Tell me what state you are in. What your business is. Has it been tough to start? Do you have any advice for people starting thier own? Give us your link!
127750
Had a sandwich shop right out of college. It was in California. It was not hard to start because we figure out how much money we needed by thinking of all the equipment we would need and then we doubled it. Money is the life blood of any business. Without it, the best chef in the world can not market to the world and let people know about this daily specials. He can't pay employee, order supplies, etcetera. Plan out as much of your business as you can before even starting. Any college bookstore will have a cheap "how to start your own business" book for $20. Buy it and go through some of the exercises. Or, go to a library. Do your homework. Remember, poeple don't plan to fail, the fail to plan.\n\nHope this helps.
124321
Well, to be quite honest, I've never known anyone who has made a living with an internet business. That is not to say that it can't be done. However, I have my own business, which is doing quite well. I put a bit of money into it to get started, and I am doing great. I am a DJ/KJ..(KJ-karaoke) and it took a few years to get it off the ground. Now it's to the point that I'm double booked, and (thank God for me having 2 systems) I can pretty much keep up on shows. It just takes a lot of time and effort to get your own business going. Good luck!
191197
Why don't you start it. It obviously will be a great business opportunity for your area. research franchises and see how to get started
571046
hello my name is missy i'm in the mailing buisness as well do you have any idea of setting up own web site please let me know of any ideas you may have what kind of information do you have?please feel free to let me know any time day or night.
285138
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nSome book titles:\n\n* The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California by Peri H. Pakroo \n* How To Form Your Own California Corporation by Anthony Mancuso \n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
172230
I would definitely encourage you, because I've often needed to contract out some of those services for my business.  The problem works both ways, though, because it is just as difficult for the businesses buying those services to find YOU.  The other thing that would put me off is that usually such services are critically important to our success, and I'm very cautious about who I would farm it out to.  I think the key will be making the personal contact with other small business people...we're the ones who will most need the services.  Try joining your local chamber of commerce and networking there, or see if there are other networking groups in your area.  I think the personal contact is important, because I'd be more likely to call someone when I know them and they look dependable.  But you might also try putting out flyers at Staples or Office Depot parking lots. All us small business types go there from time to time.  Best of luck to you.
103212
The Small Business Administration has a web page full of information and tips for starting your own small business.  Check it out here http://sba.gov/starting_business/index.html
139162
I have my own business.  I have started many business' before from a young age.  I started my current business as a finance coach about 2 years ago.  I do have schooling and background in what I do.  But, don't let that stop you if you don't.  \n\nFigure out what you want to do and if it excites you.  Then work toward what you need to make happen to have your business become a reality and go for it.  Don't listen to naysayers also known as dream stealer's.  Stay focused on your goals as long as they make you happy!  \n\nIf you have specific questions on doing this, email me.\n\nBest of luck.
133816
Do you have a business plan? I am not looking now, so don't ask, but I have taken profit sharing plans in the past. One thing I always required was a detailed business plan. After all, if I'm doing the work, I want to know that I will eventually get something out of it.
575986
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Entrepreneurial Finance: For New and Emerging Businesses by James McNeill Stancill\n* The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams! by Stephanie Chandler\n* How to Really Start Your Own Business, Fourth Edition by David E. Gumpert\n* How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide by David E. Gumpert\n* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman \n* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss \n* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
174989
I have been selling home decor items online for about 6 months, with a friend's help (she does most of the work, I do the books & finances).  We have experienced several frustrating situations: many damage claims with UPS and FedEx, even though we have researched best way to pack our product; ebay has been making many changes to their site, which always affects the listed items in some way; and also the fees incurred to list items and to have a store is really ridiculously high. There is a fee for everything!\nOverall, we have enjoyed it-the shopping for inventory is the best! After 6 months, we are finally beginning to show a profit. We hope to expand to other auction sites soon.  Next will come a "brick & mortar store." My friend  just dreams of having a "real" store!
