Shopping service: This is a simple, low cost start-up business and would be perfect for stay-at-home moms. In this business you get paid for reminding people of important dates in their lives, like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, etc. You can shop for gifts appropriate to the occasion. Anyone with a little flair and fashion sense can make this into a fun and creative business by applying your flair and fashion sense to your gift purchases. Tailor your gifts to your clients and your business will grow. Women with a background in retail can really go to town with this business. Start small by helping friends and family and branch out from there. Remind people through email or phone calls.

+ Computer, answering machine, fax, separate phone line, billing software, scheduling and management software, filing system. Best customers: Business executives, working couples, business offices and just about anyone who’s busy. Other reminder services: Wake up calls, medical appointments, motivational reminders

Reunion planning: In this business you’ll plan get-togethers for high schools, colleges, families or any of countless groups, the sky’s the limit. Most people don’t have time to plan these events themselves anymore, so planning services have sprung up to fill this need; you’ll plan all the events leading up to the day of the reunion, including finding classmates, mailing invitations, hiring entertainment, setting up a location and making the necessary reservations. Use your organizational and research skills to make a go of this business.

+ Computer, answering machine, event planning software, filing system. Best Customers: Large families, military units, high school and college class members

Business writing :This is a business whose markets are endless. Wherever you look, you’ll find people who need your services. Just think about it-corporations need manuals written, they need annual reports, newsletters, press releases, sales letters, to name a few. Non-profit companies and organizations need things like promotional and fund-raising articles and literature of all kinds. The list of businesses that need your help is endless; the key is finding your niche.

+ Computer, printer, separate business phone line, fax, business cards, suitable place to meet with clients unless you travel to them, portfolio of your work.

Tips: Network, network, network. Give your business cards out to as many people as you can when you’re first getting started. Take on volunteer projects to get your name out there. Books you should get: Writer’s Market

Plant maintenance service: This business is important because plants help us all breathe better because they filter out pollutants, plants also beautify the spaces where we live. Business offices of all kinds invest lots of money in plants and they’ll pay you to maintain them.

+ Watering devices, ladders of various heights, pruning equipment, fertilizer, billing and filing systems, maintenance contracts, business telephone, answering machine.

Furniture art: This business is not one you might think of right off the bat, but it is a recycling job. You decorate old or used furniture with original art. To find the furniture to decorate, either use your own or visit garage sales, flea markets, or your own garage. Even if you aren’t an artist you can use stencils that make you look like you are, and you’ll be reviving stuff that would end up in the land fill, thus helping save our planet.

+ Refinishing supplies, paints, brushes, rags, good well-ventilated work space. Develop your eye for good used furniture when you visit yard sales, bargain down the price if you think it’s too high, once you get it home give it a good cleaning and start to work on it.

Benefits for WBE Members

* National WBENC Certification assures potential clients of your WBE status.
* National WBENC Internet Database Listing provides contact information about your company that can be accessed by potential clients nationwide.
* Procurement Events such as the Round-Up trade fair, allow opportunities to make business contacts and gather information.
* Access to Corporate WBE Programs encourages WBEs to compete for contracts.
* Networking Events throughout the year provide additional opportunities to develop business relationships.
* Individual Appointments with Sustaining Members whose procurement needs are specifically matched with your capabilities.
* Educational Programs conducted in collaboration with nationally recognized experts in small business management keep you informed.
* A Mentoring Program matches WBEs with other WBEs for short-term, goal-specific mentoring.
* A bi-monthly Table Topics Luncheon Series gives WBEs a forum to share information and gain advice from peers about all aspects of running and growing a successful business.
* Parade of Stars Awards Gala recognizes outstanding WBE and Sustaining Members.
* Regional Directory of Certified WBEs and Sustaining Members throughout the four-state region lists important contact information.
* Done Deals™ program advertises the business conducted between WBE and Sustaining Members and tracks the total dollar amount.
* Opportunity to participate in national WBENC conferences and recognition events.
* Educational and networking events in cities throughout our four-state region.