Dog Business is More than Doggie Poo

The pet care business is booming and leading to a very good income for those who love and want to work with animals, especially for those who want to care for dogs. There is definitely no shortage of opportunities in the pet care business and indeed there has been no better time to get established with pet care because pet popularity is at its' peak. Americans and people from countries all over the world literally spend thousands each year on such things as boarding, breeding, grooming, pet sitting and pet accessories. The experts in the field claim that this trend will only increase. Indeed one of the fastest segments of the home-based business is the pet care business. If you are thinking of going into the dog business side of pet care then it is important that you obtain as much dog care information as possible.

Statistically the following are true:

• 47% of all US households own more than one pet

• 40 million US households own at least one dog

• Americans spend $34 billion on their pets each year

Do you love dogs? Then a dog grooming business might be right for you. There are many dog owners who just don't have the time to take proper care of their beloved pet. Taking care of a dog is a demand for some who just don't have the time nor the inclination to maintain proper care, even though they understand and want to care for their canine. For dog owners there are such duties as taking the dog for a walk, giving the dog a bath, grooming the dog and other things.

When setting up an area for grooming dogs in your pet care business, select a quiet area inside the house. Of course you can set-up a grooming area outside of the house if you want to but grooming a dog inside the house is lot better. First, most dogs are less playful when they are inside the house than when they are in the yard, second, there are less distractions inside the house and third, it would be easier on your part to store all your grooming stuff. For grooming dogs, you will need the following materials; a table, towels, cotton, mineral oil, eye ointment, nails clippers and a brush. You can easily get all these stuff at your favorite pet shop. Of course if you have ample room in a garage area this is even more suitable for grooming the dog.

Certainly the pet care business, especially the dog business, is worthwhile getting into. Dog grooming and bathing is not the only way in which one can make a living taking care of pets, however it is a good example that even though it is not easy to take care of pets nevertheless a very worthwhile income can be made taking care of dogs or any other pet in a home pet business.

Do You Use These Strategies to Manage Your Mood?

Stress is our reaction to people or things going on around us. Sometimes these things are positive, i.e. a vacation, a promotion or a special event. Sometimes the things are negative, i.e. a traffic ticket, someone you care about is ill, or projects at work are not meeting deadlines.

How do you manage your mood when:

• There is too much to do and not enough time to do it in?

• People around you seem to have time to do fun things and you don't?

• Things are happening around you that you have no control over?

• Projects at work are not meeting deadlines and you are working longer hours?

Susan Vaugham, MD, a psychiatry professor at Columbia University states in her book, Half Empty, Half Full that optimists have the ability to feel in charge of themselves. This does not mean everything will go well. It means they will not be overwhelmed emotionally when things get hectic or do not go well.

When you are unhappy about how things are going, there are three strategies which will help you move forward in a positive direction:

1. Alter.

2. Avoid.

3. Accept.

To decide which is the best strategy for you to use:

• Ask yourself if you have control of the situation or if you can influence someone who does have control. If your answer is yes, often you can alter the situation by problem solving, direct communication, organizing and planning or time management. If your answer is no, altering is usually not an option. There is no point in focusing on things you cannot change.

• Know what your top five values are. Ask yourself what is most important to you. The more you are living your values, the more satisfied you are with your life. Saying no or removing yourself helps you to avoid tasks that will drain you. In addition, it is necessary to know when it is appropriate to delegate tasks in a work situation.

• When you cannot alter or avoid a situation, you may have to accept it.

• To accept a situation, you may have to change your perception of it by asking yourself if your expectations are realistic. If not, is there another way to look at the situation, or redefine it. You can look for an opportunity to do something else. See the situation as temporary. Keep it as specific as possible. For instance, if your project is behind schedule, be specific about why it is running late. Make appropriate adjustments. Realize it is temporary.

When you have to accept a situation, you need to build your resilience by eating healthy, exercising, practicing relaxation techniques, using positive affirmations, building your support system, having faith, and commitment.

When you feel your stress level increasing, remember you have three choices:

1. Alter.

2. Avoid.

3. Accept.

To determine your best option, you also need to ask yourself two more questions:

• What do I want to do?

