Starting Your Own Business

Question: Working for others rather than starting your own business? What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of working for others rather than starting your own business?

Answer: The advantages for working for others? I don't see any, honestly I hate the idea of having to work for someone else while there getting rich. I suppose that's life though. I see tons more disadvantages than advantages. Work your own hours, decide how far to take it, have time to do other things instead of freaking out how much to save and use.

Question: Is starting your own business online a fake? I've been getting online offers about starting your own business and making money; I think they're fake. Anyone with this kind of experience can tell me different? What about the ones that say you can work at home, and make money?

Answer: Check through the Better Business Bureau 1st, to see if the really do exist and chk for complaints

Question: What questions should you ask yourself if you are thinking about starting your own business? How would you ans 2. What is a business plan? Why do you need one to start your own business? 3. Why is it important to know accounting when starting your own business?

Answer: There are pleanty of resources online and offline to help you start your own business and write a business plan. Online: SBA Articles About Business Planning http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html Free Online Business Plan Program and Start-Up Articles http://www.diybizplan.com They also have an overview of the process of starting a busienss and articles on the registration process with links to additional resources here: Starting a Business Overview http://www.diybizplan.com/default.php?act=11&catid=74&id=83 Business Registration Overview http://www.diybizplan.com/default.php?act=11&catid=74&id=68 Business Legal Structure - Single Owner http://www.diybizplan.com/default.php?act=11&catid=74&id=69 Financing Your Buisness http://www.diybizplan.com/default.php?act=3&catid=75 More articles on Starting a Business http://www.startupbiz.com Offine: Check with your local SCORE Office - voluneteers who mentor entrepreneurs http://www.score.org SBDC Office - Help with Business Planning, Financial Projections and Identifying Loan / Financing Resources http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html I hope this helps dwadholm

Question: What are some good books to read about starting your own business? I dont really know much about business nor? What are some good books to read about starting your own business? I dont really know much about business nor do i know which business I would like 2 go into. I was thinking maybe wholesale distribution, I just dont know what would make money now a days

Answer: http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1599180812/185-7744960-8644240?SubscriptionId=1A71MDJ9Q1DD0GXZZXR2

Question: Is moving up on the corporate ladder a bigger accomplisment than starting your own business? After I graduated as an accountant, I started working for a big company, but was making very little money, and I never got promoted. I began doing freelance accounting work and realized I didn't need that low paying job. I'm 26 now, and I got my own accouting office, and I'm an employer of 3 people. I'm making more money than most people I went to college with. But somehow, some people make comments about me starting my own business being a pathetic because I couldn't do any better. Some people say setting up my own office at some place I rent is not as big accomplishment as being given an office by some company. I'm making more money than most people working for companies. I don't have boss to put up with, I don't follow anyone's orders unlike most of my old classmates. My business is growing, but some people tells me I don't have a career for not working in a company. Some people have called me unemployed. Why is having your own business viewed so negatively?

Answer: Most people will sell their body mind spirit and time for a job and supposed "security" that comes with it. ur lucky to start a biz b4 being forced to do so like so many will be as years go by. most people 'wish' to be self sufficient but can't handle the highs/lows of being owner. you have the ability to increase ur earnings , lower ur taxes, secure ur future , retire with dignity . they will not.

Question: What is the hardest part about starting your own business? I'm considering breaking out on my own and starting a business in the coming months. As I prepare for the start-up phase and beyond, what are the things that could give me the most trouble? What are some things that would be good to know? Any feedback from folks that have been in my position first hand would be particularly helpful.

Answer: There are three reasons most new businesses fail. 1) Lack of funding. You can never have too much initial funding. 2) Lack of planning. The first step should be to write a detailed business plan. 3) Lack of discipline. You've got to stick to your guns and get this thing rolling, else you'll never get it going at all.

Question: Has anyone ever attended a convention for starting your own business that was given by 'shopsonline'? I got two free tickets for a 90 min. training class on marketing, ect. when starting your own business. Just wondering if its a scam or waste of time.

Answer: If you mean a "free seminar", I'd say skip it. Been to some of those seminars before. Very little actual useful information, maybe 15-30 minutes worth. The rest are all examples, on how successful you want to be, how Internet in the next frontier, and how easy it is to open up a shop online. What they do NOT tell you is how to find customers online, why would people visit YOUR online store vs. someone else's, and where are you going to get stuff to sell without going broke. They will probably run a special at the end... if you enroll now, you are going to get this bonus, worth $$$$$, but only if you sign up NOW! Then you'll see a handful of people jumping out of their seats and rush the signup desk. Those are probably shills. They've been pre-arranged to sign up for anything, in order to spur on those who're on the fence and undecided. --- Kasey C, PC guru since Apple II days Consciousness: that annoying time between naps.

Question: Franchise VS starting your own business? I'm planning to start a small business, like a kiosk or a food cart. But I was wondering if I should just franchise or start my own. Is starting your own small business more work and more expensive?

Answer: There are benefits and drawbacks of each option. If you choose to start the business on your own then you have complete control over your business and any profits you make are yours to keep. Starting your own business from scratch however can be difficult and many new businesses fail within the first 3 years. The benefits of franchising are that you gain access to an established brand with a known customer base. You are also usually given training and support to help you with your business. Franchising is generally a much more secure way to start a new business. The disadvantage of franchising is that you have to share your profits and you do not have complete control of your business.

Question: How do you go about starting your own business when you don't have the finances?.? I don't have that rich uncle or any money just floating around but I really want to start my own business. I know with both my experience and my hubby's experience in this field we would persue it would be a total success. How do I start? You do I talk to? Can you get a loan to start up a business and still make your current obligations(mortgages,car payment etc.)? Thanks in Advance!

