Just because you open a business does not mean you know how to run it, at least to the point of being open long enough for you to see a profit from your investment. There may be a simple plan that doesn't cost too much out of pocket expense, but may bring more customers into your business, business consultants can give you marketing tips such as web site ads and promotions, direct mail, or a half page ad in the yellow pages. You too may have come up with this idea all on your own however, unlike business consulting companies, you have no idea which one of these idea's would be the better people getter, or how to strategically place your ad were it will get the best results.

Once you decide to hire a business consulting company, which one are you going to choose? Searching on the internet will get you thousands of hits, but then what? Of course all business consulting companies will claim they will do a good job for you and your business. Many will claim to provide their advanced expertise in all categories of business and marketing techniques. While working for you will be their main focus. While it's a good idea to hire a business consulting company, but your not sure how to go about finding a good consultant that will work to make your business profitable and not take all your money and vanish.

The best thing to do is go online and search for the right website that will give you information about business consulting companies and how you can get in touch with them. You will have to register to a specific site and give them the information about your business so they can match you with the best consulting companies suited to your needs. Most of these sites are low cost and using someone to help you find good business consulting companies is worth it. They do all the hunting for you and look for all the qualities you're looking for in a business consultant. The business consultant company you hire can take a big burden off your shoulders. They will take the worry out of what to do next to improve your business.

While I understand he was attempting to look out for my best interest, I felt cheated. He was not even going to give me the opportunity to fail. On some level, everyone that goes into business for themselves understand that chances are, the business will not make it past it's first year, and I was no different. The only thing was I had faith in myself that I would not give up trying. The loan processor took that as I would spend my life savings before giving up, and he did not want to see me financially ruin myself.

So what did I do? I set out on the adventure on my own, only using the limited resources and financial backing that I had. I bought second hand office supplies and furniture. I bought the small cheap laptop instead of the multi-thousand dollar computer specifically designed for what I would be doing. Without the proper money for advertising, I had to get creative. My advertising methods was unconventional, but they worked. I found that I did not need large amounts of money in order to get my business to the world.

So would I have been so successful had the loan processor gave me the business loan I asked for? I am not sure, because after all, I made it without the money, what would have happened if I would have had the proper money for advertising? Whatever the case may have been, I am glad he did not, because I am not better able to understand the limited resources that many small businesses face.

So how can you run your business on limited resources? Here are a few things that I learned along the way.

1) New vs. Used- When starting your business, you do not need everything to be "new." Second hand items cost substantially less then new items, and work just as well. Plus, if you think about it, customers will be more comfortable around your office if it feels "broke-in", rather then new and sterile. It gives them the feeling that you have been in business awhile.

2) Creative Advertising- You do not need the hundreds of dollars that it takes to place ads in papers or put commercials on TV. It costs very little to design and print you own flyers and put them in places where your potential clients would gather. Turn your vehicle into a moving billboard by investing in a vinyl signage for your doors or windows. The best thing? Face to Face meetings with your potential clients do not cost a penny, so look for every opportunity to talk with our potential clients.

3) Work At Home- Depending on your type of business, you may consider working at home rather then renting office space. This will save you a lot of money on rent and furnishing an office. Once your business becomes more successful, then you can always rent office space later.

Overall, be thankful for the struggles that you go through now, because in the future, they will have been well worth it. Plus, it will give you a better understanding when it comes to other small businesses.

And, no matter what, never give up on yourself.

Ironically, I have observed that in most cases due to our ardent desire to pursue our customers, we tend to neglect the fundamental small business marketing ideas and best practices where all of our small business efforts hinge. When engaging on a marketing campaign, online or off-line, consider the following fundamental small business marketing principles:

• Product. Pay attention to your product features and benefits; capitalize on them. Today's consumers are value driven. Consider finding what your niche market values most and present your product towards that end. Remember, customers buy on the perceived benefits of your product first and foremost, the rest is secondary. So package your product benefits well. Make them stand-out from the rest of the pack!


• Price. Is your price competitive? Is it a pay-per value offer to your targeted consumers? I know, you want a quick ROI (Return on Investment) on your capital, but please don't do it overnight. Business experts say that the first six months of your operation may be considered operating at a loss. Pay-off usually starts on the seventh. One way of keeping your targeted customers is paying close attention to your pricing.


• Place. Is your product accessible to your targeted customers? Is it visible on the shelf, if you are selling off-line. Do you have a shopping cart in your web site where they can conveniently add the product when they purchase online? Is your web user-friendly? Meaning, they do not have to use the search function in order to find what they came for? IMO, a good, simple, and easily-navigated web design is a customer-keeper. Also, check your websites's loading time more often. Product pictures or other graphics can slow down its loading. Slower loading can easily drive-off your potential customers.


• Promotion. Try other marketing activities. Don't stick on one medium or methodology. Experiment. But experiment with caution, i'd say, for experimenting is costly. Lastly, three important things: (1) promote, (2) promote, (3) and promote your products to your targeted consumers.

*Recommended Free Resources:

• Sales and Marketing Performance Trends for Small & Medium Business
• How to Boost Your Company's Sales with Marketing
• The Short Code Marketing Opportunity

2. Turnkey Operation

In most cases, everything is included in the purchases of small business. You inherit the infrastructure that has already been established by the previous owner, which includes the customers, suppliers, employees, equipment, and systems as well. These things normally takes longer period of time to establish. It is a good possibility that the previous owner(s) may offer some insight and assistance, therefore making the transition easier. In addition, the cash flow most likely will start immediately, rather than in an unknown time frame when starting a brand new business. Profitability is not in question as it would be in a startup.

3. Duplicated Success

Opening a franchise comes with the advantage of knowing that this business has been successful in other locations. The idea and process of running this business have already been proven. Therefore the learning curve in operating the business can be virtually eliminated. In addition, risk of failure is much lower with a franchise than starting a brand new small business. There is a much higher likelihood of success if the same business has done well in other areas. Moreover, with this set-up you can immediately focus more on the expansion and profitability aspects of your small business.