If you enjoy taking car rides, going on trips, and envy truck driver and RV owners, you just might find that a courier business is just the career you are looking for. Besides a good-sized van to transport packages, there isn't much else you will need to get started. If you already own a reliable, well-maintained van, you are already on the road to getting you courier business on its way. A courier business can be very lucrative.

What You Need:

1. A reliable, maintained, sturdy van with plenty of cargo space. At times, you will be transporting very large and heavy packages or many packages at the same time. Your van needs to be able to handle its cargo. A nice van of some kind is essential in this business. Without one, it would be impossible to survive as a courier.

2. You need to be in pretty decent physical shape, have good stamina and a healthy lifting ability. You will need a strong and healthy back for this job. Some packages can weigh up to 70 pounds or more. Learning the proper way to lift and carry large and heavy packages can significantly reduce your risk of a debilitating injury. If you injure your back, you may need to retire from the courier business, and be limited in not just work abilities, but day-to-day abilities as well. You can read more about this on WebMD Health here: http://my.webmd.com/hw/back_pain/tn9300.asp

A dolly can also help when you will need to move a particularly heavy or large package, or more than one at a time.

3. When you own your own business, you handle everything from customer service to advertising. You need to get the word out about your new business and services. If people do not know that your services are available, no one will be able to hire you or contract you for work. This is where advertising, marketing, and promotion come in. This area of your business may seem confusing and overwhelming at first, but it doesn't have to be that bad. It also doesn't have to cost you your life savings. Here are some tips to get you started in this department:

-Business cards
You can make these yourself with your computer and a printer with the right paper. You can also purchase some at one of the many online stores that make and sell them. You could also have a professional graphic designer create them for you, complete with a logo for your new business, but this may cost you a little extra cash. It could, however, be the best thing for you if you are unfamiliar with making these sorts of things on your computer, or if you need a great logo made for you.

-Flyers
You can have flyers made up and post them around your neighborhood, or hand them out. First, ask your local police station where it is legal to do so. Simply call your local office and ask them where you can and cannot post or hand out flyers.

-Website
A website can make a great, detailed business card. You can put up your contact information, hours of operation, different prices, etc.

-Word-of-Mouth
This is the best form of advertising you can get. It is free, and the number one way word gets around about your business. If you have satisfied customers, they will refer your services when someone they know needs them. This is the best way to get people coming your way.

Resources:

http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

http://www.businesstown.com/gettingstarted/index.asp

http://my.webmd.com/hw/back_pain/tn9300.asp