How to Start a Babysitting Business

If you are looking for a small business start-up, babysitting can be one of the best business ideas around. Babysitting provides business experience and insight that will pay off throughout your professional career. Not only is it an inexpensive start-up, but it offers flexibility, non-seasonal and recession-resistant markets, as well as being an all-cash business. Babysitters can make as much money as their schedule permits while still accommodating the demands of their school and personal lives.

Step 1

Obtain relevant experience that you can document. Whether you are a teen or an adult, you will have to prove your ability to a potential client with references, credentials or proof of experience. While having references of sitting jobs you have performed for relatives is positive, you will want to get references from unbiased sources even if you have to volunteer your services at first.

Step 2

Receive certification for basic child care and child safety classes. Even if you have taken child care courses in college, you will still need to find a safety and first aid course offered by the American Red Cross or a local non-profit that is specific to infant and child safety. You should also seek certification in child and infant CPR. Not only will this make you more marketable, but it can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Babysitting child care classes are also available through the Red Cross.

Step 3

Establish a pricing schedule that is reasonable to both the target customer and your financial need. You will need to justify what you charge with the experience and level of service you will provide. While most rates range between $10 and $25 per hour, it may be reasonable to charge more or less depending on the duration and level of care necessary for a particular job.

Step 4

Start a business account at your local bank. Opening a separate account will help you keep track of your revenues and any business-related expenses for tax purposes, not to mention tracking your business success.

Step 5

Advertise your babysitting service. Whether you are offering your services as a solo contractor or beginning a fully developed company hiring out professional sitters, you’ll get the most bang for your advertising dollar if you display your marketing message (fliers, business cards and brochures) in venues that are trusted by your target consumer. Ask the local pastor if he would mention your business at the close of services or advertise in the weekly bulletin, or get permission to pass out fliers at the local school PTA meetings.

Before accepting a babysitting job always interview the potential client and meet with the child you will be caring for. Ask questions that will clearly tell you the customer's expectations regarding the amount of care necessary, preview the environment where you will provide the child care and interact with the child to make sure you will be able to handle their normal behavior and temperament.

How to Start an At-Home Cleaning Business

Cleaning companies serve both business clients and individuals. Cleaning businesses perform services directly in clients' homes, or on business clients' premises, allowing them to stay as lean as possible on the back end. Savvy entrepreneurs can run a successful cleaning business right out of their home, significantly cutting overhead costs. Knowing how to start an at-home cleaning business is the first step to entering this profitable market niche.

Step 1

Determine the exact suite of services you will offer to your clients. This will determine the equipment you will need at startup, as well as the size of the initial team you need to put together. Cater your services to local needs as much as possible. If you offer services in a warm climate, for example, include pool cleaning services in your repertoire; if you offer services in a cooler part of the country, include chimney- and fireplace-cleaning services.

Step 2

Create a business plan to guide you through the startup process and assist you in obtaining startup funding. Business plans can help you to uncover areas you may not have addressed, such as market segmentation and service pricing. Include a company overview, a marketing section, a financial plan section and a management overview discussing your previous experience.

Step 3

Register your business in your state and obtain any required business permits in your county. Different agencies handle registration for sole proprietorships, LLCs, S-corporations and other forms of organization, depending on your state. Follow the link at the end of this article to find a list of business registration agencies by state.

Step 4

Purchase all of the tools and equipment you will need to perform your services. Aside from basic necessities, such as vacuum cleaners, dusters and steam-cleaners, do not forget about materials, such as push-carts for employees and a large enough stock of cleaning solutions, to perform your first few jobs.

Step 5

Market your services to the public and always ask for personal referrals from satisfied clients. Consider painting your logo and company contact information on your main business vehicle, or at least buying a large decal to attach to the sides of the vehicle. Purchase premium listings in phone directories, search engines and other sources potential customers search to find local cleaning services. Place advertisements in local home-and-garden-focused publications, radio or television shows. Rent a promotional booth at home and garden trade shows to interact with potential customers directly and gain additional exposure for your brand.

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