Education and Tutoring Business

Colleges keep getting more competitive, and parents want to give their children every possible edge. Add to that the No Child Left Behind Act, which re-quires schools to provide tutoring services if their programs don't meet performance standards, and you have a solid market in education and tutoring. According to data from Eduventures LLC, an educational market research and consulting firm in Boston, revenue in the tutoring, test-preparation services and supplemental content industry for kindergarten through twelfth grade grew 6 percent in the 2004-2005 school year, reaching $21.9 billion.

Online tutoring, a $115 million market, is one of the hottest areas, especially for high school and middle school students, notes Eduventures senior analyst Tim Wiley. Selling tutoring services to schools is also sizzling, though Wiley notes entrepreneurs in this arena should be prepared to meet all the local, regional and state school requirements. For grades three through eight, reading and math tutoring is always in high demand, but look to science tutoring as a growth area in the next few years. Preschool education, too, is expected to grow exponentially, says Steven Barnett, director of the National Institute of Early Education Research at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey--especially as more states mandate preschool for all children.

Carving out a niche in this market is Marc Stelzer, 41, co-founder of the Learning Breakthrough Program in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. His developmental and learning program helps children age 6 and up with academic, cognitive and even motor skills. Marketing the product online as well as through therapists and professional associations, Stelzer expects sales to reach $600,000 in 2006--his first year in business.

With parents wanting the best academic possibilities for their children, the kids' education and tutoring arena is ripe for new businesses.

Tips for start your business :

1. Buy materials sparingly at first. You may be excited about starting a tutoring business, but don't clean out the teacher supply store on your first visit, notes Kim McLapp of CleverApple.com,a tutoring business information resource. You likely already have much of what you need--a computer with internet access and a decent printer. Plus, a variety of free teaching materials and lesson plans can be found cheaply online or at your local library. Wait until you book your first charges to purchase the grade and subject specifics you might need.


2. Organize your policies. Determine your pricing and makeup policies up front, notes McLapp. Make sure your policies are written out and clear to the parents and students. She suggests getting payment up front for the week, and having a "no-show" policy where makeup sessions are available, for example, on only one Saturday of the month. "So you don't have people canceling on you all the time," warns McLapp.


3. Market where the parents are. Try to network with your local school districts, either to sell your tutoring services to them or to have them refer parents to your company. Advertisements in local parent publications or a flier in the local library can also help get the word out about your company, notes McLapp.


4. Start locally. Find out the requirements and regulations of your local community regarding tutoring services, notes Wiley. When providing tutoring services directly to the local school districts, there are a lot of variables to consider--especially as local values and politics determine the direction of this market.


5. Start locally. Find out the requirements and regulations of your local community regarding tutoring services, notes Wiley. When providing tutoring services directly to the local school districts, there are a lot of variables to consider--especially as local values and politics determine the direction of this market.

Kid`s Sport Education Business

Kids' sports--from baseball and soccer to basketball and volleyball--are hot, and entrepreneurs jumping into the sports education field are scoring big. With so many parents wanting to help their kids excel in their sport of choice, there's a big market willing to shell out good money to train young superstars-to-be. Just ask Ivan and Sherri Shulman, 44 and 46, respectively, who founded The Sports House in Houston. The all-inclusive sports training company boasts two facilities with camps, clinics and daily sports classes. It even hosts parties.

"There's something about sports I learned a long time ago," says Sherri. "A plumber is going to spend the same amount of money as a cosmetic surgeon to make [his or her] kid better." They're spending so much, in fact, that 2006 sales for The Sports House are projected to hit $1 million.

Getting into the market takes skill, notes Sally S. Johnson, executive director of the National Council of Youth Sports in Stuart, Florida. She's noticed an increase in sports interest across the board--especially in organized youth sports--and suggests startup youth-sports trainers get training.

Interesting to build your own Kid`s Sport Education Business?

1. Get the requisite training. If you want to start educating youngsters about sports, you have to be a master at it yourself. You should be well versed in your sport of choice, and if you lack coaching experience, be ready to bring someone in who has a background in it. Also consider sports management training and sports administrative courses, notes Sally S. Johnson, executive director of the National Council of Youth Sports,Florida.


