How To Start A Health Food Store

How To Start A Health Food Store

nullIf you are an entrepreneur with an interest in health and nutrition, perhaps you have been thinking about how to start a health food store.

With today’s emphasis on healthy lifestyles, healthy and organic food sales are soaring.

As you investigate how to start a health food store, explore all of your options. Do you want to lease space and run a retail health food store? Are there any health food stores currently for sale in the area?

Do you want to sell health food online? Are there any franchise possibilities to investigate? The preliminary research you do will help you decide which option best fits your vision and offers the best chance for success.

How To Start A Health Food Store – Get Started
A thriving retail health food store requires the following:

1.An ideal location: Shoppers should already exist in the area. Locating close to a gym or workout business is an added plus.
2.Inventory: Your inventory should reflect current health food trends and in-demand products.
3.Staff: Staff should be knowledgeable about store products and current health food research. They should have the ability to make recommendations to customers and steer them in the right direction.
Choose a business name that reflects what your business is about. All too often, cute or obscure names hide what a business really does. No one should have to guess that you sell health food products.

After deciding on an appropriate business name, contact your local business office and apply for your business license.

Keys To A Successful Health Food Store

Ongoing research into the latest health studies, healthy and organic food products, and buying trends will be essential in order to properly align with customer demand. The typical health food store customer is well-read and informed.

As the proprietor of a health food establishment, you will be expected to have considerable knowledge about the industry and products you carry.

A constant marketing campaign that targets the health conscious will also be important.

How To Find Customers
The more you learn about how to start a health food store, the more obvious it will be that finding customers will be a never ending process.

Prepare for your Grand Opening by mailing out fliers to gyms, fitness centers, and local business organizations. Advertise in local newspapers. Offer something free to the first 100 customers, as an example. Give people a reason to make that first visit!

Happy customers are the best form of free advertising. Offer loyalty perks to returning customers. Have special preferred customers sales.null

Form partnerships with other health oriented businesses where they either recommend or sell your health food products within their establishments. These types of business alliances are valuable because they expose your products to more people.

Expanding Your Business
There is a wide variety of health related products to add to your inventory and increase your sales. Health and herbal supplements, vitamins, books, and workout videos are all viable options.

In addition to adding products, consider bringing experts in to lecture or hold classes on nutrition, exercise, and healthy living. If you run a retail store, adding sales from an online store could bring in more profits.

By learning how to start a health food store, becoming an expert in the field, making the right business decisions, and offering customers the products they want, your health food store is on its way to success.null

Starting A Firewood Delivery Business

Starting A Firewood Delivery Business

Find related startup resources at the end of this article

If you love the outdoors and want to start a small business, starting a firewood delivery business is something you will surely love.

The recent hikes in fuel prices have brought in a new era of profitability for alternative fuels.

Many firewood suppliers are now even struggling to keep ahead of the demand.

Because of the demand, you should be able to earn a solid seasonal income in your firewood business.

Figures
Firewood is measured by a unit called as cord. A cord has the following dimensions: 8 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and 4 feet in height.

One cord of firewood releases the same amount of heat when burned as 155 gallons of fuel oil. A cord of firewood typically costs much less than its heating oil counterpart which makes it a great deal for customers with wood burning stoves and fireplaces.

Keeping up with heating oil prices (prices can fluctuate wildly) will be useful when placing your firewood for sale directly against fuel oil distributors.


Starting A Firewood Delivery Business – Regulations
The firewood business owner has to follow regulations when starting a firewood delivery business. Check your local regulations regarding the chopping of trees in your area, as many types of firewood are sale-prohibited in certain areas.

For example, some counties may temporary ban the selling of hardwood cut from the region.

The proper stacking of the wood in a cord will be crucial to your success, and failure to do so can invite regulatory measures from the authorities. The cord should be made of wood pieces that are parallel to each other, and there should be no space between the pieces.

You have to provide a receipt to your customers on delivery of the cords, and this receipt should contain the names and contact details of the buyer as well as seller. It should also specify the price and quality of cord, and what type of wood was sold.

