I have a few questions but we'll start simple. I am trying to turn a hobby of mine into an online store. I'm not too terribly interested in getting it off the ground right away as I do have a great full time job that I'm not ready to leave just yet. I'm just looking for somewhere to display my latest creations as basically a word-of-mouth, local, online store for friends & family who like my designs and want to purchase my latest creations. I'm planning on starting small with no business loans as this, again, is just a hobby. I am just afraid that if I register a domain name and such without registering a company name with the gov, that I might be penalized. I am willing to register as an LLC and I understand taxes and such being that I have a few accountants in my immediate family. I just feel very overwhelmed for what I inititally wanted to start as no big thing. I tried to follow the simple steps to starting a small business but it seems like they are assuming everyone is going to take their business to the next level and get loans and really, I'm not interested in that just yet. I'd really like to start small but I also want to ensure that my business name and domain are not only protected from other prospective small business starters but also compliant to the laws as well. I tried to search for trademarks matching the name I'd like and I was so overwhelmed, I'd almost rather quit because I am not too terribly serious at this time. Problem is, its taken me months and months to come up with just a name and I'd hate to lose a great idea because I didn't take the initiative and the few extra steps to guarantee it with the government. Is there an easier way other than doing the research myself to find all I need to be compliant with the government regulations and licensing? I do have a little bit of money to put into it but the research is just confusing and a bit overwhelming for someone who just wants to take her hobby one step further.
Don't worry about registering. you don't get in trouble for not registering a
business you get in trouble for not paying taxes on profits. There is a rule
with the IRS at which point it turns from a hobby to a business. Don't worry
about taking out a loan. Work on this at night and don't quite your day job
until you are making enough to get by. You need to work very hard and put in
a lot of hours outside of your regular job to succeed. It does not come easy.
there is no such thing as an overnight success.
My advice is this: Get something quick out! A basic website, something, put
it in front of users.
There's no reason to keep thinking and re-thinking about it. Put it out there
and then improve it gradually.
There's no need to register as LLC, you can do that if your business takes
off.
But you need to validate your idea quickly, so get it out there and see what
happens. Ideas are not worth much nowadays, unless you execute them!
My advice is this: Get something quick out! A basic website, something, put it in front of users.
There's no reason to keep thinking and re-thinking about it. Put it out there and then improve it gradually.
There's no need to register as LLC, you can do that if your business takes off.
But you need to validate your idea quickly, so get it out there and see what happens. Ideas are not worth much nowadays, unless you execute them!
I agree with clevertim. Get your idea validated first. If it takes off and is
a huge hit with people, then you can start worrying about searching for
trademarks. Also, don't delay registering the website. Anyone who has an
active trademark also owns the domain name. I find it improbably for someone
to register a trademark for a brand or a product name and not register the
same domain name. Best of luck!
Just begin to post your items on etsy.com or bonanza.com if they are
hand-made goods. it is a great way to sell here and there, but without taking
it to the next level. I'm not sure what the limitations are as far as number
of sales before it constitutes more than a 'hobby', but doing it as a sole
proprietor, and having your DBA be your domain name shouldn't cause any
problems. I started my website, notepadscustomized.com just as a DBA for
myself. It is selling custom printed post-it notes, but it does the trick for
now. When I filed taxes, it wasn't anything too significant since my earnings
were not too high.
I know that the original post is a bit old, but I have some great input on this.
Check your local colleges! Many actually offer inexpensive classes that you can attend in the evenings, and they will teach you what you need to know. In fact, the classes are often pretty small, and you can get lots of help from the professor and their staff.
They will also know of any local laws and/or restrictions which may apply to your business.
Marissa M
If you are interested in making a simple, yet effective website. I recommend getting a little education. This is a bit self promoting, but Google Sniper education course really helped me. You can click the traffic ultimatum link below my post, where you can read up on the Google Sniper course, the teacher, my success with it, etc. It's a small investment and really pays nicely. Good luck.
It really isn't terribly difficult. As another poster pointed out, file the dba, get a sellers permit and go online to your states website and register for a free state sales license. All in all this will cost you about $140.
hey MissKristenAnne,
After you have the business etup you should find your self an internet marketing consultant who can guide you through the process of marketing your business using various method. Online marketing blogs would be a good place to start learning a bit and find someone who have post a lot great articles about marketing and try to get in touch to see if you are willing to work with you for an hourly rate.
Ray
Australia Souvenir Gift Shop
mail@australiasouvenir.com
---
This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.
totalvac | Performer | 4/14/2012 - 9:49 pm
business you get in trouble for not paying taxes on profits. There is a rule
with the IRS at which point it turns from a hobby to a business. Don't worry
about taking out a loan. Work on this at night and don't quite your day job
until you are making enough to get by. You need to work very hard and put in
a lot of hours outside of your regular job to succeed. It does not come easy.
there is no such thing as an overnight success.
clevertim | Window Shopper | 4/8/2012 - 3:09 pm
it in front of users.
There's no reason to keep thinking and re-thinking about it. Put it out there
and then improve it gradually.
There's no need to register as LLC, you can do that if your business takes
off.
But you need to validate your idea quickly, so get it out there and see what
happens. Ideas are not worth much nowadays, unless you execute them!
cgman | Window Shopper | 5/3/2012 - 7:10 pm
a huge hit with people, then you can start worrying about searching for
trademarks. Also, don't delay registering the website. Anyone who has an
active trademark also owns the domain name. I find it improbably for someone
to register a trademark for a brand or a product name and not register the
same domain name. Best of luck!
notepadscustomized.com | Window Shopper | 4/6/2012 - 9:14 pm
hand-made goods. it is a great way to sell here and there, but without taking
it to the next level. I'm not sure what the limitations are as far as number
of sales before it constitutes more than a 'hobby', but doing it as a sole
proprietor, and having your DBA be your domain name shouldn't cause any
problems. I started my website, notepadscustomized.com just as a DBA for
myself. It is selling custom printed post-it notes, but it does the trick for
now. When I filed taxes, it wasn't anything too significant since my earnings
were not too high.
yakuza | Window Shopper | 4/5/2012 - 10:22 pm
NicoleD | Former Moderator | 8/20/2010 - 6:23 am
Marissa | Window Shopper | 8/18/2010 - 6:38 pm
TrafficUltimate | Performer | 3/13/2010 - 3:42 pm
sskurnick | Window Shopper | 2/16/2010 - 2:37 pm
souvenir | Creator | 2/16/2010 - 5:25 am
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