Hi everyone,
Wish all of you a happy new year. Glad to join this forum and wish to learn and make friends here.
Wish all of you a happy new year. Glad to join this forum and wish to learn and make friends here.
samedi 31 décembre 2016
Idea to start own business
Hi good day.
I would just like to ask some guide on how to starts business online my skills are set in office as a clerk and currently working as Telephone Specialist doing lot of calls and promote some IT products to those Companies top management.
I just have the urge to start my small business in line with this please have some tips. Thank you!
I would just like to ask some guide on how to starts business online my skills are set in office as a clerk and currently working as Telephone Specialist doing lot of calls and promote some IT products to those Companies top management.
I just have the urge to start my small business in line with this please have some tips. Thank you!
revenue
what type of established online businesses can generate 200k or more per year in earnings which is not to say their net worth, revenue, fiscal year, ect....... ? would it be a website that sells electric shavers or does online marketing? can someone give me some ideas? rsvp. thank you.
jeudi 29 décembre 2016
To partner up with someone with a slightly checkered past or not?
Hello,
I have recently been approached at my current position as a bar manager in a fairly successful small bar open for just over a year, to open a much larger operation as a co-owner elsewhere. The owner of my current bar has approached me about selling me the bar within this last year, as he has much bigger plans, but we have not talked about the fine details as of yet. This new space is about 2,500 sf and could not be in a better situated part of the city. The neighborhood itself is growing at an incredible rate; old buildings being torn down to erect increasingly larger apartment buildings. There is perfect foot traffic and a high number of other restaurants and bars in the area, but none offering what exists in the business plan. 'Kitty-corner' across the street is a pair of restaurants that collectively do an average of $12m gross annually and will be closing down within a couple of years, due to the owners of the land selling to a developer to build more apartments. The build-out is looking to be in the $250k range and the person whom approached me has about $200k liquid, ready to start construction immediately in the new year. The first offer is 15% equity if I personally raise $50k to the table and I am responsible for the creation and design of the full beverage program for two different spaces and the management of daily operations and hiring and management of entire FOH staff. I would probably negotiate for a higher equity percentage as I have been bartending and managing for seven years, have over ten years' experience in the service industry, and would most likely end up being the face of the entire business, but that is not the reason for this post.
This is an incredible opportunity. I believe strongly that with closely paid attention and hard work on all of our parts, this could, and will be a very successful business. Also, being that it is in a rapidly growing neighborhood and we have been promised in the lease agreement options for two ten-year leases, the likelihood of being bought out of our lease in order for the land to be developed is quite high, presenting an investment opportunity as well. The question comes in with my potential main partner. As I mentioned before, he and our other partner, his brother have 80% of the projected budget, liquid, ready to go. But, upon doing some sleuthing, a few questionable things have popped up involving this guy. As I confronted him, he was neither defensive nor angry, but in fact was very candid about his past and even shared further beyond what I asked. He seemed to realize over about the past fifteen years or so that not doing things entirely legitimately was not work the risk although, as a younger man didn't seem to think that way. He mentioned a number of illegal dealings in order to be successful, which has always been very important to him, citing his Eastern European background as an influence. I believe what he says about how he operates now, as he has two restaurants currently open that seem to be doing quite well, and I get a pretty good feeling from him as a person but I am faced with a very difficult question:
Do I overlook this man's checkered past and the fact that he is open about making what I consider to be morally wrong decisions in his youth so I can be a part of a potentially very successful business and investment opportunity? Is it possible to move forward and protect myself in a way that if anything arises out of his past, I am not involved and thus unaffected? I am recently married, and so I have more than just myself to think about.
I appreciate any thoughts on the situation. I've been hearing my family's opinions about it for awhile, but I thought maybe some unbiased input might help me look at the entire scenario a little more objectively.
Thank you for you time in reading this, and any thoughts you might share.
I have recently been approached at my current position as a bar manager in a fairly successful small bar open for just over a year, to open a much larger operation as a co-owner elsewhere. The owner of my current bar has approached me about selling me the bar within this last year, as he has much bigger plans, but we have not talked about the fine details as of yet. This new space is about 2,500 sf and could not be in a better situated part of the city. The neighborhood itself is growing at an incredible rate; old buildings being torn down to erect increasingly larger apartment buildings. There is perfect foot traffic and a high number of other restaurants and bars in the area, but none offering what exists in the business plan. 'Kitty-corner' across the street is a pair of restaurants that collectively do an average of $12m gross annually and will be closing down within a couple of years, due to the owners of the land selling to a developer to build more apartments. The build-out is looking to be in the $250k range and the person whom approached me has about $200k liquid, ready to start construction immediately in the new year. The first offer is 15% equity if I personally raise $50k to the table and I am responsible for the creation and design of the full beverage program for two different spaces and the management of daily operations and hiring and management of entire FOH staff. I would probably negotiate for a higher equity percentage as I have been bartending and managing for seven years, have over ten years' experience in the service industry, and would most likely end up being the face of the entire business, but that is not the reason for this post.
This is an incredible opportunity. I believe strongly that with closely paid attention and hard work on all of our parts, this could, and will be a very successful business. Also, being that it is in a rapidly growing neighborhood and we have been promised in the lease agreement options for two ten-year leases, the likelihood of being bought out of our lease in order for the land to be developed is quite high, presenting an investment opportunity as well. The question comes in with my potential main partner. As I mentioned before, he and our other partner, his brother have 80% of the projected budget, liquid, ready to go. But, upon doing some sleuthing, a few questionable things have popped up involving this guy. As I confronted him, he was neither defensive nor angry, but in fact was very candid about his past and even shared further beyond what I asked. He seemed to realize over about the past fifteen years or so that not doing things entirely legitimately was not work the risk although, as a younger man didn't seem to think that way. He mentioned a number of illegal dealings in order to be successful, which has always been very important to him, citing his Eastern European background as an influence. I believe what he says about how he operates now, as he has two restaurants currently open that seem to be doing quite well, and I get a pretty good feeling from him as a person but I am faced with a very difficult question:
Do I overlook this man's checkered past and the fact that he is open about making what I consider to be morally wrong decisions in his youth so I can be a part of a potentially very successful business and investment opportunity? Is it possible to move forward and protect myself in a way that if anything arises out of his past, I am not involved and thus unaffected? I am recently married, and so I have more than just myself to think about.
I appreciate any thoughts on the situation. I've been hearing my family's opinions about it for awhile, but I thought maybe some unbiased input might help me look at the entire scenario a little more objectively.
Thank you for you time in reading this, and any thoughts you might share.
Hi all
Hello all,
I just join here, hopefully we can help each other and become a family in this forum :)
Regard's
I just join here, hopefully we can help each other and become a family in this forum :)
Regard's
mercredi 28 décembre 2016
Two questions from newbie in US business
Hi,
I am currently setting up a new corporation in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and I will run it from Denmark, where I live. I am danish and this is my first time setting up my own business in the US.
I also have a web shop, and I intend to sell products in the US through my US business. Is it correct that I can sell to the entire US from a company only registered in only one state?
I need to look into customs and I have no experience what so ever regarding US customs. Do I need to look at national authorities sites and rules or is that a state matter for Wyoming? Where do I start?
Thanks,
I am currently setting up a new corporation in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and I will run it from Denmark, where I live. I am danish and this is my first time setting up my own business in the US.
I also have a web shop, and I intend to sell products in the US through my US business. Is it correct that I can sell to the entire US from a company only registered in only one state?
I need to look into customs and I have no experience what so ever regarding US customs. Do I need to look at national authorities sites and rules or is that a state matter for Wyoming? Where do I start?
Thanks,
Reimbursing owner for taxes paid from S-corp profits
I am 50% owner of an s-corp which had a profit last year. I did not take any distributions or bonuses but the profit was passed on to me since the business is an S-corp. First question, how do I determine the amount that this affected my personal taxes and can the business reimburse me for it? Secondly, how do I account for it so it doesn't look like a distribution or get taxed again this year?
Hi Everybody
Hi,
Thanks for having me on the forum.
i am based in Michigan and own a few small businesses. My main business is a small biotech company that sells diagnostic reagents. I also have a substance abuse testing/outpatient rehab clinic and some real estate.
I hope to help out and hopefully get some help.
-Kumar
Thanks for having me on the forum.
i am based in Michigan and own a few small businesses. My main business is a small biotech company that sells diagnostic reagents. I also have a substance abuse testing/outpatient rehab clinic and some real estate.
I hope to help out and hopefully get some help.
-Kumar
mardi 27 décembre 2016
Do you practice poor LinkedIn etiquette ?
If you've ever heard me speak of it, I hate LinkedIn. Not the tech or function of platform itself, it's the people on it. IMO LinkedIn is full of desperate spammers who think amassing numbers of strangers will miraculously turn into sales. I hate the groups. I hate the way people you don't know, and have made no attempt to get to know you send you connection requests with the default "Join my network" message. I hate even going to the site because I know I'll have to clean up a bunch of spam messages.
But, it's the only one like it and if you're in business you should have a LinkedIn account, whether you actually use it or not, just in case. To me LinkedIn is like the clock on a VCR. Very few people ever stopped to understand how it works, and even fewer take the time to set it properly.
This Hootsuite article maps out some of the most common LinkedIn fails that drive me nuts.
http://ift.tt/2inIwvQ
But I think it could go much further. Do any of you use LinkedIn regularly, or are you like me? Have a profile but rarely use it for anything.
But, it's the only one like it and if you're in business you should have a LinkedIn account, whether you actually use it or not, just in case. To me LinkedIn is like the clock on a VCR. Very few people ever stopped to understand how it works, and even fewer take the time to set it properly.
This Hootsuite article maps out some of the most common LinkedIn fails that drive me nuts.
http://ift.tt/2inIwvQ
But I think it could go much further. Do any of you use LinkedIn regularly, or are you like me? Have a profile but rarely use it for anything.
The real reason your Crowdfunding campaign failed
We get a lot of questions about Crowdfunding campaigns and try to hit on a few key elements that successful ones have. This Fast Company article gets down to brass tacks and describes the things that you need to take seriously and do well to have any hopes of having a successful one yourself.
Whether it’s Kickstarter, Indiegogo, GoFundMe, or any of the other thousands of sites out there, no crowdfunding platform can source funders or market a new product or service all on its own. The crowdfunding campaign can do that, but the platform can’t.
It’s a subtle yet crucial distinction—and one reason so many crowdfunding efforts fall flat. The sole purpose of the platform itself is to facilitate payments! The rest of it is good, old-fashioned networking. Here’s how to get it right.
You read the rest of the article here: http://ift.tt/2inVEB5
Has anyone here tried crowdfunding? If so, how did it work out for you?
Quote:
Whether it’s Kickstarter, Indiegogo, GoFundMe, or any of the other thousands of sites out there, no crowdfunding platform can source funders or market a new product or service all on its own. The crowdfunding campaign can do that, but the platform can’t.
It’s a subtle yet crucial distinction—and one reason so many crowdfunding efforts fall flat. The sole purpose of the platform itself is to facilitate payments! The rest of it is good, old-fashioned networking. Here’s how to get it right.
Has anyone here tried crowdfunding? If so, how did it work out for you?
lundi 26 décembre 2016
Hi Everybody!
My name is Jeff Vegas and I just arrived at this forum. I hope I will meet interesting people here to share experiences and help each other in our online business efforts.
Loyalty Program Best Practices Guide
A modern day loyalty program should enable you to reward users for not just for purchases, but for all-round, 360 degree engagement. Download the free guide to gain guidance on all aspects of creating an award winning loyalty program including how to name your loyalty program, which activities should be rewarded, how many points to be allocated for a given activity etc.
http://ift.tt/2hGOTcU
http://ift.tt/2hGOTcU
Customer Loyalty Management
Loyalty programs have proven to be very effective in ensuring repeat business. However, traditional loyalty programs are expensive to implement, take months of effort and typically only reward customers only for purchase transactions. ShopSocially has changed all that. You can now reward your customers for all round 360 degree engagement and implement the program within 2 weeks.
http://ift.tt/2cjDfTn
http://ift.tt/2cjDfTn
dimanche 25 décembre 2016
Hey Everyone happy to meet you
Hey Everyone happy to meet you all,together,we shall do more to live Happier,healthier,wealthy Life
samedi 24 décembre 2016
Growth Hacking
Hey y'all
I was busy for a while and didn't stop here for a whole month (can you imagine), I usually answer questions when I can or try to get into some deep discussion (i like to talk), but now I wanted to see what you guys think about growth hacking. I hate how people get smart and think they've discovered something new by making up a new name, so that's why I tried to explain in my blog Growth Hacking . To me it's simply following numbers, stats, analytics and growing each day more. So say if you are doing cold calling, I know you can't get one customer more for each day, but you can optimize the calling on what has worked so far.
That's why I want to run it by you guys, what do you think growth hacking is to you, do you utilize it yourself, do you watch marketing metrics, analytics, how important is to re-optimize campaigns on weekly level, or is it monthly for you?
I've seen ford running one landing page, one ad for over 5 years, so it's not strange to leave something as is, if it works.
On the other hand most of the marketers keep on changing campaigns on weekly levels, running split tests and sometimes ruining the working campaigns.
Here are some tips for all of you:
Fax marketing - very easy to find online (or just buy atomic leads harvester and scrape both phones, emails faxes like crazy) and one of the best marketing tools - NO ONE CAN REFUSE A FAX :D - find send free fax via google and do your marketing
SMS (text) marketing - most of people use their cell phone numbers. How do you check if they can receive a text message? Send a message they'll reply to (I even tried cussing, and yes they always reply hahha) , but if you get few replies from the list, you'll get a lot of numbers. This is straight marketing and bothering, but everyone gets your message.
Flyers - make and print out cheap flyer, it can be from your laser printer, it doesn't matter. Have a high school kid hit all the small businesses around you
Guerrilla marketing - this is sooo effective that it's crazy how much new customers you can get this way. Say you do graphic design, you just get the kid to stand in front of any print shop and hand out fliyrs with your number on it and some samples. Or for real estate - have a kid stand in front of an open house (popular house that will sell), hit all those people with business cards and you are done (that's for real estate agents).
Cold emails - YES YOU CAN SPAM IN THE USA - it's not illegal to spam, and you send send emails without a problem to an INBOX - 100%inbox rate. Just use google account (not yours, it can be blocked if your emails are bad) and use google sheets with YET ANOTHER MAIL MERGE. Again the most important thing here is your mailing list, it has to be clean and not have many bounces. It doesn't matter if few people mark you as spam, it won't do anything, it's the bad emails that get you as a spammer, spam traps and known bad emails.
I think this is quality marketing for you to start really growing your leads and customers.
I was busy for a while and didn't stop here for a whole month (can you imagine), I usually answer questions when I can or try to get into some deep discussion (i like to talk), but now I wanted to see what you guys think about growth hacking. I hate how people get smart and think they've discovered something new by making up a new name, so that's why I tried to explain in my blog Growth Hacking . To me it's simply following numbers, stats, analytics and growing each day more. So say if you are doing cold calling, I know you can't get one customer more for each day, but you can optimize the calling on what has worked so far.
That's why I want to run it by you guys, what do you think growth hacking is to you, do you utilize it yourself, do you watch marketing metrics, analytics, how important is to re-optimize campaigns on weekly level, or is it monthly for you?
I've seen ford running one landing page, one ad for over 5 years, so it's not strange to leave something as is, if it works.
On the other hand most of the marketers keep on changing campaigns on weekly levels, running split tests and sometimes ruining the working campaigns.
