Need a consultant..BUSINESS MINDED POLKS

[doggie750]

I am been thinking becoming a entrepreneur by initiating a business online and would like to seek advices from my polkfamily. Basically I need to have my own website to sell my stuff so the Who/How/or can I DIY questions are lingering my deprived brain cells. Any help would be much appreciated.

:cool:

[ben62670]

I can hook you up with a real good/cheap web guy, but I need more info on what you want to do.
Ben

[jwhitakr]

Yeah, that's a real generic and non-specific type of request. Are you looking to quit your day job with this, or just make some money on the side? What skills do you have already related to websites and what's your background? What are your interests and what ideas do you already have?

[jdhdiggs]

Check your local score.org for more resources and ideas.

[Demiurge]

#1 - Don't take much stock in the advice given by people who don't own or have never owned a business. Most of that advice tends to be doom and gloom. I would seek more counsel from people who have or are doing it.

#2 - "50% of businesses fail within 1 year, and 95% of businesses fail within the first 5 years." Don't listen to that crap either. If you're truly passionate about what you're doing and you're providing something people want/need, you can make it work. A lot of failures occur when people decide this isn't really what they want to be doing, usually because of the long hours required early on. The statistics are very skewed.

[Kris Siegel]

Score.org is an awesome resource. I had many questions regarding setting up my LLC (which I still have neglected to do), taxes and other questions. They pair you up with a volunteer who attempts to answer your questions (volunteers are typically financial or law folks and I believe they screen them so the advise should be good).

What do you plan on selling? Services? Goods? Both? Google Checkout and Yahoo stores are great stepping stones as well for selling goods as they do all the credit processing for you.

[heiney9]

Do lot's and lot's of leg work and research about what you are considering. Don't hesitate to spend some money for worthwhile conventions, shows, classes pertaining to your interest.

I have been doing research for a particular idea for over 8 months and just scratched the surface. This includes all the info I need to put together a business plan as well as educating myself about the particular area I'm wanting to start a business in. By the time I'm done I'll probably have close to 2 years of research and formulation before I take the plunge and that's only if it's feasible

My current position in a trade organization that is dedicated to helping all our members (over 3500) become and stay successful has really showed me many people who have no business being owner/operators of anything. I was just at a convention and I meet with several owner/operators and their complete lack of business skills was really eye opening. I assume most who are in business are intelligent enough and have done enough research to be successful. WOW, was I wrong.

It takes unequaled dedication and hard work and long hours and lots of greif and many obstacles to overcome.........PERIOD! It will be very rewarding and if you know what you're doing the sky's the limit as far as income and satisfaction.

H9

[doggie750]

Thank you for the constructive inputs, really appreciate it. Right now I am in the market of getting a website started to show my products online. With the hope from my polkfamily, I can get buyers in and outside the forum once it's initiated. My timeframe launching the company will likely be early next year, so I have time to R&D on it. Wish me luck Polkies.....:)

You know what they say..."You'll never know 'till you try.":rolleyes: