Making concrete blocks is a solid business with great profits. Everything from big buildings to tiny backyard projects is built using cement blocks. They are used by the building trades everywhere. There is always a big demand for concrete blocks and they will not go out of style.
You can start a part time business,from your garage,making concrete blocks with hand molds. Plans and instructions for this are readily available. You make the molds yourself from plywood and sheet metal and simply fill them with the appropriate concrete mix. You then turn the blocks out of the molds and let them dry before selling them. One person can turn out 100 cement blocks in a good days work. A local supplier always finds a ready market at building supply stores. They welcome local producers who can supply them with their needs at a good price. With no transportation costs you can make a very good profit and still keep your prices very competitive.
Sooner or later the demand for your products will be more than you can handle using hand molds. At this point you may decide that your part time business is ready to become a full time living. You will want to manufacture concrete blocks in larger quantities. To accomplish this you will need a concrete block making machine. Concrete block making machines are available from several makers. Most of them are abroad and the machines are expensive. If you can afford it go ahead and buy one. They do a great job and will pay for the high cost with greatly increased production. However there is a better way– for a fraction of the cost you can build your own concrete block machine.
Building a concrete block making machine is actually not that difficult. Plans,with complete instructions,are readily available and will enable you to build a machine which will produce 800 concrete blocks per day. The machine is built from new or used auto parts,sheet metal and a few odds and ends. This machine made for a fraction of the cost of a commercial machine performs equally well. A small hand operated machine can also be built. This is capable of making 200 blocks per day and is easy to make and run. You can make any number needed of low cost concrete blocks. You will be able to fill bigger orders than you possibly could using only hand molds.
You will naturally want to produce other concrete products when you are in the concrete block business. You can make concrete garden ornaments, birdbaths,sundials,concrete garden furniture,patio slabs,window boxes,huge vases and concrete urns for the garden. There is a very strong demand for these items and they are very profitable to manufacture. Your small part time home business has by now become a full time,high profit,enterprise. Few jobs can make you the income possible from your business.
By: John Mowatt
Small Business Government Grants
March 4th, 2010 by admin No comments »
America is built on the ability for individuals to build their dreams, and small business government grants make that entirely possible. Since most businesses fail due to a lack of financing, the American economy cannot afford to not make it easy for people to start a business and succeed.
This is why small business government grants are available to everyday people interested in starting their own business. Federal funding offers a chance for someone to build a business and make a difference in our economy.
By helping entrepreneurs succeed, the government knows full well that small business government grants are a good bet. In return, you’ll create jobs, invite competition, offer great services or products, and cause people to spend money. These are all the things that the America was built upon and the things that will help this economy grow.
The process is pretty straight forward. An entrepreneur interested in receiving small business government grants will first search through the electronic database to find programs that fit their needs. With over 3,000 grants to choose from, there is no trouble finding multiple offers that you can qualify for.
Once you’ve identified those offers, simply submit an application and grant proposal by following the guidelines. It might require some effort on your end, but when you receive a check in the mail for $500,000 to help finance your new office, you’ll realize it was time well spent.
Once you submit your application, it will go into a review process, which can take a week or longer. Once approved, a check will be mailed right out to your attention, and you’re free to spend it in accordance to the grant terms. As long as you stick to the terms, you’ll never have to repay the grant money.
By: Austin Warty
Small Business Grants From SBA
March 3rd, 2010 by admin No comments »
The U.S. Federal Government is the nation’s largest provider of financial or monetary assistance for small businesses. Since 1953, the Small Business Administration (SBA) branch of the Federal government has helped many small ventures that have become household names today. The government considers small businesses very seriously. They realize their obligation to promote and develop these firms for the integrated development of the whole nation.
Small Business Administration:
The SBA does not directly offer grants to individuals for business expansion or start-up. For individual set-up’s, it provides a wide variety of loan programs on easy pay back terms. However, the SBA does offer many types of grants programs indirectly to benefit small business entrepreneurs. SBA grants programs are specifically designed to expand and enhance those organizations that provide small businesses with technical or financial assistance. These monetary grants generally support state and local governments, non-profit organizations and intermediary lending institutions.
Small businesses can in turn avail the grants from these institutions. The entrepreneurs need to have a workable business plan and meet the required basic criteria to avail the loan or grant from SBA supported institutions. These funds can be then utilized to either set-up or expand the existing businesses. SBA has very special and easy terms to offer business grants to women entrepreneurs and members of the ethnic minority groups to help them become economically independent. This leads to numerous co-related activities and finally development of underdeveloped regions of the vast country. It brings about a social change and societal uplift.
Benefits of Grants from SBA:
A grant is a direct financial contribution made without any expectation of a repayment but with very specific expectations of the required outcome. These programs are designed to encourage and assist entrepreneurs in starting their own ventures. This promotes an economic development and integrates the individuals into the mainstream of American economic society. Organizations that give grants exclude for-profit businesses, but encourage small businesses to take their grants. The grants are readily provided after meeting certain basic criteria.
Women entrepreneurs are the largest beneficiary’s of government’s generosity for special encouragement. Federal grants are extended to those non-profit organizations that provide counseling, training and other technical support to women groups. The SBA runs special help centers and women’s business centers to train the women technically. They give access to credit and capital, provide with government contracts etc as well.
Ethnic minority groups too are special beneficiaries of federal government’s financial grants on easy terms. SBA runs a Minority Enterprise Development Program known as the 8(a) program. This helps the minority entrepreneurs to bag the government contracts for the utilization of their products.
Small business people or groups are very hard working and enthusiastic about their business. They spend quality time to develop it and stay in touch with their work, as they do not have too many people to help. Their businesses take precedence over their family, friends or even vacation plans. They stay in constant touch to avoid failure or any unprecedented disaster. This helps in successful maturation of their businesses after an initial set-up time.
By: Alexander Gordon