People enjoy eating ice cream, so why shouldn’t dogs enjoy ice cream, too? Sounds preposterous for some but the lack of frozen delights specifically made for pet dogs gave Becky Marshall of Chicago, Illinois this bright and unique idea to start a business offering all natural frozen treats for canine pets. As Becky said, “Like many pet parents, I will do anything for my big furry child, Hailey. She is my main inspiration. While out for ice cream one evening with Hailey and my family, I wondered aloud why ice cream stores didn’t serve frozen treats for dogs. Many people

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J.C. Williams Group recently conducted a study on the state of e-commerce in the Canadian market. The study, which was based on a survey of 1,014 individuals, found a number of interesting results such as: Gender profile of the Canadian market has shifted from 60% women and 40% men to 55% women and 45% men. Female buyers have a higher tendency to become an impulse buyer. Women are also more likely to become “search and destroy” shoppers, or those who know what they want and where to get it. Online buyers are younger with 58% between the ages of 18

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The April 2005 issue of the Internet Retailer magazine published several interesting graphs based on the AffStat Report conducted by Shawn Collins Consulting, an annual survey of marketers who use affiliates. The survey shows the variety of approaches that marketers take to make effective use of their affiliates. Some of the interesting data of the study are: Most effective method for recruiting affiliates. Email is considered the best way to recruit affiliates (25%) followed by phone (18%) and advertising in affiliate program directories (14%). Percent of total transactions affiliates generate. According to survey respondents, 28% of affiliates generate only less

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Nope, this is not about Match.com or any other dating sites! But if you are a small business looking to get into the business contracting action, then this site is for you. SBA Business Matchmaking http://businessmatchmaking.com/about.shtml matches “small companies with federal, state, and local government agencies and large corporations that have actual contract opportunities for products and services offered by smaller companies.” How does it work? Two modalities are used: one is through regional face-to-face events and the other is through the more limited online network (currently available only in Phoenix, Arizona; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tampa, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri;

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An important component of the success of an Internet business hinges on its credibility, defined as the perceived trustworthiness, expertise and security of the Web site. It is how a person judges the site and the level of overall assessment they arrive at — and whether they will continue to patronize the site or dismiss it. A recent article in ProductMarketing.com magazine discusses the ways a web site can improve their credibility. The article defines credibility as ” believability; it is a perceived quality like beauty… Credible sources have the ability to change opinions, attitudes and behaviors, to motivate and

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Global Insight, a leading economic and financial forecasting company, (formerly DRI-WEFA), states that all levels of government (federal, state, and local) should see steady increases in the purchases of goods and services through the year 2009. Vendors willing to make the commitment to sell to government can reap the benefits of this projected government spending. By the same token, government agencies able to expand and modernize their procurement programs can reap the rewards of increased productivity, and a reduction in the costs of goods and services. If you are a company looking to efficiently market your goods or services, increase

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Studies commonly find lack of capital as one of the persistent reasons for the failure of many small businesses. Small and home-based business owners simply do not have the resources and capital needed to keep their businesses alive and grow. So what can a small business owner do? According to the latest book in the popular Rich Dad’s Advisors® series, the solution is to use OPM! Entitled “Rich Dad’s Advisors®: OPM (Other People’s Money): How to Attract Other People’s Money for Your Investments-the Ultimate Leverage”, the book is an interesting read on how to use OPM or Other People’s Money

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I am currently reading this very interesting book “Everybody Wins: The Story and Lessons Behind RE/MAX” by Phil Harkins and Keith Holligan. The book is a very absorbing read, as it recounts how RE/MAX was started with all the ups and downs that the company and everybody involved in it experienced — from threats of bankruptcies, internal turmoil (revolt of its managers), and the strategies that propelled this business to the top. I am not familiar with the dynamics of the real estate industry, but this retelling of how the vision of Dave Liniger, RE/MAX chairman and co-founder revolutionized the

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RSS Feeds are all the rage nowadays. The number of users and subscribers of RSS feeds are said to be growing exponentially. Businesses and individuals are scrambling to get into the game. The question now on everyone’s mind is – “How do we now cash in on this new form of content?”EContent Magazine in their March 2005 issue has a very interesting article on how businesses are looking to tap into the revenue potential of RSS feeds. As the article says, “Where there are eyeballs, there must be a way … to monetize them.”The article went on to describe various

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PowerHomeBiz.com receives a lot of questions from our readers through our Consult Your Guides section. Below is a recent question we’ve received on organizing the legal structure of a business: I own a small C corporation and am in the process of selling a plot of land. However since I am a C corporation I will be getting taxed almost 35% is there anything I can do to avoid getting taxed such a high rate? – John Hapner, FL. Read the advice given by our Tax Expert Chrissie Mould

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Why Incorporate?A well-incorporated and well-run company can limit the personal liability of its shareholders. Corporate assets may be at risk, but personal assets will generally be treated as separate. However, keep in mind that the Court does not automatically remove liability for criminal and negligent acts on the part of the company’s officers, directors and shareholders. Incorporation can help limit your personal liability as a business owner. In general, creditors of your corporation must satisfy their claims by seizing the assets of the corporation rather than your personal assets. In contrast, as a sole proprietor or partner in a partnership

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Coming up with winning business concepts need not be a brain-wracking exercise. There is one simple formula: combine a need with something you love. While you’re at it, you can even add your pet to the business equation. Every day life is full of things and details that could be improved. You and your pet can together offer a solution to a need that could have a large marketing audience. David Marcks discovered a lucrative business opportunity when he used his dog to solve a problem that he constantly faced working at a golf course – the proliferation of geese.

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