
For many people, starting a business is a dream come true, but the thought of funding it may be overwhelming. However, a lack of funding should not deter you from pursuing your entrepreneurial aspirations. With careful planning and resourcefulness, it is possible to start a business without a lot of money. In this article, we explore some tips and strategies to help you get started.
Starting a business based on your skills and expertise is a smart move when you have limited resources. It allows you to use what you already know and leverage your existing knowledge to create a successful business. Consider what skills you have and how they can be applied to a specific niche. Research the market for that niche and identify gaps or areas where you can add value. This can help you to position your business as unique and stand out in a crowded market.
Collaboration helps businesses in expanding their network, gaining insights, and accessing resources. Find people with a shared vision to work together. This could be other business owners or even family and friends. Pooling resources and sharing costs, like office space and marketing expenses, can help keep overhead costs low and increase the chances of success.
Implementing a document management system can be a cost-saving strategy for entrepreneurs. One key benefit is the ability to efficiently convert and manipulate documents, like when you change formats from PDF to Excel. This conversion allows for easy analysis and editing of tabular data, which is particularly useful for budgeting, financial planning, and other business-related tasks. Entrepreneurs can make necessary edits, perform calculations, and create dynamic reports within Excel, thereby avoiding the need for expensive specialized software.
Once the required changes are made, entrepreneurs can easily resave the file as a PDF, preserving the document's original format for professional communication or archiving. This versatility not only streamlines financial and data management but also reduces expenses associated with outsourcing or investing in complex software solutions, making it a valuable cost-saving tool for small business owners.
Maintaining a good credit score is crucial for obtaining business loans and lines of credit. Lenders evaluate credit scores to determine eligibility and loan terms. It is important to monitor your credit score regularly and take corrective measures as needed, including paying bills on time, reducing the debt-to-income ratio, and challenging any errors on your credit report.
Starting a business entails risk, and generating income may take time. To mitigate this risk, it’s a good idea to keep your day job while launching your business. Doing so can provide a steady source of income to cover living expenses and reinvest profits back into the business, while also allowing flexibility to work on the business during evenings and weekends.
Bartering can be an effective way to get the services you need without spending money. Identify what services you need for your business and find people who are willing to exchange those services for something you can offer in return. For example, if you need help with branding, you can offer your content writing services in exchange for branding assistance. This can help you to stretch your budget and get the support you need to grow your business.
Marketing is essential for any business, but it can be expensive. Creating engaging and informative content can be an effective low-cost marketing tactic. Content such as blog posts, social media updates, and videos can help you connect with your audience, build trust, and establish yourself as an expert in your niche. Focus on providing value to your audience and creating content that is shareable and relevant to your target market.
Crowdfunding platforms can be a great way to raise funds for your business without taking on debt or giving up equity. These platforms allow you to pitch your business idea and offer rewards to backers who support your project. It is important to do your research and prepare a compelling pitch to maximize your chances of success.
Finally, taking steps to keep costs low is crucial for any business. This can involve adopting cost-saving measures such as remote work arrangements, open-source software adoption, and negotiating better deals with suppliers. By reducing overhead expenses, businesses can optimize their profits and ensure their budgets are being used efficiently.
If you are creative and strategic, you can launch a business on a tight budget. By identifying a niche that aligns with your skills and partnering with others, you can leverage available resources to launch a successful venture. Keeping yourself organized with PDFs and adopting a lean approach to expenses can also help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals without breaking the bank.
Members of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce have access to special partner discounts every time they shop in store with Staples. They can save on an assortment of products, from Signage and Promotional Products to Tech Services and Business Essentials.
Discounts include 20% off your in-store print & marketing services order including floor decals, signs and posters, indoor and outdoor banners, disposable menus and more. Additional discounts include 10% off your in-store purchase of regularly priced items such as safety essentials like face masks, sanitizer, office supplies like paper, ink and toner, and remote furniture like chairs, and desks.
