Your own business

[Staci]

I am contemplating starting a business. I would like advice from people who have worked with Avon or companies like this. What is your experience? I know how much I would have to expend for the start up, but I'm concerned with taxes, etc. How do you keep it under control? Is there any software that would help keeping track of customers and your finances? Anything you could tell me I'd appreciate.

[4evernbluejeans]

Staci,good luck on your business. I load all my work-related stuff into my computer and at the end of the year print it out and hand it over to my DH.Depending on what type of self-employment you are undertaking ,there are steps you need to take.I will use me as an example...for my cleaning service I had to get a vendors licsense,liability insurrance.You will need to collect a sales tax from your clients and report all earnings and collected taxes to the goverment.Keep tabs on all your supplies needed for your business that you purchased,any little thing.Mileage to and from your business.There is a program that you can get to load on your computer to set things up for you but I do not know the name..I will check with DH and get back to you.Good luck

[billsmrs]

I have sold avon and tupperware and didn't do great with it but then again there are avon reps everywhere you turn here. lol Maybe you will do better in your area with those things if you choose to do either of those. I still sell avon but mainly because I use it and like it and want the discount. lol My main business is consignment and I love it!

Let me tell you though that owning your own business is not for the those wanting to make some money quick and easy. It takes awhile to get your business built up and depeding on what you choose to do will make a big difference. It takes alot of time and patience and if you don't have either then it is not something you want to do. (not to mention money if you want a brick and mortar store)

Good luck though if whatever you choose to do! If you are persistent and aren't afraid of hard work then go for it! IM me if you want to talk!

[Staci]

I would love to retire in eight years and finding something that I can do to supplement my income would be terrific. Because I've got eight years, I'm going to take my time, explore all the alternatives, and figure out all the details. I hate surprises... at least when it comes to my money.

[occ_gurl]

I thought I had the perfect setup. I love doing web design and creating for the web, plus I love working at home and NOT fighting traffic. I could also control the amount of projects I took on at any given time so that I could work at a comfortable pace.

After a few years though, I'm finding that although I still love web design, working with people can be extremely difficult and stressful.

1) some people take 6 months to pay an invoice for work that's already completed! Even people who are friends of mine!

2) people will decide to change their logo and complete color scheme after I've designed a layout for them that they've approved and then we start over from square one (and a package price had already been quoted)

3) everyone wants to be a designer and clients will make so many changes of their own to a site layout that the design is no longer pleasing to the eye

4) projects drag ON and ON and ON. I've been working with one set of clients since last August and I'd say we're not even 1/4th done on their site.

5) I start to climb the walls and even getting out of the house to go to the grocery store feels great! There have been times I would just push my cart up and down every aisle just because it felt good to NOT be sitting at home at my computer.

6) Feast or Famine...either you have too much work all at once or none. When I had lots of work at once, I'd sometimes stay up till 2 or 3 am working on projects.

Bottom line - your own business is tough. Like anything, it has its pros and cons. Your taxes get more difficult and your city will extend its hand out to you for $$$ for a business license probably. That was something I hadn't thought about.

Sorry this got so long! Thanks for letting me vent! :eek:

[Dawn_aka_wahm4life]

I work at home with Melaleuca. It is 29.00 to open your business, all the training is provided free as well as the 3 websites that you recieve. It is building your own business from home, it is work, but it is very rewarding. You get a 1099 form at the end of the year. I've heard and been told that once you get things going to at least put 27-30% back for the taxes.
I know its hard to decide what you would like to do, possibly write down the things that you dont want to do to eliminate somethings on your search. I did not want to sell anything, ship things, stock things in my home etc...so that why I chose Mela. So narrowing down what you dont want to do will help with your search.

Dawn

[Staci]

Does anyone own a Curves or other type of membership business? What is your experience? Advice?

[toodles]

I work at home with Melaleuca. It is 29.00 to open your business, all the training is provided free as well as the 3 websites that you recieve. It is building your own business from home, it is work, but it is very rewarding. You get a 1099 form at the end of the year. I've heard and been told that once you get things going to at least put 27-30% back for the taxes.
I know its hard to decide what you would like to do, possibly write down the things that you dont want to do to eliminate somethings on your search. I did not want to sell anything, ship things, stock things in my home etc...so that why I chose Mela. So narrowing down what you dont want to do will help with your search.

