was a lady who found me in the YP and was asking about roller shades and how she could get them for next to nothing and the next call was from a guy, from a new homeowner mailer who kept telling me that he could order Hunter Douglas for wholesale and he was going to find some one to install them for him. Not sure why he called. He wante a price on 2 mini blinds. He kept asking weird questions so I thought it best to say Thanks but no thanks. The weeks is over and I'm happy with over $1800 in profits in two weeks. Not bad for a part time business.

Easy Money

2008-10-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a 3 roller shade job. It took 39 minutes to install and I made $239.51 I also just did a bid for a guy who found me in the yellow pages. The estimate was for 2 types of products Mini Blinds and Wood Blinds. The estimate for mini blinds was $1187 and the woods were $1975 Each has a 50% mark up. I'll call him in a few days to see where he stand.

Note for dealer

2008-10-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

I just got this from a dealer:
Steve,

I recently got back from my first free trip with Alta...it was a blast! It was really cool bouncing ideas off of people in the biz. I was just wondering when and where the next BBN convention was going to be. I would like to meet other BBN members.
By the way, I met a California rep while in Jamaica. I think her name was Sherri. She told me that the BBN was the best deal out there IF you follow the plan. I thought that you would like to know that.

Craig
Magnolia Blind & Shutter

I also just got this from a dealer;
Just for your information. My husband and I attended a Shutter Workshop put on my United Supply on Norman Shutters, and for us it was the best and most information we have rec’d at any workshop. The instructor was great, he give at least 3 different ways to address a shutter install for a variety of different types of casements, moldings, cut outs, etc. Being in the South, we have moldings on top of moldings and this workshop has given us a lot more security in ourselves to sell and install shutters.

Earline Campbell
Value Blinds & Shutters, AL

I also just spoke with a dealer who earned 4 Jamicia trips and in Dec is going with Graber on a cruise to Turks and Cacos

Starting a small business

2008-10-13T08:45:00.001-07:00

As I look back over the last 30 days, I have sent out over 500 pieces of mail. I tested a letter with a note pad, a letter, a letter and post card and a postcard. The post card was the clear winner. I sold $12,000 in product and profited over $4000 for a part time business. To see my van ansd web site go to www.decovan.com On Sat I sent 107 post cards. The calls will start to come in by Tue. Last Fri I was installing a job and got a call form a guy who just purchased a rental condo and also owned a Wendy's He needed some comercial blinds in a sun room for the wendy''s. I dont do them. I do know it would be a 5-7K job. with a 50% profit.

I also spoke with several dealers last week. All are doing well. Several told me they are up over last year. Now that's good news.

2008-10-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

I installed a job yesterday and only made $109. I messed up on the discounts. I thought I was making $450. I used an out of date price guide. OOPS! It took me an hour and a half to install plus I had to remove some old blinds.

Earn an extra $1000 a month

2008-10-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

I sell blinds and shutters part time. Last week I earned $1571 profit for a few hours of work. I can teach any one to do this.