| If you're looking to start a business that requires | | | | go everywhere you go. |
| very little start-up costs and has the potential to | | | | 9. Now you have about 30 returning customers. You |
| offer a great return, a Grocery / Restaurant delivery | | | | might think about getting that business license. While |
| business is the way to go. With the expanding use of | | | | it is not completely necessary, customers will find it |
| the internet, people are searching more and more for | | | | comforting to write a check to a business rather |
| a way to do what they simply have no time for. | | | | than just some guy. You can expect to pay about |
| The fundamental steps in beginning a Restaurant and | | | | $60-$90 for the whole ordeal. |
| Grocery delivery business are: | | | | 10. Once yo have a business license and a business |
| | | | bank account, you'll want to place about $200 in the |
| 1. Choose an attractive business name. | | | | account. Order a debit card and checks. When |
| 2. Create a logo that will stick in peoples minds. Make | | | | someone places an order, pay for it with the debit |
| it flashy and important. You can do this yourself with | | | | card, saving two receipts. One of those receipts is |
| photoshop, but if you lack the artistic skills, you can | | | | left with the customer and the other goes into a file |
| expect to pay between $50 to $200 for a | | | | with your other purchased receipts. Keep THESE |
| professional image. | | | | receipts separate from your account expenses (gas, |
| 3. DO NOT get a business license until you have | | | | etc). When you deliver the food and the customer |
| established your client base a bit. The reason I say | | | | reimburses you for the food PLUS your delivery fee, |
| this is because taxes will burn you. The hassle that is | | | | place it all back into your account. Now you have |
| associated with a new business can be easily avoided | | | | $220. (Or so, depending on what you charge for |
| if you simply start small and take your time in going | | | | delivery) |
| official. This particular business allows for that as you | | | | 11. The checks that you ordered in step 10 are for |
| are providing a service that will (for a short time) go | | | | YOU. When you want to spend some of that hard |
| unnoticed in that respect. (BUT, you will want to | | | | earned cash simply write a check out to yourself. In |
| eventually get your business license, especially | | | | this way the records are clean and it's obvious to the |
| because you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT | | | | IRS what is what. There IS, however, the issue of |
| CHECKS WRITTEN TO YOUR BUSINESS WITHOUT | | | | letting the IRS know what is profit and what is |
| IT.) | | | | simply returned to the account after purchasing the |
| 4. Start by ONLY accepting cash and checks. | | | | items. This is explained by the receipts you've kept. |
| Eventually you'll want to include cards, but the cost | | | | 12. When filing taxes HIRE A PROFESSIONAL THE |
| of the merchant account will overwhelm you if your | | | | FIRST YEAR. Expect to pay about $100 for this |
| income is not such that you can justify it. Don't | | | | service. |
| worry, surprisingly VERY FEW people will ever have | | | | Bottom Line: |
| an issue with this. | | | | Minus tax related expenses, you can expect to pay |
| 5. Get a website. Get a website. Get a website. You | | | | around $500 in total expenses. The good thing is that |
| can get one set up through for less than $70 a year | | | | this can be spent as you get it and you've got all the |
| 6. Hand out flyers, posters, business cards and free | | | | time in the world. |
| crap. The return, most likely, will not be to your | | | | This is an easy business to start. It will take hours of |
| expectations, but it will cost you almost nothing but | | | | your blood and sweat, but financially speaking, it is |
| your time. Between all of the above methods, you | | | | one of the cheapest, most demanded ways to go. |
| can go to Kinkos and pay about $40 for everything. | | | | Different business charge different amounts |
| The posters will account for the bulk of that | | | | depending on the location and economy. Chances are |
| estimate. | | | | you'll get it wrong in the beginning, but soon you'll find |
| 7. Remember: A customer is contagious. If you get | | | | that comfortable price where you AND the customer |
| one and you treat them right, they will turn into two, | | | | are happy. |
| three and four. Word of mouth WILL ALWAYS be | | | | Whatever happens, don't get discouraged. This will |
| your greatest source of advertising. | | | | take time and patience but every town needs it and |
| 8. If you can afford it get an ad placed on your car. | | | | chances are if there's one near you, YOU could be |
| You should be able to find a full back window ad for | | | | doing it for cheaper and with better service and |
| under $130. This price is reasonable for an ad that will | | | | customer satisfaction. |