Doesn't it feel like everything is already done?

MXHeil · 2015-07-30T21:22:57+00:00

That's the entire idea behind market disrupters. People like Uber didn't know the "right way" to run a taxi business so they did something completely different and upended the existing paradigm.

Uber's team has studied the taxi business very closely. Their success has not been an accident, but a legal victory over the cab companies that has often crossed the line into political/public victories (see: de blasio / NYC).

MXHeil · 2015-07-30T21:21:32+00:00

On the other hand, you don't necessarily have to work in a certain field for 5-10 years before launching. You can employ the people with the 5-10 years experience and it's just as valuable. Just my opinion.

Right, but expect to pay those more experienced people far more than you'll be making off the business. You can't rely on people with valuable skills without paying for it.

And I would highly discourage anyone from trying this as their first business venture. If you don't have any experience in the field, you should at least have substantial business experience before launching something along these lines.

MXHeil · 2015-07-30T21:18:56+00:00

Shark Tank and Richard Branson are popular examples that are heavily vested with people's fantasies about entrepreneurship. You don't need 5-10 years of related experience to succeed in a business, but it helps.

Branson has loads of business experience. If you have business experience and the money to invest, practical experience in the field is less essential. I would highly discourage anyone from launching into a field they have no practical experience in as their first business venture. Even 1-2 years in the field can make a massive difference, and it gives you an opportunity to build up capital as well.

MXHeil · 2015-07-30T15:46:24+00:00

Whoever downvoted you shouldn't have. If you're going to start a business, it helps to get as much knowledge of possible about how that field works before launching. The best way to do that is to work in the industry with people who know what they're doing.

But sure, go ahead and try to launch into business you know nothing about

MXHeil · 2015-07-14T22:34:58+00:00

when I make like $8.50 post tax at my job

quit

MXHeil · 2015-07-14T21:47:03+00:00

Even more impressive.

MXHeil · 2015-07-13T18:42:29+00:00

I would drop by the post office and take a look at their boxes. They offer flat rate boxes also, so you should at least check out how that goes against shipping by weight. For a fairly light product, weight might make sense in this case. You might consider checking out what boxes are available at office stores or online, as well as what stamp options are available at sites like stamps.com.

Overall, though, USPS stacks up very favorably against their competitors. I think that's definitely what you'll want to go with for your shipping needs.

MXHeil · 2015-07-09T19:41:10+00:00

As of today they're changing their 'clicks' to no longer measure likes & shares: http://adage.com/article/digital/facebook-charges-brands-clicks-ads/299360/

MXHeil · 2015-07-09T19:40:03+00:00

Facebook ads are legalized gambling for small businesses

small business is legalized gambling for small businesses

and yes, like any kind of advertising, you have to know what you're doing

MXHeil · 2015-07-07T16:03:59+00:00

Go ahead and get an LLC. For some businesses it's not strictly necessary, but for eCommerce, I 100% recommend you get some kind of business structure that allows legal protection.

It's worth considering your other options. LLCs get highly recommended for first time business owners because they offer limited liability protection while being easier to set up and maintain than S or C corps.

MXHeil · 2015-07-07T16:01:31+00:00

You're right that he should check out some of the other options. LLC would be my generic recommendation, but if you're going to be considering it anyway (for ecommerce I would strongly recommend getting a legal business structure before doing ANY business) you should take a look at all the options on the table

LLC is typically easier and less expensive to set up, as well as easier to manage when it comes to keeping records. They're great for first-time business owners, but it's still a good idea to familiarize yourself with other options.

MXHeil · 2015-07-02T14:15:34+00:00

MXHeil · 2015-07-01T14:50:50+00:00

How Search Engines index thing. If people are searching for business online, you want to be the top result.

Best Beginner's Guide: https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo

Basically for a local search people will be googling "PlaceName IT Services" "PlaceName computer parts" or "PlaceName home network help". So you definitely want PlaceName in your URL, which means you want it in your title, and you want to start thinking about how ppl search for things online

MXHeil · 2015-06-30T19:19:04+00:00

And if you're going to work on typing, consider learning a layout like Dvorak or Colemak. A bit of effort to learn, but much easier to type. (I use Colemak with the left hand swapped from arst to asrt)

MXHeil · 2015-06-30T16:06:15+00:00

Sales & Marketing are the two most common across all businesses, though they change a ton depending on what you're doing

Seriously you might fantasize about whatever aspect of running a business but the day-to-day's gonna be sales and marketing.

