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How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Herb and Herbal Plant Business

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Today s health conscious society has redefined how many people look at small business in the food and health industry you must not only greatly understand how to provide the newest and most effective herbs; you must understand how to differentiate, provide information, and most of all reach your customers before anyone else. Competition is fierce and success can be short lived if you do not understand how the market operates. Herb businesses operating on the Internet alone have increased by more than 1000 percent since 2002 according to PEW Internet Research and that means a whole lot of people have tried their hand in this market. That means you need the kind of head start that only something like this book can offer a full review of the various intricacies of the herb business and what new customers and old customers alike are looking for that you need to be able to provide. You will learn everything you need to know before you start your business, first and foremost being the basics and details of the different herbs that you will be using and how they grow, what they do, and what they need. After learning the basics of herbs, you will learn how to structure your business, what you will need to operate an herb business and what is involved in the inner operations of that business as described by other businesses and herb experts. You will learn how to start setting goals and looking to the future for your business and how to start marketing your business and talking to the public. Whether you will be operating out of your home or you are looking to buy or rent office space, this book can help you with a wealth of start-up information, from how to form and name your business to deciding if this will be a joint venture or if you would rather work solo. Valuable information on forming a Partnership, LLC, Corporation, or becoming a Sole Proprietor, the four types of business formations, is included, and also the legal implications of each. This complete manual will arm you with everything you need, including sample business forms; contracts; worksheets and checklists for planning, opening, and running day-to-day operations; lists; plans and layouts; and dozens of other valuable, timesaving tools of the trade that no business owner should be without. While providing detailed instruction and examples, the author leads you through every detail that will bring success. You will learn how to draw up a winning business plan (the companion CD-ROM has the actual business plan you can use in Microsoft WordTM) and about basic cost control systems, copyright and trademark issues, branding, management, legal concerns, sales and marketing techniques, and pricing formulas. You will learn how to hire and keep a qualified professional staff, meet IRS requirements, manage and train employees, generate high profile public relations and publicity, and implement low cost internal marketing ideas. You will learn how to build your business by using low and no cost ways to satisfy customers, and also ways to increase sales, have customers refer others to you, and thousands of excellent tips and useful guidelines. The world of herb businesses is booming, but there are still only a handful of experts and success stories, and for this book they have been contacted and their expertise added to the pages within to help you understand what works and what doesn t. You will learn how to develop your product and your brand and how to start creating special events and services that can boost your herb business and get your name out. Learn how to expand your business and enter the market effectively and what you need to do to take advantage of new and popular herbs as they are introduced to the market. This book is a compendium of everything a potential herb salesman needs; don t let it pass you by.

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2010

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About the author

Kristie Lorette

13 books2 followers

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
12 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2023
As a complete business newbie and financially at a loss person I found this book helpful.
It is a bit dated but it put my head in a forward thinking space and gave me some insight of what to think about How to start to go about things.
29 reviews
November 14, 2011
Are you thinking about an herb business?
If you’re considering the business potential in herbs, then this book is definitely for you. When you want to turn a hobby or passion into a business, a good survey of the potential is important. That’s exactly what you get from this book of collected wisdom from those with experience in the business.

If you talk to any small-business people who didn’t succeed, you frequently find they started without really understanding what was involved in the effort. Editor Kristie Lorene makes sure you don’t have to suffer the same fate with an herbal business. You’ll be introduced to the primary things you need to consider when evaluating this type of opportunity.

A variety of topics are presented in reader-friendly formats. Topics include the basics of growing herbs, how to chose which ones to grow as part of your business model, and more. You’ll also learn how to use herbs, even ways to make income from stock that doesn’t sell.

One of the most important reasons to read this book is there are literally hundreds of questions to answer if your start-up business is going to be successful. Thanks to the information collected and presented by Ms. Lorette, you’ll know what those questions are. I know from experience how important this is: my first business of the ten I’ve created and sold so far nearly got shut down for lack of a single permit. I simply didn’t know I needed that permit in the city where I rented office space—it wasn’t needed in my own municipality. This is a tough way to learn the lessons. You can get a head-start on things with this book.

The marketing chapter is also an excellent resource. For individuals wanting to turn interest into success, the nitty-gritty of marketing that business is likely not known in great detail. As a new business owner, you probably have more time than money and will be doing many of these things yourself. Use this book to learn everything you need to consider and not be surprised in this arena.

Last and still of exceptional value is the included CD-ROM. Typical of Atlantic Publishing standards, this resources adds to the value of your investment. The retail price of $39.95 is a small amount to get a good map to business success. Thanks to the layout and structure of the book, you can choose the section you need at any time. The disc provides forms and even a business plan to get you started!

I wish there had been a guide like this one when I started my first business nearly twenty years ago. The book opens the doors on all the details needed to plan, start and run a business. Start here to learn what you don't know. Don’t waste time in the school of hard knocks for your herbal business—get this book and succeed faster with fewer mistakes.
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Author 13 books19 followers
June 22, 2011
When it comes to reading business books I always check to see the credentials of the author. From the bio Kristie Lorette is a marketing and copy expert that works with small businesses. I didn't see where she had specific experience with herb and herbal plant business but what the book did show me is Lorette has done extensive research and complied the information into this book. I wouldn't say that her lack of hands-on experience is detrimental but readers need to go into this book knowing that Lorette is a business consultant, not one with specific experience in herbal plant business.
Although there is some information that pertains to herbs the majority of the book is sound advice on building a business - any business. Some of the topics are defining the business and whether it's a full-time or part-time venture. As well, Lorette talks about legal aspects such as naming, type of organization, creating a business plan, financing, and daily operations.
I do think this book is of value to beginners; those that have never attempted to create a business. Being interested in the specific area of an herbal business is a sideline and once the reader is clear on the business aspects then he or she can create any business. Lorette's target of the herbal industry is a plus. The writing is clear, concise and reader friendly.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews