Need Legal advice. Problems with client and a deposit issue.

I have a pretty simple problem, but it's stressing me out.



A client, an attorney, just ended our business relationship and is now asking for his deposit back.

The deposit was paid 3 weeks ago.



My terms of service clearly state "The deposit for custom design or special coding projects cannot be refunded." and those terms are linked to on all of my invoices.



I'm pretty positive that he's going to try and sue me for it, but pretty confident that I can prove in court that his project is a "custom design or special coding project".



My question is, do I have anything to worry about?

Are Terms of Service on a website binding in court?

Wasn't it his responsibility to read them before paying me?

via Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/legal-hr/10516-need-legal-advice-problems-client-deposit-issue.html

In Need of Some Honest Opinions!!

Since starting college, something always struck me about entrepreneurship. Yet, I never really thought of myself as a entrepreneur. Weird, I know. I just never felt passionate enough about an idea to the risks associated with starting a business. Well that's true until I thought of this....



A large majority of students study abroad sometime throughout their time in college. The main piece of advice they'll hear before starting their experience aboard is to pack light. That means not bringing things along that can be bought abroad, like towels or sheets. I mean you aren't forced to follow that advice, but you're also limited to typically one suitcase when you're flying. A service that delivers customizable international care packages (that could be rented ideally) filled with things like towels, sheets, electrical outlets, bins, hair dryers, etc. (basically things you don't necessarily have space in your luggage for) to your international place of residence could solve that issue. With this service, I expect more students to worry less about preparation and more about their amazing experience up ahead.



I'm posting this to hear your opinion before I expose this idea to the masses. Do you think this idea is valuable? (I value honesty)



P.S. My name is Tamika!

via Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/business-plans-ideas/10514-need-some-honest-opinions.html

Internet Marketer wanting to get my own business

Hi everyone,



My name is Cameron Thomas. I've been a PPC specialist for over a year(since 2012), but I also understand SEO. I have a hard time getting work(just doing people's websites) even when its free. I think that my problem is that I might not know exactly what people want. Some people may be afraid to get a website or do PPC. I really want to build a good portfolio on LinkedIn that is full of my accomplishments. I have decided that I need to know what people want. If you've got a small business, or are starting one, what you want a person that could develop websites, do SEO and PPC to do for you? I'm doing free work for now, and if your business interests me, then I may work on it. Do people know what they want?

via Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/starting-your-business/10511-internet-marketer-wanting-get-my-own-business.html

Staring an online E-Commerce website, maybe two

Hi All



Hoping maybe someone here may have some advice, input or knowledge. I live in California and am starting an online website for giftware in the next month or two. I was going to do a sole proprietorship but it was suggested I do an LLC. However from what I'm reading, in CA, even if you file for LLC< you can still be considered a sole proprietorship technically. But for taxes purposes an LLC will owe a minimum tax of $800 and an LLC fee of $900



Instead what I'm considering doing is the sole proprietorship with the primary business name. Ex. Lexie Smith's Gifts and More. Then for each of the websites, doing a DBA for them. Ex. 1st website DBA Lexie's Gifts and More & 2nd website DBA European Delights



does anyone know if this will work okay, and if so, I know I have to do the DBAs but do I need to do a separate business license for each or since I'm doing them as DBAs under the primary name will one license work okay



I"m trying to get this info up front, so I dont say have to change it down the road if I were to add a 2nd website or more. there are no employees or anything, its just me working from home. I do know I need a home based business license in addition. the 1st website is going to be primarily if not all drop ship and the 2nd website will most likely be mail from home items (after buying wholesale)



Any information, input or suggestions is greatly appreciated





Thanks,

via Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/starting-your-business/10510-staring-online-e-commerce-website-maybe-two.html

facebook advice

after seeing a friends business listing on facebook ive decided to do more w/ mine



he has contests and gives stuff away...posts his recent jobs, etc



funny stuff seems to do well







how do you find more people you know for your facebook? (you have to pay don't you?) to get a linked in type way to try to get people to join your facebook page



I know a few people closely, but I know 100's in a mid level/business level...if I could send them some kind of invite like on linked in im sure I could have 100s of people instantly...right now I think I only have a few of my wives friends(she's doing my facebook for me)



im planning on doing some funny stuff and having a contest of my own...anything to get people to show their friends and grow my facebook network



im not into facebook at all.....but my wife pays with it all the time and gets updates from people she barely knows or hasn't seen in 30 years



can facebook be used to spread my business around? or am I just wasting my time and writing things for people who already know im a plumber?

via Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/internet-marketing/10509-facebook-advice.html

Linked in

does anyone use Linked in to generate work?



I decided to play with it some more today......made a post.....got instant responses from people I know in the industry



for me as a subcontractor I figure it might help prime contractors see/remember me when they need me



I figure I should post something weekly to keep my name out there at the local builder association

via Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/internet-marketing/10508-linked.html

Partnership as a Sleeping Investor

dear fellows,



one of my cousin is having a running retail shop of electronics equipment business from last 25 years.

he is having very good profit in it and very happy...

now he needs to spread his business more..

and for that im interested in investing in his business as sleeping investor..



i will do nothing.. dont go to business shop.. or anything..

i only get share of a profit at the end of an year on the amount i ve invested in his business..

amount is very big. ..



so what should be the rules and points we should have to decide..



should i ask him to show me calculation of profit every year..

??

should i ask him the overall profit of his business..

??

wat else should i want..



io dont know anything abt business and finance..



please help me

via Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/managing-your-business/10507-partnership-sleeping-investor.html