Carolyn Hanson ⋅ Berkeley Heights, NJ AIG ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi John,
I had my own consulting business for over 25 years. Set up your business first. Speak to an accountant. Determine whether you want to be an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or S-Corp (Sub-Corporation). Each has it's advantages and income tax reporting requirements. Your account will assist with your decision. I used an S-Corporation since it is a corporation status for small businesses. This provided protection from being sued personally since the corporation is an entity unto itself.

Volunteer. This is the best way to network. Contact or join your local Lions Club, Rescue Squad, Fire Department, etc. Contact your local newspaper, town hall, or local corporations and volunteer to write articles for their publications. You will be amazed how many opportunities will come your way when you volunteer in a field you are passionate about. Others will sense your drive, motivation and spirit and want to help with leads.

Also, create a mini course and teach at your local adult school or community day. Teaching will give you the opportunity to try out that skill, find hot topics and connect with others. Always network. I have found that standing around exchanging business cards does little. Everyone is looking for the same break. Focus on your passion and you will go far.

Write a press release and send to your local paper. Free advertising and widespread exposure. Another venue is to send comments to articles. If you get a columnist's attention they may ask you for an opinion and add that to their next article. Again, free advertising.

Get on LinkedIn.com a professional community website ideal for networking, responding to board postings and finding opportunities.

Good luck. Self employment is terrific. Enjoy, good luck and thank you for your service.
Sincerely,
Carolyn

JOSE ZUNIGA JR ⋅ Lubbock, TX U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal ⋅ 4 years served

I would suggest signing up for small business workshops so you can gain information about local businesses, meet other business owners, and introduce yourself along with your company and services too, make sure you have plenty of business cards. You can get great quality business cards at vistaprints.com. In addition, I would make attempts to attend local and regional guns shows, setting up a booth/table at the gun shows or partner up with a local gun dealer or pawn shop to offer your classes to their clients. I would also offer memberships that would include gun rentals or purchases along with a certain amount of ammo for the courses you will be offering. In addition, the membership should include their background fees for their gun conceal licensing and fees for the GCL. I would also suggest meeting with and gaining clients with armed security companies such as Guardsmark, Inc. Provide them with the training they need. Also, think about using radio ads, newspaper ads in the local paper or in other news outlets such as the local Thrifty Nickel which averages about 60,000 to 90,000 readers, depending on your local area, and when your budget allows, use television spots too. I would also make use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp, and other useful social media tools. Create an application for your business too. Check out Site Finity at http://www.sitefinity.com and/or biznessapps.com

Finally, as far as your online store front, I suggest using webs.com. You can build your own website for free or for a premium account at a very minimal fee, you can have a great looking company website. You have the choice of designing it yourself or you can assign the website designing to the webs.com staff.

Dawn Billings ⋅ Marion, VA ⋅ 2 years experience

You can also offer your services at colleges and technical centers with CNA, LPN, and RN training. Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Dialysis centers, and Fire Departments all need CPR and First Aid training as well. You could advertise in local papers- some are free or minimal charges. There is also Craigslist. I don't know if Supermarkets or Post Offices there allow posting on boards, but that is another option. City-data forums may offer a place to advertise services. You could visit local clinics and churches too. Trying to think out of the box- any places I haven't covered. Good luck to you!

Nicholas Haffter Von Heide ⋅ Copperas Cove, TX U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 4 years served

First step is to perhaps go to local gun shops that have a class or even the ones that don't and contract yourself indepently. Second, register in your states registry of qualified trainers. CPR works the same way. Go to the local colleges that offer paramedic classes or even RN. Your can also go to local security agencies and tell them you would like to provide their gun safety and CPR classes for a nominal fee. If you need more ideas feel free to contact me.

-Nicholas B. Haffter Von Heide
Owner, Point Blank Coffee
SDVOB, OIF Combat Veteran

Andrew Smith ⋅ Madison, MS Johnson & Johnson ⋅ 16 years experience

Offer some deeply discounted or free classes. Unfortunately, we don't think about protecting ourselves untii we are forced to. Another idea would be identity protection. You could potentially get customers from an identity theft protection class to sign up for other offerings.