I am from chennai, i want to learn about import and export buisness done in tamilnadu? -

to go to work in any experiensed persion after too

Candles - what do you think? -

Hi,I have been making candles from home and selling them to friends/family/peers for a while now, with some great feedback. I m ready to create a website and start selling online, and will be looking at opening a store within the next two years.What I would like to know is:1. What makes you purchase a candle?2. Have you or would you purchase a candle online - If so what is the driver? Why did you purchase or would you purchase that candle online? Is it because it is already from a well known company?3. If you currently buy one specific candle brand, what is it you like most about that brand of candle?4. If you could change anything about the current candle(s) you use now, what would it be?5. Would you be open to purchasing from someone who offers freebies with each sale?6. Are shipping costs a deterrent in purchasing online?I m trying to gather some information to help me along my way, so any help is much appreciated. Anything above and beyond what I have asked is welcomed!

There are quite a few retailers that sell candles including gift shops and supermarkets. Opening a store is a big step and you would possibly need to include other products as well to maintain a weekly source of income. For example, candle holders and bases, incense, wrapping paper etc.. as candles make a great gift idea.People who purchase products online expect to pay delivery costs.You would best to send out brochures, flyer s and leaflets possibly with pictures of your candles to businesses, local housing, and wholesalers. You might get a good following from local friends and family but they are less judgemental than retail people.

Michelle, sounds good. There s something called eBay.

I love candles, there s something soothing about the softness of candle light and the fragrance is a bonus. But, I like soft, natural fragrances like lemon, musk, sandalwood, not some of the irritating and overwhelming fragrances you find in some of the mass market stores. Generally, I purchase votive candles, but I do like pillar candles as well, it s just that the cat likes to tackle things in my apartment and a lit pillar candle is too much temptation for her. If I walk into a store and see a candle display, I m over there right away. I look for texture, color, fragrance, and style. Soft, gentle colors with a sandalwood fragrance are my favourite ones. I ve never purchased candles online, but I would if I knew the company had a reputable online business. But, I d rather buy from The Shopping Channel (QVC is the U.S equivalent I believe) since I have done business with them before and their return policy is fair. I buy one particular votive candle mainly because of its scent and because the store is accessible. I am handicapped and use a scooter which means many small stores are off limits to me because the aisles are too closely set up. That would mean an online candle business would be ideal for me to make purchases from if I felt secure using my credit card. I would definitely purchase from a business that offers freebies. Even if it meant getting points for each purchase that I could redeem for merchandise. Shipping costs are a big factor as to whether or not I make a purchase. I get free shipping with Amazon and an art supply business that I buy from and that s one of the reasons I do business with them.Something you might consider is to rent a booth or kiosk at a market during the holiday season to see what candles are most popular and ask customers to fill out a brief survey. As an incentive, everyone who fills out a survey is entered into a contest to win a gift basket. Make up a gift basket of your products and have it on display. This would also be an item you could take orders for and make up with specified fragrances and candles. Maybe have a few different sizes of gift baskets on display and make up a small flyer depicting your merchandise as well as the gift baskets. Have these flyers on hand at your kiosk for customers to pick up and mail some to businesses in your area with the idea that they make great gifts for their staff and clients. Hope this information helps you! When you do open your store, please make sure it is accessible and that means that the entrance is level or has a ramp for entry. The aisles need to be spaced far enough apart for a power chair or scooter and there needs to be room for these types of mobility aides to turn around or turn into the next aisle. :)

If you have just a bank card is that enough for an ebay account or do you need a credit card? -

A bank card is good enough for Ebay, yes.

If you mean a Paypal account, you need a debit card, credit card, or bank account to go with it.

Do I need both city and county business licenses? -

I m starting a home based, internet drop ship business that requires a fictitious name statement as well as a business license. Do I need a need to be licensed with both the city and county? I m in Sacramento, CA.

only city, however, the reseller license you normally get in county so if that is the case in Sacramento, yes sure

depends on what the county requires - every county/state/town is different - you will need a state sales tax license also, along with possibly a resale certificate to avoid paying sales tax on items you will be reselling

Legal Advice for purcase of flat what i have now in posassion? -

i am stying in a flat since one year, @ Rs. 3500/- (including mentenance) but the owner of the said flat did not provide me the rent agreement and the owner sell the said flat some one on 12.11.09 without any intimation me. The new owner asked me to vacate the said flat on 12.12.2009. I am telling him for postpone to March, 09 whenever my daughter s exam completed. But the new owner charged me @4500/-. I want to purchase the same, please send me the legal advice for stay order and purchase the same.

I think u are a bit confused.Do you want to purchase the flat or possess it till march next year?If your owner has already sold his flat then you have to accept the new owner but you can pursuade him to give you some time to vacate it.But be sure you cannot say that you want 4 months to vacate the flat.you have to abide by the terms set by the new owner.

What are the challenges of starting and owning a small business? -

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Wow. It would take a week to completely answer that question and some answers would depend on what type of business. Biggest challenge is typically capital. Next is sales/marketing. Employees can be a headache. Self employment taxes.

LOL... what ISN T a challenge when you start and own your own business?? ;-)But seriously, there s a few that stand out in my mind:1. If your small business consists of just yourself, as is the case with many small businesses starting out, you have to do EVERYTHING yourself. A typical day for the small shop owner might include serving customers, working with suppliers, promoting your business, attending a local chamber of commerce meeting, paying bills, cleaning the toilet, vacuuming the floor, etc. Dealing with the array of many disparate tasks requires incredible discipline and multitasking abilities. 2. Getting through the initial period where you re not yet profitable. Many businesses involve substantial up front investment. It takes time for enough revenue to come in to offset these expenditures. That can be stressful, but hard work and patience can help this process along.

I have a 2 store coffee company with roasting capabiities is now the time to franchise -

we are a small coffee roasting company that is solid and does well we are selling on line and wish to grow is franchising a possible move

Merlin, franchising is possible, but you need to recognize it is a completely different business from the one you re in. Sure, you ll still be in the coffee world, but more importantly you ll be in the franchise-sales and servicing business. That takes a significant shift in mindset since it s a sales job instead of a coffee roasting or customer service one. Not to mention, you ll be entering the business-to-business arena rather than the consumer business. Of course, costs are a major issue too. You should expect to spend more than $100,000 creating and marketing your franchise concept, capital you won t have available for your own stores. None of that means that franchising is a no-go, of course. I just want you to understand that franchising your concept is quite different from deciding to add more stores or sell your beans elsewhere. Recognize that this is a huge decision and one you could avoid by continuing to expand your own store model into additional outlets in your city or into others.For more on this issue, I recommend reading Mark Siebert s very smart piece on Entrepreneur.com in which he runs through 10 items in the decision tree, ranging from business concept to entrepreneurial personality. http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/f��

lots of expense and red tape involved with franchising a business and this economy is not a good time to try doing that - keep going as you are, save as much money as possible and if things are still going good in a couple of years after the economy recovers - rethink it then - maybe open a 3rd store sometime in the next 2 yrs first