Small Business News

In the aftermath of the pandemic, companies have learned to adapt and grow the concept of a flexible workforce. Remote work is now being practiced in most of the world. And Virtual assistant services have seen a growing demand in the past few years. There are several offerings online with virtual assistant courses you can take today to start working from home.

Here are some of the most popular online virtual assistant courses available for you.

Become a Virtual Assistant teaches you all the digital talents that the big corporations and the small business need in a virtual assistant. It will teach you how to create simple graphics, email marketing, manage different social media accounts channels, create PayPal payment buttons, payment plans, and invoicing.

This updated course, How to Grow Your Virtual Assistant Business provides you with the knowledge to ensure your business stays in business. You will learn to prioritize the highest paying tasks and clients, productivity and energy hacks, market yourself, build your own VA network, fire a client without burning a bridge, and more.

Double Your Virtual Assistant Income with a Niche Skill shows you how to earn more while putting in the same time by identifying in-demand and high-paying jobs clients are willing to pay for. The lessons include how to research in-demand skills, master your new specialty skill, price your skill, and attract high-paying clients using LinkedIn.

Executive Assistants: Managing Client’s Calendar is a step-by-step beginner’s guide to google calendar. In this course, you will learn to set up a Gmail address and Calendar, create and edit one-time events, create and edit recurring events, set up meetings, calls, and conferences, customize calendar preferences, and add text, bullet points, and attachments to calendar events.

Must-Have Skills (Training) for Virtual Assistants teaches you all the common tasks and requests of a virtual assistant with templates and scripts. The lessons included in this course are calendar management, inbox management, expense reporting, social media maintenance, research, lead generation, event planning, travel booking, presentation editing, and making purchases.

Is a guide on How to Become a Virtual Assistant from training to launching and growing your virtual assistant business. It will direct you on how to choose your services, target clients, and set up your prices and brand. Additionally, it will teach you business essentials like the legal and financials of your business.

In this five-hour course Work From Home as a Virtual Assistant, you will learn what virtual assistance is and learn how to prepare, launch, and run a virtual assistance service online. You will be taught about choosing a business name, business licensing and registration, creating your business profile, contacting clients, and charging your clients.

How to Find Your FIRST Virtual Assistant Clients elaborates on the four methods to landing your first client. Starting with defining your client you will explore how to define your SOPs, rehearse your elevator pitch, and where to find your clients. Moreover, you will be shown how to create a LinkedIn headline that sells.

Virtual Assistant: Find, Hire, Train, and Manage course shows you how to deal with entrepreneurial challenges by understanding what virtual assistants are and delegating tasks to them. You will see the benefits of virtual assistants, the cost of virtual assistance, hiring and working with a virtual assistant, and the seven habits of highly effective outsourcers.

Updated for 2022 Must-Have Tools for Virtual Assistants offers more than 30 tools you need to boost your virtual assistant business. Once your virtual assistant business is up and running this course will show you tools to protect yourself with a contract, secure your passwords, track your time, finance with Wave App and PayPal, email and calendar services, and much more.

The virtual assistant industry will continue to grow as more solopreneurs grow their businesses. Small and large businesses will also require their services to save money and improve their efficiency.

All the courses mentioned above are self-paced and contain progress tests. In addition to that, you will be awarded a certificate of completion and lifetime access to learning materials including the videos both on television and mobile. Moreover, you are offered a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "Take a Virtual Assistant Course Today – Start Working from Home" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/virtual-assistant-course.html

Of course, you could opt to start with an existing car rental franchise. Or you could start your own car rental business. That way, you can tweak a proven money-making small business model into a setup that best fits your location and desired business size.

The global car rental market is booming. North America is the biggest player, with the US leading the way. Overall, the car rental company business was $92 billion in 2021, with the bulk of that ($57 billion) linked to tourism. The car rental business is predicted to reach $140 billion by 2027.

Why should you start your own car rental business?

