I'm broken. Every time we start to move forward someone lets me down and we go backwards. small business |
- I'm broken. Every time we start to move forward someone lets me down and we go backwards.
- I run an adult greeting card shop on Etsy. Due the nature of them, my visits/sales aren't growing. Do you have any advice?
- Our google page thumbnail has a picture of our old storefront and it's confusing my customers.
- Ice Cream Shop
- Small business help
- For those using alibaba any advice ,insight, or alternatives
- Are all businesses really "dumpster fires"?
- How i can grow my Garments stock lot business?
- Need Guidance
- Single-Member LLC with EIN Filing as Disregarded Entity
- Importing under a sister company?
- at 17, what’s the best way for me to sell my artwork?
- T-Shirts and/or uniforms
- *Are you figuring out on ways to increase your revenues in a COVID adjusted market?*
- We had a client make a deposit of $10,000. We do not wish to move forward with the job, refunded it, but she hasn't deposited the check...
- Facebook ads getting clicks, but no responses?
- Google Workspace or Office 365?
- Grants
- Help with starting a 3d printing business
- What's the best way to network with high-net worth individuals
- Recommendations for survey sites to test and for market research
- I need to generate qualified leads for my online tutoring business. Are Google Ads the best way to do this?
- Lead generation service
- Whats the best structure for an LLC Partnership?
| I'm broken. Every time we start to move forward someone lets me down and we go backwards. Posted: 02 Jun 2021 11:56 AM PDT I started a small manufacturing business from home, when I first won loads of orders I started to call on friends to help.... And we lost a customer on quality. Skip forward a few years, work picks up again, I take on another person, he lets me down regularly and work doesn't go out the door. I take on a factory, employ someone experienced, their quality and speed is poor and I loose a big contract we can't fulfill. I tried someone else and they were more disruptive and dropped output when they were employed. I then take on someone that's been in the business 40 years, win more work and AGAIN they don't step up to get orders out the door. I have been working 04:30 - 19:00 for the last two weeks, seven days a week, I can't physically do any more but it's still not good enough. I'm broken and done, all I'm doing currently is annoying customers and creating a bad reputation, it's so frustrating it's nearly there, cashflow positive, orders coming in, Automation and appropriate investments but we can't do the basics and get the work out the door so what is the point anymore? [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 12:01 PM PDT I've been running a greeting card shop on Etsy for the last three years. When I started, I knew it'd be a steep hill to climb and had projected three years for me to become popular enough that it makes some healthy monthly sales. Unfortunately, it's not going that way. The pandemic is one factor in this and so I've allowed for another year. However, due to the adult/niche nature of the cards, promoting them is difficult. They're not erotic, just BDSM-related. I do a lot of promotion on Reddit, but most subreddits don't allow self promotion. I post regularly on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/FetLife. My shop is also on Ebay. Someone also agreed to stock my greeting cards in a bricks and mortar shop. I should also mention I'm based in the UK, but I do get international sales. This amazes me because shipping is more expensive than the card and yet people will pay. Despite all of this, sales just aren't what they need to be and I'd appreciate any advice you might have to improving the outlook, with the knowledge that the cards might not be suitable for all age ranges. Much appreciated! [link] [comments]  |
| Our google page thumbnail has a picture of our old storefront and it's confusing my customers. Posted: 02 Jun 2021 06:42 AM PDT About four years ago, I had a customer take a picture of our old storefront while leaving a review on our Google page. That picture that has remained as the thumbnail for our business for about the last three years. We recently moved up the block to a bigger location, but whenever you pull up our business name on Google it still has that old storefront location as the thumbnail. I've tried putting up photos of our new storefront but it doesn't seem to bumping that particular photo out of the thumbnail. Any ideas how I can fix this? [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 05:37 PM PDT I've been tossing the idea around about opening an ice cream shop/donut in a small town in the Midwest with 15,000 people with very little places to eat. The ice cream shop will be in the town square. There will be no drive through but easily assessable as far as parking goes. It will be surrounded by your normal small town businesses in the square of town; family owned restaurant, grocery store, gas station, auto part store, jewelry store, hair saloon, gym, churches, etc. I have no background in the food industry but have experience in other (successful) business adventures. There are a few fast food restaurants and a few mom and pop sit down restaurants around the town. The Dairy Queen in town is the only