Have you ever dreamed of having a home based catering business?  If you have a love of cooking this would be a great career.

In many homes nowadays both parents are working.  Economic pressures require a double income.  Schedules are hectic and it is very difficult to prepare wholesome, nutritious meals.

A catering business can be very lucrative in providing daily meals for these families (singles or couples).  You would not only be preparing delicious meals but eliminating the stress that these people feel when they under the pressure of shopping and cooking.  They would have more time to enjoy each other and do the things they enjoy most.

Before you jump into your apron, here are some things you want to consider:

What will be the name of your business?

Are you doing this by yourself or will you have a partner?  If you have a partner will you both be responsible for the cooking, or will one take care of the administrative duties?  In the future you may find the need to hire a cook.  Dependability is a required.

Create a business plan that you can use if you need to get financing.

Check with your local food administration authorities about the laws governing your type of business.  Find out the appropriate licenses and permits you will need.  Check into these details first so you will not have problems in the future.

Decide on what types of meals you are going to provide.  You will want to include two or three choices daily.  Once you establish your clientele you can give them an order form of the various meals available on certain days.  You can establish the time frame you want to maintain.  A week or two ahead have the forms returned to you. You can come up with a computerized form that you can email your clients and they can email you their choices. Do whatever you can to automate your business and eliminate unnecessary legwork. You will have to decide what works best for you.  You will want a week’s notice for shopping and preparation purposes.

If you want to specialize utilizing your specific cooking/baking talents, your catering service could be for special soups, desserts or birthday cakes.  This is your choice.

Pricing your meals will be more of a challenge.  You will want to keep your costs as low as possible in order to have a desirable profit.  Call other catering businesses to get an idea of what your completion is charging.  You do not want to price your meals so high that you will price yourself out of the market.  Allow for a fluctuation margin in market prices.

You will want to buy in bulk.  Get a membership at your local wholesale club.  This will save you quite a bit.  You still want to be a savvy shopper as there are times when your local supermarket’s prices are lower than the wholesale club.

Bulk shopping will necessitate your knowledge of the shelf life of the foods you are storing. When in doubt of how to, and how long to store food items, the internet holds a wealth of information at your fingertips.

How are you going to advertise your business?  Of course, word of mouth continues to be one of the best forms of advertisement.  You should consider flyers, or posters that you can leave at various businesses in your area. You will be able to create and print these on your computer. This will cut printing costs. Newspapers and mail coupon services can get the word out to many, but will be more costly.

You may want to consider designing a web page so that you can create an internet presence. Print up business cards including your web address. Get permission to leave this in places such as the doctor’s office, dentist, or hairdresser. Design your website so you have your weekly choices listed and your contact information.

If you go this route, you will want to find a web hosting company that also provides you internet marketing tools.  I know of one company that has a bulk emailing program, with an auto responder where you can set up various campaigns. It also provides a video producer with templates that you can create for your specific business.  The best part of this company is that they have training by professionals in the industry.  If you are a cook, more than likely, you are not overly versed in computers!!

How are you going to get the meals to your customers?  They can pick them up from your home or you could deliver to their place for a set fee.  You will need to put great thought into planning your cooking and delivery schedule.  As a suggestion, allow yourself about one hour to an hour and a half.

What type of containers are you going to use to pack your meals? As there is a possibility that the food may need to be reheated, you will have to take this into consideration when purchasing containers. Look into microwavable items. A wholesale club usually has great prices on food containers.

Be a good planner.  The internet will provide you with an endless supply of recipes and ideas for different meals.  If you are cooking for a family with children, take this into consideration. Spicy does not always work with little ones!

When you purchase your fresh produce make sure it is cleaned properly and when possible cut and ready for use.

Keep a cautious eye on your costs.

You want to develop a good relationship with your clients.  When possible, satisfy special requests. Always be the type of person that you would want to work with.

As suppliers are an important element in your business you want to develop a good relationship in this area.  This will go a long way in getting better service.

It is up to you to decide on how large of a business you want to create.  A small business will be easier to handle.  Once it grows it will necessitate hiring additional staff members. But then again this would translate into greater revenue.

