For the past year and a half, I've wanted to start my own business. I am tired of working as a medical secretary for someone else, putting in long hours, working hard and not getting anywhere; not to mention "no raises" due to the economy. The problem I'm having is deciding what business to go into. Not to mention having little money saved up now. I know I want a business where I can utilize my talents and reach my financial goals. My personal interests are talents such as drawing, (mostly graffiti), fashion and cars... Love new cars!

I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks

Well, what are your talents?

A year ago I had the idea of starting a trade organization for Medical Admin staff. It's been done but there is room for others. Have to figure out how to make it worth it-- you know how it works-- you talk the office manager into it and she'll have the doctor write the check. It's a nice place to be where you sell to people who are not the ones paying.

I also had an idea of a specific line of "lapel" pins-- for lab coats and scrubs-- that are medically oriented.

What ideas do you have?

Feel free to PM me with specific questions.


Thanks,
Berry
Interested in starting an online newspaper?
Visit http://www.flippij.net/news to help us brainstorm the idea.

Well, my talents are drawing, but mostly graffiti. In the past, I have ironed on some of my work on tote bags and t-shirts for friends. I also sold some, but it just didn't bring in enough money to continue. Plus I felt silk screening was much better.

I did think of starting a healthcare staffing agency or an auto performance shop in the past, but didn't know where to start. I'm going to have to do some more research as to what will bring me to my financial goal and other ways to generate money for start up costs.

You know, your idea sounds pretty cool, have you done any pins?

Thanks so much,
Jennie

What about doing some silk screening and selling via an ebay store, on etsy, zazzle, cafe press etc?

I tried the E-bay and I have a zazzle account, didn't make much money. I have never heard of cafe press, but I'm going to look into it.

Thanks :D

Forget CafePress.

Hey, can you post your art on here-- do you have some images of what you have done? Try to post them or put them on flickr and send us all the link. I would like to see them.


Let me give you a quick business plan-- the point being that doing your own thing is NOT EASY.

Let's say currently take home $2,000.00 a month- $24,000 a year.
Let's say your product will sell for $50.
Let's say it costs you $20 to make.
Your GROSS PROFIT is $30 per item.
So to GROSS what you bring home now you have to sell 67 "Whatevers" a month.

That doesn't seem bad-- but it is 3 every week day. Or 1 every 3ish hours.

The lesson- 1. It's not easy to replace your income. and 2. Don't undersell yourself.

Now, that being said-- I really like the idea of Graffiti art in general. Especially if used in the correct way, etc.

Good Luck!

Ok, no cafe....

Well I did talk to my dad about starting my own clothing store with some of my art work and employ people with the same interests to design custom clothing for people. But there was to many clothing stores I was told, young and didn't know better then. So I thought of healthcare because there is always a demand for the sick to get better.

Anywho, you can go to my blog at jenniem26.com scroll down and click on the link for my zazzle shirts.

Let me know what you think :-)

Jennie,

With your healthcare education, you might consider selling promotional advertising. Promos include ink pens, coffee mugs, lapel pins, t-shirts, embroidered caps, jackets, & sport shirts, tote bags, golf balls and accessories, USB memory sticks, and 800,000 other items, most designed to carry a business name and message.

My biggest market segment is health providers - hospitals, home health care, clinics, breast cancer awareness, etc.

But beyond that market, you can also sell to insurance agents, credit unions, retailers, wholesalers, non-profit corporations, auto dealers and the automotive after-market (tire and brakes, lube shops, car detailers, etc.), banks, restaurants, hotels, tourist shops, as well as government agencies from local, state, and national, including the local school boards as well as tourism commissions and Chamber of Commerce.

This has been my home-based career for the past 22 years (full-time) and 2 1/2 years part-time, before I left the military service.

You can sell online and off, full or part-time, and anywhere in the USA.

No cost for the dealership.

No inventory.

And you set your own hours.

Good luck in whatever you pursue.

Dennis

I always get excited for people who are wanting to follow their passions... Make sure you are considering your options in terms of a web presence. You have a better chance of getting the domain name or website name of your choice with a .WS domain. AND you can make extra money on the side as well. I have made money every month for over two years now for a little work I did way back then.
Go to www.myhomeoffice.ws and make sure to click on "more info" after the short presentation.

Since you love graffiti and cars, have you considered putting together some unique designs that could be painted on cars?

Good luck with your dream of working for yourself!

jim@myhomeoffice.ws