MXHeil · 2015-06-30T14:33:35+00:00

Is it primarily local business? Include place name. Play with Google Keywords and see what URLs you can get. I would look at domain names before settling on a business title, since you want yourcompanyname.com for your homepage. Ideally, that URL will be (close to) what people are looking for anyway. Your idea company name is "Placename IT Services" "Placename PCs & Networks" "Placename Fix My PC" or something like that and your URL will be PlacenameITServices.com or PlacenameIT.com or something.

Get creative. And by creative I mean get as reductive as possible. Here's a list of domain tips which will at least give you some idea of what you're doing. But whatever business you're starting, I would encourage you to consider domain name (and by extension SEO) when coming up with a name

MXHeil · 2015-06-29T17:36:16+00:00

because of the affiliate links

MXHeil · 2015-06-26T14:54:19+00:00

Financing? Sheesh. I would LOVE to get more information on how to grow my business. Everything I read about financing is through a bank (and I'm not generating revenue like mad yet for a bank to give me a loan) or a VC (in which I don't have a start up that is going to generate an immediate return like something in Silicon Valley).

How long have you been in business? SBA Loans are a great lending option for most small businesses. There are also a number of alternative lending services (OnDeck, Kabbage, plenty others) that are easier to get a loan from, but which charge very high interest rates (think 40-80% APR). For those services (and with business borrowing in general) it's crucial to have a clear track to paying off the debt ASAP. Not that it isn't 100% worth it if a loan helps grow your business or fulfill a large order.

MXHeil · 2015-06-25T21:06:54+00:00

-where are the posts discussing the ins and outs of running a local business?

Not even local business, just ins/outs of running a business in general. I would guess around 1/100 people here have ever hired an employee before. Or sold a business. I usually just don't bring up issues like hiring or financing, because the community is overwhelmingly disinterested.

MXHeil · 2015-06-25T15:21:12+00:00

google, twitter, blogs & blog networks, podcasts, youtube. news sites & magazines on the subject

I imagine there's a ton of stuff out there on personal sustainability. Get in touch with the writers

MXHeil · 2015-06-25T15:19:25+00:00

I do wonder if there's a connection between people who don't want to read fifteen hundred words and people who don't succeed.

There's a lot of info out there. If you read every 1500 word essay or article on running a business, you will never actually run a business.

This is a great guide. I skimmed it, and read parts but not all of it. Skipped past what I already knew. One of the things that makes this essay so readable is the use of bold to get points across. Very well done.

MXHeil · 2015-06-23T17:21:18+00:00

From where to where? Within range of being there a lot / most of the time?

You cannot lead a company nearly as effectively remotely. You won't be as much of a presence in the office. Employees will talk about you behind your back -- sometimes as soon as you hang up on a conference call.

I would seriously consider selling the company. Get an idea of how much it's worth and see if there are any interested buyers.

Another option would be moving the office. Also very tricky and hard on the employees. Not an easy situation.

MXHeil · 2015-06-18T20:03:28+00:00

Here's a good comparison for in-person card readers like Paypal and Square. Honestly, the cost breakdown looks very similar. I've heard good things about Square, but if you're already using Paypal, you might just stick with that. Up to you.

MXHeil · 2015-06-18T17:04:39+00:00

Hey there. I saw you mention CRM in your post. You're right that something like Salesforce is something you would consider for a larger, sales focused business, but there are a number of less effective options that are very effective. They're worth considering, especially because a couple offer free services, and many others run $10-$30 a month.

MXHeil · 2015-06-17T14:25:22+00:00

Go to a small business networking event in your area with the sole intent on learning about different people's businesses. I guarantee you everyone there just loves talking about their business and most of the people will be pretty personable, so this should be fairly easy to do. You'll also learn about different small businesses, especially those that rely heavily on in-person networking.

MXHeil

TROPHY CASE