27 Profitable Service Businesses to Start NOW
There are hundreds of opportunities in the service arena offering
low-cost start-ups and high profit returns. Almost all can be run
from home.
There’s still room to grab your share of the multi-billion dollar
service industry. Most of them– the exception is the private
postal center shop-can be run from home.
1. MONOGRAMMING Everybody loves to see their name, logo or
company team emblazoned on a cap, T-shirt, towel, apron, etc. You
can set up a monogramming business right at your kitchen table.
Promote the business at crafts shows or via flyers, and ads in
local newspapers. For start-up information, contact Meistergram
at 3517 W Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27407, 919-854-6200, OR
800-321-0486.
2. CARPET CLEANING You can start your own residential and
commercial cleaning service by tying in with a carpet cleaning
giant such as Duraclean International, Inc., or Von Schrader. You
can start on a part-time basis and develop the business into a
full-time enterprise. To find out how to get the machines and
equipment, contact two companies that can help set you up with
your own business. Von Schrader, 1600 Junction Ave., Racine, WI
43403, 414-634-1956, 800-626-6916: Duraclean International,
Inc.,2151 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, IL 60015, 312-945-2000,
800-251-7070.
3. BUTTON MAKING. You can start your own button making operation
for $29.95. The folks at Badge-A-Mint will get you started with
an easy to use hand press, designs, pinned backs and
instructions. Buttons can be assembled in less than a minute.
Contact Badge-A-Mint, 348 North 30th Rd., Box 800, Lasalle, IL
61301, 800-223-4103.
4. BLIND CLEANING. The Morantz family are the innovators in blind
cleaning machines. Their slogan “Dirty blinds can put you in
business,” and plenty of entrepreneurs are making a mint cleaning
blinds with a nifty, portable blind cleaning machine from
Morantz. For more information write to S. Morantz Inc.,9984
Gantry Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19115 or call 215-969-0266, 800-69
LI’L BABY.
5. WINDSHIELD REPAIR. Car owners hate those bubbles and cracks in
their windshields caused by stones or other debris bouncing from
the pavement. There are a few companies who teach you how to set
up your own windshield repair biz and supply you with the
materials. Start-up costs vary. Contact: Glass-Weld, 20578 Empire
Blvd., Bend, OR 97701, 800-321-2597: Ultra B-O-N-D, Inc., 14076
Highway 215, Moreno Valley, CA 92388, 800-347-2820: Optikleer
Glass Repair, NVS Corp, 48 Springvale Ave., Lynn, MA 01904,
800-695-6224: Glass Mechanix, Inc.,10170 NW 47th St., Sunrise, FL
33351.
6. CHIMNEY CLEANING. Heating homes with wood burning stoves is a
cheaper alternative to electric or natural gas heat. Because the
creosote (sap) accumulates on the inside of the chimney, they
must be cleaned regularly. (Creosote is responsible for causing
chimney fires.) You can start your own chimney cleaning business
for about $2000. For more information on this business
opportunity, contact August West, 38 Austin St., Worchester, MA
01601 or call 508-753-5544, 800-225-4016.
7. AUTO DETAILING. Consumers who shell out $30,000 plus for a
Mercedes or a BMW are not about to cut costs when it comes to
keeping their car in cream puff condition. Entrepreneurs show up
at the owner’s home or office and completely wash, wax and clean
the interior of the car. The experts at The Curtis System have
researched and produced a line of products that help auto
detailers set up a business. They will also teach one exactly how
to do it. For more information contact The Curtis System, 8818
Mountain Rd., Box 250, Stowe, VT 05672 or call 800-334-3395.
8. ENGRAVING. It seems like one has to be an artist to start an
engraving business. But Paragrave Corporation can teach just
about anyone to do it. Their system involves a process that is as
easy as tracing. For more information contact Paragrave
Corporation, 1455 West Center St., Orem, UT 84058 or call
801-825-8300, 800-624-7415.
9. ADVERTISING SPECILATIES. There are thousands and thousands of
potential customers right in your region and through mail order.
Advertising specialties are pens, caps, paperweights,
flashlights, key chains, etc. that feature the name of the
company along with address and phone number on it. The items can
be given out at grand openings, sale days, holiday gifts, or
trade shows. Your business is making them (and making money). For
more information, contact BASCO, 9351 DeSoto Ave., Chatsworth, CA
91311-4948.
10. TEST MACHINES. The incidence of drunk driving is reaching an
all time high. Bars, restaurants and diners are increasingly
working with entrepreneurs who will set up alcohol test machines;
bar patrons can actually check their alcohol levels. For more
information contact Communidyne, 636 Anthony Trail, Northbrook,
IL 60062, or call 708-498-2444, FAX # 708-498-6369.
11. ROOF MAINTENANCE. The Pace Products, Inc. company has
developed a seamless spray process to fix roofs. The service can
offered to residential customers as well as commercial customers.
In fact, some Pace entrepreneurs have regular contracts with
firms such as General Motors, American Airlines and Holiday Inns.
For more information, Pace Products, Inc., quality Plaza, 11775 W.