• What do I need to do?

Needs are a high priority. They match your values or what is most important to you. Wants are different from needs. You can want many things. Those that are most important to you will be the ones you strive for in your life.

To best manage your mood, consider your needs, wants, and values before you choose to alter, avoid, or accept the stressful situation in your life. Then take positive steps to move forward confidently.

Rental Cars, Building a Business that Never Goes Out of Style

Why start a car rental business? Well a rental car company makes a lot of sense for many reasons, not the least of which is because rental cars are utilized by many companies for their employees, and for pick-up and drop-off services.

In order to start a rental cars business, carefully examine and analyze the viability of the idea. Research and study of your car rentals competition can help you decide whether your venture is a wise one or not. Is there a demand for rental cars in a particular location? Are people out looking for rent a car deals? Are they looking for cheap car rentals? If there is a demand for rental cars, what is the extent of the demand? Who rents cars, individuals or businesses? So many questions, it's crucial to ask them all and more!

Your car rental company, like any other business, must start with a legal structure. Name and register this business, and obtain ample insurance coverage. Look around for the best coverage at the best price. It is also necessary to consult an attorney for information on obtaining the proper permits and licenses to operate a rental car company.

Before you start your rent a car business, you must be appropriately capitalized. Most businesses that are unable to survive, go under for lack of funding. Make sure that doesn't happen to you by estimating start-up costs and carrying costs. Don't expect to be completely rented out at first, as it will take time for your business name to get known and for people to come looking to rent a car from you. You need to be able to pay the bills in the meantime, as well as maintenance on your rental cars.

An ideal location for your rental car business may be in or near an airport. Airport car rentals are always in high demand! You may want to target heavily visited airports where there is space available for your new business. If the site is away from the airport, it will be necessary to provide shuttle service to and from the rental car lot. Take that into consideration when budgeting for costs. You will also need shuttle drivers, staff to service the desk, and someone to review the cars upon return. Expect to pay for advertising as well, in the yellow pages, travel brochures, and websites.

Cheap car rentals are enormously popular. If you can provide great car rental deals in good locations, your business can be a huge success!

Restaurant Employee Theft

Restaurant owners don't run a cash machine 24/7. They face the reality of being observed by thieves undercover and this alone is a serious threat not only to the business but to the safety of the management, staff and customers. The most difficult part about this harm is there is no certain point one realizes that there is a thief lurking around the corner waiting for the right time to attack. And the sad part about it is there are a big percentage of theft casualties done by employees.

Yes, that's right. Employee theft is one of the serious threats that a restaurant owner has to accept. Each year, there is an estimate of over $52 billion loss because of this reason. The percentage is up to 95% and the numbers already indicates a high risk of getting robbed by one of your employees anytime.

The fact is, there is no actual way of stopping this sad reality but it's best to still think one step ahead of the culprit. You need to start to work on your very own backyard to prevent employee theft. Make sure that you're aware with your employees' behavior physically, mentally and professionally. Analyze your employees' habits such as the borrowing property of others without permission or borrowing money from co-workers regularly.

Also, what your employees do outside work is one of the possible factors of employee theft. Does this employee drink a lot or does she have a habit of buying items more than what she earns? Family and previous employment background also gives useful clues in learning more about your employees' behavior. Of course, you don't need to do this to every employee since it will take much time and it's even incorrect to meddle with the personal lives of others. Just do extra investigation to certain individuals who give off clues unconsciously during work hours.

Don't accuse anyone without proper evidence. If something has been stolen, be sure that you report it the police and let them do rest. The one responsible for the crime may not admit it and even lie to you directly but don't take justice on your own hands.

Earning Extra Income

Extra income is something that we all need and want but are we willing to work a second job or earn extra income in other ways? Most people like the idea but after working a full time job would find it hard to work evenings as well.

More often than not extra income is something that comes in the form of a windfall and is used to pay off outstanding debts or to buy those extra additions to your home you have been longing to buy.

With the cost of living increasing everyday you may however find that you have no choice other than to find some form of extra income to keep a roof over your head or to simply get by each day with out spiraling into debt.

