Comments on: 'I started a biz – and now it's failing' http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/ Editors from FSB magazine answer your pressing small-business questions. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:52:55 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: a Houston http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-2017 a Houston Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:16:40 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-2017 Wheres ur Family-advertisement and all the Friends, the Networking. advertisements and dont forget that u r no-longer in competion walmart has oil changes for 30.00 bucks and up? Dont give up!!!!! keep the faith Wheres ur Family-advertisement and all the Friends, the Networking. advertisements and dont forget that u r no-longer in competion walmart has oil changes for 30.00 bucks and up? Dont give up!!!!! keep the faith

]]> By: Lance, L.A. and Miami http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1950 Lance, L.A. and Miami Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:12:02 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1950 Eddie, here's another market for you: Office Buildings. In high school and college, I ran my own auto detailing business. My clientele were people who were business owners and professionals. They want to run their business and spend time with their friends and family. They don't have the time to maintain their cars, but they want them to look and run well. Eddie, here's another market for you: Office Buildings. In high school and college, I ran my own auto detailing business. My clientele were people who were business owners and professionals. They want to run their business and spend time with their friends and family. They don't have the time to maintain their cars, but they want them to look and run well.

]]> By: Nikita Irmal, San Carlos, CA http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1939 Nikita Irmal, San Carlos, CA Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:48:21 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1939 I found this small business blog article very helpful for small business owners and entrepreneurs struggling to stay afloat and survive in this recession: http://nikita-thesmallbusinessblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-recession-proof-your-small.html Hope it provides you with a few good tips on how to turn around your business. I found this small business blog article very helpful for small business owners and entrepreneurs struggling to stay afloat and survive in this recession:

http://nikita-thesmallbusinessblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-recession-proof-your-small.html

Hope it provides you with a few good tips on how to turn around your business.

]]> By: Nikita Irmal http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1937 Nikita Irmal Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:48:38 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1937 Small business are crucial to our economy. Small business are an important source of job growth. We account for a large majority of jobs in start-ups, a key source of innovation and economic growth. Here is a great article on how to recession proof your business from failing: http://nikita-thesmallbusinessblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-recession-proof-your-small.html Small business are crucial to our economy. Small business are an important source of job growth. We account for a large majority of jobs in start-ups, a key source of innovation and economic growth.

Here is a great article on how to recession proof your business from failing: http://nikita-thesmallbusinessblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-recession-proof-your-small.html

]]> By: Russ Faulkner, Columbus, OH http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1916 Russ Faulkner, Columbus, OH Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:43:49 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1916 Eddie, I agree with others you do have some cards stacked against you, but nothing a little creativity and hard work can't overcome. Here is where I would start. 1. I find the 50 largest employers in your area. I would reach out to their HR departments. I would then try and set up a meeting with them to explain what you do and the time/effort if can save their staff. I would then ask to do a trial run and get some feedback. I have worked for a company in the past that has done this and it was just another benefit for our teams. 2. I might look at adjacent product categories. IE get together with a local mobil car washing service and pitch the idea of cross marketing. This might cut into your profit margin a bit, but it could be made up for if the volume is produced. 3. I would continue to chase the fleet companies. I might actually contact the police department and city offices to see if they have a contract with someone to do this service. Then ask when that contract is up for rebid. Just a couple of ideas to get you going. Eddie,

I agree with others you do have some cards stacked against you, but nothing a little creativity and hard work can't overcome. Here is where I would start.

1. I find the 50 largest employers in your area. I would reach out to their HR departments. I would then try and set up a meeting with them to explain what you do and the time/effort if can save their staff. I would then ask to do a trial run and get some feedback. I have worked for a company in the past that has done this and it was just another benefit for our teams.
2. I might look at adjacent product categories. IE get together with a local mobil car washing service and pitch the idea of cross marketing. This might cut into your profit margin a bit, but it could be made up for if the volume is produced.
3. I would continue to chase the fleet companies. I might actually contact the police department and city offices to see if they have a contract with someone to do this service. Then ask when that contract is up for rebid.

Just a couple of ideas to get you going.

]]> By: Drew Gerber, Hilton Head, SC http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1867 Drew Gerber, Hilton Head, SC Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:30:24 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1867 Eddie, for sure you should be taking advantage of every media coverage opportunity you can (like this one). PR is one of the most cost effective ways to get the word out about your business and carefully positioning yourself as a solution to your potential customer's problems is the way to do it. I would imagine that your customers are probably concerned about having their cars last longer & be more reliable (especially in the current economic climate). What tips can you offer them to achieve that? I suggest calling your local newspaper, radio, and TV channels to see if they are interested in your tips for their audience. Also, take advantage of free PR services like www.PitchRate.com, which connects journalists with the experts they are looking for to complete their stories. Eddie, for sure you should be taking advantage of every media coverage opportunity you can (like this one). PR is one of the most cost effective ways to get the word out about your business and carefully positioning yourself as a solution to your potential customer's problems is the way to do it. I would imagine that your customers are probably concerned about having their cars last longer & be more reliable (especially in the current economic climate). What tips can you offer them to achieve that? I suggest calling your local newspaper, radio, and TV channels to see if they are interested in your tips for their audience. Also, take advantage of free PR services like http://www.PitchRate.com, which connects journalists with the experts they are looking for to complete their stories.