As an added suggestion, be sure to keep your recipes either on the computer or in a binder in protective sheets.  Who know, someday you can add to your business profits by publishing a cookbook of your catering recipes.

I hope that your love of cooking will be the first step to initiating a profitable home based catering business.  I wish you all the best and a kitchen filled with aromas of happiness and success!

Happy Cooking,

Judy Conway

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

I apologize for not posting daily and promise to do better. Is it difficult for other people to keep up with their blogging?  Perhaps it because I am an internet marketing grandparent trying to learn all the skills I can and become the best I possibly can at my online business? There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in a day to get done all I want to do.

The buzz words nowadays seem to be “Social Networking”. There are many venues out there. We have Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Ning, Sta.rtUp.Biz, Qassia, and LinkedIn just to mention a few.

Truthfully, I find it difficult to keep caught up with them all. Just recently there was a fabulously written article in our local newspaper entitled, “Facebook is ruining my life”. It was written by a talented gentleman. He mentioned that Facebook does a great job at helping long lost friends find each other. However, he just turned 38 and in a 12 hour period he had received 9 pokes, was tagged in 5 photos, hit with 2 snowflakes and had a virtual” beer with one of his college friends.  He went on to say that he doesn’t have time to keep up with all of this.  After all, he has his career, mortgage to pay and family to look after!

This article set my brain in gear.  I personally use Social Networking in my online network marketing business.  I will confess that I too have located some long lost friends from years gone by on Facebook.  I have noticed that a lot of people are baring their souls, sharing their spouse’s faults and other personal aspects of their lives.  I don’t think my husband would have wanted me to share his faults with the entire internet world!  What do you think?

Another thing came to mind.  What does this communicating online do to our personal communication skills?  I mean our “reach out and touch someone” skills.  I used to think that emails had replaced the sharing of  our heartfelt emotions with each other either on the phone, or in person.  I recently had a friend tell me that he doesn’t use email.  He said to me, “An email doesn’t tell me how Judy is really feeling.  I need to call her and talk to her in person.”

I do think that Social Networks, such a Twitter, provide a  great service to the business community providing information on software, programs,networking tips, upcoming meetings and business solutions.

We can read people’s feelings on a Social Network page, but do we really know their innermost feelings?  I don’t understand people communicating with each other while sitting in the same room on a Social Network, but being unable to communicate personally with each other.  I apologize if you thing I am wrong in thinking this way.  These thoughts are only my feelings and opinions.

I am interested in your thoughts on this subject.  Please take a minute and leave a comment.  How do you feel about a child being on MySpace communicating his/her feelings, but unable to communicate verbally in person with their friends, siblings, parents. etc.?

In summing it up, I think that there is a place in our life for Social Networking, but just like everything else in our lives, we need to stay balanced.  We need to exercise ALL of our skills!

Until next time,

Judy Conway

678-493-4890

jconwayultraselects@gmail.com

http://thenpn.com/at/?id=17827

However, he just turned 38 and in a 12 hour period he received 9 pokes, was tagged in five photos, hit with two snowflakes and had a “virtual” beer with a friend from college! He went on to say that he just doesn’t have time to keep up with all of this, what with working to pay the mortgage, take care of the children, etc.

However, he just turned 38 and in a 12 hour period he received 9 pokes, was tagged in five photos, hit with two snowflakes and had a “virtual” beer with a friend from college! He went on to say that he just doesn’t have time to keep up with all of this, what with working to pay the mortgage, take care of the children, etc.

This article set my brain in gear. I personally use Social Networking in my online networking business. I will confess that I too have located some long lost friends on Facebook. But I have noticed that a lot of people are baring their souls, sharing their spouse’s faults and other personal features about their lives. I don’t think my husband would want me sharing his faults with the entire internet world!! What do you think?

Another thing that came to mind is what does all this communicating online do to our communication skills. I mean our personal, “reach out and touch someone” skills. I used to think that emails had replaced our sharing our heartfelt emotions with each other in person or on the phone. I have a friend who recently told me that he doesn’t like to use email. He said, “I don’t know how Judy is really feeling in an email.” I need to call and talk to her in person.

We can read people’s thoughts, but do we really have a true reading on their innermost feelings? I find it difficult to hear about people being in the same room and communicating on with each other on Facebook, but they can’t communicate verbally to each other.

I do think that, for example Twitter and other business related social networks are providing a great service in sharing programs, newest software, upcoming meetings, and business solutions.

I am interested in everyone’s input on their feelings on Social Networking. Please take a moment and comment. How do you feel about a child involved on Facebook or MySpace and sharing their thoughts, but being unable to communicate in person with either their parents, siblings or others?

In summing it all up. Social Networking is like anything else. We need to stay balanced and remember our other skills!

Until next time,

Judy Conway

As a grandparent involved in internet marketing I am taking the license to relate my home business with gardening.  I hope you don’t mind!

When this time of the year rolls around my thoughts start to wander to spring time.  I think about the types of flowers and vegetables I want to grow and where I will plant them.

It occurred to me today that we have other gardens in our lives.  They don’t all exist on the outside in the sunshine.  They don’t all involve fertile soil.

Some of our plantings are in our heads and involve our thoughts, visions and dreams.  These are watered not by the rain or garden hose, but by our attitudes, love for others and hard work.

I think that when we have unkind thoughts about someone we have got to be producing some pretty ugly weeds!  When we get involved with a project that in our hearts we know will not glorify God, we can rest be assured that we will produce some horrific vegetation.  Maybe something along the lines of the Venus Fly Trap that will cause others to stumble. 

I got to thinking about my internet marketing business.  Let’s face it, there are a lot of scams out there.  Being a grandparent in the midst of all this internet technology I am always trying to learn and be sure that I am not involved with something that will not be productive and beneficial. 

I appreciate the pay it forward principle.  There have been many people in this vast internet marketing industry that have given of their time and expertise to me.  I want to be able to do the same.

About six months ago I was introduced to the Crazy Foxes Marketing Group.  This is a remarkable group of leaders in the industry that are always there to help others.  Success truly blooms in this group.

I have also become involved with Veretekk.  Tom Pendergast and Mike Darling, the owners of this company, are always striving to make the systems better for the people in their programs.  When you attend a meeting and listen to Tom there is never a doubt that he has a heart for God and the people in his company.  Veretekk is making some awesome improvements and they have waived the fee to upgrade to Gold from a Silver membership until April 1st.  This is a savings of $100.00.  I have been in internet marketing for several years and am totally amazed at the services Veretekk provides us to become successful with our businesses.  I must say at this point, if you are part of Veretekk you are going to have a celestial garden and produce good fruit!!

Veretekk provides video tutorials for all aspects of their many programs.  I have never found myself wondering, “What do I do now”, where there hasn’t been a tutorial I could look at.  They also provide live training.

I think it is important that we appreciate life for what it is without expectations of what we think it should be.  Disappointment is inevitable but discouragement is a choice.  We have the ability to rid our lives, inside and out, of ugly weeds.  That way we will have more time to smell the roses!!

I wish you great success minus the weeds!

Judy Conway
678-493-4890
jconwaycontact@gmail.com

Crazy Foxes Marketing Group

Ultra International

Just as the strong winds and heavy rains came racing through my area today, the following thoughts raced through my mind. I am always thinking of ways to become better at my internet marketing business. As I am a Grandparent in training when it comes to learning the many facets of internet marketing I want to pass these thoughts along to others that might be in the same position. 

When we reach retirement age we have come through many years of being the best we could be at what we were doing in the corporate workplace. I was laid off from a pharmaceutical company almost three years ago. Failed Clinical Trials do not give warnings to people who have worked in developing the product. I was a document control person/administrative assistance in the quality assurance department. My whole department was dismissed, as were the screening lab personnel, lab technicians, scientists and many others. I found myself sitting at home one day and thinking, “What do I do now?” 

I had had some previous experience with internet marketing and this seemed to be a good route to take. Having a home based internet marketing business I would have a flexible schedule and still be able to spend time with my family. I could still play with the grandkids. And lets face it, parts of our bodies tend to retire when we go into retirement! 

