Have you ever thought of starting a wholesale distribution business? Maybe you're ready for a new challenge or have realized the profits that you can make when you deal with larger quantities of product. In any case, you need to know what to do in order to be successful.

The first thing that you want to do is choose the products that you will be selling to retailers. You may want to choose products that you already know something about in order to use that expertise to choose quality products that you can then sell and make profit from. Make sure that you are testing the products prior to purchasing larger quantities. You want to be sure that you are always selling a superior product.

These products will need to be stored somewhere, so choosing a warehouse is the next step in your wholesale business. You need to choose an area that is both secure and easy to manage. You might want to consider renting a space or using your own facilities if they are large enough. Determine how much the cost of the warehouse will be in terms of square footage and make sure that you are comparing multiple warehouses to ensure that you're getting the best deal.

You might also want to consider setting up your warehouse in one of the southwestern states in the U.S. as this will allow you to be accessible more easily from Mexico or South America – where manufacturing is expected to skyrocket in the next few years. This will not only be more efficient, but it can also cut down your distribution costs.

To start off right, you will want to create a system that will allow you to monitor the progress of your products from the manufacturer all the way to the customers. This can be called an order flow system. To build an effective strategy in these areas, you will want to coordinate product movement within the warehouse as well as the movements into the warehouse. This can be achieved through the use of computer systems that monitor package label numbers.

You will also want to establish a working system of moving the products from the trucks into your warehouse – without damaging anything along the way. Try to envision how the shipments will come in to determine where you will need to set up inventory lists for double checking the incoming products as well as areas for products to be packed and sent to customers.

And since money is truly everything in business, you will want to establish yourself as a competitive wholesaler by offering something that your competitors do not: easy payment terms for buyers. By allowing your customers the ability to extend their payments or have higher credit limits, you will show how your services might be the better choice for their needs.

If you're able, you might want to consider looking at other wholesaler businesses to see if there are any tips that you might want to consider along the way. Talk with the owners to see if you can meet with them to ask about setting up and maintaining your business. If you find another wholesaler that distributes different products than you do, you may be able to help each other successful as well.

Did you catch the October/November 2006 issue of "Scientific American Mind"? The cover hailed the following innards:

"Flashes of insight in a BRAINSTORM"

"Tap Your Creative Powers"

And the feature article…

"AHA! The Eureka Moment" !!!!!!!

As co-owners of Epiphanies, Inc. – a content strategy team powered by a mission, logo, and tagline that says, "A-Ha Yourself!" – such innards are priceless.

The article kicks off with Einstein flipping the concept of time and space with one of his bold flashes. Though we non-genius types may fall short of such humanity-shaking breakthroughs, we DO have mega-important insights that rock our own worlds and businesses.

As authors Buenther Knoblich and Michael Oellinger put it:

"We all know how it feels for a solution to a tough problem to suddenly appear in our mind. The chips fall into place, the lightbulb goes on - and the answer seems so obvious that we are amazed we had not noticed it sooner, which is what creates the 'Aha!' feeling."

Want more breakthrough moments in your life and business? Here's how…

•SLEEP! That's right. Cat nap, power nap, meditative shutdown, or the deep, eight-hour bed flop. Such time outs are prime playgrounds for churning ideas and problems, and restructuring them to create solutions you may have missed in the harsh light of the waking world.

•GET FRUSTRATED! Often, our mightiest "Aha!" moments come after we face a challenge using our previous know-how to no avail. Our stale smarts have us running in circles, wasting time "reapplying methods we already know to be futile." The upswing? "This mounting failure is precisely what drives us to restructure a problem. The increasingly tense stalemate initiates unconscious processes that change our mental representation of the problem…Suddenly, novel possibilities emerge."

•DUMB IT DOWN! Ever heard of "TMI"? It stands for "Too Much Information." Ironically, TMI in your field or niche is a threat to your "Aha!" moments. When you're steeped deep in your own info, "habitual use of familiar objects and problem-solving strategies limits the ways [you] employ them." So while a certain level of education or experience is vital to your success, finding ways to get out of your own head is key to busting through mental blocks.

•PERK UP! Wander. Meander. Break away and lift your spirits. The authors suggest a good ol' ping pong game, or an ice cream cone - something simple that'll boost you out of flat-lining emotions and thinking. Give your brain a break from its toils. "Plenty of research has shown that a positive attitude helps the unconscious brain look at a problem from a different angle, improving your chances of solving it."

Remember, the best "Aha!" moments ultimately lead to the all-powerful "A-Ha!" - bold insight PLUS joy-filled action - that fertile birthing ground for monuments, businesses, paradigm shifts, theories of relativity…and your next inspired venture.

Increase the number of "Aha!" moments in your life, and the chance for the "A-Ha!" that rocks your business increases exponentially.

