Moms with Their Own business....how Did You Get Started ???

I have been a freelance writer for nine years now. I highly recommend meeting with a CPA to get your business set up properly. You will need to pay quarterly taxes to the state and IRS, so you want to get that set up right to reduce your chances of being audited.

Also, you will need a business license. Where you get this from will vary depending on where you live. It may be your city offices, it may be the county offices. In my case, it was the city. Just go to the government websites and look for the licensing department for more information. The fees are usually pretty low, based on your anticipated earnings.

Do you have a business plan? If not, you'll want to get that in place before you get started. Your local library should have some great resources to help with the process if you need it. You can also find information online, although be sure you're using reputable sources so you do this properly.

Good luck!

It really depends on what your business is. I am a photographer. I have a degree in art and I had a good portfolio before I started. I put my portfolio on the internet first (www.umberstudio.com) and then went out hawking for work until word of mouth made that unnecessary. I've done some advertising, too. When I was able to afford it, I moved into a retail space.

I have NEVER had business debt, and if it is in any way possible, I advise against debt, even if it takes a little longer. My parents were entreprenuers and my father was the chairman of the business dept. at a large university. They lived through risky debt and decided never to go that route again. I agree completely. The insecurity of business debt is not worth putting a family through.

Good luck to you!

I agree with everyone that it depends on the business. I have 2 businesses, one on my own and the other with partnering with a company. For my consulting business, it has been a matter of getting out the word and talking to people, going to organizations in which people who would use the consulting also attend. As to the partnering with a company business, there is team and company support and lots of training and ideas of how to market as well as training on the products.

As to marketing , there are lots of free sites out there to market your business. Are you making a product? Have you thought of etsy?

But my biggest advise for anyone looking to do their own business whether making products, consulting or partnering with a company is to have a schedule and be dedicated. Yes, working from home gives you the flexibility but you must have a schedule or you will not succeed.

Will pm you as we live close.

That really depends on the type of business you are trying to start. Do you have the funds to get started? If you are doing business outside of your home you will have to look for the space (and of course that increases your expenses). Either way you will have to get a business license (and in some areas you have to get county and city ones as well). You will need to have inventory if you are selling things. You will need to determine your prices. Good luck.

Depending on the business, you have to be creative and persistant. Advertising and relisting OFTEN on Craigslist helps as well as advertising in your local community newspapers, word of mouth, business cards or flyers left around for people to see, getting yourself into craft shows, etc. EXPOSURE is key and doing it classy and on a budget IS possible. Since I don't know what type of businesses you are looking to start its' hard for me to be specific but I've done direct selling and I've done my own wedding and events business and I've had my own music studio where I taught piano and voice and had 8 teachers and over 200 students - the sky is the limit and you have to PERSEVERE

It really depends on the business. I have my own business but it is through Shaklee and so I get a ton of support and guidance. If you are talking about starting from scratch I would imagine it is a whole different thing. Why don't you give a little more info. You don't have to share your idea if it is original, just......is it storefront, out of your home, consider overhead, insurance, etc...

I started an independent insurance agency from scratch. I got all my office equipment, went to the state of AZ, walked up to the window and said "what do I need". I don't think you need a lawyer and accountant/CPA until you really start making money. Use something like Quicken to track everything yourself. Go to http:www.meetup.com (its free) and search "business networking". There are tons of groups in your zip code of business owners that are specifically meeting to help with each other's business. Also, insurance for your biz is a BIGGIE! Call an independent agent that does commercial insurance and ask them to quote your industry to give you an idea of how much it will cost. That is something you cannot ignore. Besides that, word of mouth to get the word out and check out http://www.VistaPrint.com. They do great biz cards, flyers, brochures, etc. Good luck!

I have an online business with a well established company so totally different than starting your own. I would do some research into the need for your product or service you are offerning and be sure it is needed (or wanted). If starting your own, get an accountant, lawyer, and advice from your bank or someone you trust regarding budgeting and investment needed (if any).
Good luck!

Like the other posters say....it depends on the business.

I suggest a good tax accountant and tax lawyer.

We run our business from home. We don't deal with advertising because we are in the raw materials/consulting industry. We don't deal with credit cards, our typical orders are boxes or truckloads of materials which run anywhere from $5000-$100,000+ per order. We deal directly with companies that make products, freight and storage companies, work with PO's, AP, AR etc. I use Quickbooks Pro and it is very helpful as far as running my books.

So depending on your type of business there are a lot of things to take into consideration. It is a lot of WORK, it takes a lot of discipline and focus to make it successful.

Best wishes to your new venture!