How to Start a Business of Raised Garden Beds: A Step-By-Step Guide
How to Start a Business of Raised Garden Beds: A Step-By-Step Guide
Move over pool boy, there’s a new Gardner in town. And it’s stirring things up. See, starting a business (any business) can be an overwhelming process, but it doesn't have to be. Here I’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to start a business by using a raised garden bed installation and management company for this example to help you get your business up and running in no time. We'll cover all the important steps providing you with the knowledge and confidence needed to start your own successful business.
Finding Your Why:
It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re stating, everyone wants to know why you got into that field or business. This helps people understand who you are and how passionate you are about your business is an initial indicator to people as to whether you’re actually good at what you do. Because if you have a good why then you are devoted to that business and cause, allowing people to believe in you and hiring you and your company. Before starting you should get all the necessary information and knowledge about the gardening business. Raised garden beds are gardening structures that are built by creating a raised platform of soil above ground level. They are typically rectangular or square in shape and are made using various materials, such as wood, brick, concrete blocks, or even recycled materials like plastic or metal.
The main advantage of raised garden beds is that they provide better drainage and aeration for plants than traditional in-ground gardens. They also allow gardeners to control the soil quality more easily, making it possible to grow plants that may not thrive in the local soil.
Raised garden beds are ideal for people who have limited space, as they can be constructed in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can even be built on concrete or asphalt surfaces. They are also a good option for people who have physical limitations that make it difficult to tend to a traditional garden.
When constructing a raised garden bed, it's important to consider the type of soil, the amount of sunlight, and the drainage requirements for the plants you want to grow. You may also want to consider adding compost or other organic matter to the soil to help improve its fertility.
Overall, raised garden beds offer many benefits to gardeners, including improved soil quality, better drainage, and greater accessibility. They are a great option for people who want to grow their own food or simply enjoy gardening in a more convenient and controlled environment.
It is important to think carefully about business you want to start, so you don’t end up wasting money or time on something that won’t be successful.
Naming your business:
Choosing the right name for your business is an important step. It should represent your values and goals, be memorable, and reflect the spirit of your company. Think about what you want to communicate to potential customers, clients, and partners. Research potential names to make sure they aren’t already in use by another company. Once you have chosen a name, you can search to ensure it is available as a domain name and trademark it. Finally, register your business name with the state or county clerk's office. For Garden Services, this registration should take place in the state of Florida
To do so, visit the Sunbiz website and follow the instructions there. You will be issued an official document confirming your business name and verifying the fact that it is registered with the state.
Registering your business with the state:
If you are starting a business in the United States, you will need to register with the state. Every state has different requirements for registering a business. In Florida, for example, you can register your business online at the Sunbiz website. The first step is to create an account and then choose the type of entity you wish to register (e.g. LLC, corporation, etc.). Once you have chosen an entity, you will need to enter your business name, the address of your business, and other required information.
Registering your business with the federal government:
To register your business with the federal government, you need to obtain a Federal Tax ID (also known as an Employer Identification Number or EIN). This can be done through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, and requires some basic information about your business. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an EIN via email or mail. For example for Eden's Garden Services, the EIN will allow your business to open a bank account, pay taxes, and hire employees. Registering your business with the federal government is a relatively simple process.
Opening a PO Box:
A PO Box is necessary for customers to send payments and for vendors to send paperwork. When setting up a PO Box, you should choose a location that is convenient for both you and your customers. Once you have chosen a location, you will need to provide proof of residency and a valid form of identification.
Opening a bank account:
When starting a business, opening a bank account is an important step. It will help you keep your personal finances and business finances separate. To open a bank account, you will need your Federal Tax ID which you can obtain by registering your business with the federal government. You should also research different banks to find one that best fits your business needs. When opening your account, you’ll need to provide information such as your business name, address, and contact information. Once you have your bank account set up, make sure to use the bank's online services to help you manage your finances quickly and easily.
Get a Website:
A website provides potential customers with a place to learn more about the services you offer and how to contact you. It also helps to create an online presence that builds credibility. When selecting a website platform, consider ease of use, price point, and security features. There are a variety of website building platforms available, from those geared toward newbies with no coding experience to those that require a more advanced understanding of web development. Some popular options include WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly. You may also consider hiring a web developer or designer from freelance platforms like Fiverr to create a custom website for your business. Creating a website for Garden Services is an important step in establishing a successful business.
Create branding and marketing plan:
Creating a strong brand identity is essential for the success of any business, and it’s especially important when starting a business. Your branding and marketing plan should clearly identify your target market, create a memorable brand story and position your business in the market. To create a successful branding and marketing plan, start by defining your target customer. Once you’ve defined your target customer, crafted your brand story and positioned your business in the market, it’s time to create a comprehensive branding and marketing plan. Your plan should include strategies for reaching potential customers via online and offline methods, such as social media, email campaigns and advertising. Additionally, you should create guidelines for all branded materials, including logos, colours and fonts. With a well-crafted branding and marketing plan in place, you’ll be able to reach your desired audience more effectively and differentiate yourself from the competition.