Despite the fact that London’s restaurants have improved considerably over the last 25 years, tourists from America still might find themselves wanted a taste of home rather than the more traditional or international fare available in the capital city. While there are certainly enough McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Pizza Huts to make you feel as if the world is very small indeed, there are other sit-down establishments that – while often pricey – may make you feel a little less homesick.

With five locations in central London (and dozens more throughout Great Britain), TGI Fridays offers not just the same hamburgers, salads and sandwiches you’d find in the States – but also the same décor, wait staff and music that you’d expect. The bar area is usually very busy, and the restaurant caters to families as well as young people out for a night on the town. Look for Fridays in Bayswater, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Mill Hill and Fulham. The prices will look pretty similar to what you’d pay in the U.S. but beware – those are pounds you’re looking at, not dollars. Expect to pay double what you’d pay back home.

“Theme restaurants” like the Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood and the Rainforest Café all have branches in Central London. Like Fridays, these are places to take the entire family – especially if loud music videos, movie props and robot animals will keep your kids occupied while you eat. Again, expect to pay more than you’d want for a hamburger or chicken sandwich, but you’re also getting American style service and food. For those wanting something familiar, these three places may provide just that solution.

While not a U.S. chain, if you’re looking for “traditional” Tex-Mex cuisine one evening, visit the Texas Embassy and Cantina near Trafalgar Square. In addition to what you’d expect (fajitas, enchiladas, queso, chips and margaritas), there is a selection of steaks and barbeque items as well. It may not be the exact thing you’d get in Dallas or Houston, but it’s close enough to keep you going until your return home.

Your law firm needs new clients in order to stay in business. Many law firms do not actively market their services and thus miss many potential clients. Since the demand and supply dynamics keep changing, it is crucial to keep ahead of competition and promote your services. Here are some methods of reaching out to potential clients.

1) Referrals
Most law firms get in touch with potential clients through a network of common friends and acquaintances. See who among them know potential clients, and (subtly) ask them to refer your firm to those who might be looking for the services of an attorney.

2) Website
Having a well designed, informative website is crucial for law firms looking for new clients. Most people look up law firms on the Internet, and you can make things easier for them by putting up online forms they can fill if they need more information about your services. Search engine optimization is also crucial if you want people to find you through search engines. Hire the services of an SEO firm to ensure that your website is ranked high on search engines.

3) Seminars
Attend seminars and conventions to publicize the services offered by your law firm. Give speeches and interact with the audience. Try to give small gifts to members of the audience you think may be potential clients or lead you to potential clients. You can also ask for the business cards of these people.

4) Membership of Organizations
Join organizations you think can promote your business. See if the organization has members who are potential clients. Ask your clients if they are members of a particular organization. Never join an organization that cannot help you get in touch with new clients.

5) Advertising
Advertise your services in local radio shows, TV programs, Yellow Pages, and newspapers. Targeted advertising works much better than more expensive mass marketing. Overnight radio shows and cable TV are cheaper than primetime ads.

6) Direct Mailing
Use direct mailing services to promote your law firm. Ensure that the letters are not too long, and carry testimonials of previous clients. Give special offers if you like.

7) Press Releases/Articles
Nothing works like press releases and articles related to law. Be a regular contributor of legal articles to ezines, websites, and newspapers. This will attract readership and ensure that some of the readers know that you are an expert in your field.

These are just some of the methods you can use to publicize yours. Use targeted advertising to reach them. If you need more help in promoting your law firm, you could approach a professional agency for help. Your law firm needs new clients in order to stay in business. Many law firms do not actively market their services and thus miss many potential clients. Since the demand and supply dynamics keep changing, it is crucial to keep ahead of competition and promote your services. Here are some methods of reaching out to potential clients.

Have you ever wondered how some flea market vendors seem to build strong businesses, with high profit margins, and strong sales?

The answer to their success might surprise you.

Instead of their success being based on an esoteric formula, the real truth is actually deceivingly simple.

The reason successful flea market vendors make money is because they understand their customers.

Understanding your customers is actually the answer to success in any type of business situation. Once you understand the needs and wants of your customers you will be able to better serve them.

But the problem that arises is that most flea market vendors proceed to overlook the obvious and think too deeply when it comes to their customers.

They forget that their customers are guided by a very simple set of desires.

Here is a sample of important elements that constitute the reasons customers shop at flea markets.

Flea Market Customer Desire #1

Saving money. Yes, most flea market customers visit flea markets simply to save money. They know that they can buy most of what they need at the local Wal Mart or Dollar General. This type of customer is simply shopping at a flea market to save money.

Present the customer with substantial savings and you will have a good repeat buyer.

Flea Market Customer Desire #2

Entertainment. Okay, a flea market might not be the most exciting event, but believe me that plenty of people are excited to see what they can discover there. If you want to sell to this type of flea market customer you will need to have items such as collectibles, DVD movies, CDs, comic books, and other entertainment related items.

