New Entrepreneurs: 3 Ways to Lower Your Startup Costs

It’s so exciting when you start a business and get your first important paperwork saying you’re an official business. So, congratulations are first in order! But then, you have lists and lists of things to buy, do and create. Rent, remodeling, supplies, furniture, marketing, advertising, employees, licenses and permits…whew! It’s tiring just to think about all that needs to be done.

Some items, like licenses and permits, you can’t really do much about to lower the costs. They are what they are. But with marketing and advertising materials, supplies and furniture you can definitely lower your startup costs, oftentimes by a significant amount.

Here are some ideas on how to stretch your dollars when buying all your startup materials:

1. Join a warehouse club, like Sam’s Club or Costco. Both of these warehouses have business accounts, which let you add up to 6 employees (or whoever you authorize) to use the account. Sam’s Club has special business-only hours so that only those with business cards can shop before those with personal cards are allowed in. This option can also save you time as well since you won’t be shopping with large crowds and checkout lines will be shorter. After a few purchases of industrial cleaners and toilet paper, you’ll break even on your membership price. Memberships cost anywhere from $35 to $100 depending on which level you buy.

2. Buy all of your print marketing/advertising materials from one place. By becoming a repeat customer, your artwork and logo will already be in the system at most printers. Using an online printing company like PrintPlace.com ensures a consistent feel across your business cards, letterhead, envelopes, calendars, brochures and catalogs, menus, flyers, and the list goes on. You can also sign up to receive notices of sales and specials not available to the general public.

3. Buy your furniture, retail shelves and displays at going-out-of-business sales. Many stores that are going out of business want to sell everything in their store, and I do mean everything. From generic signage (“Sale!) to shelves to display units, you can get a great deal on just about anything at a retail store that’s going out of business. Even if the store isn’t advertising that its furniture and display units are for sale, just ask. Many are willing to give a deep discount for you taking it off their hands.

Store Fixtures, USA and Store Fixture Supercenter can save you a lot of money if you’re willing to buy used fixtures and shelves. You can get gondola shelves (supermarket shelves) and clothing fixtures as well as wall mounts at a discount at these Web sites.

Goodwill and online stores like Wholesale Warehouse Supply can net you some great office furniture for cheap as well.