Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

 

I could use some advice on how to nurture my fledging shower business without getting in trouble with competing with my existing job at  a glass shop.. I have some leads and ideas on how to advertise for my new business, but Im worried that if my current glass shop finds out,  I might be out on the street sooner than I want to be.. I want to keep things above the table and do it right, but I just dont know what the consequences will be down the road.. Anybody out there that has been in my shoes before? Any advice would be great

 

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showerman

In a way...I`m in your situation now...

I work for a web software development firm as a contractor (not as an actual employee). In many ways, I prefer it that way. (Generally) this allows me to come and go as I please.

I say this partly because as a company, we have more work than we know what to do with right now. We are not hurting for customers as a business. That being said, as an independent contractor my employer really doesn`t care if I work outside of the company`s business on my own time IFFFF.... I find and develop my own customers on my own. So long as I don`t interfere with existing customers (current or those in negotiations), everything is fine. Understandably....if I try to draw existing customers away....my employer would be upset. I can`t say that I would blame them ;)

I AM in the process of starting a business actually...but my business will be much more centered around manufacturing and distribution. So long as there aren`t any "conflicts of interest", I don`t see any problem with it. Then again, I`ve worked for employers who were so...er....uptight....that they would discharge an employee for wanting to have a social life-- let alone start an outside business of ANY kind.....

My 2 cents :)

P-

G`day, PeterS` option to become a consultant is a good one however checkout the IRS website first as there are tax consequences. They have guidlelines there on whether you are acting as a true consultant or not and hence who has to pay the federal withholdings.

The other option is to use a fronting company. In other words, in the early stages when you are really marketing and getting your name out there arrange with a company to handle all this for you while you keep your other job. This allows you to remain out of the front line until you choose to fully jump into your new business. Many foreign companies do this in the US. They are aware many US customers expect them to have a US based office, but they simply cant justify the expense. So they appoint a manufacturers rep or fronting company to handle all the correspondence side of the business, and they ultimately manufacture and do all the actual customer followup. Our company has a few Australian businesses doing this and it is simple to implement and typically low cost.

Hope this helps.

SC

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Business Development Services

Cutts,

I agree with the fronting company. Always incorporate your business in a different state. You may want to think about logistics of calls and emails. Do not do any business with the current company clients. Do not brag about starting a new business.

  Thanks so much for the input on my original problem.. Got another scenario to throw out there. I agree with the front company, but the bottom line is that i am a one man show with not alot of cash to get rolling.  I have the equipment, but I doubt I can afford one. My question is if I hand out business cards to all the local tile places and other businesses that I have in mind, would it be wise to just list my new companies name and phone number, and not include my name? Would that be the equivelant of a poor mans front company? I know it sounds pretty cheap, but I have to juggle starting up my shower business with paying the bills for a family of 6.. I have no doubts whatsoever that this new venture will workout, not only because of the need for one in my neck of the woods, but also the skills that I have with people and my trade.. Have you ever had a dream where you feel, really feel, that you are so close to just blowing the whole thing wide open and realising one of your life dreams... Thats where I am right now, right here, at this minute.. So please, any advice that you guys have that I can get around my  stumbling blocks on a cheap budget, I would so appreciate.. Keep the thoughts coming..

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showerman

dreams yes..I heard a good saying that if you won $1m today and left your job immediately, then you are in the wrong job to start with. 

Anyway, some front companies will simply take calls, mail, enquiries, send out brochures etc on your behalf and can charge as little as $150/mth for this service. Not bad for peace of mind.

I dont like the idea of sending out blank business cards, better to send out a promotional brochure with an 800 number. The 800 number could then link to your cell thus allowing your phone number to be invisible.

However the other idea to consider is to find a friend who will front the contacts for you and then offer to pay him/her a small commission in the future if anything eventuates.

Good luck

SC

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Business Development Services

Dear cutts,

 Hey, you have some good points with the front company. How would I get a hold of one of these places to see what they can do for me?  Also, I live in a pretty small urban area , about 50,000 or so with the combined towns. Do you think that an 800 number would scare off people who would like to "buy local"? John Q public can be pretty funky sometimes..

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showerman

ShowerMan -

Before investing in a `front company`...what about a friend, realtive or high schoolgraduate that you can take on until you are up and running. If you had a nephew or cousin that could take/make a few calls a day, you`d be where you need to be, correct?

And if it`s friend or family, you may be able to `barter` instead of pay `cash`. Maybe a home cooked meal, or a gift cetificate, or a showerhead...you know the deal.

I would reccomend gettting temporary, reliable help from within your circle of influence before investing in a bigger package.

Also - you could always get business cards made up with out your name on it, and then hand write your first name (or initials, or `alias`) as an afterthought.

(Here`s my card..oh, wait. Let me scribble my first name on there for you. I`m the only `Jack` in the company...)

I hope this helps a little...

 

Two things. If your wife can take the calls let her. As far as clients are concerned she`s your assistant. With a family of 6 this might be hard. Customers don`t need to know your life story. As long as they know __ at the Shower Man that`s fine in my book. I don`t know the last names of most of the subs we use. I know their name, company and phone number.
An idea for a phone number, try Grand Central, www.grandcentral.com, free number that can be forwarded to your cell or home phone. It`s a great product with a lot of cool features. As of now, it`s all free. I love my service with them.

Good luck.

John


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"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."
-- Edmund Everett Hale, writer

In regards to the phone number, I use www.accessline.com. It is not free but one of the perks is that customers can leave a message. Accessline will notify you via e-mail that you have a message or you can have forwarded to your cell phone. I find that a bit awkward when working for someone else. I will have to try out grand central :)

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Kathaleen All Natural Specialty Sauces and Crepe Maker Extraordinaire www.riverhousecreations.com