HOW TO TURN A SMALL OPPORTUNITY INTO A PROFITABLE BUSINESS

As a child, I never received an allowance, so I learned how to make my own money. I have always been a creative sort, and very enterprising, so at the age of nine, I turned a Christmas gift into a business. The gift was a Kenner Give-A-Show projector. Users and collectors describe it as “The Give-A-Show Projector was equal parts slide projector and flashlight.” Its' plastic casing went through refinements, and the shape and color changed over the years, but it always contained a bright projector light bulb and a slot that allowed the user to feed a strip of film through the light it emitted to create projected images. To put on a show, the Projector user dimmed the lights and aimed their Give-AShow Projector at the blank wall of their choice. They then fed a projection strip containing six slides through the side of the Give-A-Show Projector. The end result was a series of four-foot images that told a story to the viewers through words and pictures.”

By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, BsEd, MSHSVC PWM Contributing Writer

business opportunities on the back page. One day I decided to try my hand at selling greeting cards. Even in my child's mind, I sort of figured the neighbors were getting tired of seeing me hawking my wares, but I could always use my power of persuasion to make the sale.

As I got older and life got in the way with kids and all, I had to get real jobs which I always hated because I cherished freedom of choice when it came to how I spent my days. I learned how to cook and sew at nine, and I used those skills to make clothes and baked goods for others. The sheer joy of seeing other people wear my clothes or enjoy a cake or a pie was almost as satisfying,if not more so than the compensation.

After opening the package and trying it out, I decided to go into the movie business. I found an old white sheet and nailed it to a wall in the basement. Then I dragged two cinder blocks from one of the empty rooms, along with a wooden plank to make a bench. (Yes – theater seating has come a long way since that crude beginning.) By word of mouth, I let the neighborhood kids know about my “theater” that was only opened early on Saturday mornings before the grown folks awakened. I charged a quarter for the show and a nickel for half a hot dog. The kids watched as I pulled the little film strips through the slide in the projector In a short matter of time, I had quite a lot of change – for a 9-year-old. After a while the theater idea grew old, and it was discontinued. But I came away with a sense of purpose and entrepreneurship.

My next venture was purchasing a small metal loom and cotton loops from the local SS Kresge store. I had already hatched a marketing plan. Every Friday after school, I started making potholders, usually ten or so, and I placed them neatly in a leftover Christmas gift box that still had the tissue paper in it. I got up very early on Saturday mornings and went door to door selling my little potholders for a quarter. People were so surprised to see me and my work; they usually paid fifty cents, sometimes even more. Once again, my hard work and ingenuity paid off.

I learned to read at an early age, and as a kid, I was addicted to comic books. I was a huge fan of the Marvel characters and Archie, Jughead, and their friends. As much as I liked the content, I was more interested in the

I never stopped trying to be my own boss and to share my talents with others. At one time, I opened a dress shop that specialized in creating wedding and prom fashions for tall, plus size, and dwarfed women. It was Utopia! It was also expensive. There were weeks when I made little to nothing while sewing the gowns and money poured in when they were ready for pickup. Ultimately I had to close the store due to a family illness, but I remained undaunted. Ten years later, I saw the possibilities in a small closed neighborhood restaurant. It was a success as well until the building was sold. This was when I learned a couple of valuable lessons about being my own boss. No matter how badly you want a store or a shop, disappointment may come because there are things that are always beyond your control.

Never one to give up easily, I started a line of organic skincare and lifestyle products. I created a website, did as much marketing as possible, and realized that neither Facebook nor Instagram would help get me into my own brick-and-mortar store, which I desperately wanted. I did flea markets and an occasional craft show here and there, but I always felt it cheapened my product offerings. Then one day, I Googled “free money,” and their algorithm directed me to a new bazaar opening in my area. The booth rental was a little pricey at first, but it gave me an opportunity to have that coveted brick-and-mortar location. A table, a chair, and an electrical outlet were made available in an 8x10 foot space, which has now expanded to a 16x20 foot space. People can sample my wares in person and avail themselves of my consultancy services.

