Table of Contents:
Introduction Create, Don’t Replicate
PART I: Biodiesel Basics Why Diesel Engines Rock! Starting a Diesel Engine Diesels in the EU Running Your Car on Biodiesel or Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) Benefits of Biodiesel Cautions of Using Biodiesel in Your Vehicle Overview and Chemistry of Making Biodiesel Main Reaction Side Reactions – Making Soap Cleaning the Biodiesel Homebrewing Resources
PART II: How I Fell in Love with Biodiesel Biodiesel – Nectar of the Gods Baptism by Oil March 18 Speech Not at a Gas Station! Birthing the Business A Biodiesel Fairytale Journey to the Emerald City of Ames, Iowa, August 2003
PART III: Beginnings: Excitement, Idealism, and the Best Laid Plans Timeline of the Oasis The BioFuel Oasis Vision The Anti-Gas Station Integrity Community Short Concentrated Hours Above Board Creating Your Own Vision Questions to Ask Yourself When Visioning Cooperation, Not Competition Location, Location, Location - Summer 2003 Business Type Sole Proprietor Partnership Corporation Non-Profits Get Professional Advice Business Plan Day-to-Day Operation Your Market Financials Just Do It Funding The Nitty Gritty Paperwork Employer Identification Number from IRS Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Statement Credit Union/Bank Account Seller’s Permit Web Domain Logo General Liability Insurance California DMS (Department of Measurement Standards of the Department of Food & Agriculture) Variance
PART IV: Red Tape: Fall 2003 to FALL 2004 Zoning – August 2003 Opening – December 9, 2003 Building Permit – January 2004 Hazardous Materials/Toxics Department Fire Department Business License Weights & Measures Tips for Understanding and Working with Bureaucrats Our Pump Grand Opening – November 13, 2004
PART V: Running the Business A Day at the Oasis “Marketing” The Press Biodiesel: Our #1 Product Why We Don’t Make the Fuel We Sell Fuel Procurement Where to Get Fuel From Fuel Quality Making Biodiesel Issues Storing/Handling Biodiesel Issues Testing Biodiesel Frozen Biodiesel, No Thanks How do You Check a Delivery for Gelling? Running Out of Fuel Lessons Learned Around Fuel Procurement Merchandise Burn-out Our Customers Becoming a Women Owned & Worker Owned Cooperative No Bosses! Making Decisions, or How to Have Productive Meetings Why Are We All Women? More New Members Getting Along Taxes on Biodiesel Accounting/Financial Cash Register Monthly Profit & Loss Statements QuickBooks Balance Sheets Budgets/Planning Income Taxes Payroll service Getting Rich Our Truck Big Spill Disasters Two Lessons Finally Learned "Change the Fuel Filter" Mantra $150 Consultants Fuel Filter Changing Workshops Event Series: Biodiesel, Driving Still Sucks Future Dreams Afterword
Appendix A: Business Startup Checklist
Appendix B: Equipment (including Diagrams) Tanks Containment Plumbing Public Pump 1 Micron Filters Biodiesel Handling, Storage, and Compatibility Plumbing for Beginners Proper Storage of Biodiesel
Appendix C: Fuel Filter Changing Instructions Volkswagen TDIs (1996-2006) Fuel Filter Changing Instructions Mercedes (1978-1985) Fuel Filter Changing Instructions
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