how do i open my own smoke shop?
156143
I realize this may seem non-responsive, but I would not recommend it.  The trend is away from smoking, due to well-established health risks.  I realize there are still customers out there, but the already established smoke shops are struggling to keep them, and a new shop would not do well.  And your customer base would (I hope!) continue to shrink, as people wise up to the fact that smoking is simply not good for them.\n\nInvest your money elsewhere.
759133
It is completely legal to grow your own tobacco. Even if you are under 18, you just can't smoke it. You need a license to sell it.
742128
I suggest you first learn more about the coffee shop business and understand its ins and outs. Business license is just an easy step to do, but you have to have all the ingredients to make a coffee shop successful. Here is my previous answer on the topic with great resources on how to start a coffee shop business  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqV71M7aKJvwxAv.5icv9AsjzKIX?qid=20060906072246AA9oNSl\n\nThe California Business Permitting Database will have all the information you need on the business licenses, requirements and permits a coffee shop business will need http://www.calgold.ca.gov/  - just indicate your business and your county/city and it will show you what and how to get the requirements\n\nFor example, if you live in Pasadena, California, below are some of the requirements in opening a coffee shop http://www.calgold.ca.gov :\n\n- Building and Construction Permit: Required for all new and remodeling construction, including change of occupancy\n- Burglar Alarm Permit: A permit must be obtained from this department for any businesses requiring a burglar alarm or security system. \n- Business License (Business Tax Certificate): Required for all entities doing business within city limits.\n- Fire Department Inspection/Permit: All businesses may be subject to a yearly inspection of facility; and a Business Plan/Contingency Plan if hazardous materials/wastes are on site.\n- Public Health License: Contact the department for a license if your business is in any way concerned with food/restaurant, wholesale or retail market, vending machines, catering trucks, etc.\n- Business Personal Property: Property used in the operation of a business such as machinery, equipment, trade fixtures, etc. is taxable and subject to assessment. \n- Fictitious Name Filing (DBA): Required if fictitious name is used.\n- Public Health Operating License: Required of restaurants and businesses manufacturing food, ice or soft drinks\n- Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate: Stationary sources of air emissions from specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents and some consumer products, must be permitted.\n- Alcoholic Beverage License: Any person or entity seeking to sell alcoholic beverages must be licensed. \n- Corporation, Company or Partnership Filings: If you are considering becoming a corporation, (either stock or nonprofit), a limited liability company or a partnership (limited, or limited liability), you must file with the Secretary of State's Office.\n- Sales & Use Permit (Seller's Permit): All businesses selling or leasing tangible property must obtain a Seller's Permit. \n\nI suggest you check out these resources on How to Start a Business in California\n\nCalifornia Business Portal http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/resources.htm \nCalifornia Business Search http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/list.html  \nCalifornia Dept of Consumer Affairs Licensing Information http://www.dca.ca.gov/aboutdca/licnhelp.htm  \n\nHere are the places where you will find information on tax requirements:\n\nSellers Permit – CA Board of Equalization http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/reg.htm \nCalifornia Tax Service Center http://www.taxes.ca.gov/ \nFranchise Tax Board http://www.ftb.ca.gov/  \n\nIf you want business advice and free mentorship/assistance I suggest you check out the following resources:\n\nSBA California http://www.sba.gov/ca/  \nCalifornia Chambers of Commerce http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/ibrp/chamber_alpha.htm \nSCORE Bakersfield - Golden Empire http://www.scorebakersfield.org \nSCORE Glendale - Los Angeles http://www.scorela.org/ \nSCORE Merced - Yosemite http://www.score556.org \nSCORE Monterey - Monterey Bay http://www.bayscore.org/ \nSCORE Oakland - East Bay http://www.eastbayscore.org/ \nSCORE Oxnard - Ventura http://www.scoreventura.org \nSCORE Palmdale - Antelope Valley http://www.score.av.org \nSCORE Rancho Cordova - Sacramento http://www.sacscore.org \nSCORE San Diego - San Diego http://www.score-sandi
916748
I work at setting up small businesses, and I need to let you know that what your listed (inventory, wholesales, etc) are not the things you need to do first. \n\nFirst, you need to come up with a business name and open up a business entity. This will tell the government that you're opening a business, make you legal, guarantee that no one else can have your name, and give you an EIN/tax number. \n\nOnce you've done that, go open a bank account under the name of your business. Once of the biggest mistakes small business owners do is to use their personal money to start the business. Open the bank account, get a business credit card, and a business loan. (You will probably need a business plan to qualify for the loan.) \n\nOnce that is all done, find out the specifics of where you'll get your supplies from.
870228
Private clubs ARE exempt from this law; unfortunately, they have to operate as non-profits which you will NOT be able to do with your bar. There are very few loopholes if you read the full text (available at http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/oh/state/issue/5/). \n\nYour best bet is going to be to open up (or add on, if you have to) an outdoor patio that meets the requirements of this stupid law, and get a nice outdoor heater or two for winter. Maybe put up a roof with a tv or speakers (depending on your gimmick - tv if you broadcast sports games, speakers if you've got live music, you can pump it outside.) It will cost a little money initially but I bet you'll bring in more business if you have a somewhat comfortable and entertaining place for the smokers year-round.\n\nTo the last person: this new law goes beyond smoking. It's telling business owners how to run their personal businesses. It is NOT illegal to smoke. If most people don't want to be in a smoky bar, let them vote with their feet and not go there. I live in Ohio and there are bars near me that are non-smoking by the owner's choice. Some restaurants are completely non-smoking - owner's choice. If you don't like seeing people drinking, respond by not hanging out in bars - NOT by banning alcohol.\n\n(Voted against issue 5, needless to say!!)
