Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Monday 30 Oct 06

Dear Tammy:

I read with interest the article about your "true genius" clothing business.  I have hd an idea for some clothing for some time and didn`t know quite how to do it, how to secure the intellectual property rights, if that is appropriate, etc.

I believe my idea has substantial application in your field and should be wide and deep in its useage.

I would like to discuss it sometime when you have a few minutes, tho it would be difficult to get into details until my coyright application is acknowledged.

If you have an interest in pursuing this idea please contact me by email: lupaine@wbhsi.net or by phone: 480 895 0705.

Thanks!

Lu Paine

 

As the owner of a oursource bookkeeping and payroll service I`m at the computer and in the software all day long so it`s easy for me to take care of my own business.

What I don`t seem to have time for is the weekly chore of cleaning floors and would love to find a housekeeping service in need of a bookkeeper so we can barter.

Linda Hall,  Cross Country Bookkeeping Service

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Hi Everybody--

I think most of us do it all at least at the beginning . . . since I listened to alot of the advice from others here at SuN, I did NOT buy the overpriced shop with the cooked books . . . and am working on getting together an online business of the same sort.  I`ve parked a domain name and I`m using a free sight to get pics of my products-to- be and the general outline together so that I can then have a professional web designer from SuN (nuevolution) do my real web shop with cart, etc.  Hey, it`s a step forward . . . considering all that`s been going on in my life, for me it`s a huge step forward (I wear a size 4 shoe!   )

jillybeans... keep on track. In my opinion, it doesn`t really matter how long it takes you to get there. That`s what life is for. It`s a journey. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Eventually, you will arrive!

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Every growing business will reach a point were it is no longer efficient or economical for owners to do handle all of the HR and Admin tasks. You have two roads that you can take. Hire an  HR department for 60k(+) a year plus benefits only to broker out insurances and payroll services , or hire a PEO to handle your taxes, payroll,  liabilities, benefits, and HR.

There is always the control issue that owners battle with. I’ve found that owners that are considering outsourcing but are turned off by the idea of working around 3-4 different companies find that a PEO service is not only helpful but allows control through one company, …one client rep.    

 

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Ryan Hice ryan.hice@soi.com

I have a partnership and right now we share everything we do, basically, we have split up who takes care of what.

I do wear all hats in my business, from actually doing the physical work to managing things of the day and keeping tabs as the leader into the future. I call all involved a juggling act, but am satisfied with the responsibility and the challenges keep me on my toes. I know that I will have to hire within this year into next when my plans of expansion evolve and I’m really wondering how I’ll handle bringing someone on board of my baby. Um, should be interesting and hopefully a good thing. You can bet, that I’ll be posting for advice from this wonderful SUN community before doing this part of the goal making . I find that my most demanding thing is the phone with next day appointment reminders, answering while I’m working and returning phone calls. It can get a bit hairy at times.

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AJ

At some point you will realize that your focus is changing to wanting to grow your business and you will look for contractors who specialize in small business (read affordable services) and can help make an impact on your business.  Hiring a PR pro gives you the freedom of not worrying about how to write a release, when to get it out and who to contact.  People like myself already have those talents and contacts.  Hiring an assistant can free up all the paperwork and follow up you need to do and instead you can concentrate on finding new clients, generating more revenue and growing your business.

Best,

Jennifer

A Virtual Assistant will collaborate with you to help move your business forward.  VAs are administrative professionals and can perform those tasks where you`re spending up to 40% of your time.  The question is:  would you rather do admin or generate revenue?  If you`re dividing your attention between admin and generating revenue then you`re divided against yourself.  And a VA is the right option for someone who doesn`t want the added expense of an employee.

I`m a VA and I`d be happy to give you some ideas concerning what you might want to delegate.  Shoot me an e-mail at karen@kdmbusinesssupport.com.

My partner (husband) share business-related duties, outsourcing quarterly accounting and tax preparation to the CPA.  We tend to keep all other functions in-house mostly because we can`t afford to hire outside consultants.  I do look for opportunities to barter services ie trade a head shot for a press release.  We were recently approached by an associate, who is teaching a marketing class at Davenport, to be a test subject for a marketing plan. I said yes because we had just begun a new service and hadn`t had time to complete a plan.  I`ll receive this student`s ideas next week. 

Additionally, I`m on the look out for a good web programmer that I can build an on-going relationship.  It`s been difficult because most of the programmers I meet have an inherent distaste for graphic designers.  (Not sure why this is....  I have some great accounts and would like to offer more higher-end services).

J. Sondy