Tired of working for other people? Want to be your own boss and earn a possible average income of $25 per hour? Housecleaning is a skill that can make you money. This course will cover the basics of how to start up a business (cheap), how to clean and what products to use. This information can also show you how to clean your own home professionally. Remember; good, detailed housecleaners are in demand, so the work is "out there."

Harness the Internet or prepare to become obsolete. This course is designed to eliminate techno-babble and fear of computers and to provide you with the knowledge you need to start an Internet business. Topics include: the value of starting an internet business, choosing a proper domain name, benefits of using template based websites, email marketing, blogs, press releases, link exchanging, affiliate programs, search engine optimization services, Google adwords, Paypal, logos and the dos and don'ts of the internet.

If you can get on the Internet, you have the computer skills necessary to start a part or full-time eBay business from home. Earn supplemental income, buy what you want at amazingly low prices, start a home-based business with unlimited potential or just make money clearing the junk out of your garage. Topics include: getting started, buying on eBay, planning and researching your auction, how to write an auction title and listing, the magic words that can increase the number and amount of bids, timing and duration of your auction, how to take and use photos, how to maximize your selling price, and getting paid. It also covers proxy bidding, and the art of “sniping,” plus secrets to getting a great feedback rating fast, getting the best price when selling many identical items and more.

Start your own business! Find out what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur by learning about yourself and your idea. Take the entrepreneur challenge quiz to test your background and develop an action checklist for your new business idea. Learn the reasons why businesses succeed and the number one reason why startups fail. Review the fundamentals of winning business plans, from starting a business plan to executing your plan. Participate in case studies of winning business plans, free marketing and low cost financing for your business. Once your have mastered the tools for the feasibility of your business idea, find out the legal form for your business and lucrative tax deductions for self-employed entrepreneurs. Explore how to control and quickly analyze your business with QuickBooks software. Save thousands of dollars by finding out where you can obtain free or low cost resources in the Houston area for your idea, your business plan, government procurement and contracts, business processes, and even technical assistance for patents and trademarks.

The marketplace is the globe. The Internet has made goods and services in demand in virtually every country in the world. This course will provide an overview of the importing/exporting industry and some necessities of being successful at either importing or exporting. Discuss the World Bank, Ex-Im Bank, duties and tariffs, custom brokers, free trade agreements, regulations and labeling requirements. Learn what any businessperson needs to know to be a success moving goods in or out of the U.S.

No money? No website? No problem! You can start selling your ebooks today. Ebooks are more popular than ever—Amazon reports they now sell more ebooks than print books, and they are only one of the places you can publish your ebooks for free. You will learn how to sell ebooks from a website of your own, and discover how to get others to sell your ebooks for you. Don't wait–other people are making big money with ebooks. Why not you?

It's possible to support your family with 50 goats on five acres. There have been a number of fads in the livestock farming industry. A few have worked but only for a short period of time. Eighty percent of Texas' cattle ranchers either break even or report a loss. Goats, the world's most popular red meat, reproduce twice as fast, forage on the same land, and earn 25 percent more than cattle. Learn how to care, feed and produce goats. This class also addresses developing a plan for earning a living from your goats (meat, dairy, brush, show and breeding types) and the number crunching required to make it work. NOTE: A field trip to the instructor's farm in Alvin is included.

Free-range eggs are good for your heart. Explore the pleasure/challenges of raising chickens in and out of Houston. Learn which breeds are better eggers, which are fun to look at and which are the best chickens to have around children. Receive answers to such questions as: should you hatch from eggs or buy chicks, and are roosters optional. Housing, feed, water, basic care and aspects of keeping hens happy, healthy and laying will be covered. This lively class will feature the instructors' personal chicken experiences. NOTE: On the weekend, tour the instructor's chicken farm near Manvel.

Receive an overview of the major legal issues involved with starting a business in Houston. Topics include 1) choosing the right entity for your business; 2) partnership agreements, operating agreements and corporate bylaws, and why they are absolutely essential; 3) easy ways to help insulate yourself from law suits; and 4) an overview of the taxes, licensing, and permitting specific to Houston, TX.