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Entrepreneurship:  Starting home business, any tips?  |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 07:54:06 AM
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Hey all!
I finally decided to quit talking about starting my own business and just to do it. Here is what I would like to do.
I want to make jams and jellies, soaps and candles to start. After I have that down I want to expend to include lip balms and extra stuff like that.
~Now for the jams and jellies part where do I start to get information on what the laws are in my state? Would the county extension be able to help me on that?
~How do I get information on starting my own business with taxes in mind, like tax info, if I'm starting small do I need a tax ID?
I have tried finding information online but to no avail. Does anyone have any tips for me so I can start getting my business plan ready to be put into action?
I am a massage therapist and I want to specifically cater to women. Pre pregnancy, post and throughout. Especially in my neck of the woods there really isn't much for women. I am also looking into training to become a yoga teacher because yoga helped me so much during pregnancy and during labor. I also want people to realize that yoga is as religious as you make it because I know it could help so many more women if it helped me so much! So that is phase two. Eventually I want to blend the two so I will have a store front/ building so I can hold yoga classes, do massage therapy and have a gift shop where I will sell my soaps, candles, jellies/canned goods.
It's just getting the right information so I can put my business in motion.
Thanks in advance for any tips!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 12:52:35 PM
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Thanks Karla! Yes, I figured I would have to have a "commercial" kitchen separate from my home kitchen but I want to be sure that is the case so then I know what I have to do to get started. I will check out her blog, Thanks again!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Bensgrandma
True Blue Farmgirl
227 Posts
Alexis
White Oak
PA
USA
227 Posts |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 2:02:41 PM
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Re: the yoga and any other physical sort of practice--you may double check that you need some sort of insurance, or at least a waiver, for this in case someone complains they got injured from practicing. You may want to contact other instructors of yoga, fitness, etc, to see what your requirements are. Just my 2 cents :)
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 9:51:09 PM
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I have a home business where I make soaps, lotions, lip balms, etc and sell at the farmer's market.
For setting up your tax id, go to your county clerk's office and fill out the form for a DBA(doing business as). Next, take your DBA and go to your bank and use it to open a business bank account. You are now officially in business. It will cost you around $25, depending where you live. If you keep the business small you can use your social security number. For taxes, if you are the only owner,etc. you can file with your regular return. I used TurboTax online this year.
I would recommend you read Craft, Inc., available on Amazon. It's an entertaining, insightful resource for setting up your business.
Lastly, congratulations and good luck!
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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coloquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Susan
Co
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 10:11:40 PM
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There is an organization called SCORE. It is a free service where you can get business advice from retired business leaders . They join with the SBA and can help you determine if your business plan is viable . If you don't have a business plan they will help you write one . You will need one to obtain financing. Good luck
Susan
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2011 : 06:41:10 AM
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Insurance, Insurance, Insurance! can't stress it enough. Unfortunately, we live in a litigious society and liability plays a huge part of any business (home or other).
Even with just soaps and B&B you'll need coverage. Your home (farm) insurance may not cover you if they are aware that you're using lye (yes, I know... we use it safely yada yada - but they have visions of cooking drugs and blowing up things lol).
Your overall vision sounds wonderful! It really sounds like a cocoon of care for women. Best of luck with it and hope we hear how it's unfolding. |
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Turtlemoon
Farmgirl Legend Schoolmarm
378 Posts
Tanya
Port Orchard
Washington
USA
378 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2011 : 08:47:26 AM
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Yup to all the above (great advice). Check your state or county for regulations for food/HBA items. Some states get crazy on this while others are very mellow.
Raggedy Ann stuck in a Barbie Doll World
FarmGirl#1737
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonhonu |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2011 : 08:58:18 AM
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I have contacted the county extension and they have been super helpful with getting me information. Unfortunately my state is pretty picky which makes it a tad more difficult but anything worth having is worth working for. I just have to finish my business plan to see if it is really worth it to stick with starting the food part. I may just stick with soaps and the yoga/massage therapy. At least when I went to school for massage therapy they did give us some business lessons regarding the local states (Mainly WI/MI although MI has changed now) and absolutely insurance is a must for anything health related like that! I didn't think about getting insurance for the soap making part. Thanks for the advice everything, I will keep on working away at this and keep the tips coming and I will update as I go! Thanks so much everyone!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 10:03:06 AM
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Krystle, If you get a booth at the farmers market, set up a board with pictures and yoga information. (I like tri-fold poster boards, black ones look very slick and professional.) Keep business cards (vistprint.com = free + shipping) and I would even have a signup sheet with a pen where prospective yoga clients can put down their name and phone number so you can follow up with them later. People may take your card, but I personally don't remember to follow up with a card I stick in my wallet often.
You can even run promotions with the signup sheet to drum up more interest (discount on rates if you sign up today to be contacted later, free lip balm etc. The latter builds your potential client list AND gets them to try your other product.)Be bold, be different, and most importantly, be accessible.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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Turtlemoon
Farmgirl Legend Schoolmarm
378 Posts
Tanya
Port Orchard
Washington
USA
378 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 1:04:27 PM
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Krystle, we have a person at our farmers market each week with their massage chair doing 5 minute mini's for donations as well as having info for folks. This is a great place to promote your yoga at the same time and even have your soaps while getting going. Networking here could benefit as well with a few larger businesses who may allow you to go in mid-day for 15 minute chair massages. When i worked at the airlines we had folks do this and they charged a dollar a minute and had tip jars out as well.
Raggedy Ann stuck in a Barbie Doll World
FarmGirl#1737
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonhonu |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2011 : 2:04:31 PM
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coloquilter, I will vouch for SCORE. My grandfather, a very successful businessman, volunteered there and helped quite a few business people!
My best piece of advice is to put up flyers where your customers would be, go to fairs, and advertise on your car via magnets or vinyl stickers. It's free ad space!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Entrepreneurship: Starting home business, any tips? |
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Starting home business, any tips?
