- UPDATE: A $150K job offer became $170K and then eventually negotiated to $274K. I made my decision and thought it was all done and dusted until it wasn't. How I handle the next move will affect not just my livelihood. Please help me get it right!
- Sharing an excel with website visitors - what’s the best way?
- What are some business/financial gymnastics that the average business owner doesn’t know about?
- LLC - Future File Date
- Free weekly timeclock for employees?
- small business selling cute stickers (domestic + international!!)
- California EDD hitting me with "Employment tax" when I was a 1 person LLC. Not even sure what this tax is about.
- Why do random trolls online hate people’s product? Even though the product is actually great, think of apple/Samsung level, it is very good, why do these people need to comment hate and negativity saying “Your product is shit” etc. Why?
- Dealing with and avoiding problem clients
- Travel Planner
- Local store delivery
- Costco Members Survey!
- 16 year old running a business registered in their parents name? Is that possible?
- [Update] If my first post was the "before", let's call this the "during"
- Business line vs business phone?
- Startup money for sauna detox
- Secondary Line Voicemail Solution
- For those running their own business off of Etsy
- W9 noob question
- How do other freelancers reach out
- Looking for vehicles bulk export to another country from USA. Not sure if the dealership is the best path.
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 10:21 AM PDT About a month ago I posted here about how I declined a $170K job back from a former employer ( here is the post: https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/imhp37/update_my_former_boss_offered_me_my_job_back/ ) I know it's been a while since I promised to update you guys. A lot has happened since then. Foremost, my only son was born and I just have been basking in the presence of this handsome little boy. Also, I wanted this story to come to a conclusion before I update you, but some of you have been messaging me for an update. The Backstory Story Anyway, it turned out that this former employer has a multi-year contract on the table with an F10 company and the client had specifically asked for me. Why? While I was working for that employer, we successfully relaunched one of this client's products in a very competitive space they had been struggling to gain market share for years. Thanks to 3 factors upon which that project was built: product redesign based on intensive marketing (rather than just market) research, an inexpensive but effective marketing strategy, and the supporting integrated MarTech platform; the project produced ~ $150 million in just 90 days instead of the 6 months we had projected. Let's just say I had a lot to do with the inception and development of all three factors. And this new project looks to expand on those 3 pillars. (FYI, there are no IP right issues here) Of course, I immediately got my attorney involved. At the end of the negotiations, he had negotiated that figure to about $274K (including guaranteed bonuses and other cash incentives) a year for the duration of that agreement. FYI, that compensation package would drop to $190K after this particular project is completed. The insanity! Despite the lure of the compensation package, I declined the offer to stick with my small business currently paying me less than half that figure. I assure you that wasn't an emotional decision, but rather a calculated one. Not to be braggish or insensitive to folks going through hard times right now, but those figures are not that far out of reach with my own agency if I consider how far I have come within just the last 8 months. Moreover, my heart is set on a cool (SaaS/software, entertainment/media, tech) startup. The thought of coming up with a viable idea, develop a product, and successfully bring it to market has this unyielding grip on my psyche right now. I crossed my mid-30s and I am just tired of playing it safe. I feel like it's going to take such big risks to crossover to that land of true financial freedom. "You've have grown insane!", my wife says. My business mentor thinks otherwise. Who's right, I wonder! Therefore, I instead counter-offered my old boss (rather his company) minority interest in my agency in exchange for a set minimum number of projects a year (a workaround for the typical no-outsourcing clauses in these contracts). He agreed to the idea, but not yet the details. Negotiations are still underway. TL;DR: Just as I was beginning to think that the course was now set, here comes another potential twist! This week, the vice-president from that client reached out to me directly asking to schedule a call with him sometime next week and I am not sure why. I know for sure that the agreement between his company and my former boss' is already signed. So, what could he possibly want? Might it be that my former boss sent him to try to persuade me to reconsider his employment offer? Either way, should I take this as an opportunity to push my agency? I certainly do not want to do anything that would pull the rug from underneath my old boss' feet, but I do realize that this could be that opportunity that could put my small agency on the map. Given that, what kind of a win-win-win proposal could I possibly come up with? [link] [comments]  |
| Sharing an excel with website visitors - what’s the best way? Posted: 18 Oct 2020 04:23 AM PDT I want to make an editable list for people reading an article on my website to either download straight from the website or download from a shared drive. What's the best way? I see a lot of people using Dropbox and sometimes Google drive. Is there any drawback to just hosting the doc on your own website? [link] [comments]  |