Flea Market Customer Desire #3

Exporting. Yes, you read that right. Many flea market customers are looking for inexpensive items to send back home, either for their families or for business purposes. To sell to this type of customer you will need high end merchandise at below wholesale prices.

Used clothing has long been a staple segment of the flea market business. Vendors would either unload their no longer needed clothing, or buy it from a local Salvation Army thrift shop.

Flea market vendors could make good money selling used clothing, often working on profit margins of over 500%.

Many established businesses set themselves up to supply used clothing to flea market vendors, offering pieces of clothing for as low as .25 each.

Vendors could then resell the clothing for $1 to $2 each, enjoying great returns while saving their customers plenty of money.

So it’s only natural for prospective flea market vendors to consider selling used clothing.

The pros are pretty clear. High margins combined with low priced goods mean that anyone can easily buy profitable merchandise to sell.

But based on the market research I have done, I have determined that used clothing is no longer a good category for flea market vendors.

My reasons are the following:

Reason #1

The price of new clothing is dropping drastically. Customers can now buy brand new clothing at Wal Mart for around $5, or even less at many dollar stores. Why should they buy previously worn clothing when the savings become pennies?

Reason #2

Better quality clothing. Clothing manufacturers are producing better quality clothing which lasts longer. Customers know that it is worthwhile to spend a few dollars more for new clothing. Since the clothing will last them longer, they will save more money than if they had to replace the used clothing in a few months.

Reason #3

Rising incomes. With the overall per capita income rising in the United States, most people can easily afford new clothing. While there will always be poor consumers, their buying power will increase as clothing manufacturers reduce the price of new clothing. In other words, as the price of new clothing decreases, more people will buy new only.

Profit margins seem to be main focus of executives and small business owners.

Everyone from the CEO of General Motors to your average eBay seller is focused on it.

But think fo what a profit margin actually represents. It’s not an indication of how much money you are actually making, it’s only a figure that tells what the profit portion is as a percentage of the total sale.

In other words a $10 profit on a $100 sale means that your profit margin is 10%.

Now let me ask you this, let’s assume your average profit margin is 100%. That type of profit margin would make any business owner envious. But what if the total sale was only $2? Your actual profit would only be $1, even though you are working a high profit margin.

I am sure you realize how many products you would have to sell to make any serious money.

But what if your profit margin was only 5% on a $100,000 sale?

Your actual profit would be $5,000. In net terms you are making more money even though the profit margin is 20 times smaller than in the above example.

That’s the real reason your profit margin is not important. What is important is your actual net profit.

Profit margins are good formulas for general accounting and investment decisions. But as a business owner your determining concern should be your net profit.

Need more convincing?

Let’s look at your average dollar store compared to your average car dealer.

The dollar store is working on a profit margin of up to 300%, while the car dealer is working on a profit margin of as little as 10%. Let’s further assume that the dollar store sells strictly dollar items and the car dealer focuses on $20,000 cars. Using these figures the dollar store will have to sell roughly 4,000 items to earn the same profit as the car dealer does with one sale.

So what’s the important lesson you should learn?

The lesson for retailers, flea market vendors, eBay sellers, and all business people is the following.

Focus on selling more expensive items. You can always use lower end items to attract customers but make your real money with high end products.

You will need allot less sales to make a decent living provided that you sell high end merchandise.

Controversy has long been the secret weapon of experienced marketers. They know that word of mouth spreads the quickest when there is a developing controversy. For this reason you will see Madison Avenue advertising agencies using controversial topics and images to promote their customers products.

Movies such as Borat rely on the power of controversy. By creating a fictitious character and inserting him into the lives of unsuspecting people, the movie quicky created a debate among viewers over the ethics of the producer.

While the ethics of the producer are being debated, millions of movie goers have lining up to purchase tickets to Borat.

Clearly, creating a controversy, or capitalizing on a controversy, can be a tremendous advantage to your business.

While I am not recommending any immoral or unethical acts, I am advocating the study of this great marketing technique.

The following are steps to capitalize on controversial topics.

Controversy Profit Tool #1

Issue a new product in response to a controversy. For instance, if there has been an E Coli outburst you can release a product to help test food for the bacteria.

Or you can publish a book explaining what the bacteria is, and how it can avoided.

Controversy Profit Tool #2

Create your own controversy. Send out a press release disagreeing with an accepted idea, or publicly challenge a competitor over product claims.

Controversy Profit Tool #3

Make an unbelievable offer. Stores have had customers wait outside their doors overnight in hope of being the recipient of an expensive prize. You can offer a free DVD player or plane ticket to your first 5 customers. Sure it sounds expensive, but think of the attention your business will receive.

Good media coverage can easily bring a small business more exposure than a full year of advertising.