thing available as far as ice cream goes and is busy 24/7/365 and is not within walking distance of the square of town. I have a few spaces available as far as rent goes with the max rent being $1500. Any updates and renovations will be done by me (I'm a general contractor). I've been looking online at used equipment to put in the store and have a workforce ready to man the store. I know what surrounding ice cream shops charge, however I need pointed in the right direction as far as ice cream vendors or making my own ice cream along as any other information one might have to offer Thanks! [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:27 PM PDT Hello all, I have a small online boutique and would love to get some honest feedback on it. I've been open for 9 months and would like consumers opinion. I have a women's boutique that caters to women who enjoy simple fashion with a hint of sass. I do not have a brand identity/aesthetic because my adhd will not allow me to keep everything in order 😅 My insta is misa_lay Please be kind I am doing this all on my own with no support from friends or family Thanks in advance [link] [comments]  |
| For those using alibaba any advice ,insight, or alternatives Posted: 03 Jun 2021 12:00 AM PDT I decided to start a small "luxury" bath,apparel,travel accessory type brand. So I'm doing research and I'm looking for jars,containers and small things like silicon brushes to put my logo on and I keep running across alibaba. Everything is sourced overseas (mostly China) and it makes me nervous? Any experience with it? [link] [comments]  |
| Are all businesses really "dumpster fires"? Posted: 02 Jun 2021 09:29 AM PDT I currently (and for the past couple of years) manage a small business owned by an older member of my family. The business has always been profitable, and I like to think I have done my part to further increase the value of the company. The trouble is, the company consistently feels like an absolute dumpster fire. If we are not facing regulatory issues, we are facing employee issues, either disciplinary for an existing employee or difficulty finding new employees. Equipment is constantly in need of repair, or employees do not correctly handle a problem Then there's the customers - oh, the customers... It seems like every other day I get into a heating argument with a customer that just berated my employee. I don't like bullies, and I have always tried to view our staff as family. We have also had an extremely difficult time keeping (customer service) office staff, and every time an employee quits, the conversation starts like "I really love working for your family, and you have been great to me, BUT [insert complaint about how they can't respect themselves when customers speak this way to them]". I handle customer complaints on a case by case basis, and certainly have to apologize when a mistake was legitimately made on our end, as well as sit the employee down and explain where they went wrong... The trouble is, more than half of the time it is just people being entitled jerks. Obviously I don't like to see customers leave, but at a certain point, if you can't make them happy, I feel like we are setting our staff up for failure by continuing to do business with them... YET, by every financial measure, business has never been better. Our customer base has contracted some, but this is largely because I made the decision to end open-ended (no credit limit) financing. This has allowed us to have an unbelievably healthy cash flow. We continue to make great profits, and the business has been financially beneficial for myself as well as my family member... I guess I cannot tell if this is just how doing business is? Or is this the precursor to the company going down the toilet? I'm not a business person (per se) as my background and work experience has always been working for others (web development and IT). My family member has told me a number of times that "this is just how doing business is". But I can't seem to wrap my head around it, as my worldview is pretty black and white (success and failure, etc.)... Kinda wondering what everyone else's experience is? I cannot help but feel there is minimally some mismanagement I'm at least complacent in? [link] [comments]  |
| How i can grow my Garments stock lot business? Posted: 02 Jun 2021 11:10 PM PDT Hello,I am from Bangladesh, recently start a T-shirt business in the local market. I am the only earning member in my family. So to support financially in my family I would like to grow my business such as looking for a partner from abroad. Please help me how I can find this? [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:49 PM PDT I've been working for my Dad in his construction business for the past 12 years now. We're a small GC in North Texas. When I first started I was 19 and started painting or installing trim, basically whatever was necessary. Since then I've taken more of a leadership role and we went from Grossing $600k a year to now $1.5 to $2 million a year. We specialize in kitchen and bath remodels but also do multi-family renovations and repairs as well. We are very well reviewed and honestly always have more work than we can handle. We have a decent network of subcontractors, fabricators and suppliers. Our dilema is that we're kind of stuck. Our books are a mess, and