112 St., P.O. Box 10925, Overland Park, KS 66210.
12. MOBILE CAR WASH. Part of the appeal of many service
businesses is bringing the service directly to the customer.
Mobile car washing is a good way to go where the money is. You
can purchase a mobile car wash operation from the Express Wash
Company. For more information contact them at 908 Niagara Falls
Blvd., N. Tonawanda, NY 14120-2060 or call 416-466-4164.
13. GIFT BASKET BUSINESS. Today, more and more people want to
ease and convenience of picking up the phone and ordering a gift.
A gift basket business could be the perfect part-time or
full-time money maker for you. One who knows how to start and run
this business is Carol Starr who runs Starr Gift Baskets in
Houston, Texas. Carol has written a manual on how anyone can
start this business in their area. She also includes information
on how existing shops and businesses can add a gift baskets as an
additional service to their customers. To order the manual, send
a check or money order for $12.95 plus $2.50 for shipping and
handling to Starr Gift Baskets, 8045 Antoine, #147, Houston, TX
77088.
14. HOME INSPECTION. There are dangers lurking in residential
homes-bad water, radon, asbestos, termites, etc. Home buyers who
shell out an average of $150,000 for a home these days don’t want
to buy a lemon. Home inspectors charge about $200 to come in and
make a complete check of the home. Many states are requiring that
homes be inspected before the sale is finalized making the
opportunity even brighter for entrepreneurs who start a home
inspection business. You can learn how to get started and run
this business from the franchised operation AmeriSpec or through
National Property Inspections. For more information, write or
call AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service, 1855 W. Katella Ave., Ste
330, Orange, CA 92667, or call 714-744-8360, 800-426-2270;
National Property Inspections, 236 S. 108th St.,Ste.,3 Omaha, NE
68154, 402-33-9807, 800-333-9807.
15. UPHOLSTERY CLEANING. You can purchase a turnkey operation
from Von Schrader or Foley Belsaw and start your own upholstery
and drapery cleaning business. For information contact Von
Schrader at 1600 Junction Ave., Racine, WI 53403 or call
414-634-1956, 800-626-6916; Foley Belsaw.
16. COMPUTER PORTRAITS. A photo/computer system enables one to
put any photo on just about any item including mugs, buttons,
calendars, T-shirts and many more items. You can purchase a
package that will set you up in business. Contact the following
companies for information on their packages and supplies: Cygnus
Systems, Inc., 1719 W. Zartman Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902 or call
(collect) 317-453-7077: CASI Creative Amusement Service, Inc.,156
Fifth Ave., Suite 323, New York, NY 10010.
17. INSTALL SLIPPROOF SURFACES. As our population is getting
older, more Americans are slipping and falling in their homes and
in commercial establishments. Even young folks can fall on wet
surfaces near a swimming pool or shower/tub. You can start a
business installing slip-proof surfaces in residential and
commercial buildings. Saf-T-Grip is a product that you install.
For information on how you can become a Saf_T-Grip distributor
contact: RYKO Technology Inc.,39863 Grand River Ave., Suite 93,
Novi, MI 48375 or call 800-2-Saft-T-Grip (800 272-3457 ext 233).
18. VENT CLEANING. Atypical one day restaurant vent cleaning job
can earn you $250 to $500 based on the rate of $65 per hour. Nice
work because you can do it at night and on weekends. Many states
are now regulating the cleaning of restaurant vents-meaning, they
have to be cleaned on a regular basis. For more information on
how you can start your own vent cleaning business, contact Black
Magic Vent Cleaning, 1821 Mountain Rd., P.O. Box 250, Stowe, VT
05672.
19. TUB & TILE RESTORATION. This is a great business opportunity
to start anytime of year. It’s part of the home remodeling boom
and there is plenty of potential accounts no matter where you
live because just about anyone can use a little touch up on their
tub and tile surfaces. This refinishing/reglazing business can be
started by tying in with a leading franchiser such as Perma-Glaze
or you can choose to go the independent route and purchase a
start-up package from Ameribrite. Write to them for more
information so that you can make the choice that is right for
you. Perma-Glaze, 1638, South Research Loop RD., Suite 160,
Tucson, AZ 85710, 800-332-7397 or 602-722-9718; Amerbrite,
170-180 East Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 or call
305-481-2929.
20. PRIVATE POSTAL CENTER. Busy people don’t have time to wait in
line at the local post office. The local post office also fails
to offer a lot of services that private postal centers provide
such as ; fax machines, printing of rubber stamps, answering
service, and much more. For information contact the franchise
Mail Boxes, Etc. at 5555 Oberlin Dr., San Diego, CA 92121,
800-456-0414; or go the independently owned route through PostNet
International, 2225 E Flamingo Rd.,#310, Las Vegas, NV 89119,
702-792-7100, FAX # 702-792-7115.
21. SPECIAL EVENTS PROMOTIONS. Ease of operation and low start-up
costs characterize all the entertainment promotions designed and
packaged by Keith Namanny-the man who brought us the world
renowned Rocky_bots. Keith has a wide range of promotions at that
are portable and fun to play. They can easily set up in bars,
restaurants, corporate events, backyard parties, you name it!