The business of raised garden beds offers several opportunities for entrepreneurs who are interested in sustainable living, gardening, and providing value to customers who want to grow their own food. Another business opportunity is to offer installation and landscaping services for raised garden beds. This can include helping customers design their garden layout, building the raised bed, and planting and maintaining the garden. Entrepreneurs can create and sell educational resources such as e-books, online courses, or video tutorials on how to build and maintain raised garden beds. These resources can provide value to customers and help them get started with their own gardening projects. Businesspersons can also sell gardening supplies such as soil, compost, fertilizer, seeds, and tools to customers who are interested in building and maintaining their own raised garden beds.
HOW TO START A BUSINESS: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
April 20, 2023•6 min read
“A big business starts small.”
-Richard Branson
Starting a any kind of business can be an overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post I will provide a step-by-step guide to help you start a business with a solid focus and foundation. We’ll cover all the important steps to help you feel knowledgeable and confident so you can successfully start your business.
EXAMPLE: Let’s pretend that you are starting a raised garden bed business where you will be selling the necessary materials to other hopeful gardeners.
Find Your Why
Regardless of the business you’re getting into, you will need to know you why and be able to articulate it well to your prospective customers. This will help customers understand who you are. Business owners who have a story and reason behind what they do more easily build trust with clients because their “why” is personal and providing a solution for others is a passion.
EXAMPLE WHY: Your name is Betty and you started a raised garden bed business because you wanted to be able to grow fresh produce for your family in the limited space of your backyard. This was when you discovered raised beds. Through years of trial and error, you found an efficient and adaptable way to build a raised bed in any backyard space. You spent thousands of dollars and years of your life to discover the perfect solution; now you wanted to share with others to save them the time and money you spent so they can simply start enjoying the benefits of a raised garden bed. Now, you sell a raised garden bed as a single package that comes in x number of sizes to fit the different garden size needs.
Naming Your Business
Choosing the right name for your business is important. Your business name needs to represent what you do or offer without being overcomplicated so your customers can find you easily. To being you’ll want to research potential names to make sure they aren’t already being used by someone else. Once you’ve chosen a name, you will want to search available domains for your future website. Once you’ve decided on a name and know it’s available to you, you need to register your business name with the state where you’ll file taxes or the county clerk’s office. You will also want to know what kind of entity type you’re filing for – sole proprietor, limited liability, etc – consult a business planning professional to help you develop a solid business foundation plan. Once you register, you will be issued official documentation confirming your business name.
You’ll also want to come up with a tagline for marketing purposes later. This is a short statement/line that will accompany your business name to accentuate what you do. You do not need to include this when you register your business name, unless you want to trademark the tagline, then you can do that separately.
EXAMPLE NAME: Betty’s Backyard Beds – Raised Garden Beds that fit YOUR backyard needs
Registering Your Business with the Federal Government
To register your business with the federal government, you need to obtain a Federal Tax ID or Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is like a social security number for your business so you can file taxes and fill out various forms regarding your business. Register through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. This will require some basic information about your business. After you submit your application and it is accepted, you will receive your EIN via email or mail.
Open a PO Box
This step is not necessary for all businesses, but for businesses where customers or vendors are sending physical goods or documents to your business it can be a safe and secure way to receive potentially confidential mail. A PO Box should be easily accessible for you so you are able to check it often. Once you select a location, you will need to provide information like proof of residency and a valid form of ID.
Open a Bank Account
Opening a bank account just for your business will help keep your personal finances separate from your business finances. To open a bank account, you will need your Federal Tax ID which you can obtain by registering your business with the federal government. You should also research different banks to find one that best fits your business needs. When opening your account, you’ll need to provide information such as your business name, address, and contact information. Once you have your bank account set up, make sure to use the bank's online services to help you manage your finances quickly and easily.
Build a Website
A website provides potential customers with a place to learn more about the services you offer and how to contact you. It also helps to create an online presence that builds credibility. When selecting a website platform, consider ease of use, price point, and security features. There are a variety of website building platforms available, from those geared toward newbies with no coding experience to those that require a more advanced understanding of web development. Some popular options include WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly. You may also consider hiring a web developer or designer from freelance platforms like Fiverr to create a custom website for your business.
EXAMPLE WEBSITE: Make sure you include a few important pages in your website. An “About” page where you explain your “why.” A “Product” page where you provide the details of each full package including the bed dimensions and pricing. And a “Contact” page where customers can get in touch with you with questions and quote requests for special dimensions.
Create a Branding & Marketing Plan
Creating a strong brand identity is essential for marketing any business. You will want to understand who your target market is i.e., the people you are trying to reach who will buy your product/service. Next, you’ll want to create a brand story that will speak to your target market. Once you know who you’re targeting and what they will respond to, you need to create a comprehensive branding and marketing plan. This will include strategies for reaching customers online and offline – social media, email campaigns, flyers, boards, etc.
A subtask in this step is to create branding guidelines to use in your marketing material. This includes a logo, brand colors, brand fonts, and overall visual feel of your brand.
EXAMPLE PLAN:
Target Market: Home gardeners with limited space. Likely living in suburbs, cities, or urban spaces. Focus on moms and upper middle-aged men and women.
Brand Story: Focus on solving the problem of limited space, comfortable garden management, and the headache of having to buy supplies separately.
Branding Guidelines:
Branding Strategy: Focus on social media and targeted ads on google, social media (IG, FB, and TikTok if videos can be your focus). Create garden related content – video & stagnant posts. Post 3x per week per platform to gain traction and focus on providing valuable information.
Starting a business has many moving parts, but the thrill of bringing them all together to provide a solution for others and a reliable income for yourself is worth all the work!