Here are some tips for all of you:
Fax marketing - very easy to find online (or just buy atomic leads harvester and scrape both phones, emails faxes like crazy) and one of the best marketing tools - NO ONE CAN REFUSE A FAX :D - find send free fax via google and do your marketing
SMS (text) marketing - most of people use their cell phone numbers. How do you check if they can receive a text message? Send a message they'll reply to (I even tried cussing, and yes they always reply hahha) , but if you get few replies from the list, you'll get a lot of numbers. This is straight marketing and bothering, but everyone gets your message.
Flyers - make and print out cheap flyer, it can be from your laser printer, it doesn't matter. Have a high school kid hit all the small businesses around you
Guerrilla marketing - this is sooo effective that it's crazy how much new customers you can get this way. Say you do graphic design, you just get the kid to stand in front of any print shop and hand out fliyrs with your number on it and some samples. Or for real estate - have a kid stand in front of an open house (popular house that will sell), hit all those people with business cards and you are done (that's for real estate agents).
Cold emails - YES YOU CAN SPAM IN THE USA - it's not illegal to spam, and you send send emails without a problem to an INBOX - 100%inbox rate. Just use google account (not yours, it can be blocked if your emails are bad) and use google sheets with YET ANOTHER MAIL MERGE. Again the most important thing here is your mailing list, it has to be clean and not have many bounces. It doesn't matter if few people mark you as spam, it won't do anything, it's the bad emails that get you as a spammer, spam traps and known bad emails.
I think this is quality marketing for you to start really growing your leads and customers.
vendredi 23 décembre 2016
Best Business Funding Offer
This is the best offer for Entrepreneurs, Businessmen and Tycoons, the Investment department of Harrods Bank Ltd is offering business oriented customers all over the world a chance to start up that dream business or develop their already existing business by giving out investment funds from our Gold Investors Market. Business could be small, medium or large scale and repayment plan is very convenient unlike loans there are no monthly/annual repayments obligations, returns are made when duration elapses.
Terms and conditions for this offer are as follow:
• Beneficiary must be an Account holder with Harrods Bank Limited.
• Beneficiary must hold a government-issued identity (Passport, National ID or Driver’s License).
• Beneficiary should be able to present a valid bank statement/tax report for the last 6 months.
• Beneficiary must present a well-documented plan for the intended project and/or business.
• Beneficiary must be over 24 years.
To request for funds please contact me:
Frederick G. Lumb
Senior Financial Officer,
Harrods Bank Ltd
fredglumb@gmail.com
Terms and conditions for this offer are as follow:
• Beneficiary must be an Account holder with Harrods Bank Limited.
• Beneficiary must hold a government-issued identity (Passport, National ID or Driver’s License).
• Beneficiary should be able to present a valid bank statement/tax report for the last 6 months.
• Beneficiary must present a well-documented plan for the intended project and/or business.
• Beneficiary must be over 24 years.
To request for funds please contact me:
Frederick G. Lumb
Senior Financial Officer,
Harrods Bank Ltd
fredglumb@gmail.com
Best Business Funding Offer
This is the best offer for Entrepreneurs, Businessmen and Tycoons, the Investment department of Harrods Bank Ltd is offering business oriented customers all over the world a chance to start up that dream business or develop their already existing business by giving out investment funds from our Gold Investors Market. Business could be small, medium or large scale and repayment plan is very convenient unlike loans there are no monthly/annual repayments obligations, returns are made when duration elapses.
Terms and conditions for this offer are as follow:
• Beneficiary must be an Account holder with Harrods Bank Limited.
• Beneficiary must hold a government-issued identity (Passport, National ID or Driver’s License).
• Beneficiary should be able to present a valid bank statement/tax report for the last 6 months.
• Beneficiary must present a well-documented plan for the intended project and/or business.
• Beneficiary must be over 24 years.
To request for funds please contact me:
Frederick G. Lumb
Senior Financial Officer,
Harrods Bank Ltd
fredglumb@gmail.com
Terms and conditions for this offer are as follow:
• Beneficiary must be an Account holder with Harrods Bank Limited.
• Beneficiary must hold a government-issued identity (Passport, National ID or Driver’s License).
• Beneficiary should be able to present a valid bank statement/tax report for the last 6 months.
• Beneficiary must present a well-documented plan for the intended project and/or business.
• Beneficiary must be over 24 years.
To request for funds please contact me:
Frederick G. Lumb
Senior Financial Officer,
Harrods Bank Ltd
fredglumb@gmail.com
Best Business Funding Offer
This is the best offer for Entrepreneurs, Businessmen and Tycoons, the Investment department of Harrods Bank Ltd is offering business oriented customers all over the world a chance to start up that dream business or develop their already existing business by giving out investment funds from our Gold Investors Market. Business could be small, medium or large scale and repayment plan is very convenient unlike loans there are no monthly/annual repayments obligations, returns are made when duration elapses.
Terms and conditions for this offer are as follow:
• Beneficiary must be an Account holder with Harrods Bank Limited.
• Beneficiary must hold a government-issued identity (Passport, National ID or Driver’s License).
• Beneficiary should be able to present a valid bank statement/tax report for the last 6 months.
• Beneficiary must present a well-documented plan for the intended project and/or business.
• Beneficiary must be over 24 years.
To request for funds please contact me:
Frederick G. Lumb
Senior Financial Officer,
Harrods Bank Ltd
fredglumb@gmail.com
Terms and conditions for this offer are as follow:
• Beneficiary must be an Account holder with Harrods Bank Limited.
• Beneficiary must hold a government-issued identity (Passport, National ID or Driver’s License).
• Beneficiary should be able to present a valid bank statement/tax report for the last 6 months.
• Beneficiary must present a well-documented plan for the intended project and/or business.
• Beneficiary must be over 24 years.
To request for funds please contact me:
Frederick G. Lumb
Senior Financial Officer,
Harrods Bank Ltd
fredglumb@gmail.com
jeudi 22 décembre 2016
How to test a unique idea-Cereal Business
I have an idea for a cereal company that I have been thinking about for some time. I know this business has huge players, and shelf space is extremely difficult to get in grocery stores, and this would be ultra competitive. Is there anyway I could contract a cereal mill or manufacturer to produce a small batch of product I could then test/market to see if the idea would work. I am talking about spending a minimal amount before I take any sort of plunge. I am just in an idea phase, and would like to take some action to see if this idea has any potential. Do cereal companies own their own manufacturing plant/cereal mills? How do the little guys start on a budget? I see some small companies from time to time and startups in small local health food stores, I think this could be a good avenue for my idea, sell to the small local places, give to friends and family and see how the response is. If anyone has any experience or insight I would greatly appreciate it.
By the way my background is in finance/accounting, I have a bunch of ideas I have been accumulating, and I want to start taking some action. Thanks !
By the way my background is in finance/accounting, I have a bunch of ideas I have been accumulating, and I want to start taking some action. Thanks !
Sanity check my Facebook ad campaign figures please?
Hi Everyone,
I found this nice step-by-step instruction article for how to come up with a budget for a Facebook ad campaign. I tried to follow it for my own campaign and I'm not sure if I did it right because my final budget is so low. My goals for the campaign are extremely conservative, possibly ridiculously humble, so if my math is right that could be the reason right there. But I'd love another pair of eyeballs or three to check it out and make sure that I didn't make a dumb mistake in the math somewhere. If the reason for the teeny final budget figure is because the goals are so little, then I can increase the budget and do even better!
Please see the link just above and compare to this worksheet where I tried to follow along with him:
Screen Shot 2016-12-22 at 2.33.39 PM.jpg
I found this nice step-by-step instruction article for how to come up with a budget for a Facebook ad campaign. I tried to follow it for my own campaign and I'm not sure if I did it right because my final budget is so low. My goals for the campaign are extremely conservative, possibly ridiculously humble, so if my math is right that could be the reason right there. But I'd love another pair of eyeballs or three to check it out and make sure that I didn't make a dumb mistake in the math somewhere. If the reason for the teeny final budget figure is because the goals are so little, then I can increase the budget and do even better!
Please see the link just above and compare to this worksheet where I tried to follow along with him:
Screen Shot 2016-12-22 at 2.33.39 PM.jpg
Startup Nested - does anyone conjecture how it works?
https://nested.com/ - real estate startup that proposes to sell your house in 90 days or buy it.
can you conjecture how it works? Because it looks like to sell house in 3 months - not easy + buying the houses in case of not selling it - really crazy!
can you conjecture how it works? Because it looks like to sell house in 3 months - not easy + buying the houses in case of not selling it - really crazy!
mercredi 21 décembre 2016
How is it possible to connect a seller of houses and a buyer?
Hello everyone!
There is kind of idea: we made little audit and figure out that sellers of houses are ready to make good discount for the potential buyer. And the part of this discount can be good profit for us, as middleman.
In our country there are some websites where there sellers can publish there announcements.
Maybe someone has an idea how to connect sellers and buyers of houses via something special but not simple website and by comfortable way?
There is kind of idea: we made little audit and figure out that sellers of houses are ready to make good discount for the potential buyer. And the part of this discount can be good profit for us, as middleman.
In our country there are some websites where there sellers can publish there announcements.
Maybe someone has an idea how to connect sellers and buyers of houses via something special but not simple website and by comfortable way?
mardi 20 décembre 2016
Hiring a bookkeeper/office person
Got any tips?
I'm using a staffing agency. Three potentials. Two are about 50 one is maybe 30. I got a bad vibe from one. My wife got a bad vibe from one and the other is young. They all have nice personalities and adequate experience.
I'm using a staffing agency. Three potentials. Two are about 50 one is maybe 30. I got a bad vibe from one. My wife got a bad vibe from one and the other is young. They all have nice personalities and adequate experience.
Out in left field: any way to get supplier's perspective on a product?
I carry a particular brand of dog toy in my shop that I LOVE. They are hard-plastic puzzles that you play with your dog. The only problem with them is that they're expensive. Over this past year I've taken them to several in-person vending events and talked them up and got potential customers really interested in them. Then they ask about the price. They get a guarded, polite set expression on their faces and politely excuse themselves. These toys are THAT expensive.
I've noticed that the supplier I was getting them from is no longer carrying them. Because of the exhorbitant price, I'm ambivalent about whether I should find a new supplier that carries them or just drop them from my store. I emailed my supplier and asked for their thoughts on the matter; if they had trouble moving them because of the cost. They politely refused to answer that but just confirmed that they're not carrying them anymore.
In researching my products and supplier chains, I've noticed that there are new, different dog puzzles coming on the market that cost a LOT less. (I'm working on building a relationship with a supplier of these new toys also.) I'm wondering if this competition will force the first manufacturer to drop their prices to stay competitive. I would love to be able to ask this on some sort of supplier/distributor of pet products internet forum but I don't know of one that exists. LOL! Is this something that I can only go by my intuition and powers of deduction?
I've noticed that the supplier I was getting them from is no longer carrying them. Because of the exhorbitant price, I'm ambivalent about whether I should find a new supplier that carries them or just drop them from my store. I emailed my supplier and asked for their thoughts on the matter; if they had trouble moving them because of the cost. They politely refused to answer that but just confirmed that they're not carrying them anymore.
In researching my products and supplier chains, I've noticed that there are new, different dog puzzles coming on the market that cost a LOT less. (I'm working on building a relationship with a supplier of these new toys also.) I'm wondering if this competition will force the first manufacturer to drop their prices to stay competitive. I would love to be able to ask this on some sort of supplier/distributor of pet products internet forum but I don't know of one that exists. LOL! Is this something that I can only go by my intuition and powers of deduction?
lundi 19 décembre 2016
Hi! I am Jacob from PartnersEquity
Hey everybody!
My name is Jacob Brown and I represent Partner's Equity, we buy small businesses.
If you are a business owner interested in a buyout or just want to talk shop, PM me.
Happy to be part of the community
My name is Jacob Brown and I represent Partner's Equity, we buy small businesses.
If you are a business owner interested in a buyout or just want to talk shop, PM me.
Happy to be part of the community
Stock Monitoring Retail and Wholesale Quanties
We sell disposable tableware in both full wholesale cartons and individual packs on our website Mashers UK.
Would anyone have any experience with how to manage stock online for such a setup (we are about to build a new magento site).
e.g. if we have in stock 5 full cases of product1 which contains 12 individual pieces of product1p, we then have available to sell either 5 full cases or 12 pieces x 5 = 60 pieces.
In terms of stock management how would we keep track of this mixture of quantities, if for example 2 packs were sold we effectively no longer have 5 full cases available, likewise, if 1 full case was sold we no longer have 60 individual packs available to sell.
Is there any software or perhaps just a simple technique which could efficiently keep track of stock if items are sold in both wholesale and retail quantities from the same catalogue.
Many Thanks
Would anyone have any experience with how to manage stock online for such a setup (we are about to build a new magento site).
e.g. if we have in stock 5 full cases of product1 which contains 12 individual pieces of product1p, we then have available to sell either 5 full cases or 12 pieces x 5 = 60 pieces.
In terms of stock management how would we keep track of this mixture of quantities, if for example 2 packs were sold we effectively no longer have 5 full cases available, likewise, if 1 full case was sold we no longer have 60 individual packs available to sell.
Is there any software or perhaps just a simple technique which could efficiently keep track of stock if items are sold in both wholesale and retail quantities from the same catalogue.
Many Thanks
Could anyone please tell me where to find a business partner?
Its for an egaming venture with an investment of 40k
Tax/Insurance question
First post here.
I currently work a W-2 job. I am looking at quitting and working for my self. I was wondering about health insurance and how much of it is able to be written off? Can someone point me in the right direction?
I currently work a W-2 job. I am looking at quitting and working for my self. I was wondering about health insurance and how much of it is able to be written off? Can someone point me in the right direction?
samedi 17 décembre 2016
Business partner needed
Hello there, I am looking for a business partner for a very profitable venture.
Please message me to provide business plan details.
Thanks
Please message me to provide business plan details.
Thanks
Happy weekend
Hello everyone,
My name is Peter.
I am new to the Forum so i am excited to be able to contribute to your posts.
With over 30 years international financial, management and strategic experience, I offer a comprehensive suite of accounting and business advisory services for all business life cycle phases and across industry sectors. I specialize in Business Plans, Cash Flows, Business Advisory, Project Management and Financial Modelling.
Cheers,
Peter
My name is Peter.
I am new to the Forum so i am excited to be able to contribute to your posts.
With over 30 years international financial, management and strategic experience, I offer a comprehensive suite of accounting and business advisory services for all business life cycle phases and across industry sectors. I specialize in Business Plans, Cash Flows, Business Advisory, Project Management and Financial Modelling.
Cheers,
Peter
vendredi 16 décembre 2016
Business name using others Trademark?
Hi! Everyone,
I was wondering if a business name may be same as a Trademark from a different activity? I'd line to name my consulting business "First Innovadex" but "Innovadex" is a trademark for chemicals. My business is Quality management consulting, nothing to do with the trademark itself. Any feedback will be appreciated. Thank you!! Javier
I was wondering if a business name may be same as a Trademark from a different activity? I'd line to name my consulting business "First Innovadex" but "Innovadex" is a trademark for chemicals. My business is Quality management consulting, nothing to do with the trademark itself. Any feedback will be appreciated. Thank you!! Javier
jeudi 15 décembre 2016
Chinese registration of my domain name - is this bad?
Hi All,
I'm pretty conversant with the internet, it's really the risks of global use of the internet that I'm iffy on. I received an email claiming to be from a Chinese domain registration company telling me that they've received a request by someone in their country to register domains very similar to mine. My registered domain is Somethingspecialpetsupplies.com. They're saying that someone wants to register Somethingspecialpetsupplies.hk and .cn, etc. different Chinese suffixes.