As an added precaution, undo and stack the wood in the customer’s firewood storage area when they take a delivery. This will give them a chance to check the quantity of wood and prevent disputes if they claim later that they received inferior wood.

Processing Wood
You will need to set up facilities for drying wood, and it’s cheaper and more eco-friendly to take the natural option. Naturally dried wood pieces will not necessarily have the uniformity of length that artificially dried wood has, but this may not matter to many customers – particularly the owners of country lodges and log cabins.


Kiln dried wood is another alternative to consider, and is drier than sun-dried wood. These pieces can also be given a uniform size and have less chance of catching mold or insects than their sun-dried counterparts.

Many firewood suppliers also sell firewood racks. These neat devices allow customers to store their logs safely and ensure there is no piling of wood in front of attic doors. Firewood holders are used for keeping logs securely in the fireplace as well.

While wood is mainly bought to be burnt for cooking and heating, you are bound to find some customers in unexpected places. Designers frequently source wood logs to provide the backdrop for a photo shoot.

Related Startup Resources
Check out the following related resources that can help you learn more and get started with this small business (will open in new window)...


Business Plans and Financials

Research Reports For The Other Fuel Dealers Industry
Industry Report - Fuel Dealers In The US
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BizMiner Industry Financial, Market, and Competitive Analysis

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How to Give a Good Toast

How to Give a Good Toast


A toast is not just a useless tradition intended to embarrass or roast the celebrant, or worse, give an inexperienced public speaker a really tough time. It’s an opportunity to set the tone of the occasion, give a few wonderful insights on the celebrant, and exhort all guests to celebrate in honor of those they are toasting to.

It’s definitely a part of a ceremony that guests have begun to look forward to. Thus, if you are given the privilege of offering a toast, it is important to learn the proper etiquette and prepare for it days in advance, even if it only entails about three sentences.

Below are some DO’s when offering toasts:

DO wait for your turn. Wait for the host to call on you before you say your piece.

DO stand up. Unless you are toasting in front of a very small group of people, you have to stand up to be recognized. It will also help quiet a rowdy crowd and call their attention.

DO make sure everyone has a glass to raise before making the toast. It’s okay to use a non-alcoholic beverage, but never use water to toast as it is deemed bad luck to do so.

DO use a microphone if you have to. It’s pretty tricky to say something sweet and nice at the top of your voice so those at the other end of the hall can hear you.

DO introduce yourself briefly if not all the guests know you that well.

DO keep it short. Anecdotes should only be told by professional stand-up comedians or celebrities who will definitely catch the crowd’s attention no matter what they say. But if you’re new to giving toasts, limit it to around three sentences only. Any longer and the crowd will start being restless.

DO personalize your message. It’s better to have a prepared toast rather than speak off the cuff, but don’t extract a cookie-cutter toast, either. Try composing one especially tailored for the celebrant/s in an inspired moment and rehearse in front of family and friends. Ask them to be honest in evaluating it. If it falls flat, come up with another. You can also use a fitting quote to end your short speech.

DO say something nice. If you need to give a brief roast to break the ice, then by all means do so. But always say something flattering (but sincere) in the end.

DO make eye contact. Some people become so nervous that they stare at the ceiling, into the wine glass, on the floor, or straight at the camera when giving a toast. The proper thing to do is to make eye contact with the guests, not focusing on anyone in particular for a long time but randomly sweeping the room, and then end it by making eye contact with the person or people you’re toasting.

And here are some DON’Ts:

DON’T get drunk. Some people take a few sips of wine to help them loosen up before the toast, but overdoing it can slur your words and make you say something you weren’t planning on saying.

DON’T embarrass the celebrant. There’s a fine line between a roast and a secret that only the two of you should know about.

DON’T give a tired or inappropriate shoutout at the end. A simple “Cheers!” or “To the groom and bride!” will suffice.

