Business plans are much like a puzzle and finding the right piece, or answer, is critical to the success of your company.

Through answering certain questions, your business plan will be set-up in a manner that puts you in the position to provide your company with the best opportunity to make money after start-up. Planning around the critical questions puts an ease to drawing up a successful start-up business plan. Here are some questions that should be answered when putting your business plan together.

1. How much money needs to be invested?

Start-up money is the first critical question mark for any start-up business as most entrepreneurs underestimate the costs that it will take in order to start and maintain the business. Cash flow and profit is not an overnight thing, so being able to keep the business going until the income stabilizes is crucial. Be sure you know exactly how much money you will need to start the business and keep it running efficiently until the cash flow starts to come in at a steady pace.

2. Who is involved?

Going along with the first question of money, the main way to get the money for a start-up is through investors. Of course, investors want to be able to trust whoever they are handing their money out to so your job is to build a trustworthy, intelligent team that investors feel comfortable in. Each person involved should have a planned role in the company and a list of previous experiences and highlights to present to the investors, earning their trust and making them feel comfortable with putting money into your start-up.

3. What makes you stand out?

Odds are your company will not be the only one of its kind in the niche that you intend to venture into. Within your business plan, it is beneficial to design around your target market including location, population, and size along with other factors. When you know who the target is, you can find out who the competition is and develop a plan to have your company win the market enough to allow your business to grow.

4. What are your expectations?

Part of making sure you have enough money to start your business up is coming up with the expectations of how much money you can make and how soon. Of course, becoming overly optimistic on projections of profit and revenue can put you into monetary troubles quickly so plan accordingly. Basing off of conservative expectations, give a realistic projection of revenue and a time frame (realistically) of when you can make that money.

5. Why is your business idea a successful one?

Every single portion of your business plan should represent and reinforce this answer. Your business plan has to be a winner in order for investors, customers and even employees to believe the company will work. Understand there will be challenges and issues, but using your business plan to address the issues and correct the problems before even investing a dime makes your business idea and plan a successful on.

Simply put, your business plan is your design for your business’ future. It’s your way to make sure all operations run smoothly and the first thing investors will want to see before spending any money on your company. A perfect business plan answers these questions and puts all of the pieces of the puzzle into place.

Image credit: Horia Varlan on flickr

At LocalPAGES.com, we love promoting good business done right and that is the case with GFS Servco of San Antonio, Texas and Pacific Glassworks of Los Angeles, California.

As two new additions to our directory, both GFS Servco and Pacific Glassworks provide quality service in their respective lines of work. They take the essence of small business and perform their functions to the absolute best possible product.

For GFS Servco, they provide excellent Commercial Janitorial Services in San Antonio. They provide maintenance programs on a scheduled basis within South Central Texas, as well as its surrounding states. They’ve been delivering commercial janitorial services, commercial window cleaning, building maintenance, office cleaning and much more for the past 16 years.

Pacific Glassworks has been in operation since 1984 and the family-run company provides excellent service to the Los Angeles area. They specialize in glass railings, sliding glass doors, replacement glass, shower enclosures and much more. They pride themselves in quality and customer service, making them the premiere destination for Sliding Glass Doors in Los Angeles.

For both of these businesses, we recognize the excellence and dedication in providing a quality service and quality product.

For doing small-business the right way, LocalPAGES.com salutes you GFS Servco and Pacific Glassworks!

The days of the bulky desktop tower PCs may be a thing of the past thanks to Xi3 Technologies and their brand new modular computer.

If you’re an entrepreneur with an office that could be easily cluttered by the tower PCs, these new computers may be of some interest to you. The new design comes as a tiny cube, roughly four inches by four inches. To put the size in a different perspective, it’s about the size of a grapefruit.

The computer starts out at around $850 and could go upwards in price depending on additional or upgraded products to support the PC.

Of course, it doesn’t sport the portability of a laptop or tablet, but Xi3 has designed this computer to be simple and effective. Upgrading any components takes little effort thanks in part to the device being made up of three separate modules: one that contains the processor, one for the power and the other for how the unit can communicate on a network.

The ability for the Xi3 to fit anywhere gives it great appeal, but the 16GB of memory and use of just 20 watts of electricity compared to other units’ 100 to 400 watts are definitely great options to have. That way, not only do you save space, you save money on electricity costs.

Although small in stature, the Xi3 is durable, built from a similar forged metal case to that of Apple’s Macs. The components inside are also very sturdy.

According to the company, the Xi3 has the ability to last more than double the lifespan of the current, traditional PCs, giving it about a 10 year longevity period. The company also sells an outboard processor for around $250, allowing four users to work on a single device.