since neither of us specialize in accounting it's something that we constantly put in the back burner. We do a poor job keeping track of project budgets and don't have a system in place for po's and job expenses. We want to "grow" but really can't figure out how since we are both limited in labor and Supervisors. Since our books are a mess we don't even know what we can afford. Both of us, mostly me, are constantly burned out. We do estimating, supervision, invoicing, daily client contacts, scheduling, provide materials and waste disposal. Which leaves us with little time to organize our office and keep track of small jobs. We had a meeting a month ago and finally agreed that we need to hire a CPA to help with our books so we have a better idea of how our business is doing. We interviewed a few and settled on one two weeks ago. That should help our tremendously. But I still need help on how to better organize our jobs and create a system in place to help keep track of job costs. Are there books, videos or advice that anyone could recommend to help with this? As far as myself I would also like some advice. I've been doing this for a while now. I went to hating it to liking it. I like seeing projects evolve, I like selling jobs, the flexibility and I like how it can provide for my family. On the other hand, the unorganization is killing me, and it doesn't help that I don't know where to begin. I hate the long hours and sometimes it feels like it never ends. Wearing so many hats is overwhelming. My Dad won't be doing this forever, maybe 7-10 more years? The thought of me doing all of this is just dreadful and sometimes I think about how nice a 9-5 with benefits would be. Currently my goal is to help organize our business as much as I can in the next 12 months and then make a decision if I want to stay or pursue another career, in what? I really don't know. Sorry if it's too long. I've just been thinking allot on how to improve things lately. [link] [comments]  |
| Single-Member LLC with EIN Filing as Disregarded Entity Posted: 02 Jun 2021 08:22 PM PDT Hey folks, Quick question for all of you out there. I just started a small single-member LLC business. My state requires that I get an EIN from IRS in order to file my business with the state (even though IRS does not require one). However, I was under the impression that if I obtained an EIN, then I am essentially electing to file as a corporation rather than disregarded entity. I really don't want to file as a corporation if I don't have to. Does anyone know if this is true?? Searching Google just confuses me even more. [link] [comments]  |
| Importing under a sister company? Posted: 02 Jun 2021 05:11 PM PDT So there are a lot of tools available to see where companies get their inventory overseas. Anyone that wants to check out my sources need only dive into a site like Import Yeti (great resource btw) and they can get a list of every shipment I have ever commissioned. With that said, I am thinking of ways I can disguise my shipments without raising flags with customs or the IRS. I have a few thoughts on how to address this and before I take this to my CPA I figured I would bounce this off the sub and see if anyone else has any suggestions. Here are a few ways I might be able to go about this:
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated, thanks. [link] [comments]  |
| at 17, what’s the best way for me to sell my artwork? Posted: 02 Jun 2021 01:20 PM PDT i post my art on instagram so i could try to gain some publicity and have a very small following of about 70. how can i go about actually selling my art? should i create an etsy account and link it on my profile? today i created first bank account so that i could have access to venmo, paypal, etc. [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 08:50 PM PDT I'm starting an HVAC company and it has been pointed out to me that it would be a good idea for my install crew to have shirts or whatnot - does anyone have a suggestion as to a reasonable place to grab a couple dozen single color t-shirts or polos with a breast pocket area logo? I'd love an embroidered logo but an applique is ok as well. [link] [comments]  |
| *Are you figuring out on ways to increase your revenues in a COVID adjusted market?* Posted: 03 Jun 2021 12:14 AM PDT |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:20 AM PDT We are running a small home remodeling business. We had a woman contact us for a kitchen remodel. She recently came into an inheritance and couldn't get it out of her hands fast enough. Her project required a $6,500 deposit, which she paid $10,000 in the form of a cashier's check. Following her deposit, she continued to add requests -- not just in regards to her kitchen remodel, but totally unrelated separate projects. She requested getting hardwood floors, but wanted us to just place it on top of the old floor. Because this isn't the "right" way to do things sustainably, my partner let her know that he wouldn't do it, because it wouldn't last over time and that's not the way he works.. to which she replied "I gave you a cashiers check for $10,000" (for an unrelated project...) We could sense that she was the type of client that would continue to pile on work with that deposit as her leverage, then when the final bill is issued, she may not have it/want to pay. Aside