THE NO-BRAINER GUIDE:

STARTING A ZERO BUDGET BUSINESS

IN LESS THAN A DAY

EMIRZA RAHMAN
 THE NO-BRAINER GUIDE:

STARTING A ZERO BUDGET BUSINESS

IN LESS THAN A DAY

Emirza Rahman

[2]
 PREFACE

Growing up in a simple home, I have always

found myself captivated by how all kinds of
businesses function. The word "business" often
makes us think of money and happiness, but it is
crucial to realize that this image is not always
true. Many companies have faced unexpected
challenges or struggled to connect with the
people they aim to serve.

My intention for writing this book is to share my

experiences and thoughts about my practical
approach to business creation. I aim to present
these concepts in the simplest way possible,
allowing readers to easily grasp the ideas.

I completely understand that many of my readers

and colleagues really want to start a business.
But often, their fear and hesitation to take risks
stop them from actually doing it.

[3]
Hence, I am sincerely offering you this, my first
book, as I believe in our potential for success
through continuous learning and shared
experiences, and most importantly, taking the
first step.

With love and support,

Emirza

Notice:

This book is for personal use only. Unauthorized

distribution, reproduction, or sharing of its
content in any form is prohibited. Your purchase
entitles you to read for personal enjoyment and
education. Respect for the author's rights and
copyright is appreciated. By purchasing, you
agree to abide by these terms.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE ............................................................................ 3

INTRODUCTION ............................................................. 6

BUSINESS IDEATION .................................................... 9

GETTING YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER .....................13

SETTING AN APPOINTMENT .................................22

PRESENTATION ............................................................26

POST-PRESENTATION ...............................................34

PROPOSAL ......................................................................37

CLOSING ...........................................................................40

[5]
 INTRODUCTION

The future depends on what you do today.

Mahatma Gandhi

The world of business is like a woven tapestry,

filled with stories of success and challenges.
Entrepreneurs make important decisions that
shape their businesses. Some companies do well,
while others face unexpected problems that need
creative solutions.

Business isn't solely focused on generating

profits – it's also about cultivating valuable ideas.
However, the journey isn't always seamless and
frequently entails learning from mistakes.
Navigating the dynamic business landscape
involves comprehending market mechanisms,
thinking strategically, and embracing change.

[6]
Even if you don't have a complete grasp of how
markets function, it's important to approach
them with an intelligent and adaptable mindset.
Embracing change and remaining open to new
possibilities is crucial, as markets are complex
and constantly evolving.

Taking the first step is essential to achieve your

dreams. It's akin to turning on a light in a dark
room. That initial action can breathe life into
your aspirations. Your dreams begin to take
shape when you muster the courage to take that
step forward.

This journey is also about honoring yourself and

being thankful for your knowledge and ideas. By
translating what you know into action, you are
acknowledging your potential.

The initial step is where dreams, determination,

and wisdom converge. It marks the beginning of
a journey where learning, adaptability, and hard
work pave the path to success. Starting out,
remember that this step not only propels you

[7]
toward your aspirations but also reflects self-
respect and belief in your capabilities. In the
business world, each choice and lesson add to
your distinctive story.

However, it is now time to cut the crap!

Your first step begins here.

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[9]
 BUSINESS IDEATION

The first step towards getting somewhere is to

decide that you are not going to stay where you are.

J.P. Morgan

Business ideas can come from a variety of places,

ranging from selling products to providing
services. Let's work together in a collaborative
brainstorming session. Let's try to imagine your
situation like this: in the upcoming week, you'll
be starting a three-month school break. You
know that you'll probably spend a lot of time
scrolling through social media and playing games
during this period. While these activities aren't
necessarily bad, as everyone needs some time to
relax, there's an even more exciting opportunity
– using this time to brainstorm about your future
business venture, the one you plan to create.

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Think of the scenarios below as simple
illustrations of possible business opportunities:

➢ Buying a box of chocolate bars and selling

them on the street for a higher price.
➢ Proposing to teach a friend a specific skill
in exchange for a fee.
➢ Providing a service to acquaintances at a
fee, even if you could hire a freelancer for
less.
➢ Participating in a company's affiliate
program and earning commissions from
product sales.

These instances highlight the array of possibilities

within the sphere of business. The term 'business'
encapsulates the endeavors and activities of
individuals aimed at crafting, producing, and
marketing goods and services with the goal of
generating profit.

The satisfaction gained from business endeavors

goes beyond just making money. It's like seeing
your business as a game or even as something

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you've nurtured, similar to your own child. You
work to improve the current stage before moving
on to the next, finding happiness in the process.

Initiating a business can originate from modest

beginnings. This book strives to provide a
comprehensive yet uncomplicated approach that
is accessible to everyone. Our emphasis is on
initiating a 'zero budget' business that provides
solutions to other companies.

In the pages of this book, we will walk you

through the essential steps required to embark
on your entrepreneurial journey.

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[ 13 ]
 GETTING YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER

Revolve your world around the customer and more

customers will revolve around you.

Heather Williams

A question that may arise is: why do we start by

acquiring customers instead of developing a
business strategy? I recognize the importance of
having a solid business strategy before execution.
HOWEVER, the goal of this book is to assist you
in establishing your initial business venture with
minimal risk. You won't even need to invest any
capital. The sole resource you'll be investing is
your TIME for LEARNING.

In this book, as we mentioned in the previous

chapter, our examples and approach will revolve

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around being a business solutions provider. This
approach allows you to explore your interests
while simultaneously offering value to others'
businesses, thereby yielding profits for you.

Now, let's get straight to the point, as this is one

of the crucial steps you'll need to undertake:

LET’S MAKE A CALL!

➢ Who will we be reaching out to? Local

businesses.
➢ Where can we locate them? Utilize Google
Maps to search for any available local
businesses, whether they're related to
"language courses, restaurants, or even
cafes" – anything!
➢ How can we access their contact
information? The listings you discover on
Google will prove valuable, as you can
extract their contact emails and PHONE

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 NUMBERS, or even find them on their
respective websites.

Here, I want to underscore the significance of

obtaining their PHONE NUMBERS. Why?

Because it's the most practical way to establish

communication with them.

So, what should be our next step after acquiring

their phone numbers?

LET’S MAKE THE CALL!

Unsure about what to communicate? Perhaps

you're uncertain about the product or service
you're offering. For the sake of this discussion,
let's consider you're beginning from scratch,
without any prior portfolio or resources. We'll
approach this as if you're starting with a clean
slate. Our focus will be on selling services that
are founded on knowledge available for free on

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the internet (even though internet knowledge
tends to be primarily theoretical). The services
we can provide and learn about online
encompass, BUT ARE NOT RESTRICTED TO:

➢ Website creation,
➢ Marketing and advertising; and
➢ and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

You might also be wondering, why would

potential clients opt to purchase my service
when they can acquire the knowledge for free
online? The key lies in EFFICIENCY and TIME.

There exist numerous reasons why even small

companies choose to hire employees, even when
tasks could be accomplished by a few
individuals. One of these reasons is to enhance
the efficiency of their business operations. While
adhering to the Pareto Law, a small group can
indeed accomplish specific goals in many large
companies. However, there's also the innate
human tendency towards inertia that can impede
the achievement of set objectives.

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Returning to the process of making calls, these
are often the characteristics of businesses that
offer room for improvements. This presents an
opportunity for you to successfully close deals
and derive profit from these situations.

You don’t make money, you take money.

Andrew Tate

These are the attributes of 'potential' businesses

that I generally concentrate on, as I perceive
them as prime candidates for conversion from
leads to prospects:

➢ Absence of a website
➢ Limited media exposure
➢ Inactive advertising campaigns
➢ Lack of or poor customer ratings and
reviews
➢ Low customer count

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Once you've chosen the businesses you wish to
contact, it's time to initiate the calls. Here's a
template you can use, taking the example of
calling a language courses business:

"Good afternoon, am I speaking with [name of the

owner/ the business name]? I recently came across
your [the business name] online and would like to
introduce you to some solutions that could benefit
your business.

If you could spare a minute, I'd appreciate the

opportunity to share further details.

Thank you, my name is [your name], and I represent

[your business name]. We are located in [your
location] and specialize in providing tailored
solutions for businesses. Our services encompass
various aspects, including website creation to
enhance your customer outreach, SEO to elevate
your visibility on search engines like Google, and
comprehensive marketing and advertising

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strategies. [Feel free to add any additional services
you offer.]"

Afterward, they usually have various questions,

and this part is for you to practice responding
promptly and ensuring that you UNDERSTAND
WHAT YOU SAY. Now, there may be either a
positive engagement response or the opposite.

➢ If they show interest, you could say:

"Thank you for your time. If it's alright, may I ask for
your contact number (or email)? This way, I can send
you an online meeting invitation. Would you be
available next Tuesday?"

➢ If not, you could say:

"Thank you for your time. If you have any further

questions or if you're interested in our services,
please feel free to reach out to us again."

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While the template provided can serve as an
example during your calls, it's important to note
that not all actual conversations may align
precisely with the template. However, this can be
utilized as a guideline for effectively responding
to the typical dialogue that arises during a call.

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[ 22 ]
 SETTING AN APPOINTMENT

The key to a productive day lies in the appointments

you make.

Brian Tracy

Continuing the conversation when the client is

interested in learning more about the services
you offer, the subsequent step is to arrange an
appointment. Assuming you've already
determined the most suitable time for the client
(usually I schedule it for 30 minutes or an hour
based on their preference), the process is
relatively straightforward.

Whether you've already discussed the date and

time with your client that suits them for an
online meeting to delve deeper into your
offerings and gain a better understanding of their
business, the procedure is quite simple. If you

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have a Gmail account, all you need to do is follow
these steps:

1. Open your Gmail account.

2. Hover over the top right corner of the
page.
3. Click on the multiple dots.
4. Navigate to ‘Calendar’
5. Select the desired appointment date and
time. In this example, we're setting it for
August 13, 2023, from 10 am to 11 am.
Click on the relevant time slot.
6. Once you click on the time slot, a popup
window will appear, containing details
like the meeting's name, date and time,
guests, and description. However, please
note that under the 'Add title' field, you'll
find options for 'Event' and 'Appointment
schedule'. Choose 'Event' here.
7. After setting all the necessary details and
adding guests, click the 'Save' button.

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8. A prompt will appear, asking whether to
send the invitation to Google Calendar
guests. Click 'Send'.

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[ 26 ]
 PRESENTATION

Behind every effective presentation is an abundance

of preparation and passion.

Steve Jobs

So, having successfully scheduled an

appointment with an interested customer, the
subsequent step involves crafting a presentation
that outlines your identity and offerings. It's
absolutely fine if you lack prior experience in
handling business solutions. Confidence is key
here, and you'll soon discover your capabilities in
the upcoming chapter on creating proposals. The
presentation phase is where engagement peaks,
armed with materials detailed in the previous
chapter. Your aim is to convey who you are and
the solutions you provide.

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Despite any lack of prior experience, the
following three elements have proven effective in
my presentations:

➢ Positivity
Prior to uttering a word, I swiftly gauge
my vocabulary and expressions. Even if I
need to address any business
shortcomings, I ensure to articulate it in a
pleasant and optimistic manner. While it
might be tempting to criticize, it's crucial
to maintain positivity. Constructive
criticism, when presented with care,
minimizes client discomfort.
➢ Clarity
Audible speech, simple language, and
clear articulation are paramount.
Especially when your client isn't a native
English speaker (assuming English as the
communication language), maintaining
clarity is essential. Emphasizing key terms
ensures that clients retain vital
information. Failure in communication

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 clarity can cast your business as
unprofessional or unwilling to invest
adequately in its endeavors.
➢ Feasibility and Capability
I place feasibility and capability at the
same level, as you need to ascertain both
your capacity to present your offerings
and the viability of the project you'll be
undertaking.

A strong presentation outlining your identity,

services, and solutions generally includes these
essential elements:

1. Introductory Page
2. Introduction to the Team
3. Values and Services
4. Previous Projects (optional)
5. Discussion Between Your Business and
the Client, and Closing

Each of these elements serves a distinct purpose

in presenting your business effectively and
convincingly.