2. Assemble a great team. If you plan to open an entire training facility, make sure your entire staff is top-notch--like Ivan and Sherri Shulman, 44 and 46, respectively, did with their business, The Sports House in Houston. Make sure to conduct criminal background checks on employees, as they'll be working with children, suggests Johnson.


3. Pick a welcoming location. If you want parents to drop off their kids at your facility, you need to make it as inviting as possible. Choose a safe neighborhood and make sure every floor, window, wall and piece of equipment is shining clean, notes Ivan Shulman. Those little touches of comfort and community make parents eager to return over and over again for year-round activities.


4. Put safety first. Sports and physical education are fraught with risks, so you need to bone up on your safety and first aid training. "They don't need to know how to handle dislocations so much as they need to know the emergency first aid response," says Johnson. And don't forget insurance: After researching the type of insurance he would need, Ivan Shulman found a broker who specialized in youth and batting cage businesses.


5. Treat every kid like the next superstar. Keep it positive as you encourage kids in their particular sport. "Every parent thinks their kid is the absolute best in the world," says Sherri Shulman. Your treatment of both the children and their parents should be over-the-top enthusiastic and encouraging, making every client feel special. Why? Because it's all about building self-confidence--not just in sports, but in life.

Good Luck !

~ entrepreneur resources

A Kid`s Cooking Business

From cooking classes and kits to full-fledged cooking parties, this still-hot category even includes kids' cookbooks in the recipe for success. "The awareness has risen," confirms Julia V. Jordan, president and founder of Spoons Across America, a New York City organization that provides food and cooking education programs to schools and community organizations nationwide. "There's much more of an interest [in] having children learn the skill of cooking."

And entrepreneurs like Barbara Beery, founder of Batter Up Kids Culinary Center, are stepping up to teach them. Batter Up Kids started out offering cooking classes, but today the Austin, Texas, business also retails cooking kits and cookbooks written by Beery, with annual sales of about $465,000.

Whether a kids' cooking business takes a recreational bent or a more serious one, like teaching children about health and food preparation, the key, experts say, is to keep it fun and age-appropriate. Even kids as young as 2 can participate with doughy, cookie-type foods. Tweens are a great entry point into the market, as are simple cooking parties. Jordan suggests looking to regional food trends for what's hot with kids in your area.

Consider the following ingredients before you whip up your own kid`s cooking business :

1. Play it safe. Be 1,000 percent sure of your safety procedures. Ensure all cooking classes are age-appropriate--for instance, keep 5-year-olds away from flames and knives. And as children get older, you should incorporate kitchen safety training, notes Beery. Also make sure your kitchen is compliant with all local and state sanitation requirements before you get started. Insurance is another consideration: Beery met with her insurance agent to discuss her needs as well as the kinds of cooking tasks the kids would be involved in at every age. The number of children in the classes was also a factor in the type and amount of insurance.
   
2. Check out the competition. The children's cooking market is definitely a hot one, so see what your local competitors are offering. "You might find out that you're in a little more crowded place than you thought," says Julia V. Jordan, president and founder of Spoons Across America, a New York City organization that provides food and cooking education programs to schools and community organizations nationwide. Determine how you might differentiate your company's services.


3. Offer more than just cooking. Many parents love a full-service party for their kids--where the vendor provides not only the cooking materials, but also the location and cleanup. Market themed cooking parties with all the trimmings to stressed-out parents who, like Beery's clients, are relieved to hand over those duties and willing to pay a premium for peace of mind.


4. Test that recipe. Check out local community organizations, suggests Jordan--they might give you an opportunity to organize a trial class. "It's a win-win for that group--and you're off doing it for some test marketing," she says. Just think, a local Boys & Girls Club, Girl Scout troop or other after-school program might be looking for a fun new activity for its young charges.
   

Good Luck!

~ Entrepreneur resources

An Organic Food Business

From zero trans-fat snacks to fortified foods with added health benefits, if it’s good for the consumer, it’s most likely good for business. Even candy is being loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, healthy extracts and vitamin C. But the real buzzword is organic. According to the Organic Trade Association, based in Greenfield, Massachusetts, organic food sales in the U.S. totaled nearly $14 billion in 2005, with double-digit growth expected from 2007 to 2010.

