Business Plus Baby

With a growing population and plenty of pressure being applied to make people consider the environment when they throwing things out that they no longer need, this means that there is a good way to make money from their unwanted trash.

Recycling is now an established part of how we have to behave responsibly towards protecting the environment, which means that there is a potential business opportunity to consider.

Get yourself a suitable vehicle like a RAM 3500 pick-up truck and also learn what it takes to start a recycling business. In no time at all, you could be profiting from other people’s trash.

Many different opportunities to recycle

Recycling is big business and if you decide to start your own recycling venture, there is a wealth of different opportunities to tap into.

You could offer to help recycle paper products, plastics or e-waste to name just a few examples.

Obviously you will need to understand what is expected from you and how to recycle the various items in the right way, according to industry requirements, but there are definitely areas to exploit where you could conceivably carve out a niche recycling business, and quickly become the go-to person in your area.

Out with the old tech

A good example of the potential of recycling would be the case of electronics.

Gadgets and machinery are constantly evolving and being updated, which means that there is almost always a pile of old tech that needs to be collected and re-purposed wherever possible.

You could offer to collect all of these old electronic items and subsequently follow the required procedures for getting them recycled or at least some of the components that could take on a new lease of life.

Potential for profit

One of the big questions that anyone considering the idea of starting a recycling business will want an answer to, is why recycling can be so profitable?

Quite simply, it is the fact that there are some serious government targets and restrictions that businesses have to adhere to, meaning that you will unlikely be short of customers who need help meeting their recycling obligations.

Consumers are becoming more demanding when it comes to recycled products and environmental responsibility being demonstrated by companies they are considering buying from.

This means that you could be providing a much-needed service where there is plenty of potential for repeat business as well as good prospects for solid profits.

What to recycle

There will be capital costs involved if you are planning on setting up a recycling center, and there are different processes involved depending on what you are going to offer to recycle, which is why it is a good idea to decide on whether you want to concentrate on a nice area of recycling in particular.

Construction waste, aluminium cans, plastic products and even rubber, are just some examples of where there is a constant and growing demand for recycling services.

So if you want to recycle your work outlook, there is money to be made handling other people’s trash.

Paige Kerr is a environmentally conscious woman who, some might say, has taken things too far. Currently in the process of building an eco-home, she has also given up plastic; no small feat! Read her ideas on going green and looking after our planet at a variety of places online.

A new industrial unit is a big and important investment, so you need to get it right. If you choose the wrong place, it will cost you dearly, especially if you have to move again. However, you need to make your decision quickly so that your business can move on to the next phase.

Here are five useful tips to help you to make the right decision.

Location, location, location…

Your unit should be in the right place, or else it won’t work for you. You need to be close to a busy area, one that you can get a lot of business from. Industrial units in West Molesey are in a great position, for example, as they’re not hemmed in by city centre congestion, but they’re near enough to London and all its amenities and transport links.

Think ahead

If you’re a growing company (or if you hope to be…), then you need a space that will give you a bit of growth room so you don’t have to pack up and move a year or so later. A managed unit which can offer you a bit of extra room might be just the ticket. Alternatively you might have to downsize, so again, managed premises can help you to do that without having to move.

Look for security

Good security is vital to any business as you already know. If you have to store your finished products onsite you need to know they won’t be stolen or damaged. The same applies to your premises and equipment – you need to keep it safe and sound. Finding your own security can be expensive, so a good idea is to find a unit on a managed complex where security is part of the deal. Look for a manned desk, patrols and CCTV at least.

Make sure you’re accessible

If your customers and clients have to visit you onsite, it’s important that they can get to you and park without difficulty. It’s even more important that lorries and vans can load and unload with the minimum of fuss, so look for somewhere with tailboard loading facilities and a free car park.

Once you’ve found that, make sure there are train stations and motorways nearby, as well as a port or airport if you ship internationally. Of course this is related to location, but you have to look within your ideal area and if you’re torn between two or three places, the logistical advantages could help you to decide.

Look for any extras on offer

Following these tips should make finding an industrial unit easier, but why stop at just the unit? There will be some complexes that offer some extra perks or services, or at least a shower room and kitchen. You should also make the effort to get to know the other businesses in the complex, as they may be able to provide discounted services to you (and you to them, of course), or introduce their clients to you.

We live in incredible times. It’s now possible for mumpreneurs to earn great livings from the comfort of their homes. However, at some point in time, you might consider the option of finding an office space. It will help your business appear more professional – and give you space in which to grow into.

There will be room for employees, and you could even end up being closer to your customers. But let’s not beat around the bush, here. From the very second, you decide to leave the home office and move into a rented place; it’s going to cost a lot of money. So, read on to find out how you can trim those costs and keep more of your profits to yourself.

The right office

First of all, it’s vital to understand that moving into an office can have a dramatic impact on your profit margins. Rent is never cheap, wherever you end up, or how much your business is growing. But there are some simple things to consider for your office move if you want to save some money. First of all, consider sharing space with other businesses. Many co-working environments are springing up all over the country, and should be your first port of call. If you do decide to go it alone, avoid the traditional, central locations. Everyone wants a primary business address, and this causes the prices to skyrocket. Instead, be clever about your position. Sometimes, a small office block just off the center can be a lot cheaper than on the main drag, while still giving you all the benefits.

The right equipment

When you move into a plush new office, it can be tempting to fill it up with brand new equipment. However, there is no need for all this expense. Furniture can be picked up from thrift stores or the likes of arnoldsofficefurniture.com, rather than new. PCs and electrical equipment can all be bought refurbished from manufacturer’s outlet stores. And when your gear arrives looking brand new, you will understand there is no need to buy new. You can save anything up to 50% of the cost by looking into the used markets. It just makes sound financial sense.

The right services

Business rates can be expensive, no matter which utility providers or services you choose. But the key is to stay on top of your current deals. Take switching services such as power2switch.com, for example. They can help you find the best deal going in your region for electricity. You can do the same for gas, maintenance, and a whole host of other essentials. It’s also worth thinking about forgoing a traditional phone service. Again, it can be expensive for businesses, but as long as you have broadband, you can use a VoIP service instead.

Given the costs of renting and running, an office can be so much greater than working from home, try out some of these ideas. They will help you keep more of your profits, and improve your bottom line. Good luck with the big move!

 

If you work as a caterer, keeping on top of running your business can be a challenge. But you can always use your smartphone to help you out. There are a number of Android apps that are ideal for caterers, so here are some of the best.

Evernote

Keeping organized is one of the biggest challenges of running a busy catering business, and the number-one app you will need to make it easier is Evernote. The best note-taking app available not only has everything you need to keep your business organized, it also allows you to create notes dedicated to meals and recipes so you can keep them all in one place.

Weather Live Free

This weather app by Apalon Apps is the best weather app available, and you’re going to need it. If you are out delivering food for big events, you will want to know in advance what the weather will do. It has a seven-day forecast so you can plan well ahead, and it also has an accurate up-to-the-minute forecast so you can check the weather any time of the day and wherever you are.

FoodStorm

FoodStorm is a management app for caterers that makes managing your business easier. It has different plans to choose from, and it contains tools for production and distribution, managing orders, improving your delivery, and everything else you need.

BigOven

BigOven contains 350,000 recipes in its database, and the number keeps increasing. It’s free to access, but you can buy the pro version to scan your handwritten recipes. It’s marketed as for home cooks, but it is perfect for professional caterers, and it’s great for getting inspiration as well as keeping track of your own recipes.

Feastly

The Feastly App is great for caterers. It’s mainly for promoting your business, and you can list your own meals and share them with the community. You can also organize events where people can come and try your food for themselves, making it a great way to get the word out there and get more business.

My Cookbook

My Cookbook is another great option for storing your recipes. Create a digital cookbook and carry all your recipes with you, collect other recipes on the web, and use it for both inspiration and organization. Create shopping lists, sync to different devices, and enjoy the easy scaling up or down of the ingredients depending on the number of people you are serving. Paprika Recipe Manager is another similar app that is popular on Android.

ChefRef

This app is designed for professional chefs, and it contains thousands of recipes from chefs that you can use. But it also provides information on the latest trends and industry news so you can keep up to date.

QuickBooks

As well as preparing and delivering delicious food, you’re going to have to keep on track with the financial side of your business. This is where an app like QuickBooks can really help. This simple but powerful app enables you to track your expenses, get your statements, track your invoices, and everything else that you need to run your business accounts efficiently.

Give Your Catering Business a Boost

These are some of the best apps that you can download to your Android device to help you manage your catering business. Try them all out, and you’ll find that they prove very helpful both in the kitchen and in the office, saving you time and helping to increase your productivity.

This guest article is written by Charlotte Cook. Charlotte works as an events co-ordinator and deals with catering companies, photographers and venues on a near-daily basis. Her organizational skills are not to be beaten thanks to the technology in her pocket, she shares some tips on planning for any event.