Automotive yes, government yes, anyone else?
And companies that contract with the government. Probably your best source. If they are a federal contractor they have to do a minority set aside

Free MBE certification starter kit just for entering your email.

If you are a minority who is considering starting your minority owned business, there are several types of businesses you can consider.  This article will explore some service oriented businesses, as well as some product oriented businesses, including the types of businesses that can benefit from a MBE certification.
 

Business Ideas for a Service-Oriented Business

Here are some ideas on the types of businesses you could start quickly, and with little to no up-front investment:
  -  virtual assistant
  -  personal shopper
  -  consulting
  -  typist
  -  graphic designer

When you are first starting out, you can locate projects by either responding to existing posts that others have placed, or submit your own posting or resume.  For example, job postings for typists and virtual assistants are often posted on craigslist.org.

If you are a graphic designer, a great way to get work is through sources such as 99designs.com or elance.com.  Those sites are where graphic design and other internet type projects get posted, and those who are interested in the project can submit responses or sample work to win the project.  Elance is a great web site to consider for project-based work, even outside of graphic design.

Another minority business you could start is one where you provide services to the government or large corporations.  The government and large corporations also buy nearly any type of service you can imagine, such as typing, training, and more.  In fact, as a minority, you can obtain an MBE certification to certify that you are are a minority-owned business.  By having such a certification, you can increase your chances of getting work from the government or large corporations.

That should give you a few ideas on the type of service business you could start from home.  Now let’s look at some ideas you could consider for starting a product-based business.

Business Ideas for a Product-Oriented Business

If you would like to start a minority-owned business that sells products, then there a number of product-based businesses that you could start.

Here are some examples of product-based businesses that take little to no capital to start:
  -  Selling an information product that you create based upon some topic that is in demand (like an ebook, training product, videos, etc.)
  -  Selling products on eBay or other auction sites
  -  Becoming an affiliate and selling products offered by third parties.  You can find such products through affiliate programs such as Commission Junction or Clickbank.”

And just as was noted above with respect to services, the government and large corporations also buy nearly every type of product you can imagine, from toilet paper, to computers, to T-shirts, etc.

So you may also want to consider exploring opportunities to sell products to the government and large corporations.  If you do, you should also consider obtaining an MBE certification to certify that you are are a minority-owned business.  By having such a certification, you can increase your chances of getting work from the government or large corporations because they are required to award a certain percent of their business to minority-owned companies.

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How is it that I certifiy as a women and minority owned business in California. Also, if you know… How do I certify as a small disadvantaged business. Also… does anyone know the benefits to these things? Thanks!
The fact is, the government will set aside projects SPECIFICALLY for your category which dramatically cuts out a large portion of the competition. There is lot’s of paper work, time and effort, but worth it. I’m in the middle of it right now in PA. The 2 links below might be a good place to start. as well as your closest SBA in CA. http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/ca/ http://www.scmbdc.org/programs_services/certification.asp They will have all of the forms and guidance which you will need. Submission of the forms will ask for 2 years of federal and state tax forms, proof of citizenship, business plans, resumes, contracts in the past, financial obligations, company structure and proof of everything, narrative on why you’re disadvantaged, even if you are….and that’s just for starters. Then there are various other status and registrations that you should get in order to obtain federal and state contracts. The site below might be a good place to start. You might also want to get a DUNNS number at http://www.dnb.com/us/ You can get one free, but it will take 30 days, so start that process now. This is only if you want business from the government which is the REAL benefit of certifying as a women and minority owned business. Then register with the state: http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/default.htm Some certifications require a time period to be in business such as 8(a), but ownership must be in one of the disadvantage categories (at least 51%). Hope this helps!

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The purpose of this event is to provide businesses a way to showcase what they provide, network at an After-Hours, and provide a Trade Symposium where businesses have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with potential governmental departments, large corporations, and various institutions for possible vendor requisitions and available contracts. The Symposium is sponsored by New York Life and the participating interviewers have been arranged by the Lake Houston Area Chamber’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Committee Chairman, J. P. Espinoza.

To complement the Symposium, two free seminars will be offered throughout the day. A minority business Enterprise (mbe) Certification training class will be at 1:00 p.m. and a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification training class will be at 4:00 p.m.

The Lake Houston Business Expo will conclude with a Business After-Hours sponsored by Silversand Services at 5:00 p.m. This networking event allows professionals to connect with their peers in a relaxed setting. Attendees will enjoy food, drinks, door prizes and a cash bar as they meet and mingle with new prospective clients and share information about their business.

The Lake Houston Business Expo has been made possible by the Expo Committee, headed up by the 2012 Business Expo Chair, Tony Austin with Town Center Park Association, and the event’s Presenting Sponsor: Insperity; Gold Sponsor: The Observer Newspaper; Silver Sponsor: Iconix Marketing and Bronze Sponsors: Artistic Stitches, Houston Heart & Vascular, Lone Star College-Kingwood, Enstep Solutions and Verizon Wireless. The cost to attend any or all events is free for attendees.

For more information about the Expo, the Trade Symposium, or the Business After-Hours, contact the Lake Houston Area Chamber’s Expo website at www.LakeHoustonBusinessExpo.com. To find out about booth space availability, contact Trish Helmerich at 281-446-2128 or by email at Thelmerich@lakehouston.org.

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