Buying an existing business can mean purchasing a franchise from a proven brand and business model, with an initial franchise fee, such as Avis, Hertz or Enterprise. Or you could purchase an existing rental business that an owner wishes to sell. Or you can start your own, which would take that proven business structure and build it the way you want it.

Learn how to start a car rental business with our chosen steps:

As part of your market research, look at other car rental companies and note the aspects of those operations that you think fit what you plan to do. For example, if you plan to offer classic car rentals or specialty vehicle rentals, you may make changes to the standard rental contract.

Car rental services have historically catered to business travelers. But according to statistics, the fastest-growing segment of the rental car company is the tourist.

If there’s an option for taking over an existing car rental business, do your due diligence. What’s the reason for selling? What are the ages/mileages of the rental vehicles? Is the business profitable?

Before you start your new business, brainstorm on what you believe will be your target market. Before starting a car rental business, you need to get a handle on who will most often be in the driver’s seat.

Short-term and/or long-term customers? Delivery or specialty vehicles? Luxury vehicles?

First, check to make sure the name has not already been taken. Choose a name that reflects your target market.

Your business plan will have similarities to the majority of business plans, with some key differences:

The majority of start-up car rental businesses choose the Limited Liability Company or LLC. These business structures protect personal assets.

Car rentals need to be supported by a vibrant population. That’s one important factor to consider.

Another factor is the cost of licensing vehicles, as well as the business taxes that will be levied on your operation. You can find that information with the Small Business Administration. The Small Business Administration has an excellent chart with those figures.

For example, if you locate your business entity in Vermont, the state will add a 15% rental tax onto your rental fee, plus a 9% surcharge and 6% state tax. Or, if you chose nearby Connecticut, there would be no rental tax, and you’d pay a 6.35% state tax and a $1 per day state tourism charge.

Using your business name, start a separate business account, along with a designated business credit card. Business accounts should always be kept separate from personal money/assets and accounts.

When you start your own business, you’ll most likely need a business auto loan.

Many rental vehicle companies affiliate with a car dealership, where they initiate a purchase or lease contracts. Using local car dealerships makes pickup and delivery more convenient. Of course, vehicle costs (business loans) will be the highest expense for small businesses in this field. The loans are costly but it is a good way to build business credit and support the future expansion of your fleet.

Insurance is another large expense. At a minimum, you’ll need general liability, commercial and comprehensive commercial auto for fleet insurance. If you own or lease a location, you’ll need property insurance as well.

You’ll need an Employer Identification Number, or EIN, to set up a legal business entity. You’ll need this even if you’re operating a sole proprietorship because the EIN is necessary for filing state taxes.

Here’s where you may need to hire the services of business professionals, such as an accountant and business attorney. Here are the main taxes you may need to pay:

Search engine optimization is important for every business website. If you don’t have the knowledge or time for this, hire a professional. You want people to be able to find you easily with an internet search.

You’ll also need a presence on various social media accounts, such as Facebook, which is another source for potential customers.

In addition to your website, social media platforms and digital marketing, you can affiliate with local businesses. For example, a local lumberyard or furniture store may give your card to customers who need to rent a delivery vehicle, or a vehicle repair shop can do the same, for a customer who needs a short or long-term local rental. Retain customers but quickly respond to issues, especially breakdowns.

Startup costs can range from $50,000 to $100,000. There are variations, such as the cost of the location to rent or lease, and the type and number of rental vehicles.

A low-end daily rental for a small vehicle is $40 and up, with a higher-end vehicle renting for $100 to $200 daily. You can expect to spend from $500 to $1,000 monthly in insurance costs. Your monthly fleet costs will vary according to your number of vehicles.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "How to Start a Car Rental Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/how-to-start-a-car-rental-business.html

Water coolers are units that cool, heat, filter, and dispense water for drinking. They offer easy access to drinkable water and encourage people to stay hydrated. Water coolers are also a cost-effective and greener alternative to bottled water.

By investing in a water cooler, you can help keep your staff hydrated throughout the day to keep them healthy and increase their level of concentration. Research shows that readily available water has numerous benefits, such as aiding and improving digestion and metabolism.