If I allow this, what are the risks?
Also, I'm not sure if this is a legitimate email. Has anyone else ever received something like this? If it's legitimate, I really appreciate them warning me and allowing me to have a say in whether they grant the names or not. Or is it likely they're just going to tell me to spend money to register those domains myself (i.e. cash grab or ransom situation)? I was always under the impression that in certain other countries domain names are just taken/used, whether you like it or not or even know about it. Thoughts?
I'm pretty conversant with the internet, it's really the risks of global use of the internet that I'm iffy on. I received an email claiming to be from a Chinese domain registration company telling me that they've received a request by someone in their country to register domains very similar to mine. My registered domain is Somethingspecialpetsupplies.com. They're saying that someone wants to register Somethingspecialpetsupplies.hk and .cn, etc. different Chinese suffixes.
If I allow this, what are the risks?
Also, I'm not sure if this is a legitimate email. Has anyone else ever received something like this? If it's legitimate, I really appreciate them warning me and allowing me to have a say in whether they grant the names or not. Or is it likely they're just going to tell me to spend money to register those domains myself (i.e. cash grab or ransom situation)? I was always under the impression that in certain other countries domain names are just taken/used, whether you like it or not or even know about it. Thoughts?
Advice For Obtaining Funding
I am an entrepreneur who has started a number of different businesses. One thing I have found to be helpful in obtaining funding for my various businesses is to engage the services of a commercial loan broker. They are able to package business loan requests and shop them around to dozens of lenders in order to get the best available terms for the borrower. It sure beats going to your local bank, filling out all their paperwork and then being subject to the terms they choose to offer.
One broker I have been working with recently is Commonwealth Capital Solutions. Their website is commonwealthcapitalsolutions.com. They have helped me set up a line credit for one business and also with equipment financing for a laundromat I own. I like the fact it is quick and easy to apply for a loan request on their website. Good luck everyone!
One broker I have been working with recently is Commonwealth Capital Solutions. Their website is commonwealthcapitalsolutions.com. They have helped me set up a line credit for one business and also with equipment financing for a laundromat I own. I like the fact it is quick and easy to apply for a loan request on their website. Good luck everyone!
Northern CA small group health care plans?
Hello, trying to start a sole proprietorship consulting business with 2 employees (FT) and myself.
For the small business in the Bay area, what small business health insurance fees are you paying every month? Any tips to negotiate a discount?
Any real difference between Kaiser, anthem blue cross, health net, cinga, Aetna small group plans?
Costco seems to small business health care thing they sell. Haven't looked into it too deep.
Anyway..thank you.
For the small business in the Bay area, what small business health insurance fees are you paying every month? Any tips to negotiate a discount?
Any real difference between Kaiser, anthem blue cross, health net, cinga, Aetna small group plans?
Costco seems to small business health care thing they sell. Haven't looked into it too deep.
Anyway..thank you.
mercredi 14 décembre 2016
Software sold to Europe, VAT Applies?
Hello,
I'm planning on opening an eCommerce website in a niche market. The website only holds a digital inventory of license keys for certain software. We do not host the software itself.
My question is this: If I am a U.S based seller, how does VAT apply to me when I sell the software to UK, France, or Germany customers? Is there anything I should know about?
Regards,
Ryan
I'm planning on opening an eCommerce website in a niche market. The website only holds a digital inventory of license keys for certain software. We do not host the software itself.
My question is this: If I am a U.S based seller, how does VAT apply to me when I sell the software to UK, France, or Germany customers? Is there anything I should know about?
Regards,
Ryan
type of dividends
I own a c-corp with online retailer business. All profits are from the retails. what is the dividend type in this case
1a ordinary dividends;
1b qualified dividends,
2a captial gain distributions,
2b unrecaptured section 1250 gain.
I kinda think it should be 1b qualified dividends, but I am not very sure. Please give me your opinion. Thanks in advance.
1a ordinary dividends;
1b qualified dividends,
2a captial gain distributions,
2b unrecaptured section 1250 gain.
I kinda think it should be 1b qualified dividends, but I am not very sure. Please give me your opinion. Thanks in advance.
help with 1099 div preparation
Hi all,
I own a c-corp with online retailer business. All profits are from the retails. I am preparing the 1099-div form (with dividend distributed to my self). My questions is: there are 1a ordinary dividends; 1b qualified dividends, 2a captial gain distributions, 2b unrecaptured section 1250 gain. I kinda think it should be 1b qualified dividends, but I am not very sure. Please give me your opinion. Thanks in advance.
I own a c-corp with online retailer business. All profits are from the retails. I am preparing the 1099-div form (with dividend distributed to my self). My questions is: there are 1a ordinary dividends; 1b qualified dividends, 2a captial gain distributions, 2b unrecaptured section 1250 gain. I kinda think it should be 1b qualified dividends, but I am not very sure. Please give me your opinion. Thanks in advance.
New member looking for small business research participants!
Hi,
My name is Louisa and I just joined the Small Business Forum group. Although I have dabbled in entrepreneurship at various times in the past, but currently I'm working for ADP as a User Experience Researcher.
I'm not sure in which section to post this message, so I'll start here. I'm looking for small business owners who might be interested in participating in usability testing for a payroll software product for small businesses.
The usability sessions will take place this coming Friday (Dec. 16th), are conducted online (which means you'll need access to a phone and internet connection), and are 1-hour in duration. Participants will receive a $75 Amazon.com e-gift card as a token of our appreciation for their time and feedback.
Here is the participant criteria:
- Small business owner, located in the US
- There are between 2-10 employees in the company, including the business owner
- Salaried employees (a mix of part-timers is OK too)
- The small business owner is personally responsible for doing the company payroll (i.e. payroll not outsourced)
- The small business owner is considering outsourcing payroll in the future
Please email me at: louisa.holub <AT> adp <DOT> com if you are interested and eligible.
Thanks,
Louisa
My name is Louisa and I just joined the Small Business Forum group. Although I have dabbled in entrepreneurship at various times in the past, but currently I'm working for ADP as a User Experience Researcher.
I'm not sure in which section to post this message, so I'll start here. I'm looking for small business owners who might be interested in participating in usability testing for a payroll software product for small businesses.
The usability sessions will take place this coming Friday (Dec. 16th), are conducted online (which means you'll need access to a phone and internet connection), and are 1-hour in duration. Participants will receive a $75 Amazon.com e-gift card as a token of our appreciation for their time and feedback.
Here is the participant criteria:
- Small business owner, located in the US
- There are between 2-10 employees in the company, including the business owner
- Salaried employees (a mix of part-timers is OK too)
- The small business owner is personally responsible for doing the company payroll (i.e. payroll not outsourced)
- The small business owner is considering outsourcing payroll in the future
Please email me at: louisa.holub <AT> adp <DOT> com if you are interested and eligible.
Thanks,
Louisa
mardi 13 décembre 2016
What inspired you to start a business?
What inspired you to start your own business in the first place?
What field is it in?
How do you define success?
What field is it in?
How do you define success?
Howdy from OC California
Hi everyone,
New to the forum. I'm a marketer in the real estate industry and also started a company with a few friends.
Hoping to learn a lot from here and get business advice.
Cheers
-Tokyothekid
New to the forum. I'm a marketer in the real estate industry and also started a company with a few friends.
Hoping to learn a lot from here and get business advice.
Cheers
-Tokyothekid
lundi 12 décembre 2016
Big opportunities - no ideas. I need a piece of advice.
Hi, everyone.
I have good opportunities at 3 spheres of activities:
1. Use metal or plastic, or wood by perfect prices.
2. Create gadgets.
3. Technology "Neuronets" that gives an opprtunity to define different things. Simple example: this technology can distinguish cat from a dog, can sort cucumbers by size, mushrooms by their type - these examples are very simple. Just for giving you the understanding of this technology.
So what is the problem? The ideal variant for us - to combine these 3 spheres and create something really useful and profitable. Or at least to combine 2 of these spheres..
We have no enough good ideas that could be interesting for Europe (we are from Europe)
Maybe you will give us any pieces of advice..
Thanks beforehand!
I have good opportunities at 3 spheres of activities:
1. Use metal or plastic, or wood by perfect prices.
2. Create gadgets.
3. Technology "Neuronets" that gives an opprtunity to define different things. Simple example: this technology can distinguish cat from a dog, can sort cucumbers by size, mushrooms by their type - these examples are very simple. Just for giving you the understanding of this technology.
So what is the problem? The ideal variant for us - to combine these 3 spheres and create something really useful and profitable. Or at least to combine 2 of these spheres..
We have no enough good ideas that could be interesting for Europe (we are from Europe)
Maybe you will give us any pieces of advice..
Thanks beforehand!
I need to accomplish a unique shopping cart goal
This has been a thorn in my side for a while. I'm not ruling out any platforms / CMS / shopping carts at this point since I cant seem to find a clear solution anywhere. I want at the very least to find one feasible solution.
I'm trying to find a way to create a buyback shopping cart for a buyback site so I can purchase books from students as part of my business. This is the reverse of platforms now with items sold to consumers, but instead I'll be buying. The only related software I found on the market was a plugin for Magento oriented towards cellphone buyback sites: Buyback service (iPhones, iPads, iPods) | free & premium Magento extensions
Its the same principle but the process is eccentrically focused on phones with static prices (I'll be integrating a buyback algorithm) so that $250 would be more wisely spent elsewhere to create a custom solution for my own buyback process with books.
Here are sites implementing buyback carts:
http://ift.tt/2hoRWKc
http://ift.tt/2d9DcNZ
Sell Textbooks Online - Sell Textbooks Back For Cash
http://ift.tt/2gyVXds
Cheap Used Textbooks Online! | Rent Textbooks | Sell Textbooks Canada BookMob
In summary, are there any available shopping cart options where they are "buyback" carts instead? What would be my best bet for finding a buyback shopping cart? Where should I go to find a solution? What are your personal thoughts / suggestions?
Update: I've been told that the time it takes to modify any market shopping cart would exceed the time needed to write an entire custom shopping cart from scratch. Not sure if this is solid advice. I've also been told that the carts in these sites all are 100% custom - although im not sure if this means its built from the ground up or uses another shopping cart as a base to build off of.
What "caliber" of a project would a custom shopping cart like the one shown in these sites be? Is this a colossal task or it relatively easy for a competent programmer? What would a custom shopping cart like these generally cost? Any referrals on where I should source programmers to create me one? Would it be naive to seek a developer on Freelancer?
I'm trying to find a way to create a buyback shopping cart for a buyback site so I can purchase books from students as part of my business. This is the reverse of platforms now with items sold to consumers, but instead I'll be buying. The only related software I found on the market was a plugin for Magento oriented towards cellphone buyback sites: Buyback service (iPhones, iPads, iPods) | free & premium Magento extensions
Its the same principle but the process is eccentrically focused on phones with static prices (I'll be integrating a buyback algorithm) so that $250 would be more wisely spent elsewhere to create a custom solution for my own buyback process with books.
Here are sites implementing buyback carts:
http://ift.tt/2hoRWKc
http://ift.tt/2d9DcNZ
Sell Textbooks Online - Sell Textbooks Back For Cash
http://ift.tt/2gyVXds
Cheap Used Textbooks Online! | Rent Textbooks | Sell Textbooks Canada BookMob
In summary, are there any available shopping cart options where they are "buyback" carts instead? What would be my best bet for finding a buyback shopping cart? Where should I go to find a solution? What are your personal thoughts / suggestions?
Update: I've been told that the time it takes to modify any market shopping cart would exceed the time needed to write an entire custom shopping cart from scratch. Not sure if this is solid advice. I've also been told that the carts in these sites all are 100% custom - although im not sure if this means its built from the ground up or uses another shopping cart as a base to build off of.
What "caliber" of a project would a custom shopping cart like the one shown in these sites be? Is this a colossal task or it relatively easy for a competent programmer? What would a custom shopping cart like these generally cost? Any referrals on where I should source programmers to create me one? Would it be naive to seek a developer on Freelancer?
samedi 10 décembre 2016
Profit Sharing Percentage
Dear Members,
I have no past experience in the field of business and I need your advice/opinion for a new business opportunity offered to me by a friend living in Pakistan (while I live in Saudi Arabia).
My friend in Pakistan has some excellent business plans which are really workable however he has no money to invest. Therefore, he is asking me to do full investment and he will put all his efforts to set up and manage the business. In return, he will share 50% profits with me.
He will also charge a salary (X-amount) on monthly basis for a period of one year.
Could you please help me in finalising this proposition? Is it worth going or useless?
I know for many of you, this could be a silly question. However, I need your help because I have no experience and knowledge about these things. Please give me your advice to better protect my investment and make this offer more meaningful for both of us.
Thanks and regards
I have no past experience in the field of business and I need your advice/opinion for a new business opportunity offered to me by a friend living in Pakistan (while I live in Saudi Arabia).
My friend in Pakistan has some excellent business plans which are really workable however he has no money to invest. Therefore, he is asking me to do full investment and he will put all his efforts to set up and manage the business. In return, he will share 50% profits with me.
He will also charge a salary (X-amount) on monthly basis for a period of one year.
Could you please help me in finalising this proposition? Is it worth going or useless?
I know for many of you, this could be a silly question. However, I need your help because I have no experience and knowledge about these things. Please give me your advice to better protect my investment and make this offer more meaningful for both of us.
Thanks and regards
vendredi 9 décembre 2016
Questions regarding first establishing your EIN?
I live in the state of Florida and through my research it seems that in at least some states, it is required that you file taxes for your SSN and EIN each year, even if your business makes $0. Does anyone know if this is true in my state?
I am in the process of getting this business up and running, though it will probably take a few years before everything is set in place and the first product is ready to be sold. I filed for an LLC in January of this year, however I have not yet established an EIN.
I am looking to undergo a funding program in the next couple of months that combines business and personal funding. (I do have the option to go strictly personal, but it would result in a lot less capital). In order to do this, I need a business bank account set up, which of course is where the SS4-form would come into play.
If I am not at the point yet where I would be able to "prove" that I did not make any money from the business, could creating an EIN too early come back to haunt me in the future? It seems that most people say that creating one really does not affect you in any way, but I also know that it means you are another statistic in the world of businesses in the eyes of the IRS and I want to fully understand what I'm getting myself into first.
ALSO. If anyone has any strong preferences toward going the sole prop or s-corp etc. route, please advise. The more insight the better. :)
I am in the process of getting this business up and running, though it will probably take a few years before everything is set in place and the first product is ready to be sold. I filed for an LLC in January of this year, however I have not yet established an EIN.
I am looking to undergo a funding program in the next couple of months that combines business and personal funding. (I do have the option to go strictly personal, but it would result in a lot less capital). In order to do this, I need a business bank account set up, which of course is where the SS4-form would come into play.
If I am not at the point yet where I would be able to "prove" that I did not make any money from the business, could creating an EIN too early come back to haunt me in the future? It seems that most people say that creating one really does not affect you in any way, but I also know that it means you are another statistic in the world of businesses in the eyes of the IRS and I want to fully understand what I'm getting myself into first.
ALSO. If anyone has any strong preferences toward going the sole prop or s-corp etc. route, please advise. The more insight the better. :)
jeudi 8 décembre 2016
Laws/best practices around staffing vacation coverage
Hi guys,
I'll be going on a 2-week vacation in June where I'll be completely off the grid, no cell signals even if I wanted to check in. I need to get someone to cover for me on basic operations of my shop, and I have someone in mind. She will only need to monitor my sales email account for any orders that come in, and log into my shop and fulfill them, maybe answer a customer inquiry by email. Fairly easy, and because my sales volume is very low (maybe 1 - 3 orders/month), I don't think it's enough to warrant doing the paperwork of hiring her.
