Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am currently investigating the possibility of starting an at home business which would offer small churches the possibility of preparing their bulletins, designing flyers or anything else they are unable to do because of lack of funds. This service would be priced very low because I want to help these churches succeed and not take money that can be utilized otherwise.

Additionally, and this would be the heart of the business, I would like to offer churches, small businesses, and individuals several administrative support products. I would like to create greeting cards for specific occasions, invitations and announcements for birthday, graduation, anniversary and weddings.

I would also like to design web sites. I currently do a monthly update of a website for my husband which can be found at http://mysite.verizon.net/joyfulhope/index.htm. This could be done on the company or individual`s computer or I could do it on my own computer.

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God has promised Joy

First of all, Welcome to the Startup Nation!
Second, I think that your business idea is a viable one.  As far as the printing services for small churches anyway.  I am a member of a small church and I know of many small churches that could possibly utilize a service like this.  However, like you stated in your post, small churches usually do have some cash flow issues.  This does make it a little hard to charge a premium price for your services. Without a premium or at least fair market price you are not going to turn a profit easily. So I guess the question comes down to, are you looking to make this a profitable business or simply a helping hand business?  Best Wishes!

Thanks for your response, Ken -

The church adminstrative support would be in addition to the other areas such as invitations, announcements, etc. I would also like to provide small businesses with specially created letterheads as well as possible help them launch a web site.

I don`t mind being a helping hand service & I`m not looking for a large profit. Just want enough to feel that I am worth something even though I am 60 and have some disabilities that tend to disqualify me for many employers.

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God has promised Joy

Let me welcome you, too.

I second everything Ken posted. The business you describe is very viable. It may not be a high profit business, but based on what you stated, it doesn`t sound as if this is your #1 priority anyway.

The great thing about doing work for non-profits is you can make a great name for yourself based on your work and relationships. These relationships can build your network of contacts that could/can lead to more work down the road as you decide how big and busy you want to become.

Go for it and good luck!

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Someone correct me if I`m wrong but couldn`t her "losses" be considered tax deductible? This should help keep her afloat while she builds a client base and branches out to other small businesses. Which is what i suggest you do. start with the churches then slowly branch out to other small business that you find, or learn about with your work in the church. I`ve known many people who`ve done just this (especially landscape companies).

"In Kind" services should definitely be invoiced as a value so they can be listed as a charitable contribution on year-end tax returns. This would help reduce tax liability (not an accountant, but I have done this with non-profit work on my accountants advice).

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

I would suggest that you also use the "low profit" or non-profit services you provide to the churches as a means to offer your greeting card/announcement, etc. products to their membership and attendees. In exchange for your services, churches and other organizations may be willing to help you advertise and promote your offerings. 

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Michael Zucker - Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications info@zuckerconsulting.com · www.zuckerconsulting.com “Helping You Over The Hurdles – Keeping You Focused On The Finish Line”

Welcome Joy!

You have some brilliant advice here so far...might I add that from a "grass roots" perspective, you might be able to solicit the help of some local businesses, as it relates to printing and manufacturing costs.  In other words, get the dry cleaner or the bagel shop, etc...to place a small ad for a small fee in some of the pieces (where appropriate)...and you have a great opportunity to help the community even further by asking some of the church members to help you with some of the administrative tasks.

Just some thought starters.

Best of luck!

Hi Joy,
I think you have a great idea and think everyone has given some great advice so far. I would just mention that the website you listed above does not show up correctly in Mozilla Firefox which is used by many people accessing the internet instead of Internet Explorer. Also one way to get your fliers and cards out to the churhes and non-profits is to give some of the material away initially and then after you have generated some interest, they will come back to you for more materials and services. Good Luck!

I have been trying to find out have to have my web site seen by those using AOL, Netscape and Mac browsers. Perhaps you can tell me if it is Publisher that is creating the problem or is there something else I can do. I am using verizon.net because we are customers and it doesn`t cost unless we get extra storage which we have right now.

I`m open to hearing from anyone. I also have Web Easy but am having a problem getting it launched. Any advice is very welcome.

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God has promised Joy