1037820
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\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \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* Ultimate Guide to Specialty Retail: How to Start a Cart, Kiosk or Store -- by Patricia Norins\n* Start and Run a Coffee Bar by Tom Matzen, Marybeth Harrison\n* Coffee Basics: A Quick and Easy Guide by Kevin Knox \n* How to Open a Financially Successful Coffee, Espresso & Tea Shop by Elizabeth Godsmark \n* ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business by Joe Monaghan\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!
1101140
Where are you, what are you stuck on?\nHave you found a location, a space?\nHave you priced equipment, like the chairs people sit in to get their hair done and mirrors and shelves for the beauty store?\nI would start with finding a suitable space and renting or buying it. \nThen fill it up with the stuff you need (might have to remodel the space first) then hire the staff and open.
604052
start your own, search for in your town.
857805
first get a job doing it and learn the trade then consider opening the business
456396
Ask a hotdog vendor, maybe they'll tell you.\nI think you can do big business if you get a permit in a prime location, like downtown in the business/entertainment areas.
443803
Why wo you want to start your own?
305475
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.
492572
What are you good at doing?\n\nFind something locally that everyone complains about and find a solution to their problem.\n\nSee if there are community education courses offered locally that deal with starting a business.\n\nBest of luck.
139037
That depends on where that business is established. (For example you can make a Business consultation firm in a big city but it will be stupid to do that in a small town with very little or no companies at all).\n\nMoreover, are you referring only to products or services are welcome as well. You can import products or offer services that you are familiar with or passionated about (for example if your hobby is bowling you can open a bowling center in your area, or if you are a haircutter you can start importing a professional hairstyling brand).\n\nThere is no magic solution for anyone to start his/her own business… Each answer just like every business is different according to the needs and wants of one.\n\nYou need to find out what is missing in your region or area and provide it. Try to sell something unique or differentiated if you want to succeed.
366242
u need to buy a baby's dummy and every ti,e u want to smoke u just take your dummy~!!! ^_^ good luck
816535
It's really not as difficult as it seems just some effort that will seem like nothing compared to actually running your own business.\n\n1. You will need to register your business "DBA" at the County Clerk\n2. The city your business will be located in will need you to register for tax purposes this is the BUSINESS LICENSE\n(many small businesses have the city taxes waived for the first 3 years to help with development)\n3. Get a business Bank account.\n4. get your resale license (http://www.boe.ca.gov/)\n\nThere are some serious things you need to consider and doing some research will help you organize your business and have less headache. Make sure once you've done some research on what type of business you'll be starting (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, corporation etc) you follow the correct order of steps to acquire your status as business. It will keep you from running around in circles and it will save you from potential penalties and or delays.\n\nWhen I started my first business I used went to Boarders and picked up a book by nolo press "how to open up a California business in 24 hrs" http://nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/9FA25870-14F1-4657-9778F19FB41FB93D/111/228/\nThere are many books that are specific to steps required to open it in CA just do some research it will make this seem less daunting.\nGood Luck
962292
Here are the steps for success in opening a shop.\n\n1. have a business plan.\n\n2. make sure you have three months rent and utilties in the bank\n\n3. build a clientel through service, and the sales will come!\n\n4. If it is not reparable, just tell them, don't bury yourself in the job.\n\n5. All the salesmen who will call offering you "Special Volume Discounts" on from their distributor will be profiting from you.\nDon't over stock.  learn from the big guys, order for the build, ship overnight at the customer's expense... Who can't really wait 3 days?  If servicing businesses, you should stock some common parts to get them serviced on the priority basis.\n\n6. The showroom shelves are stocked with empty boxes, with a brick inside, or a piece of 2x4 wood... \n\nNo shoplifting problems, when there is nothing in the box!  \n\nEverything else is under lock and key.  \nSet up live and active video cameras.\n\nProsecute all shoplifters, post neat little signs that you do so.\nMake sure there are NO blind spots where stuff can be stolen and the perp is not on a large parabolic mirror, or on camera.\n\nOpen at 10, close at 7, have your phone forwarded to a cellphone.\n\nSet a labor rate, like $75 per hour, and Road calls/service calls at $85... \n\n Here is my inventory:  \n3 hard drives, 80Gb IDE\n1 hard drive, 160Gb IDE\nto fix the older stuff...\n\n2 SATA hard drives of 80 to 250Gb.\n2 DVD writers, such as Pioneer 111D dual layers.\n\nA small assortment of upgrade memory, like some 256Mb, 512Mb, and 1 Gb sticks.  \n\nSome external drive enclosures, an assortment of popular cables, ethernet, SATA, USB, and converters...  Don't go overboard on the number, as 1 or 2 of each is fine...\n\nStock some mice, and keyboards.  \n\nIf you know of a 'two for one' deal at a weekend sale, sometimes, it can undercut the wholesale price you would pay...\n\nMany of the manufacturers sell wholesale over the Internet, through distributors. You should do the searching.  Check out the prices at http://pricewatch.com and you should stock for the persons who need instant gratification, at prices that bring a profit to the store.  Incorporate, and, have liability insurance. \n\nAnyway, good luck in the store!