Of course, it’s not a laptop or tablet so you will still need wall power, monitor, keyboard, mouse and network access. However, despite the high price tag that is roughly double the amount that standard work desktops currently cost, the Xi3 is a very good option to potentially save money over the long-term. Saving on electricity costs and having a PC with the ability to live longer than the standard desktops will keep you in business on the same computer for many years.

The people at Xi3 Technologies are definitely changing the look of electronics with this one and as far as office PCs may go, this is a new, dependable option.

Image credit: Xi3.com

One of the obstacles that any entrepreneur will face with their own business is dealing with angry and irate customers; it’s inevitable.

That’s not to say you’re doing anything wrong, it could simply mean that the customer wants something you may not have or a number of other things that could trigger such a negative reaction. However, the main goal that you and your employees must remember is to diffuse any negative situation before it reaches a certain point that nobody wants to reach.

The obstacle here is: when someone gets so angry, how do you make it so that person can leave happy? Well, there are multiple ways to go about this.

Your first goal is to determine exactly what it is that is making the customer upset in the first place. One of the main reasons for a customer to get angry is that lack of realization that their time is valuable as well. As an owner, putting a customer on hold multiple times or making them wait too long for something will cause them to get even more upset than they were which is why all employees knowing vital information of the company and the chain of command is very valuable in assisting the customer in the quickest, and more accurate, way possible.

Another source of anger from customers comes down to actually caring about the issue the customer has. You can remain calm about the situation, but if you are not showing any real compassion for the customer’s problem, it’s going to go downhill and fast. Show the customer that you understand the negative crisis that is going on and ensure that you will take care of the matter within your power to make them feel better about the situation.

Angry customers will be angry customers until you go above and beyond to make things better for them and understanding that is crucial. Don’t expect all problems to go away just because you express your understanding of an issue. Make sure that the issue is taken care of and find a way to make the customer come back to you whether it is by giving a coupon or providing them with some other service in order to ensure they come back despite the negative experience they may have encountered.

Finally, you can completely prevent further customer confrontations by diagnosing the problems and fixing them. Understand the problems within your own company and make them better to avoid negative confrontations in the first place and all will go according to plan. Don’t make promises you can’t keep or say you provide a certain service when you don’t; those are ways to get an angry customer in no time.

Remember, angry customers are a huge part of any business that provides a service and it is inevitable that you will in fact deal with a fair share of them. However, knowing how to diffuse the situation, or avoid future confrontations will go a long way in determining your success as a business. Customers make your business what it is; don’t let them have a negative picture of your company from the very beginning.

While Facebook and Twitter currently run the social media marketing world, the people over at Pinterest are beginning to make things a bit more interesting through their own unique method to interact through social media.

Although Pinterest does not have special business options that it currently implements, it has slowly become a way to market your brand through images. These images are shown to your followers and they can share them as well. So, how does Pinterest work and how can it help your business?

First, you have to understand what Pinterest is technically about and what it can do for you. The way Pinterest works is it essentially acts as an online bulletin board, allowing users to pin and organize images into specific categories for followers to see. They can in-turn comment on the photo, like it or re-pin it to their boards, making that photo a viral hit.

The way that businesses are using it now, allow people to see merchandise or quality of work through the images.

Say you run a grocery store, for instance, posting pictures of your products will engage the customers with a link through your photo to take them back to your store’s website. It works for multiple businesses such as jewelers, online retailers and many more. Keep in mind, however, that this is still a social media website.

Posting images of your product and only your product will bore your audience very quickly. However, adding in your own personality, your own flare, will change up the perspective real quick. In a previous blog, we talked about allowing your personality to show in order to gain loyal customers and in this case, it’s no different.

Think of all the possibilities that lie within social media marketing through Pinterest. You can share your work, share your personality and even share exclusive deals with your Pinterest followers that they can’t get anywhere else.

For an example, a good idea would be to post a picture of a product you have along with a Pinterest exclusive coupon for that product. It’s a simple marketing technique that would go a long way to getting loyal customers into your store (or on your website if you’re only online).

Remember, though, Pinterest does not have all of the business features that other social media sites have, but the only way to determine if it will work for your company is to give it a try yourself. You never know what or who your marketing on Pinterest will result in.

Image credit: Pinterest

In yesterday’s blog post, we presented a company that became successful by using its friendly customer service to gain loyal customers. Today, we bring you the Palmdale-Lancaster Florist, which strives through perseverance in order to make their very own success story.

On Valentine’s Day, it’s only fitting that a florist is talked of with success. However, things haven’t always gone easy for those at this flower shop. At times, there seemed like there would be no more Palmdale-Lancaster Florist.

In 2005, after already being told they would need to relocate the business, Palmdale-Lancaster Florist owners Stephanie Gile and Randy Poitevint had to deal with unfortunate circumstances. Just days before Mother’s Day, one of the busiest times for any flower shop, there was a fire that torched the entire flower shop. Then, in August of 2005, just two weeks before the grand opening of the newly relocated shop, fire struck again.