Everyone should have access to clean water! Keep yourself and your employees hydrated throughout the day.

Finding the best water cooler can be tricky, as there are several factors to consider. Below are our top picks for water coolers available on Amazon:

Top Pick: Brio’s top-loading water dispenser gives you a choice of cold, room-temperature, and hot water to satisfy all your hydration needs. The modern stainless-steel cabinet makes this water cooler ideal for your office décor.

This water cooler features a top-loading water system, which allows you to see if the dispenser is running low. It can handle three to five-gallon water bottles and has a tight seat to prevent any contaminants from entering your water supply.

The Brio water cooler weighs 40.3 pounds and comes equipped with an anti-rust, free drip tray, which allows you to keep your drip tray sanitary. The unit comes in at 43.1 x 17 x 14.1 inches, it is UL/Energy Star approved and includes a one-year limited warranty.

Brio Limited Edition Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser – Hot & Cold Water

Buy on Amazon

Runner Up: This two-in-one water cooler dispenser features a three-temperature push button faucet making it easy to dispense cold, hot, and room-temperature water. With the easy-to-use control panel, it can make ice and dispense hot or cold water.

Another feature is the near-boiling hot water it provides, which can be used for instant beverages and meals. And with the child safety lock on the hot waterspout, it will prevent accidental burns.

With the LED indicators, you can see whether the water dispenser is on or off and if it is heating, cooling, or making ice. This dispenser also comes with an ice basket that holds up to four pounds of ice. It can make nine bullet ice cubes at a time in 6-14 minutes and make up to 27 pounds of ice a day.

This unit weighs 40 pounds and comes in at 12 x 14 x 39 inches.

COSTWAY 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser with Built-in Ice Maker, Freestanding Hot Cold Top Loading Water Dispenser

Buy on Amazon

Best Value: The Frigidaire water cooler is basic and straightforward. It dispenses cold and hot water and has a safety lock for hot water. The tank is made from stainless steel to prevent overheating and drain water. There is a removable drip tray that makes clean up easy.

Product dimensions are 11 x 11.5 x 36 inches and the cooler weighs 24.8 lbs. It fits standard 3 and 5-gallon bottles.

Frigidaire Water Cooler/Dispenser in White

Buy on Amazon

Primo’s bottom loading cooler dispenses ice-cold, cool, and piping-hot water with the push of a button. The hot water includes a child-resistant safety feature, a stainless steel door panel, and water reservoirs. It also provides a removable, stainless steel drip tray that is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

This water dispenser can load between three to five gallons of water. The unit stands at 12.2 x 14.2 x 40.9 inches and weighs 40.8 pounds. Energy Star rating with a UL listing ensures long-term savings and electrical safety. Primo offers a one-year limited warranty for this unit.

Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler – 3 Temperature Settings, Hot, Cold, Cool – Energy Star Rated Water Dispenser

Buy on Amazon

Avalon’s top-loading countertop water dispenser gives you the option of crisp cold or piping hot output, making it ideal for cool refreshments or toasty beverages. With its easy-to-use paddle spouts, you can simply press your cup against the paddle to get the water.

The unit’s compressor makes cold water at approximately 47° F. The hot faucet is hot enough to make tea, hot cocoa, or instant soup at approximately 180° F. And it has a child safety lock on the hot water faucet.

At 13 x 12 x 19 inches, this water cooler weighs 30 pounds, is UL/Energy Star approved, and is suitable for both three- and five-gallon bottles.

Avalon Premium Hot/Cold Top Loading Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser With Child Safety Lock

Buy on Amazon

One of the best features of the hOmeLabs unit is that you don’t need to lift the heavy jugs. You just load the water bottle inside the drink dispenser door and insert the probe in the bottle, and you are set.

hOmeLabs’ water cooler dispenser comes with a stainless steel door and measures 40.9 x 14.2 x 12.2 inches to fit any space in your office. It has an ON/OFF switch to use for heating or cooling only when you need to. And the hot temperature can reach 185°F while it can get as cold as 49°F on the cold side.

