Small Business Tax Center
Small Business Ideas, Grants &
Plans to Start & Run a Business:

Small Business Grants
CyberSchmooz
Network in Cyberschmooz Community Ask Questions Questions and Answers Share Tips Small Business Ideas List Your Business Business Advice from Idea Cafe Experts Coffee Talk with Experts Starting A Business Business Plan Biz Planning | Sample Plans Small Business Ideas Idea Name Your Biz Name Plan Your Biz Plan Financing $ Starting a Business Do It! Running your Business Marketing Tips Promotional Merchandise Marketing Tips Marketing | Sales | Customers Human Resources HR | Employees | Contractors Legal Forms & Tax Information Legal | Biz Forms Managing a Business Managing | Operations
Financing Resources Financing Your Business E Commerce & Webhosting eCommerce Take Out Info Trade Publications FREE Trade Publications Business Books Biz Books Your Own Business Small Business News Small Biz News Gen X Biz Gen X Biz Work at Home Work @ Home Business Information The Fridge - Biz Info on Ice Destress Send Awards Send Awards & Greetings Yoga At Your Desk Yoga @ Your Desk Fun Guide Guide to Find FUN Online About Idea Cafe Press Idea Cafe has received Idea Cafe in the News Idea Cafe's Kudos Kudos for Idea Cafe Advertise on Idea Cafe Advertise on Idea Cafe Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Contact Idea Cafe Contact Idea Cafe Link to Idea Cafe Link to/from Idea Cafe Join Idea Cafe
Search Idea Cafe Site Directory Site Map Online directory to business resources Biz Web Guide



Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.

color business bar

Featured Biz Question - Portable Welding Business

I've been thinking about starting a portable welding business for like when farm machinery breaks down, I'd come on site and weld it back up. Plus I'd do any other welding people needed done on site. Do you think there is a need for something like this? Does anyone know first hand what kind of business there is for this type of start-up? Or if there's anyone out there with some advice or ideas to improve upon this biz idea, it'd be much appreciated!

Answer from our Guest Expert Mark Bower of Aberdeen Mobile Home Repair

Dear Cyberschmoozer,

When it comes to the service industry, there's always room for another good business -- especially a welding contractor. Although my expertise is construction, from time to time, I need a welder and it's nearly impossible to get someone to weld something the same day the need arises. So, yes, I truly believe you have an idea that could bring home the money from the very beginning.

Expand Your Target Market & Network

You mentioned driving out to farms and doing repairs. That's definitely a good idea and a solid potential customer base. But I believe once you get started, farmers will only be about 1/5 or less of your income. What other types of businesses could use your services in your area? For example, I once leased a bowling alley. When a pin-setting machine broke, I couldn't find a willing welder to come make the repairs fast. So I ended up buying a welder and teaching myself so I could keep the ball(s) rolling. I sure could've used your services back then!

So when you're not welding, spend every spare minute making contacts and networking in your community. Call or stop by every contractor in your area and give them your biz card or better yet, give them a magnetic business card. (That way, they can stick it on their dash or inside the cab of their big front-end loader.) Leave your cards or brochures at places farmers and contractors do business. Personally call on bowling alleys, auto parts stores, mobile home dealers, truck stops and restaurants and let them know about your new local portable welding service.

Continue contacting contractors, such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, heating & cooling repairmen and cement contractors to name a few. From time to time, they all run into situations where they need a welder, and need one fast. Many contractors probably know how to weld, but simply don't because that's not what they're getting paid for nor do they have the time.

When you run out of places to contact, go contact them again. (continued)

Page 1 - 2

Google      

Small Business Tax CenterIdea Cafe HomeSign UpBiz Grant CenterCyberSchmoozCoffee Talk with ExpertsPeople in Biz ProfilesStarting Your BizBiz PlanningRunning Your BizFREE Trade PublicationsMarketingFinancing Your BizHuman ResourcesLegal & Biz FormsManaging Your BizeCommerceYou and Your BizGen XWork@HomeThe FridgeDe-StressSend an AwardSend an eGreetingYoga @ Your DeskWeb GuideIdea Cafe in the NewsAbout Idea CafeAdvertise on Idea CafeContact UsPrivacy PolicySite MapSmall Biz News

Copyright 1995-2024, Idea Cafe Inc. Downloads are for personal use only, not for resale to others, and may not be reprinted in any form without written permission from Idea Cafe Inc.

DISCLAIMER: We hope whatever you find on this site is helpful, but be cautioned that it may not apply to your own situation, or be totally current at any given time. Idea Cafe Inc. and all of its current and past experts, sponsors, advertisers, agents, contractors and advisors disclaim all warranties with regard to anything found anywhere on this family of websites, quoted from, or sent from Idea Cafe. and its related sites, publications and companies. We also take no responsibility for comments published by others on these pages.

TRADEMARKS: The following are Registered Trademarks or Servicemarks of DevStart, Inc.: Idea Cafe®, Online Coffee Break®, The Small Business Gathering Place®, Take out Info®, Biz Bar & Grill®, Complaint-O-Meter®, A Fun Approach to Serious Business™, CyberSchmooz™, and BizCafe™.

 

 



About the Expert

Mark Bower

Mark Bower
Owner of Aberdeen Home Repair
Mark is also a lecturer and consultant. He spends hours a week reading and learning about his industry and about running a business. He strives to be the best, to always be on top of his game. more