]]> By: ilya bodner http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1834 ilya bodner Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:27:36 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1834 A lot of things will pull you down right now. One thing you can control is your business credit. Yes, the business has its own score. Search for "strong business credit" in google or yahoo and you'll see what I'm talking about. Sincerely, Ilya Bodner Small Business Owner Initial Underwriting Group A lot of things will pull you down right now. One thing you can control is your business credit. Yes, the business has its own score.

Search for "strong business credit" in google or yahoo and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Sincerely,

Ilya Bodner
Small Business Owner
Initial Underwriting Group

]]> By: Chattanooga, TN 37404 http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1764 Chattanooga, TN 37404 Fri, 15 May 2009 13:38:19 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1764 After watching your broadcast last night about where are the jobs, I recognized I was blessed to be working. I have my own business and it is thriving. My new book "How to Start a Court Reporting Business" has just been released. www.courtreportingfordumbeeees.com. It's a lucrative career from which to start you own business. The book is a mentorship book that I wrote after nearly thirty years of practicing. There are still jobs out there. Deven After watching your broadcast last night about where are the jobs, I recognized I was blessed to be working. I have my own business and it is thriving. My new book "How to Start a Court Reporting Business" has just been released. http://www.courtreportingfordumbeeees.com. It's a lucrative career from which to start you own business. The book is a mentorship book that I wrote after nearly thirty years of practicing. There are still jobs out there. Deven

]]> By: Moe, Courtenay, BC http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1700 Moe, Courtenay, BC Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:07:04 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1700 If what you offer is personal service, then maybe referral selling is the way to go. Ask your customers where to go next. Save your marketing & advertising budget, and use email & testimonials to leverage your good name with your customer base. It's worth looking into services like KudosWorks or Tell-A-Friend-King, to find mechanisms that will help. If what you offer is personal service, then maybe referral selling is the way to go. Ask your customers where to go next. Save your marketing & advertising budget, and use email & testimonials to leverage your good name with your customer base. It's worth looking into services like KudosWorks or Tell-A-Friend-King, to find mechanisms that will help.

]]> By: Nelson J Perez, Doral, Florida http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1678 Nelson J Perez, Doral, Florida Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:36:42 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1678 How about trying to "park" your business at a high-traffic Car Wash in your area ? How about trying to "park" your business at a high-traffic Car Wash in your area ?

]]> By: Hal Coate San Antonio Texas http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1677 Hal Coate San Antonio Texas Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:17:03 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1677 He has a poor business model. There is no way he can make money charging $24.95 for an oil change at the customer's location. By the time he buys the oil and filter and pays his expenses for his truck, insurance, etc. He cannot do enough volume to survive. Customer also look for assurances that if something happens to their car due to this service, that there is some assets behind this guy in his truck to fix their car. He has a poor business model. There is no way he can make money charging $24.95 for an oil change at the customer's location. By the time he buys the oil and filter and pays his expenses for his truck, insurance, etc. He cannot do enough volume to survive. Customer also look for assurances that if something happens to their car due to this service, that there is some assets behind this guy in his truck to fix their car.

]]> By: Muttley Macclad, Yorkshire, UK http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1667 Muttley Macclad, Yorkshire, UK Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:00:04 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1667 Jason's right on. As long as you use the oil and filter I want, not the one Oil Can Henry's slinging out. Or make my ability to choose an option - offer all levels to all people, at least eventually.... Jason's right on. As long as you use the oil and filter I want, not the one Oil Can Henry's slinging out. Or make my ability to choose an option – offer all levels to all people, at least eventually….

]]> By: SW, Raleigh NC http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1666 SW, Raleigh NC Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:56:41 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1666 I recommend working with large locations such as a hospital where folks who work there often do not have time to schedule anything for their cars because of alternating shifts. Offer a second time around discount to customers. Ask permission to put a placard in the cafeteria or in the reception area. I recommend working with large locations such as a hospital where folks who work there often do not have time to schedule anything for their cars because of alternating shifts. Offer a second time around discount to customers. Ask permission to put a placard in the cafeteria or in the reception area.

]]> By: Chuck, Minneapolis, MN http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1664 Chuck, Minneapolis, MN Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:28:53 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1664 I only have one question to ask you right now. Neither you nor the article have answered it. (However, some people in the comments have touched on it a little bit.) Q: Who is your customer? I'll give you a hint, its not 'everyone'. Not everyone will want your service. You can walks door to door, but unless you find that customer (the one who said, "I'll give you $30 + tip") you're wasting efforts. Do a little research and answer that question first. I only have one question to ask you right now. Neither you nor the article have answered it. (However, some people in the comments have touched on it a little bit.)