Gigi Lee Chang, 39, received a warm welcome when she officially launched her line of organic, frozen baby food products nationwide in major retailers like Wild Oats and Whole Foods Market as well as smaller natural and organic grocery stores this past August. Based in New York City, Plum Organics is the first to launch organic, frozen baby food on a national level, and Chang (above) expects 2007 sales to hit $1 million. Not bad for a company in its infancy.

An organic food business can be your ticket to au natural business success.

Want to build an organic food business?

1. Take baby steps. Before launching Plum Organics, Chang broke up the overwhelming task of launching a line of baby products into baby steps. Says Chang, "It was very much breaking it down and saying if I want to go from where I am now to my goal, what are the things that I need to do, what are the questions that I need to answer and then how do I go about trying to answer them."


2. Set goals and stay on schedule. "You have to be very clear on your goal of when you want to be in market because whether you're doing it full time or not, if you don't have a specific time frame to work toward, it can just get put on the back burner," says Chang.


3. Attend industry trade shows. Whether you're just attending or actually showcasing your product, trade shows are a way to get great exposure and some wind in your sail. Says Chang, "Trade shows give you a context, a way to meet people, and they can provide you with some really great resources because they have classes and workshops that you can take.``


4. Go back to school. Gigi Lee Chang, 39-year-old founder of Plum Organics, an organic frozen baby food company in New York City, signed up for classes that were being offered by her local universities. The classes helped her gain perspective into an industry that she had no previous experience in.
   

Good Luck!

~ entrepreneur resouces

A Burger Restaurant

A burger business might sound old school, but new hamburger restaurants are serving up patties with a twist .

Ivan Brown, is a brand manager of ground beef at Cargill Meat Solutions.

According to Brown, 8.5 billion burgers were served in commercial restaurants during the 12 months ending March 2006. Entrepreneurs can beef things up with upgrades, customization and flavor. Give consumers high-end toppings, the freedom to create, and ethnic and untraditional flavor options, and this is one item certain to keep the grill red-hot. For those interested in franchising, check out this month's "What's New" column on page 126 for information about gourmet burger chain The Counter.

How can you cook up your burger restaurant?

1. Immersing yourself in the industry. Opening a hamburger restaurant may sound simple, but get some sound experience at a restaurant before jumping in headfirst. "I would advise that you have previous restaurant experience," says Tim Goodell, 39-year-old founder with wife Liza Goodell,a Hollywood, California, burger and wine bar.


2. Setting yourself up for success. The restaurant industry is a competitive marketplace, says Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research at the National Restaurant Association in Washington, DC."Anyone considering launching a new restaurant concept has to be extremely diligent in doing a pretty rigorous business plan and identifying not only the market area, but the demographics within that market area and making sure that they are aligned with the product offerings."


3. Knowing who you"re serving. Study your target market and take the time to get to know what they want and expect. According to Ivan Brown, brand manager of ground beef at Cargill Meat Solutions, a producer of ground beef based in Wichita, Kansas, customers today are willing to show you the money as long as they get options, flavor and quality in their burgers.


4. Letting your imagination run wild. Differentiate yourself from the competition by using your creative thinking. Says Riehle, "[Hamburgers] will always remain an American favorite, but there are a lot of enhancements and tweaking of the basic menu item that can and are being done."


5. Keeping an eye on the economy. Overall, the restaurant industry is exploding. In fact, according to Riehle, 47.5 percent of all food spending is allocated to the restaurant industry, and that percentage is expected to surpass 50 percent in the next decade. However, as fast as the industry is speeding forward, be aware of factors that might affect different segments of the industry.
   
   

Good Luck!

~entrepreneur resources

A Chocolate Business

Do you love chocolate ? Most people from child to adult like chocolate very much.If chocolate is your passion, this could be the business opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

"Chocolate is more popular today than ever before," says Joan Steuer, founder and president of Chocolate Marketing LLC, a Los Angeles consulting firm that specializes in strategic forecasting and tracking trends in the chocolate industry.

According to Mintel International, a dark chocolate sales were up 40 percent in 2006.Dark, artisanal, organic, socially responsible and nutraceutically enhanced chocolates are especially hot varieties, according to Steuer. Opportunities also exist in chocolate cafes, chocolate fountains and chocolate education, such as tastings. And you can't go wrong with basics like chocolate snacks or a shelf-stable ganache. Says Steuer, "The world of chocolate is wide open for anyone to succeed if they take the right steps."