I continued working extremely hard at my online business. I finally realized this particular busines was not going to work. That is not to say that other people were not finding success, but on the whole there were a lot of us that decided this would not supplement our Social Security payments. This is one of the reasons I recently wrote a blog advising people to be certain to do their due diligence on the internet business they were contemplating.

So today as I was sitting working at my current, successful home based internet business the rain was coming down in sheets and the wind was beating it against the window. I noticed that a single raindrop would start out at the top of the window and run down and be joined by another drop and this continued until this one little raindrop was now a driven rush of power from all the drops that had joined it by the time it reached the bottom of the window. 

This is the momentum you want in your business. This is what you look for in order to be successful. I am so excited about the Crazy Foxes Internet Marketing Group.(CFMG) It is like that raindrop. I joined as a single raindrop and became part of a group of like-minded people and together we are becoming a strong “stream” finding success. We are becoming a stronger force of talents and success. Crazy Foxes has programs that will provide marketing tools to help you succeed at your internet marketing business. There are other income streams as part of the Crazy Foxes program. You will find 24/7 support from leaders in the industry. And the Crazy Foxes‘ new FREE report, DAM-IT is causing quite a stir on the internet. If you are interested in finding success in internet marketing, you owe it to yourself to read this report.

One of the great programs that the Crazy Foxes promotes is Veretekk. Sign up for a Free Silver Account. This is our marketing system, our lead generator, SEO producer, and more… plus it is ONE of our primary income sources. There is power in Veretekk. You are going to eventually need a gold account, but a free silver will get you started. When you do upgrade to gold, it is going to cost you $41.95 per month, but it is going to pay you far more. Until April 1, 2009 the fee to upgrade to a Gold member at Veretekk has been waived. This is a $100.00 savings.

In closing let me mention two other programs. One is ProTracker Plus. Even as a FREE member you gain an incredible advantage analyzing and tracking your ads with ProTrackerPlus! It allows you to track your hits, conversions and more, AND you get paid to refer others. And to keep this short, the final program that I would like to mention is a real income generator, and I’m talking SERIOUS income, the New Plan Network (NPN) and its products are the internet’s best kept secret. From Capture Page creator, to the elite multisponder auto responder system, these are absolute must haves for every internet marketer. $10.75 is all it takes to turn this machine on. We do recommend starting at the Plus level ($19.97), but if your budget is tight, Pro will get you going.

 Don’t remain that solitary, ineffective raindrop, fighting for success in your internet marketing business. Take the time to read DAM-IT, and check out the programs mentioned above. You will be able to go up to the next level. You will be able to be involved with people who care about YOU and care about YOUR success. You can be in the stream of success!!

Blessings,

Judy Conway
678-493-4890
judyconwaycontact@gmail.com
Skype ID: judy.conway

 Crazy Foxes Marketing Group

I am a 62 year old grandparent who recently retired. I want to take this opportunity to pass along some information and tips that I have learned over the past couple of years regarding online internet marketing businesses. If you currently have a home based business and are finding success working online …then I applaud you. Keep up the good work! With the economy like it is with layoffs and people being forced to retire you might be contemplating starting a home based business. If that is the case please read on.

The most important thing I have learned is NOT to believe everything you are told. Be sure to do your due diligence on a business before you leap into it. Make sure that you know how the program works. Be sure that you are going to have sincere support and training from your leaders. Get a feel for whether or not this is going to cost you a lot of money to work. If it is … RUN!! You would be surprised at the hidden costs of some internet marketing businesses. Take into consideration you might have advertising costs, costs for leads, etc.

I spent 2-1/2 years with online business and spent a lot of my retirement fund trying to make it work. I took the training, attended meetings, followed the instructions of my upline leaders, sent emails, newsletters, and phoned people around the world and worked some days as much at 16 hours. When all was said and done I was in debt and not making enough money to meet my expenses with this business. Hence the warning, “Know what you have in store.” I finally faced the fact that this program was not going to work and I quit.

I am here to say, I am so very thankful that I did not give up because of one bad experience. A friend introduced me to the Crazy Foxes Marketing Group. This is a group of like-minded people consisting of great knowledgeable leaders and other internet marketers that are working at becoming successful. This is a group of people with integrity, who are ethical, honest, positive and have a good work ethic. It is sad to say, but these qualities are not always easy to find with the businesses out there on the internet.