Lay the Groundwork Before You Start a Business

Starting a Home Business
Lay the Groundwork Before You Start a Business


* starting a business
* working from home
* business startup planning

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Dreaming of starting a home business? There are a variety of reasons why people decide to go out on their own and start a home business. There's a certain appeal of being your own boss that creates a feeling of independence that's hard to deny. Starting a business is an everyday dream that not many are fortunate enough to realize in their lifetime. Unfortunately, not everyone is cut out to run their own business.

Working From Home
Working at home has its own appeal for many people – but not for everyone. Even if you're not cut out to operate your own business you can still work from home by taking a job that allows you to telecommute – at least a few days per week. Technology is making a work at home arrangements more feasible and more accepted every day.

Challenges to Starting a Home Business
Neither starting a business nor working from home is always a piece of cake. Starting a business can be a very risky proposition. You not only need to do your homework, you need to stay on your toes and remain alert to potential pitfalls as well as potential opportunities. Additionally, you need to be able to handle not having a steady income. This requires advance planning on your part and good money management. It also requires the support of your family or others in your household: without that there's a strong possibility that either your business won't succeed or you'll have a poor work/life balance and family relationships could be severely strained, sometimes irreparably. You may need to work every day of the week to generate the income you need, but you still need to find time to enjoy your loved ones. An occasional getaway is a perfect way to do this without jeopardizing your business.

Working at home requires an environment that's conducive to getting your work accomplished. That means in addition to being self-motivated, you'll need some control over noise and family interruptions. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to make some substantial changes to your home's environment in order to be successful.

You Need to Plan Before You Start any Business
Someone once said, "If you fail to plan, you should plan to fail". Most new businesses don't survive – this is not doom and gloom, this is fact, and it's a fact you need to be aware of so you can be among those who not only succeed, but who prosper. My 10 Steps Before You Start a Home Business will help you achieve your dream - or it may help you decide that you really don't want to.

The purpose of completing the 10 steps is to determine if you have a workable business idea, if you can reasonably operate your business from home, to help you understand how much money it's going to take, and to help you understand how your family feels about the whole idea.

You'll benefit from completing the 10 steps whether you decide to go ahead with your home business idea or not. Make the most of it and, if you don't have to, don't rush it. It's very tempting to think you can skip steps, but if you do you may regret it later.

As you go through each step, keep notes of what you've learned. At any point in the process you may encounter an insurmountable obstacle in your path that will require you to go back and either retrace a step or start all over.

If you decide to go ahead, your notes will come in very handy when it comes time to prepare a business plan.

Fashion Ideas for Women

Fashion Ideas for Women
01.01.2010 | Author: Pier55 | Posted in Fashion for Women

Just about every woman under 6 feet tall would like to look thinner and taller. Here are a few fashion ideas for women that you might find interesting.

Colors should be chosen carefully. This is a very important factor in providing a slim appearance. Obviously, knowing which colors suit you and where these colors should be applied are important issues. While dark colors will visually diminish size, bright colors will have the opposite affect. Therefore, if you have big hips and small busts, then wear a dark color pant or skirt and light color top.

Don’t try to hide those curves with loose pants to jeans. Instead pick well-fitted pants with flared bottoms or in boot cut style. They will make you look slimmer. Avoid bottoms that are tapered and get narrower towards your ankles as they can make your bottom look large. Team your pants with some high heels to add height and make you appear slimmer.

If you’re tall, you want to break up your height visually by having a color break at the belt line. On the other hand, if you’re petite, go monotone from top to bottom in order to look taller. Avoid ruffles and pleats as these will add bulk. Go for a streamlined shape to show off your silhouette.

Show off your waist. Accentuate and exaggerate that great waist. A small waist is considered the very symbol of sensuality, so don’t hesitate to show it off. Drawing attention to your waist with a belt or a top with a fitted waist will optimize the curve of your figure. Avoid elastic waistbands. They add bulk to your mid-section.

Short dresses look best on thin figures. Avoid over sized clothes so as not to look billowy. When considering fashion ideas for women, your focus should be on clothing that fits properly – not too tight or too baggy. A top that is too big will only make you look bigger and sloppier and clothes that are too tight will also make you look larger.

