Two college friends and myself are looking to put together a mobile application start-up. We have the business end of the startup covered, but we need to find a developer to help us out. We need some financial guidance on what to do and what not to do. Should we pay a freelance developer, or bring someone on board with us as a partner? [more inside]
posted on Jul 16, 2008 - 15 answers 
Help me think of a new business or career that can be started by one person with a small start-up budget? [more inside]
posted on May 7, 2008 - 14 answers
StartupFilter: Payroll processing co or part-time bookkeeper for SF Bay Area co? [more inside]
posted on Mar 21, 2008 - 6 answers
Startupfilter: best on-line account for a small US business? [more inside]
posted on Mar 18, 2008 - 3 answers
Need help appraising the intellectual property values of acquaintances, if I do all the work bringing their ideas to market. [more inside]
posted on Oct 14, 2007 - 5 answers
I'm going to register my company as an LLC. My next question is where? Which US state is the best for this? [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2007 - 4 answers
How to divide up a company amongst 3 people when 2 people will be doing most of the work for the first 6-12 months. [more inside]
posted on Sep 27, 2007 - 10 answers
I have an idea for a web project. It may have some commercial potential eventually but will basically be a night project for me and the other folks involved. Think of how MetaFilter got its start... hand-rolled / bootstrapped, whatever. My question is: how do you agree on who gets what share of any proceeds down the road? In particular, the design work will be heavy up front but tapering off after launch. Is it insulting to offer a designer a 5% share for a few days work? Does everyone brought in need to be made an equal partner? I'm sure the answer to that is no, but I'm not sure what the alternatives are. Paying people cash for work is not an option. There is no cash, and everyone involved is willing to invest some time and wait for results. The only thing is that some of us will be investing more time than others... so what to do?
posted on Sep 5, 2007 - 7 answers
I'm in the very early phases of putting together a special-interest web site, which will begin as a blog but could eventually add other features. For at least the first year or two, I expect to lose money on this. Eventually, I hope to cover my costs or maybe even make a small (very small) profit with advertising. What business, tax and technology considerations should I keep in mind as I get going? [more inside]
posted on Jul 23, 2007 - 1 answers
My business idea...brilliant, or a waste of time? Have you, or your business, ever needed a service like this? Has any company you worked for ever employed anybody to do this? [more inside]
posted on Jul 11, 2007 - 18 answers
my friends and i have an idea for an awesome website - the next youtube or myspace. we know what we want it to look like, how we want it to work, the features we want it to have. but (and this is a big but) none of us have the skills to actually make it - or even know if it's possible with current technologies. is the idea worth anything without the technology or code that would bring the idea to fruition? how do we take our ideas to the next level? how to we protect our idea while trying to do this? hoping you can help a few english majors with a dream make it with an internet startup...thanks!
posted on Mar 11, 2007 - 29 answers
SmallBusiness Filter: I need help with how my business partners and I get paid. [more inside]
posted on Dec 20, 2006 - 3 answers
How much should I expect out of partners from a startup, in regards to time and commitment? I am the type who will spend every waking hour researching, working, making contacts, etc. I do not believe my partners are making the same time commitment. Any advice, books or resources on dealing with interpersonal relationships when a startup is in the early phases? [more inside]
posted on Nov 11, 2006 - 16 answers
When to bring a business development person into a startup? [more inside]
posted on Oct 10, 2006 - 6 answers
StartupFilter: A two-person software startup wants to bring on two developers, what can we offer them? [more inside]
posted on Oct 4, 2006 - 7 answers
What books and websites should a non-business-major read to learn about the legal and practical aspects of starting a small business partnership in the US (MD, to be exact)? [more inside]
posted on Aug 27, 2006 - 7 answers
I am a college student looking to start up a furniture rental business for University students but don't exactly know where to start. ANY advice would be greatly appreciated.
posted on Aug 22, 2006 - 13 answers
Should I bring someone on as a business partner? [more inside]
posted on Jul 20, 2006 - 6 answers
What can I do about a business partner who ran off with an idea? [more inside]
posted on Jun 17, 2006 - 13 answers
Hello.
Here’s the lowdown: I’m the senior sound designer / managing director for a leading international sound library company who’s been successfully running a company that doesn’t belong to me for 6 years. I’ve exhausted this opportunity, as the company is limited in its ability to grow due to the owners methods. In short, although I still have my job (and could have it forever, so to speak), I need to get out. I’m striving to create an opportunity for myself (and potentially for some of the other amazing employees I’ve hired who are looking for better opportunities) by starting a new company, and I must act now as I am not getting any younger.. I’ve been thinking this through for almost 6 months now, and something seeming great has just happened. Can you help me make the most out of it?
[more inside]
posted on May 25, 2006 - 13 answers
I have several questions about starting a business. [more inside]
posted on May 17, 2006 - 11 answers
What are the advantages, disadvantages, and Important Things To Know about officially starting a business? [more inside]
posted on Mar 28, 2006 - 17 answers
Where can I find a partner to help me build a business based on a Web service? I'm 18, I'm not going to be in college for at least a year, and I can fund the venture for 6+ months out-of-pocket. But the programming is far too much work for just one person. [more inside]
posted on Feb 26, 2006 - 9 answers
I need advice about taking my side business to the next level. [more inside]
posted on Feb 16, 2006 - 4 answers
Is there a good online source for generic legal-ese? I am starting a business and I need to draft corporate bylaws, stock certificates, and a terms of service agreement. I would like to do this without involving a lawyer, if possible. [more inside]
posted on Oct 1, 2005 - 6 answers
StartupFilter: What questions would you ask a startup you were thinking of joining? What questions would you ask yourself?
More about the startup: its a software company that has VC funding. They are just starting to create the product. There's less than ten people involved.
More about me: a corporate monkey who's looking for a change in life if possible but can stay put if that's best. I have a good job salary-wise right now, but I do not feel like I am moving anywhere with it. I have worked long hours in the past and am interested in the product being created. I felt the need to post anonymously because I have posted about my job here before.
posted on Jan 27, 2005 - 12 answers