Answer: This may sound lame but go to the local Small Business Administration (SBA). If you can put together a convincing business plan, with researched industry information to back it up, they are in the business of getting you money. There are consultants who specialize in putting together SBA applications. They may charge a little but they are worth a lot. It's worth the effort to find out. Good luck!

Question: What is the steps of starting your own cleaning business? Need to know the correct procedure of how to develop your own business. What forms do I need to fill out? Which insurance do I need to be bonded? How much insurance should I take out when getting insurance and bonded for your business?

Answer: Hi! I clean small offices and love it. You're smart to plan before you go out and get customers. You don't say whether it's residential of commercial cleaning your starting, but it doesn't matter too much. Because some cities require a permit (most don't) check with your city or county clerk's office to see. It won't be very expensive and usually lasts a couple of years. You should get liability insurance. I recommend starting with the lowest amount available and increasing as you grow. The price varies a lot so call every insurance agency and get a quote. Plus these places might become a good referral source. You need contracts, bid forms, estimate charts and more. That's why I made a Squidoo lens and blog that will give you information, resources and lots of tips! The links are in My Profile!

Question: What are some good resources for starting your own business? I am thinking of starting a LLC in Ohio. I have already been to the Secertary of State, SBA and State and Federal Taxation Web pages. Can you suggest any other resources? Is there any good books on starting your own compainy that you can recommend?

Answer: Be sure to check out Ohio specific information: Starting a business in Ohio http://business.ohio.gov/business_cycle/starting_business.shtml OH Dept of Development 1st Stop Business Connection http://www.odod.state.oh.us/onestop/index.cfm SBA Ohio http://www.sba.gov/oh/ Ohio SBDC http://www.odod.state.oh.us/edd/osb/sbdc/ It may help you if you could talk with a small business expert or free mentors to give you ideas on how to make your dream of starting a business come true. Here are some places where you can find a mentor: - Government Mentoring Programs such as SBDCs, which works with community colleges and local business development councils to offer mentoring programs http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html ; or the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness/wnet_roundtables.html - Volunteer programs such as SCORE http://www.score.org which is composed of mostly retired executives and entrepreneurs - Formal mentoring programs such as Athena Foundation http://www.athenafoundation.org/programs/globallinks.html , Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program http://www.helzbergmentoring.org/HEMP/ , or The Aspen Institute MicroMentor Program http://www.micromentor.org - Professional organizations such as the National Women’s Business Council http://www.nwbc.gov/Mentoring/programs.html You may also want to check the following books: - What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business: Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574101129/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid - If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574100939/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid - Start Your Own Business : The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891984217/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid -Steps to Small Business Start-Up : Everything You Need to Know to Turn Your Idea into a Successful Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574101323/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid

Question: can anyone reccommend a good guide for confidence in starting your own business? ? i need to change my mind set - to get away from the idea that to get money, i must be 'employed' and work for someone else. I guess its something to do with confidence. what can i read to help develop confidence in own self for starting a business?

Answer: Space Coast Virtual Services is right - Autobiographies are the key. Most inspirational, Richard Branson's, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis also James Kaan's is good I hear although haven't read it yet. Surprisingly, Gordon Ramsey's is very inspirational in a business sense as well - amazingly hardworking guy. I'm starting out now myself and have found all these books leaving you with can-do attitude yet its also a very humbling experience.

Question: What is a good book to learn some of the details that go into starting your own business? I am trying to educate myself about money and starting my own business, legal matters, how to get there etc. but don't know where to start. I need to read high yield books

Answer: My favorites are: - What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business: Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574101129/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid - If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574100939/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid - Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting Your Own Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471134155/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid - Starting on a Shoestring : Building a Business Without a Bankroll http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0028638883/ref=nosim/powerhomebizguid

Question: what are the steps to starting your own business? I am very interested in starting my own business, I have read a few books about it but would LOVE to hear from someone with first hand experience!

Answer: Select a business in which you have knowledge and the required skills. Prepare a project report to study and analyze the pros and cons and decide the level of activity. Estimate the capital required including the working capital for the decided level of activity. Find out the place where you can carry on the business. Start for registration and and other legal formalities required. Arrange the capital needed. Procure the fixed assets needed. Now you are ready to carry on business. A. Rajagopalan

Question: What are the first 3 steps to starting your own business? I've been work a dead end job for 12 yrs now, im 32 with 10k dollars and i want to start my own business, but have no clue on how to go about taking my first 3 steps towards this goal. Any business owners out there have any advice for me please.

Answer: Here's a good link for starting a business...

Question: What is the best way to acheive gov. grants for starting your own business? I am pregnant, single, and an artist. I would love to start my own business in photography/Graphic Design but i am clueless on how to begin. Anyone have any tips, websites, advice?

Answer: As your just starting out, one way to help spread your work and get it out there would be self promotion. Say with graphics design, contact some sites and ask if they would be interested in you doing some kind of graphic work for their site in return for them giving you credit for it. Now if you try with big companies, they will likely not need it. However smaller sites that are popular to somewhat-popular they may come closer to accepting. The more sites you get your work on, the more chance you have of getting noticed. Blogs are another outlet to try this type of self promotion with, many bloggers (myself included) would love to have flashy graphics, we just lack that in-depth graphic design skill. Once you get known for your work, people will start contacting you to get graphic work done. Same for the photography, just different outlet sources, could try stores that sell art work or places that sell photography.