Call Keith Namanny at the World Robotic Boxing Association and
ask him to send you a free brochure on his 6 business
opportunities called the “Six Pack Of Success!”. Call
712-774-2577.
22. AUTO PAINT TOUCH-UP. Auto-owners would love to find an
inexpensive way to fix those dents and pings in their fenders and
car doors and those scrapes on the roof or bumper. You can start
a business offering auto paint touch-up that fits the bill. The
Dye Team Color System company has developed an auto paint
touch-up business opportunity package. For more information write
to the company at 9511 Gue Rd., Damascus, MD 20872 or call
301-253-2134 or 800-346-1977.
23. LANDSCAPING LIGHTING. Home owners who want to make castles of
their environments are hiring companies to come in and set up
special effect lighting around swimming pools, gardens, driveways
and to do their holiday lighting decorations for them. Shop
owners love this type of service, too. The Dekra-Lite company has
designed a number of lighting designs for entrepreneurs. The
small business owner shows a client portfolio of what’s available
and then Dekra-Lite ships the kit along with detailed
instructions on how to set it up. No designing on how to set it
up. No designing or electrician’s experience required by any
means! For more information, write or call Dekra-Lite at 17945
Sky Park Circle, Irvine, CA 92714 or call 800-888-8319, FAX #
714-852-9539.
24. VINYL REPAIR. Just about every dinner, movie theater,
restaurant booth, doctor’s office and auto or truck could use a
little repair work on their vinyl. That’s quite a broad client
base. You can start your own vinyl repair business with help from
VIP, 2021 Montrose, Chicago, IL 60618.
25. CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING. A wholesaler of picture frame
moldings and materials can supply small business framers with
products and inventory to start and run a high-profit custom
framing service. For more information on their complete equipment
package write or call Tennessee Molding & Frame, Inc.,1188
Antioch Pike, Room 14C, Nashville, TN 37211, 615-832-8159, ext.
7423.
26. PROFESSIONAL BILLING SERVICE. There are plenty of small
businesses out there who could benefit from having a small firm
take control of their billing. You could be that entrepreneur.
The Blue Jay company can show you how to set up and run a
professional billing service. Contact Blue Jay at 2579 Clematis
St., Sarasota, FL 34239 or call 813-365-3357.
27. DIET & WEIGHT LOSS; About 75% of the American population is
overweight. The emphasis on being fit and slim is everywhere in
this health and beauty conscious 1990’s decade. Entrepreneurs can
still cash in on the fitness boom by offering computerized diets.
Small business owners who get into this field don’t have to
program a computer to create the diet plans because they can be
tie in with two companies who do all of the computer work,
Entrepreneurs work with their clients and present the
computer-generated daily menus.
There are two companies we’ve heard of who offer this service.
The Comp-U- Diet Program has been developed by United American
Marketing, Inc.
Another company offering this service is Diet Guidance
International. DGI provides all of the necessary training and
follow-up support.
For more information on Comp-U- Diet contact United American
Marketing, P.O. Box 249, Milford, MI 48381 or call 800-942-9900.
To reach Diet Guidance International write 2131 Pierce St., Ste 5,
San Francisco, CA 94115-9973 or call 800-7766-4347
CHOOSE A BIZ THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Owner and founder of Corporate Music is G.E. Maas. We asked Mr.
Maas for some tips and how would-be entrepreneurs should go about
choosing a business opportunity.
Mr. Maas recommends that you start by listing businesses or
hobbies that are of interest to you. After choosing several
opportunities, find out if you really need a franchise or
distributorship to go into that particular business.
Some individuals offer do-it-yourself start-up kits through
magazine advertisements. Often these do-it-yourself start-up kits
are enough to help individuals start many different types of
businesses.
Some franchisers, such as Complete Music, says Mr. Maas, actually
list the support that is provided, as well as what is necessary
to provide that level of support for yourself with their help.
If you decide not to go it alone, he suggests, contact those
businesses that interest you. Ask to be sent their information
packets AND a list of owners (with phone numbers) that you may
contact on your own.
This is extremely important because the literature that is sent
out does inform, but is promotional in nature, whereas, actual
owners or distributors are actively involved in the business you
are investing.
Once all the information is received, narrow down your choices as
much as possible. Check out those remaining companies as if your
future depended on it, says Mr. Maas, because it does.
Have your attorney and accountant examine the legal and financial
documents respectively. Weigh the pluses and minuses of each
company. Contact as many owners or distributors as possible. Find
out first hand their thoughts on home office support,
profitability, company integrity and the day to day enjoyment of
operating their business.
Ask them any questions that would help you make a good, informed
decision.
“Any company you are considering should encourage you to contact
their owners or distributors,” he explained.
Mr. Maas also suggests that after you’ve made your decision,
sleep on it. Do not allow yourself to be rushed into any decision
by anyone. “a good company will want you to take the time
necessary to make decisions that are right for you.”
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