Choose pencil or slightly A-line skirts – pencil skirt will show the ratio between your waist and hip measurement, giving you a sexy silhouette. Straight styles and certain A-line skirts could also be right for you, as long as they are fitted around the waist and hips.

An outfit that fits properly gives slimming as well as appealing expression. Vertical prints and stripes slim down your look and give the illusion of height. Horizontal stripes do just the opposite.

Buy well-fitted sheath dresses. These often come with a deep V-neckline. They usually have a defined waist and a figure-hugging silhouette and are often in a lightweight fabric such as silk or cotton. They flatter curvy figures and look great.

Another one of these fashion ideas for women is the short fitted jacket. In most cases, fitted jackets will flatter your legs and waist. Denim jackets are extremely versatile.

Dress well underneath – a well-fitted bra and shape wear will camouflage all your problem areas. If your bra does not fit properly, it can make you look sloppy. Since most hourglass figures are well-endowed, a well-fitted bra is a must have for you.

Wear attention-getters where you want people to look, thereby pulling attention away from body parts which you don’t want people to focus on. For example, if you’re heavy at the hip, wear a dress with a plunging neckline to take attention away from the lower part.

If it’s the upper area you’re unhappy with, wear a beautiful hemline dress to take focus to the lower half of the dress. Patterns are one of the fashion ideas for women that help to draw attention away from those problem areas.

High-heeled shoes impart a taller and slimmer look, and thereby enhance the overall look of the outfit.

Using a few of these fashion ideas for women can help you to maximize your figure and minimize your flaws, helping you to look your best. But it should be mentioned that walking with confidence goes a long way toward enhancing your image.

Looking slim and well dressed is everybody’s goal. Here’s hoping that this information helped you achieve it.

How to Write Seminar Invitations

How to Write Seminar Invitations
By Jasmine Haryana, eHow Contributor
updated: August 21, 2009
I want to do this! What's This?

Business owners might stage free seminars to bolster business or collaborate in organizing a knowledge-rich industry seminar with special speakers and registration fees. Whatever the reason, the quality of seminar invitations can impact attendance numbers. By outlining essential seminar information and positioning your seminar with a professional marketing approach, professionals in any industry can create seminar invitations that resonate with recipients.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Write Seminar Invitations
1.
1

Begin with a clear, crisp design. Select a design with no more than four colors and plenty of white space for easy printing and to avoid visual overload. Choose an business invitation design template present in your word-processing program or download one from office software companies like Microsoft.
2.
2

Type your seminar title at the top center of your seminar invitation in a 14- or 16-point font. Apply boldface, italics or underline effects to the seminar title to make it stand out.
3.
3

Give the essential seminar information on the main portion of the invitation. List seminar date, time, location and registration avenues (online, mail or telephone). Mention registration fees if they apply.
4.
4

Give an overview of seminar topics. Make a subheading in an italic 10-point font that reads, "Seminar Topics." List the topics covered in the seminar in bullet form. Word the topics in the most succinct, engaging way possible (for instance, opt for "Doubling Your Clientele With Social-Networking Techniques" instead of "A Discussion of Social-Networking Websites That Can Increase Your Clientele").
5.
5

Briefly outline speaker biographies. List a speaker's current title and company, publications and any achievements. Include a small headshot of speakers if space permits.
6.
6

Spotlight seminar selling points. Create a second 10-point subheading that reads, "Highlights." Make a bullet list of how the information will be presented. Mention items like PowerPoint presentations, Q&A sessions, roundtable or panel discussions, brown-bag lunches, software demonstrations or free information packets.
7.
7

Offer testimonials. Create a 10-point font subheading that reads, "Praise From Past Attendees." List two to five quotations of positive feedback you've received from those who attended prior conferences, listing their name, title and business.
8.
8

Mention added incentives for attendance. State any free gifts that are available to early registrants. Mention the rarity of the seminar if it occurs only a few times a year or less.

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Tips & Warnings

*
Offering more than one way to register for a seminar can bolster response rates.
*
Never include claims or promises in your seminar invitation that you cannot deliver.