from this, she demonstrated qualities/tried manipulation tactics and, quite frankly, she is not an ideal client, so we made the decision to not move forward with working for her. (Note: side note -- no work towards this project was ever started for her) To document all correspondence we emailed this client basically stating that "we prayed and have decided not to move forward... you will receive a check in the mail to refund your deposit (certified mailed with a tracking number)". The morning after that email she texted through our system (although she was using the business phone to text/call prior to this) saying she "couldn't locate her quote, hopes we are well and as discussed, would like for the project to start on June 9th". I believe that she had already seen the email before sending this text, but that's just my speculation from the change of tone in that text from past interactions. A letter of explanation and the check was certified mailed to her, requiring her signature. She signed for it, but she has not deposited the check. I am looking for some information. What are our rights? Her rights? What happens if she doesn't deposit the check? Does she have a certain amount of days to hold it? Just looking for any insights/information/similar experiences to share with my partner. Thanks, y'all! [link] [comments]  |
| Facebook ads getting clicks, but no responses? Posted: 02 Jun 2021 05:14 PM PDT Does anybody have any general advice on how to actually get follow-ups through Facebook advertising? We spent about a hundred bucks or so and got about 20 quick click throughs that lead to our website. Seems to be no response though, but it would lead me to believe that if people clicked on the ad they'd be interested in the service right? Anybody have any general tips on what I could be doing wrong? [link] [comments]  |
| Google Workspace or Office 365? Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:39 AM PDT Hi there, I want to start a small business in Germany. Can you prefer one of them? Thanks a lot! [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 01:45 PM PDT I just built an online clothing boutique. I was wondering if there were any small business grants that I'd be eligible for. I'm not looking for much money, just a couple hundred to review the products before I list them on my website. If you have any in mind, shoot them my way and I'd be very thankful. For reference I am 18 and a female. [link] [comments]  |
| Help with starting a 3d printing business Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:29 AM PDT So recently I purchased a 3d printer for two reasons, the first so I can make some stuff for myself to make life a little easier and also to sell prints for a side job kind of to help pay bills, I'm confused on how to start or go about this though and am kind of stuck, what steps should I take to get this going? [link] [comments]  |
| What's the best way to network with high-net worth individuals Posted: 02 Jun 2021 11:48 PM PDT |
| Recommendations for survey sites to test and for market research Posted: 02 Jun 2021 10:18 AM PDT I'm not sure what the exact name is for this group but I'm looking for survey sites where I can poll a select number of people and they give market feedback. I'm looking to test a couple of taglines to see what resonates better with people. But may also need to test a landing page. Thank you [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 07:54 PM PDT First time exploring the use of Google Ads. Thinking: Google Ads (PPC) —> traffic to landing page where prospects can book a call —> sales call with qualified leads. Is this a valid approach? Or am I totally off my marks? [link] [comments]  |
| Posted: 02 Jun 2021 08:32 AM PDT Hi guys, I'm in the process of setting up a new business and need a source of new sales leads. Im currently on a trial of Pipedrive's Lead booster but wanted to see if you have any recommendations for me which are cost effective? As im just starting up as freelance at the beginning i don't have tons of cash for it. Im based in the UK and for now will be targeting London businesses. I have looked into LinkedIn Sales navigator but its not very functional to me right now as i really need email addresses and direct phone numbers. I have not quit my day job yet so i cant tip the hat on LinkedIn until the time is right. Anything that gives me a relatively clean list is obviously a great time saver so just scraping it all together manually is quite undesirable. Thx in advance for any replies :) [link] [comments]  |
| Whats the best structure for an LLC Partnership? Posted: 02 Jun 2021 07:45 PM PDT Myself and a friend would like to start a company were we are investing 50/50. We are trying to decide what is the best structure to minimize expenses when it relates to taxes. I know about LLC's filing as disregarded for single member, but confused on how we should structure this as far as a Partnership. So far this is what we have as far as options: a. We start one LLC and we both own 50/50 part in the company b. We both start our own individual company (A, LLC and B, LLC) then start another company (C, LLC) which is owned by A, LLC and B, LLC If there are other options/ideas and structure, please feel free to let me know :) [link] [comments]  |
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