The 5 tips to build your chocolate business are :

1. Ask yourself three key questions. "Ask yourself, 'Where am I now, where do I want to be and how do I get there?’" advises Joan Steuer, founder of Chocolate Marketing LLC, a Los Angeles consulting firm that specializes in strategic forecasting and tracking trends in the chocolate industry. When answering, refrain from comparing yourself to the competition. Instead, focus on your strengths and your distinguishing qualities.


2. Pool your resources. Have enough money in the bank to last you at least six months out, recommends Steuer, and form a board of advisors who can offer unbiased advice and suggestions. When forming your board, don't limit yourself to experts within the chocolate industry. Even people from outside of the industry can offer great insight.


3. Love what you do. "For every entrepreneur, it's always going to be harder than you think it is, and you have to have great love and passion," says Steuer. "Don't just chase chocolate because you think you'll make money. It's hard to make money in chocolate. I work with struggling artisans as well as wildly successful companies."


4. Keep your eyes wide open. Chocolate, in general, will never lose its appeal, but studies, research and taste buds can change with each passing year, bringing certain types or flavors of chocolate to the forefront. In order to keep up with these trends, Steuer stresses the importance of living consciously. "Don't have blinders on to other industries because that's often from where the best ideas come," says Steuer.


5. Believe in yourself and your product. "If you think your idea is ahead of its time, chances are that it's a great idea," says Steuer. "It's just a matter of letting people know why they need it and why it's different and better."
   

Good Luck !

~entrepreneur resources

A Coffeehouse Business

Can you imagine that you have your own coffeehouse?Coffee is a viable business idea.Whether it is a drip,a latte or a cappuccino,Americans are addicted to their coffee.According to to the Specialty Coffee Association of America, specialty coffee was an $11 billion industry in 2005, up from $9.6 billion in 2004.

For Beth Livedoti, 29, Jeff Furton, 29, and Stephanie Lemmo, 28, entering the industry in 2004 meant opening a window--or two. At The Daily Rise Expresso, a double-sided coffee and smoothie drive-thru in Ogden, Utah, customers come for more than a drink. "[Some customers] come in two to three times a day just to talk," says Livedoti. "We are their little piece of sanity." Year-end sales will reach $300,000, a second location opened earlier this year, and franchising is in its future.


If a coffeehouse isn't for you, think products like Java Juice, a liquid extract straight from the bean. Other niches include aftermarket products like Coca-Cola Blak and products that incorporate coffee for its health benefits.


To grow up your success coffeehouse businees, know the 5 keys :

1. Use your size to your advantage. Being small has its benefits--especially when it means you can accomplish what the big players aim to do but sometimes fall short. Study the coffeehouses in your community and examine what they fail at, advises Simon. By doing so, you'll have a better chance of finding your niche.



2. Aim for excellence. "People clearly want the milieu of a coffeehouse," says Simon. "They want the intellectualism, the music, the art. So do it. Really play music that you haven't heard a million times before, really put up local art on the walls, really emphasize your relationship with the community. If you really want to have a coffeehouse, go out and educate people. People want to know about coffee. It's like wine. Really go and educate your baristas."



3. Establish a presence in the community. The co-founders of The Daily Rise Expresso make it a point to stay involved in the community--whether it's providing refreshments at the farmer's market, concerts and fourth of July celebrations or donating to local schools and fund-raisers. Says Livedoti, "People start to see us around town, and I think that sets us apart because we support them, so, in turn, they come back to support us."



4. Don't underestimate your customer. Make sure you do your homework and find quality products in order to truly satisfy your customers. The founders of The Daily Rise Expresso considered 25 to 30 different roasters before making the final selection. "People really know their coffee," says Livedoti. "So it's very important that you're starting out with a good quality bean."



5. Prioritize customer service. "It's about attention to detail and figuring out what that person wants and what that person is really going to enjoy and what's going to get that person coming back time after time," says Lemmo. "People appreciate that you make an effort to figure out what's going to be the best for them."
   

Good Luck!

~entrepreneur resources