Ready to start saving? First, enroll in Staples Rewards® at Staples.com/rewards
Already a Staples Rewards member? To get your number, login to your account, click Rewards, and then click Rewards Profile to locate your Rewards number or call 800-793-3320 for assistance.
Then click HERE to fill out the enrollment form to turn your Rewards Status to a Valued Chamber Member!
Also, be sure to download our Staples Connect App. This will link your Rewards Coupons, your Special Chamber Discounts, and other great offers right to the App on your phone. Just search the App Store or Play Store for Staples Connect or use one of the links below! On PC or Mac? Just go to app.staplesconnect.com instead!
Choose one per person
- APPETIZER
- MAIN ENTRÉE
- DESSERT TO SHARE
Weekly selection of Ugly Pie desserts
*after 4pm every Thursday. Exclusions apply
Bottomless Mimosas $22 per person. Flavors available + $2
*Full Menu Available After 1pm. Dine-in only*
DRINK SPECIALS
$2 Nattys
$1 Busch Light Drafts
$1 Off Wines By The Glass
$4 Bombs - Orange, Grape, Cherry
$4 Domestics
$5 Rail Drinks
$6 Import Cans / Bottles
$7 Classic Crushes
$8 Deep Eddy Crushes
$7 Select Flavored Vodka
FOOD SPECIALS
8 Wings (Bone-in or Boneless) $14
Fried Pickles $8
Taphouse Pretzel $8
Onion Rings $8
Mussels $13
Chili Nachos $12
Steamed Shrimp $13
Nitro Espresso Martini - $2 OFF
Absolut Vanilla / Kahlua / Cold Brew
$5 ABSOLUT VODKA MARTINIS
Citron Cosmo
Absolut Citron / Triple Sec / Cranberry Juice / Lime
Martini Your Way
Absolut Blue / Dry, Dirty, or Straight Up with a Twist
Lime Drop Martini
Absolut Lime / Triple Sec / Lime Juice / Simple Syrup
Chocolate Martini
Absolut Vanilla / Creme De Cacao / Bailey’s
Pomegranite Martini
Absolut Blue / Triple Sec / Pomegranite Juice / Lemon
Wild Berri Cosmo
Absolut Wild Berri / Triple Sec / Lime Juice / Cranberry Juice
Mango Martini
Absolut Mango / Triple Sec / Mango Syrup / Lime Juice
Baseball Specials
Available during all MLB games
$1 busch light drafts
$7 swishy pants
$8 domestic personal pitchers
Baltimore beer cheese dogs $16
2 hot dogs / beer cheese / crispy onion / old bay / fries
buffalo chicken dip $14
house made / cheddar cheese / chips
outta the park sliders $16
potato roll / beer cheese / caramalized onion /
crispy jalapenos
POWER HOUR - HALF OFF:
Orange/Grapefruit Crush, House Margarita, House Mixed Drinks, House Wine, Sun Cruiser Teas, Domestic Bottles
HAPPY HOUR
Orange/Grapefruit Crush $7, House Margarita $7, House Mixed Drinks $4, House Wine $6, Sun Cruiser Teas $4, Domestic Bottle $3, Drafts $2 Off
Pretzel and Nachos 1/2 Off, Queso Hot Dog $6
CHIPS & QUESO | $7
DIP TRIO | $10
Our Three house dips - Queso, Cowboy Caviar
& Salsa. Served with tortilla chips
BURRITOS
Chicken $12 | Barbacoa $13 | Seafood $15
Sunken (topped with Queso) +$2
Flour tortilla stuffed with cilantro lime rice, black
beans, pico de gallo. Served with tortilla chips
QUESADILLAS
Cheese $10 | Chicken $12 | Birria $13
Shrimp $14
Served with pico de gallo & tortilla chips
TRADITIONAL HOUSE MARGARITA (10OZ) | $3
Add flavors + $.50
PLATINUM MARGARITA | $15
Don Julio Blanco, Lime Juice, Agave & Splash of GM
COCONUT MARGARITA | $12
1800 Coconut tequila, triple sec, george's sour mix