Mom on a Mission.. to Open a Business .....but Where to start...HELP!

Hi Nancy,

My husband and I own our own business. We teach families how to make and save money. We're always looking for people who want to help people as well as own their own business. If you keep your options open to making extra money, I'd love to share more information with you. Feel free to give me a call anytime ###-###-####.

L.

Hi Nancy!

As a professional home based crafter, I can tell you that you are in for a heck of a ride, lol...

Things you need are as follows:
**Business license issued by your city. You should get this as close to Jan 1 as possible as they are from Jan 1 to Dec 31. So, wait until the new year to get this. Mine costs $216 a year... Some cost more, some less, it depends on what kind of business you are running. Yours will probably be either a pro craft business, or an internet business if you are going to have a website.
**Reseller's License issued by the State Franchise Tax Board. Find the nearest office and head on in there... I got mine in less than 2 hours! Sometimes they make you pay a deposit, but I didn't have to. You'll have access to wholesale distributors, but you'll also have responsibility for taxes and stuff... Go to one of the franchise tax boards' small business fairs, you will learn SO MUCH at the fair!! :D
**Inventory!! You will need to spend a LOT of time and money making inventory for your business.
**A snappy Name!! :D Try to go for short and sweet or medium and very catchy... Long is never a good idea!! :D
**Website. Please Please Please do not spend more than $500 to get this set up... I've heard of many folks opening a business that have spent in the thousands of dollars for a website. It makes me physically ill to think of it. You can get hosting at Go Daddy for a year with a domain for less than a hundred dollars, install a FREE zen cart, and get a custom template for it for around $350 and be ready to go. Trust me, $500 is a very generous budget for a website to get you started!!
**Business Cards... Hopefully the person who designs your site will design you a matching card, which you can have printed at VistaPrint.com for free (you pay shipping and upload fees only)...
**Some kind of book keeping system.
**TIME... Most home based and/or new businesses take at least 2 years to start making a decent profit... So, you'll need to be patient and be willing to work hard at it with little to no return for a while...
**A unique product that is well made, well priced, and irresistible! :D

Well, I think that is quite a mouthful to get you started! Best luck on your new venture!! :D Feel free to send me an email if you get stuck!! :D

Huggles!!
~S.~
____@____.com

Hi Nancy,
I am a consultant for Southern Living At Home and for Votre Vu and have networked with many other vendors who are in the baby business. I could ask them specific questions for you or you can contact them or give me your contact info to give to them. They're pretty successful and love what they do.
Best to you!
A.

Hi Nancy,

Have you tried setting up a table at a boutique, or set up a boutique? I was driving around today and saw a lot of signs out there for a boutique. Have business cards ready, you can get a great deal at www.vista.com, even a webpage. Create a portfolio of your products. I recall reading about a couple doing something like this 3 or more years ago, and they started making baby shoes in their home in Hacienda Heights, next thing you know they were on the front page of the LA times, with a successful business. If happen to remember their business name I will send you a message. Let me know how it goes.

Good Luck
Rochelle