Q: Who is your customer? I'll give you a hint, its not 'everyone'. Not everyone will want your service. You can walks door to door, but unless you find that customer (the one who said, "I'll give you $30 + tip") you're wasting efforts.

Do a little research and answer that question first.

]]> By: Jason, Bellevue WA http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1662 Jason, Bellevue WA Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:35:50 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1662 Door-to-Door If you knocked on my door to change my oil I would give you the 30.00 + tip. Dumb it down. Go to the end of your street and start knocking doors. If you hit 50/70 houses a day you will find the customers you are looking for. I started my biz on the bus in the winter (in Colorado) and I am now happily working from home for myself. Door-to-Door

If you knocked on my door to change my oil I would give you the 30.00 + tip.

Dumb it down. Go to the end of your street and start knocking doors. If you hit 50/70 houses a day you will find the customers you are looking for.

I started my biz on the bus in the winter (in Colorado) and I am now happily working from home for myself.

]]> By: john blondie newark nj http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1661 john blondie newark nj Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:59:25 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1661 So true. 2 years ago i was a ferrari driving two-house owning, seven figure big shot in the construction business, killing myself for all the stupid junk i owned, soldmost of it, cut way back (with a little help from the economy), much happier now. So true. 2 years ago i was a ferrari driving two-house owning, seven figure big shot in the construction business, killing myself for all the stupid junk i owned, soldmost of it, cut way back (with a little help from the economy), much happier now.

]]> By: Cody LeMars Iowa http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1660 Cody LeMars Iowa Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:57:40 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1660 hey man what i did for some time was i got on a CB and talked about my Business and it got around really fast hey man what i did for some time was i got on a CB and talked about my Business and it got around really fast

]]> By: Tim T, DC http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1659 Tim T, DC Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:59:24 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1659 I have a hard time thinking its viable either especially from the standpoint of building a decent living off of it. Say you wanted to earn 60K a year doing it, you would have to do 10 oil changes a day (there quick I know I’ve done it myself) every business day of the week……And that’s before your expenses gas and wear and tear on your vehicle and supplies to provide the service. True fleet business could allow for this but I have a feeling you would be chasing one guy here and on guy there for the most part (i.e., eating up the day just traveling around). I have a hard time thinking its viable either especially from the standpoint of building a decent living off of it. Say you wanted to earn 60K a year doing it, you would have to do 10 oil changes a day (there quick I know I’ve done it myself) every business day of the week……And that’s before your expenses gas and wear and tear on your vehicle and supplies to provide the service. True fleet business could allow for this but I have a feeling you would be chasing one guy here and on guy there for the most part (i.e., eating up the day just traveling around).

]]> By: Jon King http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1657 Jon King Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:20:55 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1657 It is not a viable idea. Trying to find enough people to make a decent living within a viable driving distance will be impossible. It is not a viable idea. Trying to find enough people to make a decent living within a viable driving distance will be impossible.

]]> By: David Frantz http://smallbusiness.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2009/04/03/i-started-a-biz-and-now-its-failing/#comment-1655 David Frantz Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:04:06 +0000 http://askfsb.blogs.fsb.cnn.com/?p=996#comment-1655 You just found out that in AmeriKA it's not worth it anymore the reason: 30 % PLUS in Federal tax 15 % in FICA tax 6 % PLUS in state income tax 8 % PLUS in FUTA,SUTA, regulatory fee's use taxes, permitting fee's sales taxes on asset purchase CPA fee's TAX & TAX & TAX Then YOU get to pay the general business expenses on whats left... Folks that almost 60 % STOLEN from YOUR labors! SUCKERS! So it's not worth it anymore and that is why AmeriKA is going down the TUBES........ PERIOD NO INCENTIVE anymore you are working YOUR rear end off to SUPPORT good for nothing playing YOU for a fool! SLACKERS and 'so called' Government 'workers' sucking the PRODUCERS dry! Get out of DEBT and cut WAY BACK and take it EASY from now on! I cut back to no less than 80 % in my business and I am ENJOYING my life now! You just found out that in AmeriKA it's not worth it anymore the reason:

30 % PLUS in Federal tax
15 % in FICA tax
6 % PLUS in state income tax
8 % PLUS in FUTA,SUTA, regulatory
fee's use taxes, permitting fee's
sales taxes on asset purchase
CPA fee's TAX & TAX & TAX

Then YOU get to pay the general business expenses on whats left…

Folks that almost 60 % STOLEN from YOUR labors!

SUCKERS!

So it's not worth it anymore and that is why AmeriKA is going down the TUBES…….. PERIOD

NO INCENTIVE anymore you are working YOUR rear end off to SUPPORT good for nothing playing YOU for a fool! SLACKERS and 'so called' Government 'workers' sucking the PRODUCERS dry!

Get out of DEBT and cut WAY BACK and take it EASY from now on!

I cut back to no less than 80 % in my business and I am ENJOYING my life now!

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