Start Me Up + Two more
Just to piggy back on my last Post, Steve Acctivate.com added a few more things to think about, such as:
Thanks Steve
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Just to piggy back on my last Post, Steve Acctivate.com added a few more things to think about, such as:
Thanks Steve
Got a call from an old friend of mine today who wants to start their own business, but told me they are a bit scared to get started. I listened for a while and then suggested that they just jump in and launch their Pet Store in Ashville, NC. Here are some things I told them:
- make sure you have a local support group of small businesses to bounce ideas off of
- make sure you cultivate a relationship with the loan officer at the bank
- make sure you start simple -- and not take on too much inventory
- make sure you keep costs down at first -- with a few magazine subscriptions, low phone bills (maybe use skype), simple internet access, etc.
- make sure to hire college students cause they have great enthusiasm and are hungry to learn the business
- make sure you find a good accountant (maybe even check out QuickBooksGroup.com to find one : )
- make sure you ask a lot of questions (a little curiosity goes a long way)
- make sure you have a business plan -- or at least some revenue goals
so what did i leave out? i am sure i could have given my friends some more tips
Recently, I was asked why I thought accountants should blog. Well, here it goes.
1. It is a great way to practice your creative writing
2. It is a great way to let potential clients know what you are thinking -- including your inner most thoughts
3. It is a lot cheaper than building a website; all it takes is a few bucks (or you can do it fro free)
4. It is very therapeutic and will make you forget our client's complaining (and their shoe boxes of receipts)
5. It is a great way to let your mom know what you are doing on a day-to-day basis
6. It is a great way to get away from (mostly) numbers for a while
7. It is a great way to stand out in the web crowd
8. It is a great way to let other blogs, web magazines, printed
magazines that you have something to say and therefore they should
consider publishing your work.
9. It is a great way of virtually tapping someone on the shoulder' and
telling them you have something to say without really bein intrusive
10. It provides an alternative finger exercise to working out on a calculator
11. It is a great way to connect with younger clients (they will know your cool (opps, I just showed my age with that word)
12. It is a good thing to do when you can't fall asleep at 2 am.
13. It is a good distraction from your real work.
SO, why do you do it?
Well, I just thought I would take this opportunity to wish you and your business partners, friends and family Happy Thanksgiving. It is hard to believe that the year is winding down. The online Community team really has enjoyed working with our customers, business partners and co-workers. So, we do have a lot to be thankful for.
Enjoy the weekend, drive safely and calculate those numbers correctly.
QuickBooksGuy
1) A good working knowledge of that particular industry/market. You don't have to know the most, but you have to know more than the basics. You can even learn an industry quickly if you have good business skills.
2) Realistic goal setting. This is probably part of the business plan, but it's important. Very few companies make tens of millions in their second year (some do, I've seen it), but a lot get buy with a good profit level that allow owners/workers to be comfortable while going to work ... without getting rich.
Above all, have fun!....
Good reminder about the fun.... it is amazing how often we forget about that.