I have been in this group for about 5 months and I have learned so much more than I learned over the past 2-1/2 years. I was not a stranger to computers, but I have learned skills that were the farthest from my dreams. It is not true that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”The Crazy Foxes Marketing Group has awesome training and they direct you to programs that will help you become successful. And yes, there are many grandparents! They show you the correct, professional way to do things. I just can not say enough good things about the Crazy Foxes!! Please check them out and make your own decision after reading what you find there.

No matter what the product or service is that you are selling on the internet in the Crazy Foxes you will have access to the tools that will help you succeed.

This is just a short list of the programs/tools that I have learned about working with the Crazy Foxes. These tools are not just for grandparents that want to succeed at their home based business, but all internet marketers will find value in these.

• Veretekk: Veretekk is a powerful tool. Sign up for a Free Silver Account. This is our marketing system, our lead generator, SEO producer, and more… plus it is ONE of our primary income sources.

• New Plan Network: NPN is a real income generator, and I’m talking SERIOUS income, NPN and its products are the internet’s best kept secret. From Capture Page creator, to the elite multisponder auto responder system, these are absolute must haves for every internet marketer.

• Traffic Hoopla: Free system – Traffic Hoopla keeps on top of the best of the best Traffic Exchanges and Safelists. You join Traffic Hoopla and then join the highest producing traffic generators on the web, all managed from this central location.

• Protracker Plus: ProTrackerPlus is the ad tracking program recommended by the $200 Per Day Blueprint. It allows you to track your hits, conversions and more, and you get paid to refer others.

• Social networking. Twitter and Facebook are only two of many available. You not only develop relationships but you learn about powerful tools, and are able to share your knowledge with others. It is a great feeling to be able to “pay it forward”.

If you are like me, as a grandparent you want to be able to spend quality time with your family. You have paid your dues in the work force! I love the fact that my schedule is flexible working online. I can pick and choose the hours I want to work or “play”. That is very important to me after working in the corporate world with set schedules. Whether it be watching my grandkids play Wii, or trying to learn some of the “moves”, or enjoying an awesome dinner my daughter has prepared, or just being with them….life can not get much better than that.

Having a home based business will also help you when it comes to paying your taxes to the IRS. An office at home allows you to take many deductions which translates to money in your pocket. I know personally that the stock market has taken a big chunk out of my retirement fund. I am grateful finding ways to make the money I do have go further. There are many publications available to give you the regulations on what you can, or can not deduct.

As I mentioned above, The Crazy Foxes have several business opportunities listed on their site. One will save you money on things you are already doing, and also provide you with many benefits. The other will provide you with solutions for your home, health and wealth. Perhaps one of these opportunities will be helpful to you.

I do wish you healthy, happy and prosperous Golden Years!

Blessings,

Judy Conway

Judy Conway
678-493-4890
judyconwaycontact@gmail.com
Skype ID: judy.conway

YouTube has become a household word. Originally, I thought that our young people were the ones that basically used YouTube. I want to state now that this is not the case. I don’t profess to know all there is to know about this great tool, but I am definitely going to make every effort to learn all I can on how I can use it to help me be more successful in my internet marketing.

I am amazed at how many people find videos to use in presentations for their businesses on YouTube. And to take it one step further, people are promoting their businesses on YouTube.

I went to YouTube and searched for Marketing Tools and it came up with “about 13,700”. Amazing! And when I searched for Internet Marketing it came up with “about 58,600”. You can find information on a multitude of internet businesses and various ways to build a viable business. Anything from information on Google Adsense Tools, search engine optimization, free software tools and free marketing tips on how to make money online, just to mention a few. Needless to say, YouTube has a plethora of information.

I think that it is important that in developing our business we have an open mind and are willing to search for “other” ways to do things.  Granted I totally agree with the statement, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” However, if you haven’t found the key to success, progress is moving ahead, and not just staying in the same rut. Especially if those ruts are just getting deeper!