Still, Gile and Poitevint worked hard to open the shop. Seven years later and they are still working hard to provide the best service in the Antelope Valley.

The company survives through its passion and perseverance to provide quality flowers, teddy bears, chocolates and many more to its loyal customers. Plus, it’s centered at a convenient location at 1649 W. Ave J, Lancaster, CA 93534, right across the street from the Antelope Valley Hospital.

The moment you step through the door, you can expect to be treated with respect and hard working individuals that will cater to your floral needs.

In our blog of business tips, we’ve discussed that passion and perseverance are necessary characteristics in order to make a small business successful and that is exactly what Gile, Poitevint and the rest of the crew at Palmdale-Lancaster Florist are doing. They’ve fought back from all odds to become a premier florist in their respected valley and that is never an easy task.

Remember, in order to be a successful small business, these are just a few of the traits to instill within your own company.

To see how they do it at Palmdale-Lancaster Florist, stop in and take in the fresh flowers and friendly workers. You’ll probably even bump into Gile or Poitevint while you’re there and remember to check out all they offer for Valentine’s Day.

It’s small business done right and there’s nothing better than helping the small businesses strive in a rough economy. Kudos to those at Palmdale-Lancaster Florist for continuing to push forward and being a small business success story.

Running a small business is never an easy task and running one in certain industries could be even tougher. For instance, a tattoo/piercing shop could be one of those tougher businesses because it only targets a certain amount of people. Let’s be honest, tattoos or piercings are not for everyone, but for those that do get them, having a great place with great artists is the key.

LocalPAGES would like to introduce you to Artifact Tattoo.

Located at 20655 Soledad Canyon Rd. Suite 15, Canyon Country, CA 91351, Artifact Tattoo provides clients with a great atmosphere to go to with their very friendly customer service. The artists take their time to spend with their clients, talk to them and learn about them. In a business that is based on personal interaction, it’s always a pleasure to have an artist you can relate to, especially when they will be altering your appearance for a lifetime.

From the moment you walk in the door, you’re greeted by one of the artists in the best ways possible and you know what to expect with them. They provide great insight on the work that you intend to get done and give you a quote right away so you know what you’ll be paying.

The current owners at Artifact took over in 2009 and have been bringing the culture of tattoing worldwide to the Santa Clarita Valley. The owners, Diego Verduzco and Paul Perry are international touring musicians; Verduzco as a guitarist with Ill Nino and Perry as a bassist for Valor and Vengeance. The experiences they’ve had help the company and its artists work with clients to come up with the best possible piece of art, something that all clients can enjoy for a life time.

Businesses like this are usually less personal with it simply being an artist/client feel. At Artifact, you become a part of the shop, a person that is greeted by name and a comfort feel every time you step in the door.

For small businesses, this one is doing things the right way. Artifact takes everything you need for a successful small business and they apply it every day to gain loyal customers and provide the best in service. As we’ve stated in previous blogs, making a big impression and remembering that the customer is priority number one is a big step in making sure your business will strive in such a tough economy.

A quick trip to their website will give you a gallery of all the work that Artifact has done. There are also some images that you can find on their Facebook page as well as following them on Twitter.

Artifact Tattoo and all of the workers enjoy planning and tattooing with their clients and pride themselves in quality satisfaction and sanitation in their work. Their passion of art through their music and travel comes alive in every job they do.

The website will tell you all of the features that Artifact supplies such as a private piercing room, sterilization standards, and many more that this wonderful shop has to offer. It also gives customers contact information to set up an appointment or to try and get a quote over the phone.

Remember, if you’re looking to get a tattoo or piercing you want someone that you can trust and that is the feeling that the artists at Artifact give you. In the world of small business, Artifact is doing it the right way with great service, great prices and amazing quality. Check them out today!

The LocalPAGES team is pleased to announce our Business of the Week winner, The Singin’ Bowl! Located at 10 Bridge Street Pelham, NH, this hookah lounge / retail store is truly one of the most unique establishments in Pelham.

The Singin’ Bowl’s lounge area is the perfect place to just chill and be with friends. They offer comfortable seating that’s ideal for both big and small groups alike.

If you’re into hookah, then you must definitely pay this place a visit. They have a wide variety of flavors that you can mix, depending on your mood. They even have some rare types that will really impress narghile fanatics out there. The Singin’ Bowl has an intriguing hookah menu, and provides the finest shishas, as well as a variety of charcoals. Don’t feel like smoking? Swing over to their bar and ask for your favorite cocktail!

Don’t just stay at the lounge or bar though, be sure to check out The Singin’ Bowl’s retail area as well. The things in this section are unique and include stuff from all over the world. A lot of their products, including accessories and the exclusive Spotted Leopard Teas, are Fair Trade and actually contribute to the living wages of artisans in third world countries. On top of that, you can also purchase tobacco accessories, handmade jewelry, various herbs, and other gift items.

