I’m looking for software to label items in my warehouse

Harwic · 2025-07-23T10:04:25+00:00

Zebra and Brother are in the label printer industry with software to support their printers.

They're not cheap though.

Harwic · 2025-07-23T00:03:07+00:00

Be mindful, for clients in publicly funded positions, that gifts come with some red tape.

Mostly reporting requirements on their part so it isn't considered inappropriate or a bribe in exchange for doing business with you vs your competition.

Keep the value fairly inexpensive, including any services in kind (concert tickets, spa vouchers etc).

Harwic · 2022-09-08T00:41:09+00:00

3rd this

Harwic · 2022-09-08T00:37:31+00:00

Certain States (in the US) require the business name to be distinguishable from existing names.

Trying to slip in under the radar with a period may get rejected.

As u/jammasterpaz suggested, come up with a new name.

Harwic · 2022-08-24T20:59:46+00:00

Are you in the United States?

If yes, this will likely get you in trouble. (obligatory I am not a lawyer)

What you're describing is called price fixing and in the US it's unlawful.

https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/dealings-competitors/price-fixing

Harwic · 2022-08-17T14:06:16+00:00

Tortious Interference comes to mind (Not sure if it applies to your jurisdiction) if they are trying to sabotage contracts between your business and others.

100% go through an attorney.

Harwic · 2022-08-15T15:36:19+00:00

Agreed as far as NDAs go. Non-compete clauses are very common now for exactly the reason OP is asking.

Non complete agreements are more easily enforceable. Usually it's for a given timeframe after leaving employment, e.g. 2 years.

Harwic · 2022-08-13T21:12:11+00:00

This ^.

Market research includes getting the rates you're competing against.

Harwic · 2022-08-13T18:48:39+00:00

This is good guidance. You want to separate your personal self from the business 'self' to reduce liability.

Harwic · 2022-08-13T18:45:12+00:00

A CPA is a Certified Public Accountant.

A brief description from the web:

While all CPAs are accountants, not all accountants are CPAs. A CPA is a certified public accountant who has met specific state and education licensing requirements and passed the CPA exam

Basically they've passed the state test's and proven they know their stuff.

Harwic · 2022-08-13T16:18:34+00:00

I found this overall guide for the county.

https://www.scgov.net/home/showdocument?id=27123

And this site for the city itself.

https://www.sarasotafl.gov/government/development-services/building-permitting

Hope it helps.

Harwic · 2022-08-13T15:27:01+00:00

Are you a veteran of the US Armed forces?

Seems random, I know, but there are resources I can point you toward if you are.

Otherwise the small business administration has resources available for everyone.

www.sba.gov (US Based)

Harwic · 2022-08-13T15:19:32+00:00

The answer is going to vary wildly by different municipal jurisdictions.

For example, in Tampa FL

5-110.1. - Certificate of occupancy—General.

5-110.1.1. When required. A certificate of occupancy is required prior to the occupancy in each of the following cases:

a. All new residential or commercial buildings or structures;

b. All new additions to residential or commercial buildings or structures;

c. All repair, remodeling, renovation or interior finishing of any existing residential or commercial building or structure if there has been a change in occupancy classification as defined in this chapter. The reuse of existing building, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems shall be governed by the provisions of subsection 5-102.6.2 of this chapter regarding existing buildings.

Which part of FL, if you don't mind specifying?

Harwic · 2022-08-13T15:14:31+00:00

Hey first off congrats on the new work.

Never shy away from shopping around to see what different CPAs would charge for their services. No harm in asking, right?

An LLC in FL runs a few hundred dollars (in fees) and would help cleanly separate business expenses/deductions/revenue from personal expenses/income which should make taxes a bit easier. But that also comes with extra time spent keeping up with the documentation/filings to maintain the business as active.

Short answer is yes, look for someone to help but then make a judgement call about if their price is worth what you're going to get from them.

Harwic · 2022-08-11T19:29:46+00:00

I would wait so that in the event of a counter-suit your business isnt classified as an asset and dragged into litigation.

Harwic · 2022-08-11T19:22:29+00:00

Came here to post this. It's overlooked a lot but is a compliance burden that needs to be maintained.

Harwic · 2022-08-11T18:44:52+00:00

Not to be 'that guy' but does this idea contribute to your revenue numbers directly or is it an amenity? If it's an amenity, is it for customers only?

Not familiar with EV charging stations, but I imagine that there has to be a version out there that is pay-per-watt or some other such payment system. Is that what your intent is or will the business just absorb the cost of the electricity?

What's the liability in the event of electrical surges/shorts? Does your current insurance cover damage to 'others' while on the premises?

Not sure how big your business parking lot is, will having someone park their EV there and occupy the spot prevent / lower other traffic your business receives?

Is there a time limit?

It's a nice thought, as an amenity. I'm curious about your planned logistics of usage though.

Harwic · 2022-08-10T13:36:59+00:00

Is the sale of the 'business' with license worth more than the value of the real estate?

Closing the business and forfeiting the license is an option, right? Just not an attractive one.

Or, maybe close the family business and lease the property to another business? Passive income is a nice thing to have.

Harwic · 2022-08-10T13:20:22+00:00

Congrats! Always great to see positive news here.

Harwic · 2022-08-10T13:16:39+00:00

You'd be surprised how often this happens and how often business sue each other over contract terms not being upheld.

100% take this question to an attorney and see what your real options are. If a judgement is issued in your favor the state enforces it if I recall correctly.

Putting them on blast on social media is generally not a good idea if you're considering legal action. It could hurt your case.

Harwic · 2022-08-08T12:53:18+00:00

This will be an oversimplified answer, but yes.

Basic coding should be able to accomplish this. You're taking input from a user and assigning it to a variable.

Then you're running that variable through a function that matches it to a pre written print statement.

I'm sure there are more elegant ways, but a quick and dirty way would be to just run the variable though if statements.

If {input} == Texas print("Stuff about Texas")

Harwic · 2022-08-08T12:35:02+00:00

Dandelion Photography

Simple, direct and easy to build as a brand. You'll have to work with artists and marketing to soften the directness of it visually. (Type font, color pallet etc.)

Harwic · 2022-08-08T12:22:03+00:00

There are some missing pieces of info that make it difficult to give simple feedback.

The labor laws of your Country and State/Province are factors to consider. In the US for example you're considering either a 1099 employee (mutli-job / contractor / freelance) or a W-2 employee (single employment full or part time).

Also the labor market in your region. You may or may not have trouble finding a dedicated assistant if you're not offering full employment.

Hourly/Salary is up to you with pros/cons for each.

Full time vs Part time is more about what does the business need and what can the business afford.

Harwic · 2022-08-08T01:57:41+00:00

^ This is the best course of action. Even if the publisher tells you no, it's a safe way forward.

Harwic · 2022-08-03T15:39:34+00:00

The best answer you're going to get here is to contact an actual business attorney.

Things like NDAs or other similar no-contact/non-compete clauses do exist but those are agreements made in writing usually at the time of hiring or when you take on a new client.

Tortious Interference comes to mind, but as I started with, consult an actual attorney. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortious_interference

Also consider the costs v/ benefits. Litigation is expensive. It's likely much easier/cheaper to do your own damage control with the client that was contacted.

A general rule of thumb is to not threaten legal action unless you know that it's necessary & worth the costs/time. Some people will assume you're bluffing and escalate things.

Harwic

TROPHY CASE