| What are some business/financial gymnastics that the average business owner doesn’t know about? Posted: 17 Oct 2020 11:56 AM PDT As title says, for example, using the assets from one business as leverage to acquire assets for another... Examples are also welcome [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 07:56 PM PDT Last week I recently submitted my LLC for a future file date later in December (I'll be doing business in CA) so I won't have to pay the $800 franchise tax twice in rapid succession. I received a confirmation email from the Secretary of State saying "...has been reviewed for compliance, approved, and awaits the future file date, below, for filing." Good news! So, here's my question: Is the LLC name I filed with, now held for me? In other words, nobody else can use it if they choose a future file date earlier than me? Or is this LLC name now linked/mine until further notice. Thank you! [link] [comments]  |
| Free weekly timeclock for employees? Posted: 17 Oct 2020 04:48 PM PDT Hi guys, We're still using pen and paper to track time for about 3 employees. Thinking of moving to an online solution where they can clock in / clock out for lunch / block back in / clock out for the day and it calculates the number of hours in a given time range for me. Any recommendations? Doesn't necessarily need to have an accompanying cell phone app, as we have a dedicated machine for employees where they can clock in/out. Thanks! [link] [comments]  |
| small business selling cute stickers (domestic + international!!) Posted: 18 Oct 2020 02:30 AM PDT ♡ studio ghibli sticker pack ♡ animal crossing: nh sticker pack ♡ boops sticker pack individual stickers for $0.5 sticker packs for $2.3 shipping starts at $3.1 shop here: c-art.carrd.co/#shop [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 04:18 AM PDT I recently (May 2019) bought a business in San Francisco, CA. My business is an LLC and I was the only member until I brought my brother on as a co-owner around December 2019. I had zero employees other than myself the entire time. I received a letter from the California EDD saying I owe over $6500 in 'Account Type: Employment Tax' They haven't notified me at all until recently about this matter. They're asking for $2000 in penalty and interest on top of that. Is there something I did wrong? Did I miss something as I open every letter from the EDD and have paid all my taxes they asked for, on time, every time. [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 07:50 PM PDT I've been seeing a lot of business's ads who have an exceptionally well product that is well thought out and just a phenomenal product, they have very good comments about the product. But why do a number of people want to hate and bring negativity to the product impacting business? I'm all for constructive criticism but just pure trollish comments that could impact the business, I'm not for. Just imagine those who see small startups trying to make it but these trolls and haters are in the way. What do you guys think? [link] [comments]  |
| Dealing with and avoiding problem clients Posted: 17 Oct 2020 08:24 AM PDT Hey All, I have been landscaping professionally for 2 years. So far just 2 customers have not paid me in full. The first one said, "You all finished so quick I can't justify your quote." I explained I have significant investment in equipment and good helpers I pay well which is why we finished so quick. After some negotiation, we settled for about 3/4 of the bid. Well this week I had the clients (neighbors of the clients) from hell. I drove some equipment across their side yard to access my client's yard. My clients told me it was okay. Well, it wasn't okay. The neighbors are completely unreasonable. I re-sodded their side yard which was unnecessary. Then they blamed their sprinklers not working on me, so I replaced 6 sprinkler heads. When I was fixing it the mom was saying "fuck you" to me while I was working. I explained I'm trying to help and saying "fuck you" to me is not helping. Then she went after my employee and I had to hold him back. It was very bad. Finally, her daughter said, "leave or I am calling the cops on you for property damage" so I left. I texted them this morning asking if I could come back out to address their concerns and got no response. I assume they are going to file a court case against me. I do have photos of the repaired yard and sprinklers all working. So today I get a few texts from someone who I made an accepted bid for. They started getting snarky with me on the text so I just responded, "I'll pass on the job." I suppose I'm a little gun-shy now. What are your ways of screening difficult customers and situations out? How do you handle when they happen? Oh, and the job I just did the clients said, "We are withholding $500 until the neighbor is happy." I just don't see them ever being happy. [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 05:22 PM PDT all, Let us plan your travel for your personalized as per your preferences and needs. We are a group of passionate travellers who love planning trips. We do the research about the places, best time to visit, things to do and other interesting things about the place like best hotels, restaurants etc. Our recommendation is totally based on our research and we are not affiliated by particular brand or chain. So use your precious time for things that matters the most and let us help you make your trip from amazing to awesome. Please message me, if you have questions. Website coming soon. Instahandler: that_nomadic_spirit [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 05:05 PM PDT We have started a delivery service in Vancouver which can shop and deliver your shopping list form multiple local stores. We see the need for this service specially in areas far from Skytrain Station but we are struggling to make people aware of our service. What tactics will help us, specially in times of COVID [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 07:47 PM PDT Hello! I'm currently doing a group project for one of my classes centered around Costco and their service offerings. If you are a Costco member, we'd really appreciate it if you could take 2-3 minutes of your time to fill out this survey. It would also be great if you could like, comment, or share this post with other Costco members as well. We will be randomly selecting two respondents to be rewarded with a $50 Amazon gift card in one week. Comment when done to be entered for a chance to win! Thank you for your time, and stay safe everyone! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9BMXXVR [link] [comments]  |