As I looked around the place, I began to see other opportunities for small businesses that are often overlooked because many small business owners fail to think outside the box. Usually, when the word bazaar is mentioned, images of everything from exotic spices and handmade pastries to a collection of odds ends, new and used And while some get a bad rap, a visionary entrepreneur sees them as a way to start or expand a small business with a relatively small financial investment, a business brick and mortar location, and no shortage of leads who become clients. The possibilities are endless, especially for start-ups.

If an 8x10 foot space makes you think claustrophobic, remember most income tax companies rent spaces in retail locations that are about half that size, and many kiosks you find at malls are no bigger than 6 or 8 feet by 8 or 10. That space lends itself to unimagined creativity when it comes to display and organization. The table is there, and you can always add another one. There is room for a file cabinet, signage, computer, printer, and other business necessities, and you don't have to pack them up at the end of the day

In case you are wondering what type of business would work in an 8x10 foot space, here are a few ideas: handyman, financial advice, marketing assistance, consultation services, commercial cleaning services which affords you the opportunity to show potential customers what cleaning products are used, plants, wedding planning, legal consulting, cosmetics, perfumes and colognes, author signings, print-on-demand posters, greeting cards, and prints, hats, handbags, belts, socks, advertising, bread, pasta, etc.

Just as with any business, you will need to shop around for a venue that is suitable for your goods and/or services. You will need a way to accept payments, a hot spot for Wi-Fi in case there is none available at the location, and the all-important insurance to protect your goods and services. Expect to pay between $39 and $60 per month for premiums, and ensure all your licenses are up to date. You will also need a comprehensive marketing plan. Social media is one avenue, but there are a lot of other low-cost opportunities to reach your target market. If you own a website, collect subscribers, send out call-to-action emails, create a blog, take advantage of community advertising boards in supermarkets, drug and convenience stores, and free sites such as Next Door Take advantage of well-placed Google ads, and create informationalvideos.

The most important thing is a commitment to providing the best and most professional services to your customers and clients by always employing best practices. Be honest, truthful, and reliable. Be present when the doors open and stay until closing. Just because your business is small is no reason to minimize expectations. Remember, there is always room for expansion. Think James Cash Penney! Warmth, engagement, and good communication are the keys to building great client/customer relationships. Don't let yourself become consumed by what ifs, but rather can dos.

As important as money is, personal satisfaction is far more rewarding. Starting and managing a business is no small feat. It is hard work, and gratification might not come on a daily basis, but it will come.< you may think you'll have an easy time sliding into a new role. Not so fast. Because of the huge number of options available and plenty of workers contemplating changes, you're likely to encounter some competition to land the job you want. A solid interview can help you close the deal.

Consider these five tips to help you make a great impression and land the job of your dreams:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Avoid thinking of the interview as your first step toward a new job. Once you set the appointment, it's time to take a deeper dive to learn as much as you can about the company and position. Ideally, you did some of this legwork when you created a custom resume and cover letter, but for the interview, you need to know more. After arming yourself with all the information you can, practice answers to questions you expect the interviewer to ask.

2. Decide what the interviewer should know about you. Using the job description as a guide, create a list of points you want to communicate to show how your experience and knowledge fit the role. During the interview, pay attention to opportunities for sharing these details about your skillset. Most interviewers will give you the opportunity to add information you haven't covered; use this time to deliver a succinct summary of how you can succeed in the position.

3. Create your own list of questions. An interview isn't just about determining whether you're is a fit for you. Think about what you need to know in order to feel confident accepting an offer You might organize your thoughts by considering what is essential in a new job and what aspects are “nice to have.”

4. Present yourself as a winning candidate. Impressions are everything when it comes to interviews. Dress to impress with well-fitted clothing appropriate for the job and practice good grooming habits, including details like trimming your nails and minimizing distractions like pet hair. Arrive early enough that you're not rushed or flustered when you check in for your appointment. Use good posture, a firm handshake and a clear, confident voice. Speak authoritatively but respectfully and try to make the interview a comfortable, conversational exchange.

5. Leave a lasting impression. Before you end the interview, ask for clear insight on the next steps in the process. Within 24 hours, send follow-up messages to each person you met with. Thank them for their time and include references specific to your conversation, such as elaborating on a question or reiterating a key point. This shouldn't be a copy-paste message, but rather a tailored one to each individual. Close by reiterating your interest and how your skills are a fit.

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