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Archive for Starting a Business

10 Tax Tips for Work-at-Homers

by NellieAkalp
May 10th, 2013

By: Eric

If you just started your home-based business in the last year, you may be apprehensive about your first time filing and paying small business taxes. Never fear: these tips will make tax season easier for you.

1. Know Your Deductions. 

You might be surprised at all the expenses you can write off with your home-based business. Your office, for example, is a legitimate business deduction. A few others include:

  • Office supplies
  • Computers or printers
  • Business trip expenses
  • Advertising or marketing

So don’t be afraid to spend money on your business. It will help reduce your taxable income come April. Continue reading “10 Tax Tips for Work-at-Homers” »

Categories Starting a Business, Taxes
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7 Deadly Sins of Starting a Small Business

by NellieAkalp
April 29th, 2013

A small business owner’s life can be a real roller coaster. There’s no road map, and pitfalls lurk around every corner. While making mistakes may be a great way to learn, it’s a lot better to avoid them in the first place.

Having started a few businesses in my career, and having helped thousands of small businesses launch across the country, I thought it would be useful to highlight some of the hard-won experience I’ve learned throughout the process: Continue reading “7 Deadly Sins of Starting a Small Business” »

Categories Starting a Business
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Is Your State Business-Friendly? Four Markers to Find Out

by CorpNet
April 11th, 2013

This is a guest post from  Erin Schwartz.

Individuals launching small businesses in the United States may have dramatically different experiences depending on where they are located. Each year, various policy groups and news organizations publish lists of the states that are the most and least “business-friendly.”

Interestingly, a state that is deemed business-friendly may have an adjacent neighbor that’s regarded as unfriendly to businesses. And although the specific state rankings may vary from one list to the next (often based on the criteria the judges use to make their determinations), there are clear trends. The following information highlights some of the features that impact whether or not a particular state is welcoming to those wanting to start a business. Continue reading “Is Your State Business-Friendly? Four Markers to Find Out” »

Categories Starting a Business
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What’s Stopping You From Starting a Business (But Shouldn’t)

by NellieAkalp
April 9th, 2013

Many people dream of owning their own businesses, but never actually make it happen. There’s always an excuse as to why: you don’t have the money. You don’t know anything about business. The list goes on and on. But if running your own business is truly something you’re passionate about, any of these obstacles can be overcome with a little effort.

1. You Don’t Have the Startup Capital

You do, of course, need cash to start a business. But just because you don’t have tens of thousands of dollars socked away in savings won’t keep you from starting one. You can look into taking out a small business loan from a bank or even borrowing money from a family member. If you’ve got a tech startup, you might be able to find investors who will fund you. And consider that you might need less than you think to get started: you can always start small and scale when profit starts rolling in. Continue reading “What’s Stopping You From Starting a Business (But Shouldn’t)” »

Categories Starting a Business
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How to Make Your Idea a Success

by Susan Payton
April 3rd, 2013

Don’t (yet) consider yourself an entrepreneur? If you’ve got a great idea that’s been rattling around in your head, making it a reality could turn you into one. In From Idea to Success by Gregg Fairbrothers and Tessa Winter, the authors take you from a concept scribbled on a napkin to starting a business in no time.

The book asks thought-provoking questions like these, sure to get your creative juices churning:

  • What is your market?
  • What is your value proposition?
  • Where do you start?

Sometimes simply answering these questions can take that inkling of an idea you had and help it grow. Continue reading “How to Make Your Idea a Success” »

Categories Starting a Business
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6 Reasons I Love Small Business Owners

by NellieAkalp
March 11th, 2013

This Valentine’s Day, I sent a big box of chocolates to small business owners everywhere. And I’m not alone. According to a 2012 Public Affairs Pulse Survey, 88% of adults interviewed have a favorable view of small businesses. Only 16% said the same about major corporations.

Here are six reasons why I love small businesses and will continue to support small business owners in every way possible:

1. Small business owners work tirelessly
Entrepreneurs and small business owners are used to working long hours. The latest SMB Wellness Index from Manta found that small business owners are working longer hours than they have in the past. Nearly half (49%) said they worked more than 50 hours/week in 2012, compared to 40% in 2011. 26% worked up to 60 hours a week in 2012, 14% worked up to 70 hours, and 9% admitted to working more than 70 hours a week. Continue reading “6 Reasons I Love Small Business Owners” »

Categories Starting a Business
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How to Start a Cleaning Service

by Susan Payton
February 28th, 2013

If you’re looking to get into the cleaning business, there’s plenty of opportunity to go around. In fact, the role of professional cleaning specialist is slated to be the fastest growing occupation for the next ten years. Whether you plan to buy an existing franchise cleaning service or go out on your on, there are a few things you need to take care of before you can start accepting clients.

1. Get Licensed and Bonded. Whether you will be the sole cleaner of personal or commercial properties, or whether you plan to hire a team, you absolutely must be licensed and bonded. Your state may or may not require this, but doing so also helps you build confidence with customers. If they know you’ve gone to the effort to get a cleaning license and be bonded, they may feel they can trust you to do the work.  Continue reading “How to Start a Cleaning Service” »

Categories Starting a Business
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How to Start a Construction Business

by Susan Payton
February 21st, 2013

So you’ve decided to start a business in construction. Congrats! Despite the ebbs and flows of the real estate industry, there will always be work for you.

While you may have the basics of your business, such as who to hire and what to call your company, here are ten things you may not have considered.

1. Apply for Permits. Construction is a highly regulated industry, and to become a licensed construction provider, you’ll need to apply for a few building licenses and permits. Because you’re involved in so many areas when constructing a building, you may need permits for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas fitting, et cetera. Check with your local licensing bureau and make sure you take care of all of this before you start working on a project. Continue reading “How to Start a Construction Business” »

Categories Starting a Business
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Top 15 Industries to Start a Business in

by Susan Payton
February 15th, 2013

Looking to start a business, but aren’t sure what field to start it in? If you’re open to suggestions, here’s a list of the hottest industries that entrepreneurs are currently starting businesses in. Before you put your finger on one, though, consider that you’re looking for a business that:

  • Is in an economic-proof industry
  • Can survive the amount of competition that currently exists
  • Solves a problem in a way no one else in the industry is doing

That being said, dive in and see what strikes your fancy!

1. Energy

As a society, we’re obsessed with finding the products — be they lightbulbs or cars — that produce the least amount of energy, which leaves plenty of opportunity for new business. Federal stimulus programs are offering $43 billion to fund energy projects, so there’s plenty of the pie to go around. Continue reading “Top 15 Industries to Start a Business in” »

Categories Starting a Business
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Nellie Akalp Teaches ‘Out of the Rough’ Viewers How to Get Started in Starting a Business

by CorpNet
February 7th, 2013

Our own Nellie Akalp was invited back to Fred Arnold’s Out of the Rough program on its Women Entrepreneurs edition to discuss what would-be entrepreneurs need to do to start a business, whether it’s a home based business or otherwise. Here are some highlights from the video:

  • Choose a great name for your business, but first make sure your business name is available. Corpnet offers a free fictitious business name search.
  • Next, get your business name legal:  incorporate your business or form an LLC to protect your personal assets. If you’re not ready for one of these business structures, file a DBA (“doing business as”) if you’d rather work as a sole proprietorship.
  • When you start a home based business or retail location, find out what business licenses you need, and apply for them. When you register a business, it’s important to explore reseller’s permits and other business licenses.
  • Find professionals like CPAs and lawyers who can help you align your business goals and let you focus on other areas of growing your business.

Watch the video to get more great tips from CorpNet Nellie!

 

 

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