| 16 year old running a business registered in their parents name? Is that possible? Posted: 17 Oct 2020 03:59 PM PDT English isn't my first language so sorry for any mistakes. I've always wanted to start a business but im 16 and you have to be 18 to start a business where i am. But i was told by someone "why not let your parents register your business in their name and you run it until you are officially 18 and register it in your (my) name?" So i came here to ask if its even possible to do something like that?yes/no? [link] [comments]  |
| [Update] If my first post was the "before", let's call this the "during" Posted: 17 Oct 2020 12:09 PM PDT Hi everyone! A few days ago I posted asking for anecdotes from people who were in my boat. I didn't quite get them, but I did get some really great responses that inspired me to rethink things. I knew about kitchen incubators, but didn't think we had them in my country (early on I'd Googled and nothing local came up). I searched different words this time and guess what I found? Yes. It took a few days' going back and forth with them, them ignoring me and my requests and me hounding them, but I FINALLY got them to send me a contract. I still have to raise a little bit of money (about 20% of my original request), but it's nowhere near as daunting as the full amount was. It will also mean I can properly take a couple users' advice to do presales as I launch, because I'll be able to cook, plate and photograph various dishes to advertise and sell gift cards without having to worry about not covering rent. I'm extra motivated now and remain glad I found Reddit and I hope soon I can have 2 more updates: 1 in a few days, after settling in the incubator and 1 in a few months when I move into my own restaurant space🙂 [link] [comments]  |
| Business line vs business phone? Posted: 17 Oct 2020 03:47 PM PDT Hello everyone! Today was my final day working for an employer, and tomorrow I start fresh working for myself. Current and new clients have my personal number to contact me, but I'd like to change that. Obviously since I'm just starting up I'm trying to keep the bills small. I'd like to avoid a separate phone line if possible, but wanted to hear pros/cons of both sides! I discovered an app called LinkedPhone that will allow me to choose a number to call out with and for clients to call me at that will go directly to my cell. Anyone have experience with this app or something similar? The reviews were pretty good but I didn't want to commit to purchasing any subscriptions before hearing more. Thank you for any advice! [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 02:46 PM PDT Where can I get starting money for a sauna detox facility? I already know the location and what saunas to finance just need to find out how to fund it. [link] [comments]  |
| Secondary Line Voicemail Solution Posted: 17 Oct 2020 02:20 PM PDT I have two phone numbers on my cell phone. One is my personal number and one is my business line that was set up using the eSIM functionality of my smart phone. The problem I am running into is that the secondary line, though it's set up with voicemail, I cannot access the voicemail using the phone app. This is using AT&T. Speaking to AT&T support about this provides no solution. If a client or prospective client calls me and has to leave a voicemail I never get notified about the message. I have to dial the secondary line and then login to the voicemail system. As a result, I am looking for a solution that will handle my business voicemail. I need the ability to make and receive calls using the secondary line from my cell phone of course, and to text clients. I encourage clients and even prospective clients to text questions to me. Having the voicemails transcribed would be nice as well, but is not a dealbreaker. I currently use the Youmail service for my personal line to manage my voicemail. I am thinking about upgrading to the professional plan with Youmail and porting my secondary number to them. I would appreciate any thoughts you have about implementing a solution like this. If there is a better solution please let me know. [link] [comments]  |
| For those running their own business off of Etsy Posted: 17 Oct 2020 12:31 PM PDT What was the more impactful marketing step you took that really drove in traffic? I have created social media accounts with the same name, paid a very small amount for Etsy ads (which has brought in a couple of sales), and am researching SEO. Just would like to hear what worked for others. Thanks! [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 08:18 AM PDT Noob question, apologies in advance. Business has been growing and I recently hired a freelancer for some work. Got a W9 filled out by the freelancer (first time). My question is, where do I (as the business) send the W9 to the IRS? Thanks! [link] [comments]  |
| How do other freelancers reach out Posted: 17 Oct 2020 07:43 AM PDT Hello everyone, I'm a freelance graphic designer that specializes in logo design/branding and motion design. I'm curious to see how other freelancers in my field reach out to businesses and startups. Do you guys utilize sites like upwork and fiverr? Or do you all reach out to businesses personally? (In-person or through social media) Let me know your thoughts and procedures. Im very curious. [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2020 11:06 AM PDT Hello everyone, I am currently in talks with a contact in another country who is looking to import vehicles from the USA (pickup trucks mainly) and is looking for roughly 200ish vehicles. I am not sure if the dealership is the best way to go forward with this. Please let me know if there are alternatives. EDIT: Just realized I gave only little detail. So we are looking for used cars, preferably 2017 and newer, no preference if the cars are different or the same as they are open to purchasing anything. My partners will be dealing with the export laws and exporting procedures, I am just looking to source the vehicles. We are looking that the US would be cheaper to spruce the vehicles from since the surrounding countries sell the vehicles at a much higher price already. [link] [comments]  |
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