Read more: How to Write Seminar Invitations | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5045700_write-seminar-invitations.html#ixzz14E5Yylue

The Best Home Business Opportunities Now And Tomorrow

Top 10 Home Business Opportunities
The Best Home Business Opportunities Now And Tomorrow

By Susan Ward, About.com Guide
See More About:

* home business opportunities
* starting a home-based business
* finding business ideas
* pet businesses

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Are you one of the many people searching for a hot home business opportunity? Then this list of the best home business opportunities based on current and future trends may be just what you're looking for.

I say "may be" because these home business opportunities are NOT suitable for people who are looking for "a money-making machine" or who "want to make money in their sleep" or any of those other phony promises.

Nor are these home business opportunities for people who expect to just make an initial investment and then just watch the money roll in. Successful home businesses are real businesses. To turn a home business opportunity into a success, you need to be prepared to work at it and have the appropriate knowledge and skills that you need to run any business.

But those caveats aside, here are what I think are the best home business opportunities - best because of their potential right now and because there's going to be a even greater demand for these products and or services over the next few years.

1) Home Renovation Services
Home renovation services are hot, hot, hot - and there's no sign of this trend slowing down. On the contrary, as the population ages, even more people are going to want to make their homes more livable by investing in the home renovations they need to stay where there are. The best home renovation to focus on for the long-term? Bathroom renovations.

2) Pet-Based Products
Is there anything that indulgent pet owners won't buy for their pets? If you can come up with a product for dogs or cats that you can produce in your home, you'll have a real winner of a home business opportunity on your hands. From designer collars to "organic" pet foods, the sky's the limit.

3) Catering Services
Think dinner for eight. Not just delivered, but served. Catering services aren't just for big parties any more. Career couples are having almost every social occasion catered, and busy families who are tired of living on take-out are spending more on having food brought in. If you have a knack for planning and preparing nourishing, appealing food and can deliver it hot, this is the home business opportunity for you.

4) Cleaning Services
Along the same lines, there's currently a heavy demand for cleaning services, and the demand for domestic cleaning services will only increase. If you're good at organizing and comfortable with the thought of running a crew, this home business opportunity has the potential of turning into something big.

5) Fall Prevention Products
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among elderly Canadians? Did you know that falls in seniors account for over $10 million health care dollars annually in Toronto alone? Now what if you developed or distributed a product related to helping seniors prevent falls? Think of the growing size of the potential market!

6) Wedding Consultant/Planner Services
More people are opting to get married which means growing opportunities for wedding consultant services. Unless the laws change in the United States, there will also continue to be a growing demand for weddings from gay couples seeking to tie the knot. Are you good at planning? Do you have a mind for details? Becoming a wedding consultant could be the home-based business opportunity you've been looking for.

7) Dietary Consultant Services
Another growing trend that's only going to get larger is the perceived need for dietary advice. People are increasingly concerned about the food they put in their mouths and increasingly aware of the connection between dietary habits and their general health - and they're increasingly prepared to pay for personalized dietary planning and advice.

8) In-Home Beauty Services
This home-based business opportunity combines two trends; the insatiable demand for services that make people look and feel younger and better and the growing desire to have those services delivered. And why not? Having someone come to your home and cleanse and tone your skin and do your makeup is the height of luxury.

9) Sewing and Alteration Services
Sewing is on the way to becoming a lost art as more and more people find they have less and less time. But as not everyone is the regulation size, the demand for other people to provide these services will only increase. If you're really skilled, tailoring is another good home-based business opportunity.

10) Life/Business Coaching Services
Coaching has been hot for a while now, but I think this new industry will continue to grow. Remember when everyone had or wanted a personal fitness trainer? Now everyone has or wants a personal coach. If you have the skills and training necessary, this is a great home-based business opportunity because it can be done remotely as well as in person.

And a last tip - Most of the home-based business opportunities on this list call for specialized training or skills. If you don't have the specialized training or skills needed for a particular home-based business opportunity, you can still "be a part of it". Find a person with the appropriate training or skills and invest in his or her business.