I currently have no employees, just run the shop by myself. As you can see, my volume doesn't yet support additional staffing and I can't really afford to pay her on an hourly basis. I would "thank" her with a nice gift or something. I do need to cover my absence, but I don't want to look like I'm (or actually be) exploiting her. Should I set up a 1099 arrangement, or is doing it on a favor between friends with a nice gift in exchange generally okay for something of this size/time duration?
I'll be going on a 2-week vacation in June where I'll be completely off the grid, no cell signals even if I wanted to check in. I need to get someone to cover for me on basic operations of my shop, and I have someone in mind. She will only need to monitor my sales email account for any orders that come in, and log into my shop and fulfill them, maybe answer a customer inquiry by email. Fairly easy, and because my sales volume is very low (maybe 1 - 3 orders/month), I don't think it's enough to warrant doing the paperwork of hiring her.
I currently have no employees, just run the shop by myself. As you can see, my volume doesn't yet support additional staffing and I can't really afford to pay her on an hourly basis. I would "thank" her with a nice gift or something. I do need to cover my absence, but I don't want to look like I'm (or actually be) exploiting her. Should I set up a 1099 arrangement, or is doing it on a favor between friends with a nice gift in exchange generally okay for something of this size/time duration?
Hey eveybody
Hi all,
Just wanted to introduce myself as a brand new member, looking to move out to Hua Hin permanently in June/July next year to the Emerald Scenery development. Hoping to meet new friends, catch up with some old friends and basically blend into ex-pat life over there. I'm sure there will be a load of stuff which I'll be pestering you all about pre-move !
Cheers,
jhonnydepp
Top
Just wanted to introduce myself as a brand new member, looking to move out to Hua Hin permanently in June/July next year to the Emerald Scenery development. Hoping to meet new friends, catch up with some old friends and basically blend into ex-pat life over there. I'm sure there will be a load of stuff which I'll be pestering you all about pre-move !
Cheers,
jhonnydepp
Top
mercredi 7 décembre 2016
Looking for someone with experience selling on eBay and amazon
Hello everyone,
I'm curious about selling on eBay. I'm capable of setting up the eBay store and listing the items. What I'm really interested in learning is what makes a eBay store successful.
What kind of profit margin do you need on products?
How many different products should you have listed?
Is it better to sell $100 products or $5 products?
Is it better to carry similar products like all pet supplies, or all car cleaning supplies?
Or better to carry random items, just a little bit of everything?
I have some products in mind. A few high priced products and even more low cost items. It won't be hard to find other products in the same field either. I actually ran across this potential opportunity by accident. Please share with me any knowledge or experience you may have with eBay and Amazon.
I'm curious about selling on eBay. I'm capable of setting up the eBay store and listing the items. What I'm really interested in learning is what makes a eBay store successful.
What kind of profit margin do you need on products?
How many different products should you have listed?
Is it better to sell $100 products or $5 products?
Is it better to carry similar products like all pet supplies, or all car cleaning supplies?
Or better to carry random items, just a little bit of everything?
I have some products in mind. A few high priced products and even more low cost items. It won't be hard to find other products in the same field either. I actually ran across this potential opportunity by accident. Please share with me any knowledge or experience you may have with eBay and Amazon.
Buy a Business or Start One
I have a question about buying a business vs. starting one and I would love some insight, feedback and thoughts.
It is an internet business. An ecommerce store that sells gift items via dropship. The items have a pretty good markup at about 40% on average and they wholesale from 30-100 dollars. But, this is not a unique business by any means. Still, it makes money. And has been around for 10+ years online (I dont know how much it made in previous years but from 2013 on it has been in the 40k-70k range. the from 70k to 40k is from a brick and mortar aspct of the store closing down as they focuses only in online sales. So now it is steady in the 40-50k range.)
The business does about $4500 profit a month and the owner is looking for 170k. I think that is a bit high as that is above a 3x multiple. So, to me, I think a 125k is a more fair price.
The current owner spends about 3-4 hours a day. I plan to continue my 9-5 job and only do work at night... seo, marketing, linkbuilding, new features, etc.
The business does not have much overhead. The current owner only places orders with the dropshipper (which I will automate) and handles phonecalls (not sure how I will handle this, yet, but I need to figure that out) other than that there is occasional web development which I would handle and updating items which I will also handle, both of these can be after hours.
So, the only iffy things are placing orders and being available for the occasional phone call. But again, I can automate the order placing and if I can figure out how best to handle the phones... Im in good shape I think.
But, this all only matters if I can get the price down.
Now, all that is just to give you some background.
Here is what I am questioning. Since it is a dropship business it is easy to create--a very low barrier to entry. Between shopify and dropshippers I could create this store in no time. So I think, why not create the store and spend a fraction of 170k on marketing, link building, seo, etc. Lets say I allocated 100k for that just for argument sake. Could you generate the same kind of business... 4k a month?
When I look at this business, I see it makes money, which is great. But it doesnt rank well for the big keywords (naturally, the big players have that cornered) and I dont see a whole lot of backlinks. There is no social media push. So I am thinking, where the heck are all these sales coming from? No social media outreach, fee backlinks, so-so ranking as far as I can tell. Cant a big budget catch up to that pretty quickly?
I am sure there are things I am missing because, otherwise, anyone with 100k to spend would create a dropship business and rake in 40k a year no problem. But what am I missing? I am expecting someone here to give me an epiphany and say "but you're not understanding this.." or "but dont forget this..."
It doesnt LOOK like it should be making 4k profit per month (about 10k total sales or more) but it is. If I could build this and generate the same results within a year or two I would... but I dont want to pass up a proven money maker only to struggle to make a fraction of it for the first few, maybe several, years.
It is an internet business. An ecommerce store that sells gift items via dropship. The items have a pretty good markup at about 40% on average and they wholesale from 30-100 dollars. But, this is not a unique business by any means. Still, it makes money. And has been around for 10+ years online (I dont know how much it made in previous years but from 2013 on it has been in the 40k-70k range. the from 70k to 40k is from a brick and mortar aspct of the store closing down as they focuses only in online sales. So now it is steady in the 40-50k range.)
The business does about $4500 profit a month and the owner is looking for 170k. I think that is a bit high as that is above a 3x multiple. So, to me, I think a 125k is a more fair price.
The current owner spends about 3-4 hours a day. I plan to continue my 9-5 job and only do work at night... seo, marketing, linkbuilding, new features, etc.
The business does not have much overhead. The current owner only places orders with the dropshipper (which I will automate) and handles phonecalls (not sure how I will handle this, yet, but I need to figure that out) other than that there is occasional web development which I would handle and updating items which I will also handle, both of these can be after hours.
So, the only iffy things are placing orders and being available for the occasional phone call. But again, I can automate the order placing and if I can figure out how best to handle the phones... Im in good shape I think.
But, this all only matters if I can get the price down.
Now, all that is just to give you some background.
Here is what I am questioning. Since it is a dropship business it is easy to create--a very low barrier to entry. Between shopify and dropshippers I could create this store in no time. So I think, why not create the store and spend a fraction of 170k on marketing, link building, seo, etc. Lets say I allocated 100k for that just for argument sake. Could you generate the same kind of business... 4k a month?
When I look at this business, I see it makes money, which is great. But it doesnt rank well for the big keywords (naturally, the big players have that cornered) and I dont see a whole lot of backlinks. There is no social media push. So I am thinking, where the heck are all these sales coming from? No social media outreach, fee backlinks, so-so ranking as far as I can tell. Cant a big budget catch up to that pretty quickly?
I am sure there are things I am missing because, otherwise, anyone with 100k to spend would create a dropship business and rake in 40k a year no problem. But what am I missing? I am expecting someone here to give me an epiphany and say "but you're not understanding this.." or "but dont forget this..."
It doesnt LOOK like it should be making 4k profit per month (about 10k total sales or more) but it is. If I could build this and generate the same results within a year or two I would... but I dont want to pass up a proven money maker only to struggle to make a fraction of it for the first few, maybe several, years.
close a business
Dear all,
I am a small c corp business owner doing online sales, I am the only employee. I have been running it for a couple of years. The business is not good this year and I would like to close it. It would be great if I can do this by the end of this year. I have done some research online, but still confused about some points.
1) I still have some cash in the business bank account. Do I have to zero out the balance (by distributing as dividend) at the end of this year？ My question is: the tax return of this year will not be filed until early 2017. I would have to leave some money in the bank account to pay the federal/state tax. It is not possible to zero out the balance at the end of this year.
2) I also went over the checklist for closing a business, which seems to be a little lengthy and complicated. Since I am the only owner, could someone advise the necessary steps to do so?
3) If I can not close the business by the end of this year (for some reason, such as the issue I raised in question 1), can I just do it at the beginning of 2017? I will stop doing the business definitely. I will leave funding to make sure it is enough for the federal/state tax 2016. After tax return, all I have with my business would be some money in the account. If I choose to do close the business at that time, I still have to file a final tax return. Is it that the tax return in 2017 can only be filed between 1/1/2018 and 3/15/2018 or I can just file a tax return of 2017 at any time of the year.
Thanks in advance for you inputs.
I am a small c corp business owner doing online sales, I am the only employee. I have been running it for a couple of years. The business is not good this year and I would like to close it. It would be great if I can do this by the end of this year. I have done some research online, but still confused about some points.
1) I still have some cash in the business bank account. Do I have to zero out the balance (by distributing as dividend) at the end of this year？ My question is: the tax return of this year will not be filed until early 2017. I would have to leave some money in the bank account to pay the federal/state tax. It is not possible to zero out the balance at the end of this year.
2) I also went over the checklist for closing a business, which seems to be a little lengthy and complicated. Since I am the only owner, could someone advise the necessary steps to do so?
3) If I can not close the business by the end of this year (for some reason, such as the issue I raised in question 1), can I just do it at the beginning of 2017? I will stop doing the business definitely. I will leave funding to make sure it is enough for the federal/state tax 2016. After tax return, all I have with my business would be some money in the account. If I choose to do close the business at that time, I still have to file a final tax return. Is it that the tax return in 2017 can only be filed between 1/1/2018 and 3/15/2018 or I can just file a tax return of 2017 at any time of the year.
Thanks in advance for you inputs.
Where and how do you purchase products?
Where and how do you purchase products? B2B, market? or other?
Establish Real Estate Marketing Agency Business
We run a Agency named Rehabhousing. It is a Online Marketing Base Real Estate Business in Bangladesh. It is a Best Real estate Portal in Our Country. We use very Unique Marketing Policy for your Business and getting leads Everyday. But we want to more leads from world wide. SO what can we do for worldwide marketing. Please suggest us for better Business.
mardi 6 décembre 2016
PayPal Working Capital
I need a loan of $5,000 to buy inventory. 99% of my sales are processed by PayPal.
PayPal Working Capital is offering me $5,000 for a one time fee of $245 plus 30% of my sales until the $5,000 is paid off. Time frame is estimated at between 5 and 6 months. This sounds like a good deal to me. No financing to fight about and kinda pay-as-you-go. I don't have to worry about getting buried under payments.
But, is it to good to be true?
Thanks again, Tom
PayPal Working Capital is offering me $5,000 for a one time fee of $245 plus 30% of my sales until the $5,000 is paid off. Time frame is estimated at between 5 and 6 months. This sounds like a good deal to me. No financing to fight about and kinda pay-as-you-go. I don't have to worry about getting buried under payments.
But, is it to good to be true?
Thanks again, Tom
Forming a LLC in Florida
I started a business as a hobby a few years ago. To my surprise It's doing well. I've now moved to the state of Florida and I'm ready to start a LLC.
I was going to use Legal Zoom but after reading reviews I've been talked out of it. Is this something I can do myself by going to the court house? Or do I need to hire an attorney? I really don't want to spend a lot of money because I'm kinda boot strapping this business and and money spent there is less inventory I can buy.
Any advice is a appreciated.
Tom
I was going to use Legal Zoom but after reading reviews I've been talked out of it. Is this something I can do myself by going to the court house? Or do I need to hire an attorney? I really don't want to spend a lot of money because I'm kinda boot strapping this business and and money spent there is less inventory I can buy.
Any advice is a appreciated.
Tom
New kid on the block
Whats happening everyone!!
My name is Chad. I'm a 29 year old entrepreneur that is self-employed right now with a small business I started 3 years ago. Business has been a major passion and focus of mine since I was 17 and started my first venture. I've started 6 businesses total and have learn some huge lessons from each one. I'm currently looking for another opportunity for a start up. I joined this forum to meet new people and talk about new business opportunities. I enjoy talking about business and I'm hoping to exchange some knowledge with everyone here.
My name is Chad. I'm a 29 year old entrepreneur that is self-employed right now with a small business I started 3 years ago. Business has been a major passion and focus of mine since I was 17 and started my first venture. I've started 6 businesses total and have learn some huge lessons from each one. I'm currently looking for another opportunity for a start up. I joined this forum to meet new people and talk about new business opportunities. I enjoy talking about business and I'm hoping to exchange some knowledge with everyone here.
Free Financial Modelling for your business
Hi, just a short introduction about myself, I graduated with an accountancy degree and started working in related industry 2 years ago. I began to develop an interest in financial modelling and helped my friend’s startup to develop financial model for forecasting and operational uses. I am doing this out of interest and do not charge any fee. If your business need help, you can email me at and.app28@gmail.com, as I don’t login to this forum often. On a 1st come 1st serve basis
Living off rental property?
So here's the deal. I have had a small townhouse that I've been renting out for about 6 years now. I've dealt with mostly everything (4 tenants, lawsuit, trashed place). I believe I have enough experience with being a Landlord that it would not be too much of an issue to take on another property. I have lots of experience doing remodels (kitchen/bathroom) lots of repairs (myself).
However, I want to see if I could "make a living off this". My property is in Baltimore, I'm looking at purchase another "foreclosure/rehab" somewhere in the city with a rent potential of at lease $1200 or so a month. My thinking is if I could get several of these (individual houses) It could make a pretty large supplement to my income. Major problem is I don't have much liquid to buy the entire thing, I'm planning to use a mortgage (paying 20%).
Could you essentially make a living off individual units (homes)? Would have have to purchase an apartment complex?
Thanks
However, I want to see if I could "make a living off this". My property is in Baltimore, I'm looking at purchase another "foreclosure/rehab" somewhere in the city with a rent potential of at lease $1200 or so a month. My thinking is if I could get several of these (individual houses) It could make a pretty large supplement to my income. Major problem is I don't have much liquid to buy the entire thing, I'm planning to use a mortgage (paying 20%).
Could you essentially make a living off individual units (homes)? Would have have to purchase an apartment complex?
Thanks
Donation Towards Customer XMAS Party
My customers ask me every year to donate towards their company holiday party. Cash, checks, gift cards, merchandise, etc. I'm curiose to know how other small business owners handle this situation and how do they determine an appropriate dollar amount???
College Advice & Debt
Hello everyone! I wanted to ask here about a choice I need to make and was wondering if you guys had any advice. Basically, I applied for 3 schools and got accepted to all 3. Two in are in the state of Maine, the other is in New York. I'm enrolling for finance and minoring in computer science, they only problem is the school is New York is highly ranked but is a lot more expensive.
University of Maine - $24,000 a year (with tuition, room, fees, books, etc.)
