Any self-employed persons on the boards?

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » July 15, 2004 11:26 pm

I'm thinking of starting my own business. I ran a family hvac business for 15 years so I konw a bit about what I'll be doing. I have several ideas. It needs to be a service oriented business that I can run from a home office for awhile as I don't have tons of bucks to buy something. I am thinking of doing small business marketing and pr consulting along with business event planning. Any thoughts on this non JB topic, which of course is why it's in the off topic area.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » July 15, 2004 11:30 pm

There's a few business owners around here. I'm sure they will stick their necks in.

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » July 15, 2004 11:37 pm

I started my own company a few years back (dont let the fact I'm only 28 fool you) but with my recent divorce/child custody issues -- I decided to sell out back in March. Have any questions in particular -- I'll certainly let you know what I learned from my experiences. Mine also started out at first with the office based out of the home.

Any questions, just shoot

sailingagain · Post by **sailingagain** » July 15, 2004 11:57 pm

I know there are several UN-employed people on the boards.

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » July 16, 2004 11:06 am

The hardest part is pricing when you have no proven track record. If I meet with you, take a company history and get a sense of what you are looking for, then I create a plan for your company. You can choose to implement the plan yourself or I can do it for you. By this time I have invested quite a bit of work and basically given you all of my ideas. If you pay before this you are paying for something you haven't seen. If you decide whether to pay afterwards I could be just giving my suggestions and labor to somebody for free.

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » July 16, 2004 8:07 pm

First suggestion ... initial consultation fee

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » July 16, 2004 9:13 pm

I have a candle business ~ not my "pay the bills" job (fun ticket job

) but it's still w*rk

does that count?

Elrod · Post by **Elrod** » July 16, 2004 9:33 pm

OceanCityGirl wrote:The hardest part is pricing when you have no proven track record.

Set your prices according to what it's worth to them, not what it's worth to you.

I used to think that $40 an hour to straighten out virus/network/computer problems was good money in my off-time.

To an attorney that bills $250+ per hour, that's chump change.

Lightning Bolt · Post by **Lightning Bolt** » July 16, 2004 10:09 pm

I design graphics and marketing materials from the ol' studio here at home.
Like it is stated in earlier posts, it is essential to know your market - what you can charge hourly, how to reach potential customers ( my forté) and get them to contract your services. If you worked in subcontracting before, you know that licenses, bonding and WC insurance may come into play. What will make it a success is your ability to reach out and attract your customers (this may even be via word-of-mouth, or contacting/luring old business contacts) and then DELIVERING THE GOODS when you promise to do the job. The best way to keep a business alive is GOOD SERVICE. If you hustle, it can work for you or anyone!

Lightning Bolt · Post by **Lightning Bolt** » July 16, 2004 10:18 pm

Another thing that is key, is your HISTORY of work in your chosen field.
If you haven't performed for anyone of reference that can't be contacted,
then you'll have a helluva time convincing people to invest in you!
Prep your portfolio of successful works in your field, get photos and testimonials if possible, and you'll have the ammunition you need to sell yourself

GOOD LUCK in your new endeavor OCG!!

Lastplaneout · Post by **Lastplaneout** » July 17, 2004 12:53 am

I build computers for friends, neighbors, their friends. They tell me what they want, budget etc. and I order it all and build it. Or they can order it and give me the components. Not a load of money to be had on my scale, but enough to give me some extra spendin' money...plus I enjoy doing it. Just call me "Dan the Build the gaming rig of your friggin' dreams man"

BTW anyone around here Play UT2K4???

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » July 17, 2004 3:08 pm

Yep, like I said I ran a contracting business for 15+years so basic business skills aren't a problem. Along the way I've helped numbers of friends set up their businsses and I tend to be the go to person for problem solving. I'm also president of our local hs track and field and xc booster club where I do a tremendous amount of fundraising. Also did alot of fundraising for the football team. I have alot of connections in this area so I'll just have to use them. I am actually planning on fiving my services away for the first 2-3 customers. At least the initial consult and planning stages. Unfortunately as I was doing this for people I never really thought about creating a portfolio or compiling names for references.
One of thie things I've noticed while running our contracting business is that a large amount of small service companies do not even take advantage of the resources they have to obtain customers. For ex. if they just kept a data base of all of their customers and what has been done for them and what equiptment they have they could do a decent seasonal mailing/coupon campaign. They would also know the model numbers of equiptment in advance and thus have what they need when they went there, looking much more professional. That's an example of the service I'm hoping to offer.

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » July 17, 2004 6:47 pm

sailingagain wrote:I know there are several UN-employed people on the boards.

I'm one of them. I'll gladly open a branch office of your new business here in Richmond. Don't forget to advertise on Phaw's awesomely cool website, www.parrotheadsatwork.com

BuffettNews.com

Any self-employed persons on the boards?

Any self-employed persons on the boards?

Re: Any self-employed persons on the boards?