This unit is also equipped with a bottle refill indicator, a removable drip tray, child safety lock, and it can accommodate three to five gallons of water at a time.  This instant cooler also has a refill bottle alert to inform you when you need to replenish the water bottle in the reservoir.

hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser for 3 or 5 Gallon Bottle – with Hot Cold and Room Temperature Settings Stainless Steel Design

Buy on Amazon

With the Euhomy Bottleless Water Cooler, you can enjoy filtered water in 3 temperature options. It has built-in UV lights that run for 20 minutes every hour, removing impurities and harmful substances.

This self-cleaning unit eliminates the need to buy a water jug, as it hooks directly into the water pipe. It is Energy star approved and has a safety lock on the hot water dispenser.

The display weight for this water cooler is 30.14 lbs. Dimensions are 40.75 x 12.8 x 13.58 inches.

Euhomy Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser

Buy on Amazon

This bottom loading water cooler from Avalon has a sleek, stainless steel design and built-in night light. It features a cold, room temperature, and hot water spout for easy customization. Frequently used areas are treated with a coating to prevent bacteria growth.

The dispensing area Is 12x3x10 inches with 9 inches Of space below the spouts, accommodating most large cups or bottles. . There is a removable drip tray for easy cleaning. This water cooler is bottom loading with a cabinet to hold 3 or 5-gallon bottles.

Avalon Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water Dispenser with BioGuard- 3 Temperature Settings

Buy on Amazon

This water cooler from Brio claims to be unlike any other on the market. It dispenses hot and cold water ranging from 39 degrees to 175 degrees, with two-step dispensing on the hot water spout for added safety.

This brio water cooler is made of premium stainless steel and has a self-cleaning ozone feature that sanitizes the tank and lines. This unit also has a LED display for illumination and can accommodate 3 and 5-gallon tanks.

Unit dimensions are ?14 x 17.5 x 44 inches; it weighs 43.75 pounds

Brio Moderna Bottom Load Water Cooler

Buy on Amazon

This water cooler by Kismile has many of the same features as other water coolers on our list, but with the added convenience of an ice maker.

It has a Smart Touch LED control panel with clear color buttons on the panel allowing you to choose hot water, room temperature water, cold water or make ice cubes. There is a low water indicator so you never run out of water.

This unit is 10.83″x 11.81″ x 33.46″. It also features a large capacity water reception area and automatic power shutoff.

Kismile 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser with Built-in Ice Maker

Buy on Amazon

The Igloo top loading water cooler dispenses hot and cold water. It features a slim black and stainless steel design which is said to be space-saving. There are two dispensing paddles and two separate spigots for cold and hot water. The hot water spout has a safety lock.

This water cooler by Igloo is ?12.8 x 13.14 x 37.8 inches and weighs just over 20 pounds. It is suitable for 3 and 5-gallon water jugs. It has a removable drip tray and adjustable legs.

Igloo Stainless Steel Hot & Cold Top-Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Buy on Amazon

Here is a list of some key features to look for to help find the best water cooler for your business:

These are convenient because they require no heavy lifting, and you simply shift the water bottle into the compartment. They come with an additional pumping mechanism, and they dispense water at waist level.

These are simply miniature versions of either top loading water coolers or point of source (POU) water cooler dispensers. The POU bottle-less models come with inline water filters, and they need to be near a point of use water source.

These dispensers require a direct connection to a water source as well as a nearby power connection. They cost a little more because they come with additional high spec features such as ozone injection or a UV light.

These are the most efficient and cheapest dispensers because they simply rely on the power and force of gravity, with no additional pump mechanism. The bottom of the dispenser often has a storage compartment as well.

Water coolers are generally thought to be safe as long as they are installed properly and cleaned and maintained often. The extra water supply should be stored in a cool, clean and dark environment.

