Get a Small Business for Christmas

What does a good son give his hard-working mother for Christmas?  The small business she has been dreaming about!

Tammy Murray of Sacramento, is about to get an amazing gift this Christmas: the business of her dreams.

Tammy’s son, Bryan, heard his mom talking about her dream business — sending cookies and care packages to college students — for more than a year. Tammy’s done a bit of groundwork. She has the recipes and lined up a commercial kitchen. She even had a possible name for her business: Tammy Loves Cookies or TLC.

Like so many entrepreneurs, Tammy’s timid about taking the next steps. So Bryan decided to give her a gentle push. For Christmas, he’d give his mom some business cards, a website, and a domain name.

What a neat idea!  Read more here.

If you are a teenager looking to start a micro business, did you put I want a micro business on your Christmas list? Why not!

Here’s what you could ask for:

• Computer
• Accounting software like Quickbooks
• An hour with an accountant to guide you and answer your questions
• A logo designed by a graphic artist
• Business cards
• Books on business and entrepreneurship
• A few hours with a virtual assistant to set up a mailing list or a shopping cart

Some of these might be difficult to wrap, but a gift certificate explaining the gift can be drawn up on a computer or simply written by hand.  It’s the thought that counts!

Merry Christmas

How to Make Money on Craigslist

Here is a  great site to help teenagers use Craigslist to start a micro business.

How teens can make money on Craig’s List

Find “Services” and put an add under “Small Biz” or “Household services” and you can soon be another teen making money thanks to Craig at Craigslist.

For example…You could put an ad for “carpet cleaning” on Craigslist, get people emailing or calling you about carpet cleaning, go to the “rental center” nearest you and rent a carpet cleaning machine, do the job and get paid right away. (Be sure to know what the rental and supplies costs before you place the ad so you cover your expenses!)

You can also check the section on “Gigs” for fast jobs.

But please beware not to give out personal information online.

Young women especially need to be cautious in answering ads for potential marketing and promotion ads seeking attractive girls.

Respond with a friend and cell phone. Let your parents know exactly where you’re going. Drive by where you’re supposed to meet your “employers” and if the least suspicious, drive off! Better safe than sorry!

I logged onto Craigslist for my local city and discovered that my local public school needs tutors to work with students for 2-9 hours a week.  The ad says “great pay and flexible schedule.”  They want a resume and a background check.

Try Craigslist for your city, but be sure to follow the guidelines above and on Craigslist to avoid scammers.  Keep your parents informed about what you are doing. They can see suspicious activity that you may not see. Let them help you!

Vital Customer Service Tips

Customer service is vital to your micro business success.  Here are some tips to better serve your customers.

• Apologize when something goes wrong even if it is not your fault. Apologize that you couldn’t cut the grass on Tuesday because it snowed 4 inches!  The customer will appreciate your concern and maturity. Never make excuses. No one wants to hear you blame someone else. Just apologize.

• Answer calls or e-mails within less than 12 hours. Sometimes your competitor will get a job because they called back first.

• Fill orders quickly. No one likes to wait so don’t let orders sit for more than 24 hours.

• Show appreciation through cards, saying thank you and remembering special events like birthdays.

• Stay in touch: Consider a newsletter or an e-mail note to your customers. Tell them about new services or offer a coupon.