Husson University - $25,000 a year (with tuition, room, fees, books, etc.)
Syracuse University - $59,000 (with tuition, room, fees, books, etc.)
I don't get a ton of financial aid since last year my parents made a lot more money, but either way I'm still going to be in a sheer amount of debt. If I go to Syracuse, I'll be $200,000 in debt but at UMO I'll be in half of that. For those that have gone to college and have had to pay substantial student debt, what would you recommend, especially for my choice in a degree?
Thanks
University of Maine - $24,000 a year (with tuition, room, fees, books, etc.)
Husson University - $25,000 a year (with tuition, room, fees, books, etc.)
Syracuse University - $59,000 (with tuition, room, fees, books, etc.)
I don't get a ton of financial aid since last year my parents made a lot more money, but either way I'm still going to be in a sheer amount of debt. If I go to Syracuse, I'll be $200,000 in debt but at UMO I'll be in half of that. For those that have gone to college and have had to pay substantial student debt, what would you recommend, especially for my choice in a degree?
Thanks
lundi 5 décembre 2016
Quick thoughts on this video outro
I'm starting work on my company's first video advertisement, and I created this outro for the video timed to the last bit of the music we intend to use. I know it's not much, but if anyone has any quick thoughts, compliments, or criticism, I'd appreciate hearing anything that comes to mind. I will of course post the full video when it is complete.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
Hello SBF Community
I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to the SBF Community. My name is John Ridgeway and I am a retired law enforcement professional. I am still active in investigations for a major company where I am a corporate security manager.
After years of experience in law enforcement and corporate investigations, I decided to start a blog to help business owners with strategies to fight crimes against their business on all levels.
If I can answer any questions surrounding crime prevention, strategies, and solutions please feel free to contact me.
I look forward to conversing with everyone!
After years of experience in law enforcement and corporate investigations, I decided to start a blog to help business owners with strategies to fight crimes against their business on all levels.
If I can answer any questions surrounding crime prevention, strategies, and solutions please feel free to contact me.
I look forward to conversing with everyone!
Point of Sale System - Recommendations, Rumours, Rants. I'll even accept Scuttlebutt.
Good day,
I apologize if this subject has been discussed. I couldn't find it by searching, but sometimes the nomenclature varies.
We currently use Microsoft RMS in our store. We are at a crossroads, in that we are considering whether we should look at an alternative, or double down with some reinvestment in RMS.
There are rumours that RMS is destined to be discontinued, fuelled not the least by an email we got from the third-party support provider declaring "RMS is Not Dead." To me, that's a sure sign that it is on its way out.
Does anybody know anything about RMS' future? Are there better alternatives out there? It's hard to get decent information, when anybody with an opinion is a stakeholder.
Any help is appreciated.
The Accidental Entrepreneur
Edit: If it matters, we are a small brick & mortar with six employees.
I apologize if this subject has been discussed. I couldn't find it by searching, but sometimes the nomenclature varies.
We currently use Microsoft RMS in our store. We are at a crossroads, in that we are considering whether we should look at an alternative, or double down with some reinvestment in RMS.
There are rumours that RMS is destined to be discontinued, fuelled not the least by an email we got from the third-party support provider declaring "RMS is Not Dead." To me, that's a sure sign that it is on its way out.
Does anybody know anything about RMS' future? Are there better alternatives out there? It's hard to get decent information, when anybody with an opinion is a stakeholder.
Any help is appreciated.
The Accidental Entrepreneur
Edit: If it matters, we are a small brick & mortar with six employees.
Why you need to reduce the amount of clicks on your website
These says when we talk about design or review an ecommerce website with feedback, someone almost always mentions that there are too many steps to get to the point.
I have this fight all the time with clients. They're so scared that they won't get to say and do everything they imagined, and want desperately for people to marvel at the design that they add a lot of unnecessary obstructions to their website doing it's job.
Too much style that gets in the way of function. People get frustrated and bored easily. If you don't get to the point they'll spend more time looking for simple than they will trying to figure out your maze of BS.
Here's a good article that explains how and why technology is getting simpler and why you should too.
Why 'Reduce Clicks’ Needs to be Your E-Commerce Mantra - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
There was an old commercial, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?".
You can apply that to the web now. How many clicks does it take for your website visitors to find what they're looking for and perform whatever action you want them to?
I have this fight all the time with clients. They're so scared that they won't get to say and do everything they imagined, and want desperately for people to marvel at the design that they add a lot of unnecessary obstructions to their website doing it's job.
Too much style that gets in the way of function. People get frustrated and bored easily. If you don't get to the point they'll spend more time looking for simple than they will trying to figure out your maze of BS.
Here's a good article that explains how and why technology is getting simpler and why you should too.
Why 'Reduce Clicks’ Needs to be Your E-Commerce Mantra - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
There was an old commercial, "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?".
You can apply that to the web now. How many clicks does it take for your website visitors to find what they're looking for and perform whatever action you want them to?
dimanche 4 décembre 2016
Let me know what you think!
Hi guys my name is Cameron,
As some of you I am a small online business owner and I am looking for some feedback on my up and coming website i'll leave a link down below that will direct you stright to my website and you will then be able to check out the whole website and then leave feedback right on the site.
The website isn't fully done yet I am still working on it, If you feel like checking it out and leaving some feedback then click on the link below and you will then be directed straight to the site. THANKS OR YOUR TIME! :)
http://wix.to/4YAlAAo
As some of you I am a small online business owner and I am looking for some feedback on my up and coming website i'll leave a link down below that will direct you stright to my website and you will then be able to check out the whole website and then leave feedback right on the site.
The website isn't fully done yet I am still working on it, If you feel like checking it out and leaving some feedback then click on the link below and you will then be directed straight to the site. THANKS OR YOUR TIME! :)
http://wix.to/4YAlAAo
Drones
I am starting to think about buying a drone with the goal of getting some pretty cool videos of my products in action. Possibly some cool photos as well but the videos are my top priority. I see a cheap one on Amazon that looks pretty cool but I don't want to cut corners. I am thinking about either a DJI Phantom 3 or a DJI Phantom 4 at the moment but am quite flexible and don't even know enough about drones to ask intelligent questions. So I am wondering if anyone has a drone and has any suggestions or recommendations either about models or features I should look for.
What are the possible investment options for a 10 million dollar portfolio?
What are the possible investment options for a 10 million dollar investment portfolio?
There is no restriction to location of investment or type of investment though Hospitality/Leisure or Energy/Oil Industries tops the preference.
A management fee is attached to this portfolio or the option of equity stake in the successful project that the investment funds manager will oversee from design, groundbreaking, commissioning and operations.
I am open to private discussions via my email stanleyhammerton@gmail.com as well as discussions on this forum.
Thank you
S. Hammerton
There is no restriction to location of investment or type of investment though Hospitality/Leisure or Energy/Oil Industries tops the preference.
A management fee is attached to this portfolio or the option of equity stake in the successful project that the investment funds manager will oversee from design, groundbreaking, commissioning and operations.
I am open to private discussions via my email stanleyhammerton@gmail.com as well as discussions on this forum.
Thank you
S. Hammerton
do you think this will work well enough to leave my job in 6 months
ok i work in maintenance for a property manangement compeny been here for 4 years now. Started off as the painter and in 3 months made maintenance supper. from $12 to $18 an hr in 4 years. We mananage 12 apartment complexes and about 200 houses and i over see all departments in maintenance. Be for this i worked for myself in home improvements and for my brother who ownes a home improvement comp. with 12 men and brings in $800,000.00 a year now. From my 4 years with this comp. i have learned a lot. I want to start a maintenance solution comp who takes on work orders, make readys and section 8 inspection lists for rental property. So far i have picked up one guy with 25 apartments and i charge him $30.00 an hour + material ( 20% mark up ). so far its keeping just me busey after hrs. and weekends. I also picked up a facility maintenance compeny with 1-2 work orders a month and the lowest net pay with them is $150.00 a work order.My plans are to have about 10 of the facility maintenances comp. with pay turn around every 30-45 days and as many rental propertys i can get hire someone to do the work for me for $15 an hr. ( i charge apartment work orders $30.00 an hr ) and facility maintenance is set net pay and in 6 months leave my full time job to do my own. My thoughts was after 6 months the 30-45 day turn around for facility maintenance would be paying every day or other day depends on how many facility maintenance comps. i have and the apartment maintenance pays up on invoice turn in. so between apartment and facility maintenance in 6 months do u think they would be enough money coming in for me to leave my job and hire one guy. I have talked to my brother who ownes his own home improvement comp. and makes good and a few other ppl and they think i should go for it. any thoughts on this.
samedi 3 décembre 2016
Simple inventory systems?
I have a very small business that has about 60 different items that I sell on eBay. I'm looking for a inventory system to maintain them. The problem I'm having is I want very simplistic system. All I want is a bar code on a shelf that I can scan when I remove or add a item. Then when I want to, run a report to show me inventory amounts to know if I should order stock or not.
I've tried a few free downloadable programs that worked ok but I had to adjust numbers by hand. And they wanted to be used with POS systems that I don't have or want.
The reason I don't want a POS system is that I sell items that are sold in different combinations. I sell one item that can be sold alone or with 6 other different combinations. That's why I can't use eBay's inventory numbers.
My sales or going up and inventory numbers are growing. I need to control inventory better than manual counts. I'm running out of items and that's not good for business. I've also ordered product and then found a case of what I ordered in a corner.
Does anyone have any ideas about this?
I'm sure a simple excel spreadsheet would do what I want. But how would I link that up to a Barcode scanner?
Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated and thanks in advance.
I've tried a few free downloadable programs that worked ok but I had to adjust numbers by hand. And they wanted to be used with POS systems that I don't have or want.
The reason I don't want a POS system is that I sell items that are sold in different combinations. I sell one item that can be sold alone or with 6 other different combinations. That's why I can't use eBay's inventory numbers.
My sales or going up and inventory numbers are growing. I need to control inventory better than manual counts. I'm running out of items and that's not good for business. I've also ordered product and then found a case of what I ordered in a corner.
Does anyone have any ideas about this?
I'm sure a simple excel spreadsheet would do what I want. But how would I link that up to a Barcode scanner?
Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated and thanks in advance.
Hi I'm Tom
Hi I'm Tom. I few years ago I got into a hobby using tools made back in the 1950's. I soon found out that the tooling used with them was either worn out after 60 years of use or the replacement parts were junk and expensive. So I found suppliers and manufactures that were willing to make small runs of high quality tooling and sell low quantity's.
I started selling these on ebay at reasonable prices. I added items that people requested and took some out that didn't sell well. I have about 60 items but their sold in different set-ups so I may have around 100 to 120 different combinations.
Now that I moved to the state of Florida I'm thinking I should form a LLC and become a real business.
So I'm here looking for advice on forming the LLC, accounting, Inventory systems and stuff like that.
I hope I'm in the right place.
I started selling these on ebay at reasonable prices. I added items that people requested and took some out that didn't sell well. I have about 60 items but their sold in different set-ups so I may have around 100 to 120 different combinations.
Now that I moved to the state of Florida I'm thinking I should form a LLC and become a real business.
So I'm here looking for advice on forming the LLC, accounting, Inventory systems and stuff like that.
I hope I'm in the right place.
Mailchimp merge tags and posting to social media
I'm creating my first email campaign with Mailchimp, and going with marketing best practices, I've personalized the top of the email with "hello fname", using the correctly formatted merge tags, of course. It works fine when I test it. When I started setting it up, there were some general campaign questions I had to answer, a couple of which were whether I'd like to also broadcast the email to Facebook and Twitter. Of course I do, thanks! My question (that I could not find in the Mailchimp knowledgebase) is if those merge tags will be replaced with blanks in the social media broadcasts (which is ideal) or if they'll just remain visible merge tags? Anybody here know?
Restated, in case the question is muddled, the top of my draft email says: Hello *|fname|*
When sent to my subscribers, it will look like this: Hello Sharon
When sent to Facebook and Twitter, I'd like it to look like this: Hello
and not like: Hello <<First Name>>
Restated, in case the question is muddled, the top of my draft email says: Hello *|fname|*
When sent to my subscribers, it will look like this: Hello Sharon
When sent to Facebook and Twitter, I'd like it to look like this: Hello
and not like: Hello <<First Name>>
Is dark traffic good for SEO?
Since when I started to monitor my website, this question is rolling in my mind. I searched for it and found that the dark traffic refers to the unknown sources or medium of website traffic. Is dark traffic good for SEO?
Hello everyone!
Hello,
I am running a business which deals with various online assets. I am an adviser who helps SMBs to thrive in their business. Hope we would share good knowledge over here.
I am running a business which deals with various online assets. I am an adviser who helps SMBs to thrive in their business. Hope we would share good knowledge over here.
vendredi 2 décembre 2016
Insurance for webmasters/SEM?
My question: What type and where do I find insurance for my particular business? I have been looking for a policy and have talked to several agents but have not had much luck finding a policy. A lot of people don't seem to understand exactly what I do or that I really don't have any "clients."
My business: I develop/create websites for ONLY myself. I derive all of my income from advertising fees, I utilize Google Adsense and Amazon affiliate links mostly. I do not sell any physical products at all. Currently I have 7 sites, all about different niches. This coming year I am making some changes within my business including the formation of an LLC, hiring an accountant and hopefully finding some insurance. I will also be looking the possibility of buying existing websites from other people this coming year also.
My fear: Someone will sue me because they followed my "How to guide on making widgets" and burned their house down. Other issues that have come to mind are plagiarism, hacking, etc.
Any thoughts or previous experience would be helpful. Thanks!
My business: I develop/create websites for ONLY myself. I derive all of my income from advertising fees, I utilize Google Adsense and Amazon affiliate links mostly. I do not sell any physical products at all. Currently I have 7 sites, all about different niches. This coming year I am making some changes within my business including the formation of an LLC, hiring an accountant and hopefully finding some insurance. I will also be looking the possibility of buying existing websites from other people this coming year also.
My fear: Someone will sue me because they followed my "How to guide on making widgets" and burned their house down. Other issues that have come to mind are plagiarism, hacking, etc.
Any thoughts or previous experience would be helpful. Thanks!
mercredi 30 novembre 2016
Invoice & Estimate software
I've seen a few people post around asking about invoice software, so I thought I might share what I use in the hopes that it will help you get your small business organized and streamlined. I use software called ProBooks to do all my invoicing and estimating. It's available on your phone and on the web, which is super convenient. It only costs about $3 per month and allows you to create invoices, track payments, manage clients & provide statements, and even tracks when your customers open the invoice! All data is synced in realtime as well, so you never have to worry about losing your data. I've tried a few of the comparable invoice software out there, but this is certainly the best. Hopefully it works for business!
Understanding Capital Expenditure
Hello Everybody,
My new accounting blog is out - this month blog is about "Understanding Capital Expenditure"
As always, thank you for your questions and please, feel free to share my blog and keep those questions coming.
Business Growth & Accounting: Community Question - Understanding Capital Expenditures
My new accounting blog is out - this month blog is about "Understanding Capital Expenditure"
As always, thank you for your questions and please, feel free to share my blog and keep those questions coming.
Business Growth & Accounting: Community Question - Understanding Capital Expenditures
Understanding image copyright on the internet
It's 2016 and I still have new clients who, when asked if they have any images, say "We'll just find some good ones on Google images".
Many of you know that you can't do that. That you can't just grab random images from the internet to use on your website, blog posts, social media posts, promotions, brochures and so on and so on.