If you are wondering what you need to do differently in 2009 to become more successful, check out the social networks. I recently joined Twitter and someone is always sharing the latest and greatest tool they have discovered. One of those tools might just be what you are looking for and need. I know it has been that way with me.

I also found a group of internet marketers, The Crazy Foxes Internet Marketing Group.  This group consists of entrepreneurs that have a finger on the pulse of the internet marketing business.  What makes them so very special is that they are willing to help others by sharing their expertise.  I was involved with another internet marketing  business for two and half years and had never come close to learning what I have in the past three months.

I wish you new discoveries and great success in 2009.

Blessings,

Judy Conway

Solutions for your home, health and wealth!

Have you ever gone to your food pantry, opened the door and had moths come out swarming around you? I have and it did not please me one bit.

Upon a closer look I discovered webs, and these little critters on the walls of my pantry. If that wasn’t disturbing enough, I started pulling everything out of my pantry and the moths were populating in my flour, cereals, cake mixes and items of this nature. If you look closely you will see webbing and larvae in your containers.

I would suggest if you find a good deal on flour or cake mixes that you store them in your freezer.  I even keep my Panko bread crumbs, nuts and dried fruits in the freezer.

Pantry moths are a common occurrence in many homes. They’re petite, mottled insects with a wingspan of about three-quarters of an inch. The female lays 100-400 eggs and upon hatching, the half-inch long, pale gray larvae hang out in the creases of food packaging. The larvae create webbed tunnel-shaped forts for themselves in your cereal, flour, powdered milk, dry pet food, nuts, dried fruit, biscuits, crackers and especially bird seed.

An untreated infestation of pantry moths produces four to six generations of fresh larvae per year. This will give you many opportunities to explore entomophagous cuisine (the fad of insect-eating). If that prospect leaves your palate dry and taut, here are some steps you can take to rid pantry moths from your cupboards.

1. Totally empty out your closet.
2. Vacuum all crevices and surfaces to remove eggs, larvae and any spilled contaminated food. Discard the vacuum bag or clean out the canister.
3. Wash down your shelves and walls. Be sure to clean every nook and cranny!
4. Go through all of your boxes/packages of food. Don’t take any chances if you suspect that there is a moth populating in the food…THROW IT OUT. It is important to get all of the infested items removed and in the trash. If you don’t all of your hard work will be for nothing.
5. Store bird seed or dry pet food in secure containers in your garage.

Now you are ready to put everything back!  I took following extra steps in protecting my food:

Wipe all of the cans, bottles and boxes down.

1. Put plastic wrap over the tops of the seasoning/spice jars and screwing the caps down over the plastic.
2. In case of cereals or opened boxes containing grains, flours, cookies or crackers I made sure the inside bags were securely closed and put these boxes inside of Ziploc bags. (After checking for larvae, of course)
3. I emptied my bags of flour into big glass jars and put plastic under the lids.

My pantry looks like Fort Knox for food!  I would rather take precautions than have to throw food away.

I came across a great remedy to keep my food closet clear of these intruders. It was suggested to wash everything down once a month or so with essential oils. Eucalyptus was recommended or if that was not available, essential oil of lavender. I tried putting 10 to 15 drops of lavender oil on a cotton balls and put these in the corners of my pantry closet on various shelves. I was elated upon checking to find the moths were gone. An added delight was the smell of lavender in my closet!!

These moths are probably coming home with you in your bags of flour, rice, grains or boxes of cereal or crackers. I’ve read several people suggesting you put these items in the freezer for a few days when you first come home to kill the larvae. If you aren’t going to use your flour over a short period of time, you might want to consider storing it in the freezer.

There is nothing worse then getting ready to bake and finding your flour infested with larvae. I hope you find this information useful.

With the cost of living increasing nowadays, even on food, it is worth taking these precautions to keep your food free of these critters. 

In closing, if you would like to find other ways of saving on your expenses, like gasoline, dental, prescriptions, eyecare and overall shopping check out an awesome home-based business.  If you are going to shop, shop smart. 

This post is written by Judy Conway                   

on December 3, 2008

http://www.200blueprint.com/r/judyconway/lcpage1.html