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Below are detailed descriptions of the bullet
points mentioned above:

1. Introductory Page,
This page serves as the initial
introduction, displaying your business
name, logo, and the purpose of the
presentation. Here's an example from a
presentation I created with a business I
collaborate with.
2. Introduction to the Team,
In this section, you'll explain your role,
the essence of your business, and a
concise overview of your background. It's
crucial to establish who you are to
enhance the credibility of your business.
While you can introduce yourself and
your team, remember that clients might
not be inclined to listen to excessive
information that isn't essential.
3. Values and Services,
Values express your dedication to the
project and serve as your guiding

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 principles. Meanwhile, services refer to
the solutions you commit to delivering to
address potential challenges your clients
might encounter.
4. Previous Projects (optional);
Highlighting past projects, whether
directly related to your current business
or pertaining to solutions you can
provide, can be beneficial. It demonstrates
your experience and capabilities.
5. Discussion between your business and
the client.
During this phase, aim to gather
comprehensive information from your
clients. Listen attentively to their needs
and expectations while effectively
conveying your business's capabilities to
fulfill those requirements.
6. Closing,
Towards the end, you can address pricing.
If you wish to allow them to set the price,
you might say:

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 "We're interested in understanding your
budget and the investment you're willing to
make in this project."

However, the specific pricing strategy will be

detailed in the forthcoming proposal chapter. If
they remain interested in your solutions, the next
step is preparing for the subsequent
appointment to discuss the proposal.

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[ 33 ]
 POST-PRESENTATION

Feedback is the breakfast of champions.

Ken Blanchard

Relax and let go of any tension post-presentation.

The phase after the presentation primarily
involves considering your ability to execute the
work as agreed upon with the clients. Before
finalizing the proposal, there are several steps I
consistently follow to determine if I can fulfill the
project:
1. Estimate Project Duration
Evaluate the estimated time required to
complete the project. Assess the
timeframe and determine if it aligns with
your capabilities.
2. Review Tools and Requirements:
Understand the tools, resources, and
prerequisites needed for the project.

[ 34 ]
 Ensure that you have access to and
knowledge of the required elements.
3. Self-Assessment and Confidence:
Evaluate yourself and your skills. If you
feel confident that you can deliver as
promised, then you're on the right track.
Trust your capabilities and expertise.
4. Thoughtful Consideration
Take ample time to reflect on your
capacity to undertake the project. Avoid
rushing into a decision. Thoughtful
consideration is key.
These steps provide a systematic approach to
assess whether you're in a position to offer the
proposed solutions in your proposal. It's
essential to ensure that you're well-prepared and
confident before moving forward.

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[ 36 ]
 PROPOSAL

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life,

and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do
what you believe is great work. And the only way
to do great work is to love what you do.

Steve Jobs

The proposal phase typically marks the

culmination of business interactions. I've
positioned the proposal as the final step, rather
than closing the deal directly during the
discussion, for a specific reason. This book caters
to individuals who may have uncertainties about
the solutions they intend to provide. Providing
space for reflection through the proposal stage
allows them to thoroughly consider their
offerings before sharing the proposal with clients
for review or scheduling another appointment to
discuss it in detail.

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Certainly, I've taken note of the essential points
that should be included in your proposal:

1. Project Overview
2. Timeline
3. Pricing
4. Terms and Conditions

Moreover, ensure that you accurately include the

appropriate date and names of individuals who
will be signing the proposal. These components
are crucial for a comprehensive and effective
proposal.

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[ 39 ]
 CLOSING

In closing, I invite you to reflect on the journey

we've embarked upon together. From the simple
beginnings of my own fascination with business
to the practical insights shared in these pages,
we've explored the dynamic world of
entrepreneurship.

Remember, business is not solely about profits;

it's about ideas, innovation, challenges, and
growth. As we conclude this chapter, I encourage
you to embrace the path ahead with enthusiasm
and courage.

May the experiences shared here serve as a

stepping stone for your own ventures. The road
may be uncertain at times, but know that you
possess the power to overcome obstacles and
create something remarkable.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. It's my

hope that this book has kindled the flames of

[ 40 ]
creativity and curiosity within you, inspiring you
to turn your aspirations into reality. Here's to the
spirit of entrepreneurship, continuous learning,
and the unwavering belief that every dream
starts with that first courageous step.

Wishing you success, fulfillment, and the courage

to take the lead.

With gratitude,

Emirza

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