If you are looking for extra income the best place to start is the internet which will provide you with ideas and tips on how to earn extra income.
There are many successful ways to do this including network marketing, affiliate marketing, advertising, writing and many other ways.

Of course this will depend on what your skills are and the time you have free to dedicate to the extra work load you will be taking on.

People today find it hard to survive on one income and should that income dry up then it is time to start looking for something new to fall back on. Even if you do not lose an income, having extra income will mean you will be far better off and will be less likely to resort to loans or credit cards.

Being able to afford to buy those extra bits you need or to be able to have holiday when you want makes life a lot easier but you must be prepared to work hard to achieve this.

Always determine the hours of work that you will be able to do, be realistic, you may like the idea of the money and may even begin spending it before you have actually earn it then find it hard to work the hours you have committed to resulting in falling into debt.

Earning extra income will mean that you are working more hours than you have before and will involve a lot of hard work, commitment and dedication. Because earning extra income normally means working for you there will be some advantages

1- you will be your own boss


2- you can work when you like, day or night you decide


3- Your hours will be flexible, if you want to do all the work in one day rather than over the course of a week then you can.


4- You can earn as much or as little as you want

Owing your own business will give you a sense of pride and of course the extra money will always be a bonus just know what you are taking on before you decide to earn extra income.

Burning Bridges Creates Obstacles to Smooth Traveling for Business Startups

Before you give up your career and order those cards for your spanking brand-new business startup, think twice.

The fact is financial success in a new business startup may take a while. If you can transition, rather than jumping without a parachute, your bank account will thank you.

First, let's go over the major "career paths' you can choose to earn a living. They are:

1. Employee


2. Self-Employed


3. Business Owner





As an Employee, you are hired to perform a specific role in a company. Many jobs allow you to leave your work at work, and spend your free time with your family, without worry. You also may receive great benefits, like healthcare, retirement plans, and most importantly, paid vacation.

If you are considering stepping out of the role of Employee, you need to make sure that your dissatisfaction with your job is not job-related. What I mean by that is, just because you hate your job, it doesn't guarantee that you hate all jobs. There are many opportunities with flex-time and relaxed work environments, where you can enjoy some of the freedom of self-employment, without the added responsibility.

If you can, it's best to start your business while you still have your job. You can work evenings and weekends while your business gets started, and ditch the job only after your business income is greater than your salary.

So, how can you possibly make as much money part-time as you can working as an employee full time for someone else?

It's actually fairly simple. Skip option two (Self-Employment) and move right into option three---Business Ownership.

The reason most people have to work so hard in their business is because they are Self-Employed. They are the ones producing the product or service in their business. The problem with this is that they are limited to how much time they can personally put into their business.

If your business does not operate without you doing the work, it's very difficult to transition out of the role of Employee. And if you do, you will probably find that you work much harder when you are Self-Employed than you ever did as an employee. Not only are you doing the production work, you are also in charge of administration, marketing, finances, and even making sure there is coffee for the coffeepot.

Consider starting a business that does not rely on you to perform the work. You could sell a product by mail order, and outsource fulfillment services. Or start a service business like cleaning or lawn care, where you hire staff to perform the work.

Granted, you should ideally have a work environment that allows you to take care of your business occasionally during work hours. You could also work with a partner, so you can share the responsibility, and cover for each other when necessary.

You could also create an internet business, and automate many of your activities with technology.

Be creative. Rather than dumping your stable income, figure out a way to "test the waters" before committing full time.

In addition to keeping a steady paycheck, you also benefit by being forced to systematize your business from Day One.

One of the biggest challenges startup business owners have is transitioning out of "doing everything". They limit their business to only being able to perform what they can get done, and end up exhausted and frustrated.

If you transition, you'll be forced to put systems in place that allow your startup business to work without you. Your role can be limited to guiding and directing you business, which is the true role of the business owner.

Bonus points for playing it safe! Who knew?

Socializing Can Make or Break Your Business

The business people in smart clothing sit around a small table and sip their coffee chatting about everything from the latest mergers to their son's little league game. Even though these people are enjoying themselves, they aren't here to waste away their time in idle chat. Like true entrepreneurs they are here to further their businesses agendas. With each sip of coffee they get to know each other better and are able to make those special connections that result in either a sale or in a new friendship.