Take it from experience, nothing makes you feel stupider or more like an amateur than being contacted for violating image copyright. It happened to me once for an image I used as an avatar and displayed when I made comments on a website. Yep, even using it like that.
I always give clients a simple rule: If you didn't take the image, purchase the image, or otherwise don't own it or have permission to use it...don't.
Hootsuite gives a little more info about image copyright and usage here:
http://ift.tt/2gJulkf
Many of you know that you can't do that. That you can't just grab random images from the internet to use on your website, blog posts, social media posts, promotions, brochures and so on and so on.
Take it from experience, nothing makes you feel stupider or more like an amateur than being contacted for violating image copyright. It happened to me once for an image I used as an avatar and displayed when I made comments on a website. Yep, even using it like that.
I always give clients a simple rule: If you didn't take the image, purchase the image, or otherwise don't own it or have permission to use it...don't.
Hootsuite gives a little more info about image copyright and usage here:
http://ift.tt/2gJulkf
Hi!!
I'm from Seattle, WA and I'm just starting my custom furniture business...check out my site and let me know what you guys think? Just wanted to say hi!!
Villa Shifting in Abu Dhabi | Packers & Movers in Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Packers and M
Best Abu Dhabi Packers Company provide Quality Packing and Moving services in Abu Dubai. This Company offer Villa Shifting Services in Abu Dhabi, and more Packing & Moving Services.
mardi 29 novembre 2016
Hello Everyone
Hi, I am a new member here just joined the forum, need assistance to post or to participate in discussions, my interest is in marketing, advertising and business.
New to this forum!
Hello, everyone!
My name is Kevin Ahn from Good, LLC.
Joined this thread to learn and connect with fellow entrepreneurs out there!
Good, LLC is an All-In-One Digital Solution company, that brings digital presence to small/local business owners.
I know I know... there are a lot of "digital agencies" and "freelancers" who builds websites and gets the job done.
But we're different from them all!
We believe in delivering true value.
We believe a website is just the core of the online presence.
We believe in bringing business for our clients.
We connect the business owners with online platforms to ensure they're found with the correct data.
We build a professional website that outline their value as a business.
Best of all, we bring business directly to their doors.
My partner and I founded Good, LLC. to genuinely support the small businesses.
I would love to get to know the community!
My name is Kevin Ahn from Good, LLC.
Joined this thread to learn and connect with fellow entrepreneurs out there!
Good, LLC is an All-In-One Digital Solution company, that brings digital presence to small/local business owners.
I know I know... there are a lot of "digital agencies" and "freelancers" who builds websites and gets the job done.
But we're different from them all!
We believe in delivering true value.
We believe a website is just the core of the online presence.
We believe in bringing business for our clients.
We connect the business owners with online platforms to ensure they're found with the correct data.
We build a professional website that outline their value as a business.
Best of all, we bring business directly to their doors.
My partner and I founded Good, LLC. to genuinely support the small businesses.
I would love to get to know the community!
Trademark dispute with a giant company, should I just give in or fight?
Hi everyone! I am currently in a very frustrating situation and sincerely hope someone could give me some advices.
To avoid legal issue, I can not list the name of the company which I am having a trademark dispute with.
I started running my yoga products business since January. It was not easy to start. My products use eco-friendly materials and more costly when manufactured. Consumers tend to buy cheaper products regardless of whether they are eco-friendly. There were not many sales in the first few months. I have invested a lot in advertising and spent a lot of time on social medias promoting the concept of eco-friendly yoga products. From this October, I started to see the result of my work; sales start to pick up and my brand has got much more recognition.
Seeing my business start to grow encourages me to work harder. In order to protect my brand, I applied to register my trademark via USPTO. While USPTO has approved the filing and published it, one of the biggest television network says no to our application. The company's lawyer told me that the company doesn't allow anyone to use "and the city" and wants me to change my brand name to avoid litigation. The reason the company gave is that they have a tv show with a name including that string of words.
I checked trademark database and found that most applications for brands including that string of words have been canceled. I guess those applicants (spa owner, grocery store owner,...) might have received calls from the lawyer of the big company.
I talked to a lawyer friend, and he told me that the tv network doesn't necessary have very solid arguments because tv shows and yoga products belong to two completely different trademark categories. However, a big company like that affords to hire lawyers and have a years-long case, while small business owner like me can hardly afford that.
Can someone please give me some advices? I wonder if small business can do something to defend ourselves even when it looks like a mission impossible.
Thank you so much in advance!
To avoid legal issue, I can not list the name of the company which I am having a trademark dispute with.
I started running my yoga products business since January. It was not easy to start. My products use eco-friendly materials and more costly when manufactured. Consumers tend to buy cheaper products regardless of whether they are eco-friendly. There were not many sales in the first few months. I have invested a lot in advertising and spent a lot of time on social medias promoting the concept of eco-friendly yoga products. From this October, I started to see the result of my work; sales start to pick up and my brand has got much more recognition.
Seeing my business start to grow encourages me to work harder. In order to protect my brand, I applied to register my trademark via USPTO. While USPTO has approved the filing and published it, one of the biggest television network says no to our application. The company's lawyer told me that the company doesn't allow anyone to use "and the city" and wants me to change my brand name to avoid litigation. The reason the company gave is that they have a tv show with a name including that string of words.
I checked trademark database and found that most applications for brands including that string of words have been canceled. I guess those applicants (spa owner, grocery store owner,...) might have received calls from the lawyer of the big company.
I talked to a lawyer friend, and he told me that the tv network doesn't necessary have very solid arguments because tv shows and yoga products belong to two completely different trademark categories. However, a big company like that affords to hire lawyers and have a years-long case, while small business owner like me can hardly afford that.
Can someone please give me some advices? I wonder if small business can do something to defend ourselves even when it looks like a mission impossible.
Thank you so much in advance!
Introduction
Hello everyone,
How are you?
I am Jeff and I am new in this forum. I want to discuss about trade show booth design. We offers booth design, banner, pop-up, trade show services.
Thank you,
jeff
How are you?
I am Jeff and I am new in this forum. I want to discuss about trade show booth design. We offers booth design, banner, pop-up, trade show services.
Thank you,
jeff
lundi 28 novembre 2016
Black Friday Online sales hit record breaking $3 billion. $1 billion by phone.
I remember when holiday online sales were $100 million and how astounding that was. I remember when 10% of those sales being from mobile devices was a big deal.
If you haven't figured it out yet, phones are going to be the most used internet device. For many, it already is.
Black Friday online shopping is continuing to grow, and this Friday was another record-breaking day. According to a new report out this evening from Adobe, which has been tracking e-commerce transactions throughout the sales holiday, Black Friday is on track to set a new record by surpassing the $3 billion mark for the first time. It’s also expected to become the first day in U.S. retail history to drive over a billion dollars from mobile sales.
I'm curious how mobile friendly everyone is. Are you completely accessible to people on phones? Could someone find, do business with your company by phone alone? Can your website make the sale all by itself if needed?
Do you still have work to do? If so, where do you think you're missing the boat?
If you haven't figured it out yet, phones are going to be the most used internet device. For many, it already is.
Quote:
Black Friday online shopping is continuing to grow, and this Friday was another record-breaking day. According to a new report out this evening from Adobe, which has been tracking e-commerce transactions throughout the sales holiday, Black Friday is on track to set a new record by surpassing the $3 billion mark for the first time. It’s also expected to become the first day in U.S. retail history to drive over a billion dollars from mobile sales.
Do you still have work to do? If so, where do you think you're missing the boat?
How to Build Highly Converting Web Funnels
Hey guys!
I just want to share a tool that I've been using in the past few months--and it's really awesome!
It's a funnel builder that's great for anyone who doesn't know how to code or maybe finds it too time consuming to build and split test pages on their own. It's power packed with a lot of cool features that help you track conversions, boost conversions, and even see what works and what doesn't.
Check it out here:
http://ift.tt/2fE8ZCP
They offer a free 14-day trial too! (I started with the trial and loved it!)
Hope this helps!
I just want to share a tool that I've been using in the past few months--and it's really awesome!
It's a funnel builder that's great for anyone who doesn't know how to code or maybe finds it too time consuming to build and split test pages on their own. It's power packed with a lot of cool features that help you track conversions, boost conversions, and even see what works and what doesn't.
Check it out here:
http://ift.tt/2fE8ZCP
They offer a free 14-day trial too! (I started with the trial and loved it!)
Hope this helps!
dimanche 27 novembre 2016
Thankful to be here.
First of all I want to thank you all for being here and being a team among small business owners and quite frankly human.
It is nice to know there are other good people out there.
A little bit about myself, I am 26, and I love building things. The goal for my business is to build quality custom hunting blinds and wooden frame buildings. I work as a heavy equipment operator currently and a part time finish carpenter doing trim, hanging doors and windows, etc. I have always built things ever since I was a little kid and I am just now getting back to what I wanted to do for a long time. I have to slowly transition to carpentry full time due to lack of tools and clients.
I am hoping that this forum and the people in it will be able to help me in this transition to being a small business owner.
Thanks for reading!
Ethan
It is nice to know there are other good people out there.
A little bit about myself, I am 26, and I love building things. The goal for my business is to build quality custom hunting blinds and wooden frame buildings. I work as a heavy equipment operator currently and a part time finish carpenter doing trim, hanging doors and windows, etc. I have always built things ever since I was a little kid and I am just now getting back to what I wanted to do for a long time. I have to slowly transition to carpentry full time due to lack of tools and clients.
I am hoping that this forum and the people in it will be able to help me in this transition to being a small business owner.
Thanks for reading!
Ethan
Do i need to pay income taxes for my drop shipping website?
Hello I am a young entrepreneur who is currently creating an online drop shipping website and I have been trying to figure all the legal stuff that ill need for my upcoming website and one thing that has been on my mind the most is whether or not ill have to pay sales tax or income taxes? BTW I live in Ohio.
united states dollars
if someone who lives in south america buys an established online from someone in the united states assuming its a shoe store or some retailer, after getting paid in u.s. dollars will that payment arrive in u.s. dollars in south america or will it convert to the local currency???????????? rsvp. thank you.
Mailchimp question: image with caption blocks don't line up neatly
Hi Guys,
Looking for a Mailchimp guru here. The Mailchimp knowledge base/help info doesn't address this issue and Google comes up short. I've just started using it and am designing my first campaign email. I chose a template that has three image-with-caption blocks in a row across the page. When I added my three images - every one 500 pixels high - the preview displays them all having different sizes so it looks like crap. I could really use some help in getting them to line up neatly. Any ideas?
Looking for a Mailchimp guru here. The Mailchimp knowledge base/help info doesn't address this issue and Google comes up short. I've just started using it and am designing my first campaign email. I chose a template that has three image-with-caption blocks in a row across the page. When I added my three images - every one 500 pixels high - the preview displays them all having different sizes so it looks like crap. I could really use some help in getting them to line up neatly. Any ideas?
Scaling Web Development Company specialized in producing products for Startups
My name is Petar I and own a small Web development company in Croatia that specialize in developing products for Startups. As of right now now I have 2 full time developers and 1 manager hired. Our projects are coming mostly from a word of mouth, and what I want now is to scale my company and become bigger. Since our focus is only on Startups and building MVP's I wonder where to look for a clients/entrepreneurs online who need this kind of service?
Something that I tried is to call other companies and offered them services, and conversion rate there is around 5%, but requires lots of meetings and time.
I also tried contacting people through Craigslist, 1 out of 10 replies, but the problem there is that they quit very soon. I know the goal in sending cold emails is to get meeting and then sell on a meeting, but they quit just before we need to do meeting.
I have not tried with the PPC, Facebook ads etc, but I would like to try. What do you recommend guys?
Something that I tried is to call other companies and offered them services, and conversion rate there is around 5%, but requires lots of meetings and time.
I also tried contacting people through Craigslist, 1 out of 10 replies, but the problem there is that they quit very soon. I know the goal in sending cold emails is to get meeting and then sell on a meeting, but they quit just before we need to do meeting.
I have not tried with the PPC, Facebook ads etc, but I would like to try. What do you recommend guys?
Making an investment and collecting back with 30% to finance Business.
There is an online finance system you can invest in to increase your investment by 30% to finance your business.
samedi 26 novembre 2016
work experience
where can i gain or learn such valuable, rich experience as far as running an established online business before even purchasing one???????????? do i need a college degree or something to do something like this???????? i have no experience whatsoever managing an established online business! how can such critical, crucial, vital real life work experience even be acquired before purchasing such a business?????? how do i do this???????? can anyone please help me????? rsvp. thank you.
Advise on a new business name
Hi,
We are about to open a a fast-casual dessert bar offering ice-cream sandwiches, donuts and bite-size cupcakes.
We’re in the process of finding a name for our business and would love to hear your thoughts.
we would very much appreciate if you would agree to take part in a brief survey: http://ift.tt/2fkY0D9
These are the options we came up with till now:
Cream Between
Dezzerts
Goloso
Golosos
Oso Goloso
Nene Goloso
Utterly
Purely Desserts
The Nosher
Gordos
Any other suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Karen
We are about to open a a fast-casual dessert bar offering ice-cream sandwiches, donuts and bite-size cupcakes.
We’re in the process of finding a name for our business and would love to hear your thoughts.
we would very much appreciate if you would agree to take part in a brief survey: http://ift.tt/2fkY0D9
These are the options we came up with till now:
Cream Between
Dezzerts
Goloso
Golosos
Oso Goloso
Nene Goloso
Utterly
Purely Desserts
The Nosher
Gordos
Any other suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Karen
Advise on a business name
Hi,
We are about to open a a fast-casual dessert bar offering ice-cream sandwiches, donuts and bite-size cupcakes.
We’re in the process of finding a name for our business and would love to hear your thoughts.
we would very much appreciate if you would agree to take part in a brief survey: http://ift.tt/2fkY0D9
These are the options we came up with till now:
Cream Between
Dezzerts
Goloso
Golosos
Oso Goloso
Nene Goloso
Utterly
Purely Desserts
The Nosher
Gordos
Any other suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Karen
We are about to open a a fast-casual dessert bar offering ice-cream sandwiches, donuts and bite-size cupcakes.
We’re in the process of finding a name for our business and would love to hear your thoughts.
we would very much appreciate if you would agree to take part in a brief survey: http://ift.tt/2fkY0D9
These are the options we came up with till now:
Cream Between
Dezzerts
Goloso
Golosos
Oso Goloso
Nene Goloso
Utterly
Purely Desserts
The Nosher
Gordos
Any other suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Karen
vendredi 25 novembre 2016
Open a Business in Mexico
Since the exchange rate is great, is it a great opportunity?
what are the pros and cons?
what are the pros and cons?
jeudi 24 novembre 2016
Starting a business in Mexico
Should i start a business in Mexico, the exchange rate is 20 Pesos to 1 Dollar which means that the initial investment would be minimal, but i have my concerns like:
-Will i make a decent income if the Dollar is worth 20 times the peso?
-what will happen once the Peso stabilizes?
-What will happen if the Peso keeps going down?
-What will Happen if the peso recovers?
-Will i make a decent income if the Dollar is worth 20 times the peso?
-what will happen once the Peso stabilizes?
-What will happen if the Peso keeps going down?
-What will Happen if the peso recovers?
mercredi 23 novembre 2016
good day and hi!
Im new here and i hope i can learn a lot here and also i want to share my knowledge and experience to help you out! Thanks for having me here! Cheers!
mardi 22 novembre 2016
hey there!
Hi folks -- I'm John, just making my way in affiliate marketing, look forward to sharing ideas and experiences with you all!
Newbie here! Nice to meet you guys!