The Singin’ Bowl has already received raving reviews and comments from consumers, in spite of being open for a short period of time (according to the business description on Yelp.com, the business first opened on 11/11/11). Speaking of Yelp, this awesome business has a flawless five-star review so far, with customers praising the hookah lounge’s extensive tobacco selection, laid back atmosphere, and more.

The Singin’ Bowl is a family owned business, and the owners really go above and beyond to make customers feel comfortable. One customer writes, “The thing I really liked about The Singin’ Bowl, was that the second you walked in, you felt welcomed and at home, exactly what you what at a lounge. There’s laughter by the bar people swapping stories, or besting each other trying to get the biggest smoke bubble. The staff is very down to earth and keep your coals hot and fresh.”

Please note that customers must be at least 18 years old to smoke and over 21 to drink. If you have any more questions or if you just want to congratulate the owners for establishing such an awesome hookah lounge in Pelham, NH, you may reach them at 603-508-6010.

Many times, traveling on a business trip could turn into a big hassle. From packing to the wait at the airport and on the flight, things just always seem to be hectic when it comes to traveling. Of course, the objective of the trip is business, but you wouldn’t want to spend the entire time being miserable about the situation you are going to be stuck in so why not make those situations better?

There are plenty of brands out there that have gone above and beyond to put the traveling tensions at ease a bit with the creations of certain services, ways to get the things you need or simply making lodging a thing of comfort.

For instance, Holiday Inn, the big-name hotel is in the process of turning lobbies into a bit of a Social Hub. The concept will turn one area into a multifunctional space that includes the front desk, bar, restaurant and game room. This comes on the heels of a $1 billion facelift the company invested to provide new pillows, showers, signs and an improved scent in their hotels.

What about those hassles that you can endure with airport security that delay your time by a large margin? Well, Tom Bihn has a Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase, built perfectly for your laptop and other electronics that are accessible with a quick unsnap of a buckle, allowing for a quick check through security and getting you on your way to your destination. The briefcase will also act as a fully capable carry-on, housing your electronic accessories.

Another great service, which is now located in many major airports across the nation, is the Best Buy Kiosk. Yes, Best Buy is now selling electronics out of vending machines of sorts for those that forget their phone chargers, headphones or just have the sudden urge to pick up a new video camera for the trip ahead. The kiosk will keep as close to the retail prices as possible as well as providing upgraded software to allow consumers to return any purchases to stores with no convenience upcharge.

Wait, there is more!

Currently located just in San Francisco, California (although working on expanding), a company called Uber is now making your traveling needs even easier to receive. Simply text or use the Uber iPhone or Android application to have an on-call town car arrive at your location within 10 minutes to take you where you need to go. Of course, costs vary by distance and time or by a flat rate usually associated with airports. Billing is simple as it directly charges your credit card.

There are many ways to make your business travels less strenuous and these are just a few. Already worried about the possible business venture the trip is based on, you shouldn’t have to worry about even more and these brands are working hard to make those concerns a thing of the past.

Image credit: tanjila on flickr

It seems more and more that traditional methods of the workplace are changing into a more modern feel. Less people are going to work into office and they’re beginning to work from home or on a telecommuting basis. Communication is made through instant messaging services and other ways in order to allow people to conveniently, and still efficiently, work from home while with a company.

One of the crucial parts of working from home is the ability to have a spacious, organized work space at your house in order to do your work. Keep in mind, a home office doesn’t have to absolutely spectacular, but it does have to be perfectly set-up so that you’re not struggling to get work done while at home. Here are a few ways to go about building your home office, even when you don’t want to spend too much money.

Remember, this is your home office, so you have all the freedom to make it completely yours. Thrift stores are perfect places for many items, such as desks, picture frames, decorations and plenty of other things that are sold at a great price in order to still completely make your home office yours and make it comfortable for you. Remember to always look for sales at all stores for certain items such as notebooks or pencils, pens and all other things you would normally need at your office.

Your home office does not have to be a complete room renovation; rather it could be a small addition to a room. Pick a corner of your living room, add in a desk and go to work. Sometimes less is more and simply adding a small piece to your current space is imaginative and fits a budget well. Office furniture and supplies could be expensive should you decide to go to certain places that specialize in those types of sales. Instead, find the stores like Walmart that have a great low price on all your needs every day.

Also remember, with working from home comes the possible additional costs of electricity. Keep in mind to use very little electrical supplies that would up your bills instantly. Using smaller laptops, turning off unused lights and unplugging chargers is a key component to saving money with your home office.

Working from home should be about your own comfort as it is a beneficial service to you. Keep under a budget and you could have a great home office and save money, you’ll be happy you did.

Image credit: Sean MacEntee on flickr