Social clubs and charity organizations have been and will be more about networking then about whatever function where were started for. Each time a handshake is given it usually results in a short discussion about the type of work the parties are engaged in and an exchange of business cards. The crucial aspect of any socializing even is to raise your exposure.

The more people you meet and the more times you give your card out and the more business you will receive. Socializing is one of the easiest and best ways to market your business. Each time you give your card out the receiver associates your personality and appearance with it. This imprint lasts longer than any television or radio advertisement.

Each person you have a conversation with might have 100 or more other contacts in their social network. When you give them your business card pretend you are trying to tap into their social network. Thus each person is the gate keeper to his friends, relatives and business associates. Meeting 10 people could possibly tap you into 1,000 others.

To develop these networks doesn't require endless ours of painful and forced greetings. It only requires the love of getting to know other people. If you enjoy rubbing elbows and have a genuine interest in others this will be one of the first marketing activities you might enjoy. There are two purposes in networking which include meeting new people and soliciting new business. Both are mutually satisfying.

The way in which we can meet new people of a business mindset is to join social clubs, charity functions and by frequenting places where they hang out. It wouldn't do you much good to join a club for Star Trek fans if you are looking for business people. Scan your local club listing and pick out the ones that are likely to have the best results. It isn't difficult to introduce yourself to the right people if you know where to find them.

Even though paying a lot of money for advertisement will produce a large response, it doesn't make sense if you are ignoring a major untapped resource. Furthermore, these mass marketing techniques aren't likely to produce repeat visitors. A handshake and a friendly smile will go father than any 20 second sound bite.

Relationships and relationship marketing is one of the most effective and cheap ways of gaining new clients. Other than the cost of the business cards, it doesn't cost much to hold a conversation. These types of encounters are also likely to produce more repeat business as face-to-face meetings build the most trust quickly. If you have a mutual friend with the perspective client, the trust is likely to flourish quickly. Get out there and enjoy yourself as you expand both your social horizons and your financial well being.

Choosing the Perfect Style of Jewelry for Your Loved Ones

Jewelry is a very personal accessory which individuals like to purchase and wear. Since everyone has their own unique style when it comes to this type of accessory, one may have a hard time figuring out just what type of jewelry they should get for their loved ones. With that said, there are certain ways to figure out what type of jewelry items and styles might best suit others when buying them these wonderful accessories as gifts.

Consider the Gift Recipients Personal Style

Every individual has a personal style which they exude in the way they dress, carry themselves and accessorize. When choosing jewelry items as gifts for your loved ones, it is important to look at their overall style in order to determine which type of jewelry would suit them best. For example, individuals who like to stand out from the crowd might appreciate a piece of jewelry which is flashy and large in size. In the alternative, an individual who dresses modestly and likes to blend in with the group may find that a demure and elegant piece of fine jewelry would be the perfect gift.

Look at What Types of Jewelry the Individual Currently Wears

Another way to select the perfect type and style of jewelry to give as gifts to loved ones is to take note of what the individual currently wears. When it comes to jewelry, some individuals like to wear a lot of different types of these items whereas others have one or two special pieces which they wear every day. Also, some individuals are comfortable wearing rings for example yet do not like bracelets for one reason or another. It is a good idea to notice what type of jewelry appeals to the gift recipient and stick with similar sorts of items.

Consider Matching Jewelry Collections

One may also want to buy jewelry items from a matching collection so that the friend or family member has pieces which all coincide with one another. Frequently one will be able to find collections which feature rings, bracelets and necklaces all set around the same pattern. If the gift recipient exudes a style where everything tends to match, whether it be clothing or accessories, selecting a gift featuring a few different collection pieces might be the perfect thing to do.

Where to Purchase These Items

There are quite a few places to purchase gifts of this type. Some of the more popular locations include privately owned jewelry boutiques, retail stores and via online merchants. Shopping around at a few different places may provide the buyer with the most options and the best price. Since it is going to be given as a gift, the purchaser may even want to ask if the store will gift wrap the item for them so the final product is perfect.