Hey guys!
So happy to be part of this forum.
I'm a freelance copywriter and I'll be starting my own agency soon. I write any type of web copy (blog posts, website pages, ebooks, landing pages, sales pages, ad copy, emails, etc.) and I offer reasonable rates even for results-getting copy like mine.
You can send me an email at info@copybyraffy.com!
Thanks,
Raffy Marabut
So happy to be part of this forum.
I'm a freelance copywriter and I'll be starting my own agency soon. I write any type of web copy (blog posts, website pages, ebooks, landing pages, sales pages, ad copy, emails, etc.) and I offer reasonable rates even for results-getting copy like mine.
You can send me an email at info@copybyraffy.com!
Thanks,
Raffy Marabut
lundi 21 novembre 2016
Good day, fellow small business owners
Greetings, Everyone.
My wife and I own a small retail business. To be completely truthful, my wife owns it, and I have been incrementally pressed into doing the books, management duties, construction and heavy lifting.
I have a hard time finding resources for many of the questions I have, so I'm hoping to find helpful kindred spirits here.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
AE
My wife and I own a small retail business. To be completely truthful, my wife owns it, and I have been incrementally pressed into doing the books, management duties, construction and heavy lifting.
I have a hard time finding resources for many of the questions I have, so I'm hoping to find helpful kindred spirits here.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
AE
A story
With the freight my factory sends me they use excelsior for dunnage. Excelsior is the “grass” used with Easter baskets. Ours isn’t decorative, it’s a soft yellow color. Back in around 2006 I ran out of the excelsior and was in dire straits. I cannot use styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap because my product is dense and heavy it crushes that stuff. To give you an idea, I regularly put 65lbs in a 12x12x12 and 16lbs in a 6x6x6. Plus, one of my best customers does not allow peanuts to be used as dunnage.
I spent a week scouring Google looking for the excelsior in the states but could not find it. I even asked the Germans but they didn’t respond. I knew of perforated cardboard and knew it worked well for my purpose. So I purchased the smallest cardboard perforating machine I could for I believe 3500.00. I began getting cardboard from my local recycle center out of their cardboard dumpsters. But after a while, they no longer allow dumpster diving due to liability. They offered to dig it out for me but what took me 10 minutes in the past was now taking 45 minutes. I finally asked the gas station owner in front of our business if he had spare and he said yes and that I could collect on Tuesdays and Fridays.
All was going good till now. The gas station owner hired new people and my cardboard isn’t there when I was expecting it, and I ran out of both cardboard and excelsior. I asked the wife to visit local big churches (they always have a cardboard drop off bin) to collect some for me. She visits a new recycling center we have and they said they have bales of cardboard that weight between 1000 and 1500 pounds, that they receive $150 for. If I give them a donation of $200 we will give you one and load it on your truck for you. Problem solved big time! I rent a truck and pick one up. I thought they would be bales on pallets but they are only bales so I had to unload it the hard way, by hand.
As soon as I begin going through the mess I realize my cardboard perforator can only chew though single and double walled cardboard. The cardboard compacting machine at the recycle center crushed the cardboard in a way making most of it is unusable.
I visited my fabrication shop guy a while back about him taking over my inventory, assembly and logistics. In our conversation he asked about dunnage and told him excelsior and cardboard. He said they wouldn’t work for him, he had to have a constant stream that came to him. When he said this I thought about a machine I’d seen that takes a few sheets of paper off rolls and crimps them into a sturdy yet malleable dunnage. I considered getting one of these machines when I was in dire straits, but decided against it since I didn't know it as well as perforated cardboard and they lease you the machine - you cannot buy one. I have since learned that the paper machine makes a good dunnage.
There I was last weekend for four hours sifting through 1200 lbs of cardboard - most of which I couldn’t use. And I still have many more hours to work with it. A rap song came to mind where he sings about “levels to this stuff” ... only he doesn’t use the word stuff. I started thinking, maybe as the owner of a successful business I should just pay whatever it costs to have the paper crimping machine, maybe I can even write off the expense of having it? Maybe the fab shop guy understands a value I don’t? Maybe what I was doing is what someone starting out does? Maybe I need to recognize, live and work on the correct level.
I spent a week scouring Google looking for the excelsior in the states but could not find it. I even asked the Germans but they didn’t respond. I knew of perforated cardboard and knew it worked well for my purpose. So I purchased the smallest cardboard perforating machine I could for I believe 3500.00. I began getting cardboard from my local recycle center out of their cardboard dumpsters. But after a while, they no longer allow dumpster diving due to liability. They offered to dig it out for me but what took me 10 minutes in the past was now taking 45 minutes. I finally asked the gas station owner in front of our business if he had spare and he said yes and that I could collect on Tuesdays and Fridays.
All was going good till now. The gas station owner hired new people and my cardboard isn’t there when I was expecting it, and I ran out of both cardboard and excelsior. I asked the wife to visit local big churches (they always have a cardboard drop off bin) to collect some for me. She visits a new recycling center we have and they said they have bales of cardboard that weight between 1000 and 1500 pounds, that they receive $150 for. If I give them a donation of $200 we will give you one and load it on your truck for you. Problem solved big time! I rent a truck and pick one up. I thought they would be bales on pallets but they are only bales so I had to unload it the hard way, by hand.
As soon as I begin going through the mess I realize my cardboard perforator can only chew though single and double walled cardboard. The cardboard compacting machine at the recycle center crushed the cardboard in a way making most of it is unusable.
I visited my fabrication shop guy a while back about him taking over my inventory, assembly and logistics. In our conversation he asked about dunnage and told him excelsior and cardboard. He said they wouldn’t work for him, he had to have a constant stream that came to him. When he said this I thought about a machine I’d seen that takes a few sheets of paper off rolls and crimps them into a sturdy yet malleable dunnage. I considered getting one of these machines when I was in dire straits, but decided against it since I didn't know it as well as perforated cardboard and they lease you the machine - you cannot buy one. I have since learned that the paper machine makes a good dunnage.
There I was last weekend for four hours sifting through 1200 lbs of cardboard - most of which I couldn’t use. And I still have many more hours to work with it. A rap song came to mind where he sings about “levels to this stuff” ... only he doesn’t use the word stuff. I started thinking, maybe as the owner of a successful business I should just pay whatever it costs to have the paper crimping machine, maybe I can even write off the expense of having it? Maybe the fab shop guy understands a value I don’t? Maybe what I was doing is what someone starting out does? Maybe I need to recognize, live and work on the correct level.
dimanche 20 novembre 2016
Help on posting to FB
In my area we have tons of online garage sale groups that sell various things. I get a majority of my business using these groups. I basically just post on there what exactly we do and offer. Is there anyone else that has used this method? Does anyone have any tips on how to post a good thread on there that will sell my services and products to the customers??
thanks for all of your help
thanks for all of your help
Data Collection
I am not sure where to put this. I have an electronic repair business and we specialize in computers, cell phones, tablets, networking, etc. I have been trying to find information on this topic online, but not much luck. I am wondering what data should i collect from my customers and also what data I should collect from the device I work on or what forms should be filled out on my end? I do offer warranties to my customers in case that helps. Right noe I collect all of their basic information as well as the model and brand of the device and serial or IMEI #. I cant find anything on what the business should fill out on their end that the customer doesnt see. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Everyone! From the land of maple syrups
Want to introduce myself and say hi to everyone!
An Engineer by training who moved to Branding early on in my career.
No longer doing the 9-5 now and much happier jumping into the entrepreneurship game.
All in all, I look forward to learning from and contributing to the site. :D
An Engineer by training who moved to Branding early on in my career.
No longer doing the 9-5 now and much happier jumping into the entrepreneurship game.
All in all, I look forward to learning from and contributing to the site. :D
vendredi 18 novembre 2016
CPA Vs Quickbook Vs Tax Lawyer
Hi guys, it's the first i write on this forum.
I am a psychotherapist in California, and my business is slowly starting to take off. To ensure that i don't miss any tax deadline and to comply with all the regulations, I was wondering if you'd suggest a CPA or simply Quickbooks.
My practice is very basic: clients come in on a weekly base for psychotherapy, i bill the insurance, the insurance pays. I do not have a secretary or anybody else in the office. The expenses are somewhat standard: rent, phone bill, car leasing, marketing, health insurance,...
So, in your opinion, should i buy Quickbook and learn how to use it or do I need to hire a CPA (or a tax lawyer)? The cost for a local CPA is $70-$200/month.
Thanks
I am a psychotherapist in California, and my business is slowly starting to take off. To ensure that i don't miss any tax deadline and to comply with all the regulations, I was wondering if you'd suggest a CPA or simply Quickbooks.
My practice is very basic: clients come in on a weekly base for psychotherapy, i bill the insurance, the insurance pays. I do not have a secretary or anybody else in the office. The expenses are somewhat standard: rent, phone bill, car leasing, marketing, health insurance,...
So, in your opinion, should i buy Quickbook and learn how to use it or do I need to hire a CPA (or a tax lawyer)? The cost for a local CPA is $70-$200/month.
Thanks
jeudi 17 novembre 2016
Hi - I'm Heidi!
I am an independent search engine marketing/website design consultant, with 18 years of experience. I resigned from my corporate job, and decided to take my own show on the road when my first child was born - 8 years ago! It was the scariest thing (and the best thing) that I have ever done. I have been working from home, part time ever since.
I hope to meet other entrepreneurs in this forum, as well as to hopefully contribute my online marketing expertise. Thanks for having me!
I hope to meet other entrepreneurs in this forum, as well as to hopefully contribute my online marketing expertise. Thanks for having me!
How commercials to attract people to the mobile operator?
Hey. We would like to shoot a promotional video for a mobile operator. I am looking for an idea. Help!
In OH, I see all these licenses and permits, but which one do I get for blogging?
The title is pretty self explanatory. I was on this website "http://ift.tt/2gnwmpX; trying to figure out what business license I need. I know for a fact when it comes to trademarking my business name blogging would be class 41.
Are people still using simple printed flyers successfully?
Hello everyone!
I'm a newbie to this forum... and online forums in general... so, if I'm breaking any rules or doing something that's otherwise not cool or acceptable, PLEASE let me know. I'm not out to cause trouble. I've just been out of the "business world" for the last decade, most of which was spent as a full-time caregiver for my aging parents. So I'm not totally up to speed on how to behave in online forums.
But now I'm wanting to get back "in the game" and I've been searching for an online community to start getting involved in and add value to. So here I am! :-)
I've got a question... for anyone who might have some experience to share with me.
First though, a tiny bit of background...
During the 1990's, I made my living as a small biz consultant. My area of expertise was marketing, especially in the area of print advertising and direct mail. I used to do a lot of fun stuff for my clients with paper and ink. In addition to very well targeted direct-mail, we'd make extensive use of flyers, brochures and special reports. (If anyone's interested, I can go into detail on some of the things we did.)
(I left that field in 2000 to get into the world of online lead generation. Spent 9 years in that sandbox until I walked away from business completely to become a full-time caregiver for my parents, who both passed away in the summer of 2015. After they both were gone, my family and I took a year off to just re-establish what "normal" is in our lives after having taken care of my parents 24/7 for 6 years.)
A couple years ago, through a very interesting set of circumstances, I became the proud owner of a small warehouse filled with the kind of stuff that you'd find at a FedEx Office or Staples Copy & Print. Dozens of color laser/inkjet printers... pallets of supplies (toner/ink) for those printers... and somewhere around 5,000,000 sheets of paper. (Most of it is plain ol' letter-sized, 20-lb., white copy paper... but there's also a lot of colored cardstock and colored paper mixed in there.) There's also laminating machines/supplies... and coil binding machines/supplies, too. Plus tons of #10/#9 envelopes... and probably 25,000 USPS forever postage stamps.
I got this stuff for pennies on the dollar... and, in all honesty, I could sell the postage stamps alone and recover most of my investment. :-)
Anyway, I put the word out to some friends that I had all this stuff and started doing flyer printing for a few local businesses. (I charge $0.05 for a full-color, single-sided, letter-sized copy. People tell me that I could charge more... but I still make a very nice profit at a nickel a sheet. No sense being greedy) One of my best customers is a Thrift Store that consistently outperforms all of their competitors in their geographic area. Their secret? They have lots of printed materials that they stuff in the bags of all of their shoppers.
Coupons... sale calendars... etc. They swear by the effectiveness of using simple, paper-and-ink traditional marketing materials to drive customer loyalty and bring in new business. And their bottom line proves it. In an industry where all of their competitors put everything online... they print everything out and hand it to every customer.
So... at least in this one industry, with this one customer... I'm seeing that old-fashioned, paper-and-ink marketing materials DO work. And work extremely well.
My question is this...
Are there any other examples out there of small, brick-and-mortar businesses that are still using things like flyers successfully? Or is my customer an anomaly? A dinosaur in a completely digital world who, for some reason, just happens to be lucky? I'm really curious.
If there IS a place for old-fashioned printed flyers in today's business climate, I'd be interested in seeing if I could capitalize on that, since I've got this warehouse full of stuff that could easily be turned into millions of flyers. :-)
To do that, though, I'd like to find out if there are other people who are having success with flyers. Any insight would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
--Jon
I'm a newbie to this forum... and online forums in general... so, if I'm breaking any rules or doing something that's otherwise not cool or acceptable, PLEASE let me know. I'm not out to cause trouble. I've just been out of the "business world" for the last decade, most of which was spent as a full-time caregiver for my aging parents. So I'm not totally up to speed on how to behave in online forums.
But now I'm wanting to get back "in the game" and I've been searching for an online community to start getting involved in and add value to. So here I am! :-)
I've got a question... for anyone who might have some experience to share with me.
First though, a tiny bit of background...
During the 1990's, I made my living as a small biz consultant. My area of expertise was marketing, especially in the area of print advertising and direct mail. I used to do a lot of fun stuff for my clients with paper and ink. In addition to very well targeted direct-mail, we'd make extensive use of flyers, brochures and special reports. (If anyone's interested, I can go into detail on some of the things we did.)
(I left that field in 2000 to get into the world of online lead generation. Spent 9 years in that sandbox until I walked away from business completely to become a full-time caregiver for my parents, who both passed away in the summer of 2015. After they both were gone, my family and I took a year off to just re-establish what "normal" is in our lives after having taken care of my parents 24/7 for 6 years.)
A couple years ago, through a very interesting set of circumstances, I became the proud owner of a small warehouse filled with the kind of stuff that you'd find at a FedEx Office or Staples Copy & Print. Dozens of color laser/inkjet printers... pallets of supplies (toner/ink) for those printers... and somewhere around 5,000,000 sheets of paper. (Most of it is plain ol' letter-sized, 20-lb., white copy paper... but there's also a lot of colored cardstock and colored paper mixed in there.) There's also laminating machines/supplies... and coil binding machines/supplies, too. Plus tons of #10/#9 envelopes... and probably 25,000 USPS forever postage stamps.
I got this stuff for pennies on the dollar... and, in all honesty, I could sell the postage stamps alone and recover most of my investment. :-)
Anyway, I put the word out to some friends that I had all this stuff and started doing flyer printing for a few local businesses. (I charge $0.05 for a full-color, single-sided, letter-sized copy. People tell me that I could charge more... but I still make a very nice profit at a nickel a sheet. No sense being greedy) One of my best customers is a Thrift Store that consistently outperforms all of their competitors in their geographic area. Their secret? They have lots of printed materials that they stuff in the bags of all of their shoppers.
