An Idea for a Small Business You Can Start

Start-up costs range $50 to $500,000+, earnings $5,000 to $2,000,000++, skills from knowing nothing to running an airline. Bon appetit!

EMERGENCY TRAVELERS' SERVICE

Start-up cost: $3,000 - $7,000

Potential earnings: $$10,000 - $50,000+, depending on the number of communities with which you deal.

Advertising: Press releases to local newspapers, radio stations, and cable television studios; direct mail to motels, bed and breakfasts, medical groups and associates, church leaders, taxi owners, auto mechanics and garages, locksmiths, auto rental agencies, small food shops, pharmacies, pet shops, travel agencies, Chambers of Commerce, and local law enforcement agencies.

Equipment needed: Home office: two-line business telephone with conferencing capabilities, voice mail, and fax; computer with desktop publishing, travel, and database software; printer and scanner.

WHAT YOU DO
There are traveler's automobile assistance companies, like AAA, but what about other possible crises like experiencing a medical emergency, losing money, needing a rental car on a Saturday night or Sunday, or coping with some other unexpected concern? With an emergency traveler's service, you would provide referrals to emergency rooms, doctors, dentists, other professionals, mechanics, food establishments, and any other service a traveler (and stranger) would need.

You could put together an annual directory for your town, city, or county and receive payments from the businesses and professionals for their listing or commissions from any service that was used and paid for by the traveler(s).

Excerpted with permission from "More 101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women" by Priscilla Y. Huff. Published by Prima Publishing. For more on this and 100 other great businesses you can start, Buy the book now or ask for it at your favorite bookstore. You can also call (800) 632-8676 www.primapublishing.com

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