612656
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* How to Really Start Your Own Business, Fourth Edition by David E. Gumpert\n* How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide by David E. Gumpert\n* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman \n* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss \n* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky\n* Small Business Start-up Kit for California by Peri Pakroo, Barbara Kate Repa\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
651618
I made my first this way. After high school I started a window cleaning business, I did that for 6 Month's or so..then I started a commercial cleaning business with the money I made there..I did that for about 3 years and worked my butt off and sold it for 90k in 1985.\nI then got offered a job in advertising..I did that for 2 years..learned everything I could and started my own agency..I had about 18 people working for me..then like before I sold it BIG$$$. I now manage money..MINE in the market. I wake up everyday..sit in front of the computer (10:30 am)..then I go out and sit at my pool. I own 3 apartment buildings, 6 houses I rent out..but the vast majority is in investments. Keeping liquid is important! Work your tail off and work smart!\n\nGood Luck!
249947
You may wish to contact the SBA ( http://www.sba.gov/ ) or SCORE ( http://www.score.org/ ) for help in starting a business.  They are excellent resources for a small business just starting out (and free, too!).  You should also look into either setting up a corporation of LLC to protect yourself legally.  Contact your state for the guideline involved in that.
461615
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI posted links for you in the source box pertaining to starting a business in Texas.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. \n\n* How to Start a Business in Texas: With Forms by William R. Brown and Mark Warda\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
143725
I MEAN I WANT TO OPEN A BUSINESS SOON AND I ALREADY HAD THE BUSINESS PLAN TOGETHER, I ALSO HAD THE APPLICATIONS AND MENU. I HAVE EVERYTHING BUT THE BUSINESS. I WAS LOOKING FOR A BUSINESS PARTNER BUT I STOPPED SO IF U ARE INTERESTED. LET ME KNOW...................
549886
Most of my experience has been in the States, however, I have consulted with people from around the world.  Here is my basic advise that should be helpful to you:\n\nAnytime you want to start any kind of business, there are several basics that you will need:\n\n* You should first sit down and think about what it is you want to do and then write out the scenario in detail!  This may sound tedious, but it will help you clarify what it is you are thinking about.  Also, when you talk to anyone about the business (mentor, bank, clients, prospective investor), you will have a clear vision to share with him or her.  You can check any number of books at your local library or the Internet for ideas on creating a business plan or goals list.\n\n* Is there anyone out there doing something like what you want to do already?  Can you research what it is that they do and maybe even talk with them about what they do?\n\n* Are there businesses out there that are doing some aspect that you want to do?  In this case, you want to create an online drop shipment business.  What websites have you seen that you like (can you talk with them)?  How does the local McDonalds or other retail outlet do business that might help you in yours (i.e. how is McDonalds able to provide a product to a customer on demand at almost anytime of day – and do it with a much of high school kids)?\n\n* Never listen to anyone who says that you CANNOT do something UNLESS they have been there and tried that!!!!!  Anyone can tell you the good things that you can try or do, however, only someone who has actually tried the specific thing your are thinking can truly give you advise on the pitfalls that could await the unsuspecting.\n\n* If you want to look for a mentor (free or paid – although mentors usually offer their time at no cost), the question that you should be ready to address is WIIFM (What In It For Me {the mentor})!  What are you willing to do for your mentor to help them with something that they may need (for me it’s simple – I am looking for 10 points :-)\n\n\nContacts:\n\n* Contact your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce – they have business people who will help start up operations.\n\n* Contact your local high school, community college or university and find out whom the teachers are for courses related to your business (like business or computer/internet classes).  Contact these teachers to get some ideas or even to see if they will take you company startup on as a class project or special project for some of the student to work on (might give the students extra credit and you a free startup).  In the worst case, you might get the names of some good students whom you might hire to do certain aspects of what you need at a very low cost.\n\n* Contact you local, county or state governments (check their websites) – many areas have small business administrations (or some other agency that can help with various things) that have any number of references and resources available at little or no cost.\n\n* Go to your local library in the Reference Section and find the Encyclopedia of Associations.  It is a three-book set published by Gale Research.  The first book lists thousands of tiles of professional organizations and groups.  It will give a code number to use in the other two books to find out more about that organization.  Contact the organizations who have something to do with your idea and find out if they have a services to give you advise or local groups that you can network with.  In many cases, just asking for membership and publications information may give you a lot of useful stuff.\n\n\nOther outstanding sources that I have used in running my four businesses:\n\n* Nightingale-Conant – the largest producer of audio/video training programs in the world.  Many of their programs can be borrowed for free from local libraries.  http://www.nightingale.com\n\n* Entrepreneur Magazine (http://www.entrepreneurmag.com) – many great tip