Coupons... sale calendars... etc. They swear by the effectiveness of using simple, paper-and-ink traditional marketing materials to drive customer loyalty and bring in new business. And their bottom line proves it. In an industry where all of their competitors put everything online... they print everything out and hand it to every customer.
So... at least in this one industry, with this one customer... I'm seeing that old-fashioned, paper-and-ink marketing materials DO work. And work extremely well.
My question is this...
Are there any other examples out there of small, brick-and-mortar businesses that are still using things like flyers successfully? Or is my customer an anomaly? A dinosaur in a completely digital world who, for some reason, just happens to be lucky? I'm really curious.
If there IS a place for old-fashioned printed flyers in today's business climate, I'd be interested in seeing if I could capitalize on that, since I've got this warehouse full of stuff that could easily be turned into millions of flyers. :-)
To do that, though, I'd like to find out if there are other people who are having success with flyers. Any insight would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
--Jon
KALS Information Systems Ltd Reviews about Software Products/Services
Hi... I want AS/400 Software Services. When I go through few service providers, I came to know that Kals information Systems Ltd in Bangalore is an organization providing Software products and services. Can anybody share the reviews and complaints about KALS Information Systems Ltd?
mercredi 16 novembre 2016
Any product-based businesses here do cost accounting?
I'm a bit disappointed that Quickbooks Online doesn't have much in the way of cost accounting. The products setup screen does have a field for product cost, but that's it. One field. When I did a google search for cost accounting to see what other people recommend doing, all I got were links explaining how to do job cost accounting for service-based companies. I know it's similar. But not quite what I want. Maybe I'm thinking about it wrong.
What I want to do is to track all costs that go into my products. For example a particular dog toy costs me $12.50 to buy wholesale from the distributor. Shipping it to me = shipping cost for the whole package divided by the number of units in the package, say $1.50 each. When my customer buys it, the box I pack it in cost me $50.00 divided by the number of boxes in that package, say $0.45. I stuff a little tissue in the box so it doesn't rattle around and that cost a few cents. Print the order and the postage on standard sheets of paper, so that's a few cents per sheet. A few more cents for tape to seal up the box and tape on the postage label.
I'm pulling numbers out of my behind, just to illustrate what I'm thinking. After I add all that up, I'd get a figure of like $15.75 total cost to me to sell that dog toy. From there, my pricing spreadsheet can help me make sure I don't sell it at a loss. It would be nice if I could do that in Quickbooks instead of a spreadsheet.
Do other product-based services do all that computation up front and then enter the final number into Quickbooks? Or do you use Excel? Am I working to hard at this or on the right track?
What I want to do is to track all costs that go into my products. For example a particular dog toy costs me $12.50 to buy wholesale from the distributor. Shipping it to me = shipping cost for the whole package divided by the number of units in the package, say $1.50 each. When my customer buys it, the box I pack it in cost me $50.00 divided by the number of boxes in that package, say $0.45. I stuff a little tissue in the box so it doesn't rattle around and that cost a few cents. Print the order and the postage on standard sheets of paper, so that's a few cents per sheet. A few more cents for tape to seal up the box and tape on the postage label.
I'm pulling numbers out of my behind, just to illustrate what I'm thinking. After I add all that up, I'd get a figure of like $15.75 total cost to me to sell that dog toy. From there, my pricing spreadsheet can help me make sure I don't sell it at a loss. It would be nice if I could do that in Quickbooks instead of a spreadsheet.
Do other product-based services do all that computation up front and then enter the final number into Quickbooks? Or do you use Excel? Am I working to hard at this or on the right track?
Ponderings on business growth and capital requirements
Hi Guys,
I'm a little bored in my day job at the moment and unable to work on my online shop, so I'm tossing around fantasies of how my shop may grow. I currently operate out of my home. I have an extremely limited amount of inventory that I keep at home (well-organized) and otherwise drop-ship stuff to my customers. I'm an online retailer of pet supplies.
At some point, I suspect in two or three years, I'm going to have to expand out of my house, stop doing the drop-shipping and maintain my own inventory. I'm already chafing at being unable to control my unboxing experience, and as mentioned in another thread here, drop-shipping distributors don't provide decent product photography required for online sales. So if I need to buy wholesale just to take pictures, I may as well hold all of my own inventory.
Luckily, there are tons of available warehouse spaces in my local area. I've been browsing listings when bored, for fun. I am thinking I should start small, about 1500 square feet of space. One "amenity" I haven't seen in any of the warehouse real estate listings is how the service with the post office might be set up. Would I have to ask the local post office (assume just for simplicity that I use USPS and not UPS or Fedex for now) to send a truck by my place once or twice a day? Would it need a contract?
If we're talking purely warehouse/distribution operations, is location much of a concern? (As opposed to a retail space where location is critical.)
What else will I need to know in a few years when I'm ready to start working on this growth seriously?
I'm a little bored in my day job at the moment and unable to work on my online shop, so I'm tossing around fantasies of how my shop may grow. I currently operate out of my home. I have an extremely limited amount of inventory that I keep at home (well-organized) and otherwise drop-ship stuff to my customers. I'm an online retailer of pet supplies.
At some point, I suspect in two or three years, I'm going to have to expand out of my house, stop doing the drop-shipping and maintain my own inventory. I'm already chafing at being unable to control my unboxing experience, and as mentioned in another thread here, drop-shipping distributors don't provide decent product photography required for online sales. So if I need to buy wholesale just to take pictures, I may as well hold all of my own inventory.
Luckily, there are tons of available warehouse spaces in my local area. I've been browsing listings when bored, for fun. I am thinking I should start small, about 1500 square feet of space. One "amenity" I haven't seen in any of the warehouse real estate listings is how the service with the post office might be set up. Would I have to ask the local post office (assume just for simplicity that I use USPS and not UPS or Fedex for now) to send a truck by my place once or twice a day? Would it need a contract?
If we're talking purely warehouse/distribution operations, is location much of a concern? (As opposed to a retail space where location is critical.)
What else will I need to know in a few years when I'm ready to start working on this growth seriously?
If i were looking for a business to start.
I have seen a number of posts from people who want to start a business but don't have any idea what kind of business to do. It seems to me that the real key to success is to find a niche with demand, high profits and little competition and most of those are things people would never think of. The thing I do is an example of something few do. There are around 7 firms in the USA that do what I do for the main part of my business. Finding those things are the tough part.
Instead people open a coffee shop, a pizza joint or become web designers. I won't knock those fields, if someone has talent and gets established with a great product they can be good businesses.
If I wanted to start a business and didn't mind getting dirty I would get into the business of HydroJetting. I did say that the best businesses were things no one would think of and I will bet most people don't even know what hydro jetting is. Basically it is a premium way of unclogging drain lines and sewers. They use a very powerful high pressure washer coupled to a remote controlled hose that shoots one stream of water forward and several backwards and will break through clogged drains that a snake can't do.
We just had it done to our drains for the second time. There are only two people in our area that do it. One is backed up 3 weeks. The other charges $ 675.00. His cost is going to be about 20 bucks, mostly for gas driving to the job. It takes about 20 minutes. The guy who did ours said he did 65 jobs last week and 24 so far this week. Well for simple math lets say he did 50 jobs at $ 500.00 each, that is $ 25,000.00 and a cost of maybe $ 1,000. I don't think there are too many coffee shops, pizza places or web designers that generate that kind of profit. I know I don't make that.
I just thought I would post this as some kind of business someone could think about that isn't real common or real competitive. Maybe someday it will help someone.
Instead people open a coffee shop, a pizza joint or become web designers. I won't knock those fields, if someone has talent and gets established with a great product they can be good businesses.
If I wanted to start a business and didn't mind getting dirty I would get into the business of HydroJetting. I did say that the best businesses were things no one would think of and I will bet most people don't even know what hydro jetting is. Basically it is a premium way of unclogging drain lines and sewers. They use a very powerful high pressure washer coupled to a remote controlled hose that shoots one stream of water forward and several backwards and will break through clogged drains that a snake can't do.
We just had it done to our drains for the second time. There are only two people in our area that do it. One is backed up 3 weeks. The other charges $ 675.00. His cost is going to be about 20 bucks, mostly for gas driving to the job. It takes about 20 minutes. The guy who did ours said he did 65 jobs last week and 24 so far this week. Well for simple math lets say he did 50 jobs at $ 500.00 each, that is $ 25,000.00 and a cost of maybe $ 1,000. I don't think there are too many coffee shops, pizza places or web designers that generate that kind of profit. I know I don't make that.
I just thought I would post this as some kind of business someone could think about that isn't real common or real competitive. Maybe someday it will help someone.
Trucking Business
I'm trying to create a Business Plan for my trucking company. Any suggestions? All I'm trying to do basically is to buy a truck and get going.
looking for partner for my online business
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My business is for people who looking for travel offers, dining or meeting options around the world. I am still building site, but main site is ready, but in this stage looking for business partner or partners. Business is located in London, but all products are available around the world. If you have any questions let me know. The best option is IT or person from hospitality business. Any person are welcome. visit mybookingbox.co.uk
My business is for people who looking for travel offers, dining or meeting options around the world. I am still building site, but main site is ready, but in this stage looking for business partner or partners. Business is located in London, but all products are available around the world. If you have any questions let me know. The best option is IT or person from hospitality business. Any person are welcome. visit mybookingbox.co.uk
mardi 15 novembre 2016
Accounting Software
I have used Quickbooks for over 20 years. I bought my first version at Sam's Club in the early 90's. It was a DOS version and cost $30 if my memory is accurate. I learned accounting using Quickbooks even though I studied accounting in school. It was excellent software. Each new version was better. Each new version had more features. I bought many upgrades. I still have them. I wrote interface software for Quickbooks using IIF files and something called Intuit API. In my mind Quickbooks and Intuit were the Gold Standard, high quality.
I think the best version was QB 2004. After that Intuit started implementing what I call "customer capture". "Oh, you looked at the new free trial software and loaded you data file? Well that converted you data to the new format which can only be read by the new version. You will have to get the new version."
I sold my business and started a new business where I do the accounting again. I could not use Quickbooks 2004 because I had to get authorization code after 30 uses with a new install. Guess what? The online source for the authorization code is no longer a valid URL and the phone number is no longer a working number. When I bought the software I bought a right to use it forever. Software is no longer sold with those rights that but it was then.
I have used Quickbooks Online for the past 9 months. I am not satisfied with the ease of use, the reports, performance or reliability. I have duplicated all of the nine months' entries into GnuCash, a free, open source accounting program. I like open source and GnuCash is good software. But it is not as good as the old Quickbooks.
I do think the customer should always have ownership and control of the data they enter into software. That is not the way it is in the software industry. I know. My business was a software business.
(I apologize for griping. It is very frustrating to use software that is not as good as it was in the past. Accounting software should be getting better and cheaper but the opposite is happening.)
I do have a question: Does anybody know how I can get "authorization code" for my 2004 Quickbooks so I can use it?
I think the best version was QB 2004. After that Intuit started implementing what I call "customer capture". "Oh, you looked at the new free trial software and loaded you data file? Well that converted you data to the new format which can only be read by the new version. You will have to get the new version."
I sold my business and started a new business where I do the accounting again. I could not use Quickbooks 2004 because I had to get authorization code after 30 uses with a new install. Guess what? The online source for the authorization code is no longer a valid URL and the phone number is no longer a working number. When I bought the software I bought a right to use it forever. Software is no longer sold with those rights that but it was then.
I have used Quickbooks Online for the past 9 months. I am not satisfied with the ease of use, the reports, performance or reliability. I have duplicated all of the nine months' entries into GnuCash, a free, open source accounting program. I like open source and GnuCash is good software. But it is not as good as the old Quickbooks.
I do think the customer should always have ownership and control of the data they enter into software. That is not the way it is in the software industry. I know. My business was a software business.
(I apologize for griping. It is very frustrating to use software that is not as good as it was in the past. Accounting software should be getting better and cheaper but the opposite is happening.)
I do have a question: Does anybody know how I can get "authorization code" for my 2004 Quickbooks so I can use it?
hello friends ! new member
hello friends ... i am from US.came here to share and learn any new things i can get here .
Hello to everyone
Hello! My name is Evgeny. I'm from Russia. I just want to find new partners from all over the world. I cam sell any goods produced in Russia. Just let me knowwhat you need and I'll try to help you. Prices in Russia are much lower than in USA or EU.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Regards, Evgeny
Feel free to ask any questions.
Regards, Evgeny
established online businesses
what are the major risks to buying an established online business nowadays? would there be any major risks in doing so? can someone please tell me. thank you.
lundi 14 novembre 2016
Starting an LLC to plow and eventually landscape
Hello everyone, I am starting a business for the first time. I am starting an LLC and plan on going 50/50 with my partner. We both own trucks with plows on them that are currently privately insured. I've got a few questions:
1. I am plowing in the winter, but I plan on moving on to eventually do landscaping next spring as well. Should I file one LLC, say DWM Landscape, and file two DBA's with my city? Like, DWM Landscape, then DWM Snow Removal, but have them both under the same LLC? Its a tad confusing so I'm not exactly sure if I'm making sense.
2. I am filing for an LLC in Massachusetts. They ask for my EIN number, but I thought you apply for an EIN after you finish filing for the LLC.
3. Specifically for plowing I am transferring my truck to commercial insurance, do I have to lease the truck out to my own business? My partner has a truck too, do we both lease or rent the trucks out to the business? Or can we keep them privately owned and compensate the owner by mileage?
1. I am plowing in the winter, but I plan on moving on to eventually do landscaping next spring as well. Should I file one LLC, say DWM Landscape, and file two DBA's with my city? Like, DWM Landscape, then DWM Snow Removal, but have them both under the same LLC? Its a tad confusing so I'm not exactly sure if I'm making sense.
2. I am filing for an LLC in Massachusetts. They ask for my EIN number, but I thought you apply for an EIN after you finish filing for the LLC.
3. Specifically for plowing I am transferring my truck to commercial insurance, do I have to lease the truck out to my own business? My partner has a truck too, do we both lease or rent the trucks out to the business? Or can we keep them privately owned and compensate the owner by mileage?
Start two business's or one business?
So, I'm starting to plow this year as my own snow-removal company, but I also want to start landscaping in the spring. So, should I start two separate businesses? They would both be an LLC. Can I start one LLC, say DWM landscaping, then file a DBA in my city for both DWM Landscaping and DWM snowplowing? Should I keep one bank account for both businesses?
On a separate note, I need a registered agent. I do business out of my grandmother's house, I live with her, my brother, and mother. Can I make either of them my registered agent? I'm trying to not spend money when I don't need to. Lastly, what should I do first? Apply for a Tax ID number, file an LLC, or file my DBA at my town hall? I am confused because it says I need an EIN to file the paperwork to form an LLC but it also says I'm supposed to apply for the EIN after I form the company.
On a separate note, I need a registered agent. I do business out of my grandmother's house, I live with her, my brother, and mother. Can I make either of them my registered agent? I'm trying to not spend money when I don't need to. Lastly, what should I do first? Apply for a Tax ID number, file an LLC, or file my DBA at my town hall? I am confused because it says I need an EIN to file the paperwork to form an LLC but it also says I'm supposed to apply for the EIN after I form the company.
samedi 12 novembre 2016
EIN IRS Tax ID Number
If you are starting a new business and need assistance obtaining an EIN Number please feel free to contact Document Filing, LLC
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What is the cost of expanding my company from the UK to USA?
I currently own a business based in the UK that operates completely online. My clients are based mainly in the UK and USA. I'd like to expand from the UK and open an office in the USA. What are the costs / requirements for this? How many people will I need to hire?
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