Dawn
Dawn, if you don't sell anything, how do you make your money? Is there a minimum you have to purchase a month with mela?

[SmallSpaz]

I once sold AVON and it didn't go well. I spent more money than recieved. Between all the bags, books and orders people didnt want after ordering...it was a mess. I have recently started a business and it is going well. It was tuff the first month but buiness is picking up as I am advertising alot. I just ordered pens with the company name on them, flyers made, notepads made, and shirts made up. I am adding the flyers, notepads and pens into clear doorknob bags and we are placing them on (not in thats illegal) mailboxes. Advertising is the KEY!

Goodluck with what ever adventure you begin!

[Dawn_aka_wahm4life]

small spaz, I dont know if you have ran across it or not yet, but you can go to www.mybrochuremaker.com and make your own brochures for free!!!! Hope that helps with your advertising too!!!

[toodles]

. I have recently started a business and it is going well. It was tuff the first month but buiness is picking up as I am advertising alot. I just ordered pens with the company name on them, flyers made, notepads made, and shirts made up. I am adding the flyers, notepads and pens into clear doorknob bags and we are placing them on (not in thats illegal) mailboxes. Advertising is the KEY!

Goodluck with what ever adventure you begin!

Way to go on not giving in just because one thing didn't work for you! It sounds like you learned what didn't work for you and incorporating it into this new business. Kudos to you!

[SmallSpaz]

Thanks Toodles!

I also once owned a full service gas station with a garage. I loved that business but the co-owner started drinking alot and I couldnt deal with that and backed out from the business! But my new business is going good so far and I did learn to not have PARTNERS! I admit it takes alot of time owning a business but it is well worth it in the end!

[SmallSpaz]

Wow thanks DAWN I havent found that site yet! I have designed my brochures and flyers so far but I go to STAPLES to make copies being printer ink cost so much and runs out so fast. LOL. I will for sure check out that site, maybe get a few ideas!
Thanks again DAWN!

[SmallSpaz]

I work at home with Melaleuca. It is 29.00 to open your business, all the training is provided free as well as the 3 websites that you recieve.

Where can I find out information regarding this company? I have a friend looking to start a business also, maybe this would be a good fit for her. She is a new mom and just can't seem to leave the little one at a sitter just yet.

[Staci]

I'm glad you mentioned your web design business. I may hire you to make my site once I decide what I want to do.

[Dawn_aka_wahm4life]

Yeah, I just stumbled across that brochure making website one day and its very simple to do. Then to save on ink, just print out one copy, then go somewhere to make up the rest. The cost of ink is crazy! But at least you can design your own and print out one. :)

[Staci]

The more I find out about this particular franchise I'm thinking about purchasing, the more excited I am getting. I always wanted to own my own business, but never thought I could do it. The reality becoming more solid is wonderful.

I love every decade I experience. My forties are so far great. My fifties will be fantastic. I'm making all kinds of plans and everything seems to be going well. In the past, I would always expect things to go wrong. A lot of times I would sabotage myself before "it" would happen. This time everything is different. I've really grown in the past couple of years and become self assured and my self confidence has never been ready. I feel better about myself than ever before. I don't think I'll succeed, I KNOW I'll succeed. I love my 40's!

[Dawn_aka_wahm4life]

Your attitude sounds very great and your belief system is very strong. What is it that you are going to do?

[Staci]

I'm looking into an upscale women's fitness center. What I like about this company is that they stay very involved with their franchisees. I do a lot of research on everything before I do anything. I took 16 bids to have my house painted, then went on the state site and checked them out to see their record. My final decision was correct. This all comes from my working for the city for 20 years. I'm not going to do anything till January, because I am having surgery this fall. Having this extra time will let me look deep into the company with the State, etc. :reading:

[Dawn_aka_wahm4life]

Thats how you gotta do it though! Better to do things right the first time!!!
I tell my kids that all the time and they know my quote by heart.
"If you dont do it right the first time, then you must have the time to do it again!" they roll thier eyes lol

Good Luck with that, as long as you have your heart in what you want to do....it will happen!!