You should keep your water cooler in an area where it will be most accessible. Break rooms or employee lounges are traditional places to keep a water cooler, but it is a matter of personal preference, as well as available space. Also, some water coolers must be hooked directly into the building’s water source, so consider that as well.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Qualify for discounts, special offers and more with a Business Prime account from Amazon. You can create a FREE account to get started today.

Image: amazon

This article, "Best Office Water Cooler Options in 2022" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/best-office-water-cooler.html

Getting government grants for your small business is definitely doable. However, the process is highly competitive.

The federal government grants span a wide variety of purposes. Government grants may help you expand your business and increase your bottom line. If you’re looking for where to get free money to start a small business, that’s a different focus. There are also other types of grant programs available for small businesses.

We’re going to talk about United States government grants.

Federal government grants for small businesses are like a financial aid program. What’s different is that the monetary awards are not loans that you have to repay. You go through an application process (we’ll tell you how, below) and if successful, you’ll be awarded a government grant and receive funding.

In what ways can you use a grant? The federal government grants are designed to fund projects and ideas that provide public services, such as critical recovery initiatives, and stimulate the economy.

There are a number of entities that can qualify for a government grant. Small businesses have to meet certain standards according to their size (number of employees) and average annual receipts.

Nonprofit organizations are also eligible for financial assistance in the form of government grants. A nonprofit organization such as a research institution may see financial support funding opportunities for training programs, scientific research, and/or innovative research.

But there isn’t a one-size-fits-all definition for eligible small businesses. Each type of small business entity has a different standard. For example, an accounting firm and an agricultural business may qualify with widely different standards for the number of employees.

The Small Business Administration is a great source of information about small business qualifications for grant programs. Although the SBA may be more well known as a source for small business loans, the SBA also can help you apply for government grants.

Truly, there isn’t a reason why you shouldn’t apply.

Grants. gov is the official government organization that compiles all the grant programs and initiates the funding if your business is awarded grants.

Grants.gov is a government agency that maintains information about federal government grants that are available to small businesses which qualify. All applicants for federal grants, such as small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions start with Grants. gov.

That’s where you’ll start your grants funding application process and find out if you’re eligible according to your business size and other requirements.

How can you get government grant funding opportunities? It’s a step-by-step process to submit your grant application. If at some point in the grant process you need technical assistance, that is just a few clicks away.

There are three main phases that are part of applying for grants. Within each phase of the grant process, there may be certain tasks you’ll need to complete:

In order to get in line for grants, you’ll need to register with your contact information and get a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. Just go to Grants. gov and click on the Register tab.

On your grant application, you’ll need your congressional district code, which you should find ahead of time and have handy to enter when prompted.

Search through the variety of grants that are available and make sure you are eligible as you apply.

Applicants should subscribe to get Alerts and Communications, which will keep you informed as new grants become available resources.

The final step in the Pre-award phase is for applicants to submit the grant application for funds.

Federal government staff members review your application for a grant. After you submit the application, you may wait several months to learn whether or not you got the government grant.

The federal government staff will review the eligibility requirements to make sure business applicants qualify for government grant funds. They will also review your proposal for funding and review your financial information, including whether or not you have outstanding business loans.

If your government grant application is approved, your business will receive a NOA, or Notification of Award for a government grant.

Once your eligibility and grant application have been approved, you’ll receive the government funding for your projects. That doesn’t mean the need for paperwork has ended.

Government grants have specific requirements to keep tabs on accountability. As part of being awarded grants, a business will most likely be required to make performance progress reports at specified times.

Government grants have specific start and end dates. For example, government offers of funds may specify that the funds be spent within 3 months. Or funding may be spread out over a longer period, even a year or several years.

During that time, a business must keep meticulous records of how the government money is being spent. Within 90 days after the government grant period ends, you must fulfill the funding Reporting and Closeout Requirements.

Government money is available for many types of entities, including universities and various nonprofit organizations.

Here are the basic types of entities that qualify for government funding opportunities:

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "How to Get Government Grants Using Grants.Gov" was first published on Small Business Trends

Read more: https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/05/how-to-get-government-grants-using-grants-gov.html