good research materials on the subject of electric cars, 3d modeling and/or entrepreneurship? [more inside]
posted by groovinkim on Jul 20, 2009 - 4 answers

What blogs/sites like Moxie Cinema offer similar insights and real discussion of the business elements of their operations? Cafes, restaurants, book shops, video stores, bars, widget makers, whatever! [more inside]
posted by bystander on Jun 11, 2009 - 5 answers

Mixing business and pleasure as a small businessperson, I need a little advice regarding taxes and business travel. [more inside]
posted by TungstenChef on Jun 8, 2009 - 1 answer

If you were starting a business in the current economic climate and you had $25k-50k start up capital, what type of business would you start? [more inside]
posted by ibechase on Mar 20, 2009 - 26 answers

How can I identify software for online registration for soccer training sessions? I'm thinking there are some solutions out there that are basically blackbox that can then be tailored to my site, but I haven't been able to turn them up. I don't want to use just something like regonline.com because I have people signing up for each session and there are dozens of different sessions in a week. [more inside]
posted by ewiley28 on Mar 11, 2009 - 3 answers

I want to design a human system (like a small business) and then bootstrap/instantiate it. At the moment, I'm not focusing on psychology but more on franchise-esque/"operations manual" type considerations. [more inside]
posted by zeek321 on Dec 2, 2008 - 6 answers

Wife down about economy wants to close business. Now what? [more inside]
posted by blueplasticfish on Nov 20, 2008 - 23 answers

My friend works in database applications each day to create in house reports. He's bored and wants to go it alone. [more inside]
posted by simplesharps on Sep 3, 2008 - 0 answers

Starting a small, part-time, home-based eBay business in New York. What are the implications of registering for a Sale & Use Tax certificate? [more inside]
posted by kmtiszen on Aug 27, 2008 - 1 answer

Specific questions, and general advice and suggestions, on purchasing a very prominent, locally owned, retail business. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 28, 2008 - 4 answers

Is there an expense reporting app that's flexible, handy, and will help me finish next year's taxes quickly and easily? I know about excel, quicken, and various financial transaction apps, but what if I drive 100 miles to a tech conference and want to note my mileage? And what if I'm out entertaining clients and I want to pop onto my iPhone to note the total bill for the evening (before I forget the next day to open excel). Are there any web-based flexible apps for doing all the expense reporting you might need for a small business' bookkeeping needs?
posted by mathowie on Jan 31, 2008 - 7 answers

What free or cheap software, or webapps, can I recommend to help my friend manage and build her small business, a salon? Although there is software out there specifically made for this purpose, it seems out of her price range and shares a lot in common with more general software. [more inside]
posted by abkadefgee on Dec 13, 2007 - 8 answers

My husband has been given the opportunity to purchase a small business. He knows that the company will be sucessful. We need about $10,000 to start it up. Here is the problem: he has a great credit rating, but he is currently unemployed and we do not own a home to put up as collateral. Are there any creative financing solutions out there for him?
posted by amysk on Dec 3, 2007 - 19 answers

Help me find a insurance company that will cover my home-based ebay business. [more inside]
posted by nmogno on Aug 1, 2007 - 3 answers

Do I have to be a citizen of the US to register a small business? I want to keep everything legit and above-board and recently I have been thinking of registering a small business to represent all the online activities that make me money, like hosting a couple of people, designing and fixing wordpress blogs etc. The question is - do I have to be a US citizen to register myself as a small business. [more inside]
posted by carthik on May 13, 2007 - 15 answers

SmallBusiness Filter: I need help with how my business partners and I get paid. [more inside]
posted by xyberspam on Dec 20, 2006 - 3 answers

Any recommendations for a no b.s. sales lead service for a one person mortgage broker biz? [more inside]
posted by swiffa on Oct 19, 2006 - 1 answer

I'm trying to make my new web project legal in California. After reading through the Nolo press book(s), we thought that perhaps the LLC was the best corporate structure (we are going to issue stock and give the primary developer a portion in lieu of payment). While the Federal government taxes LLCs like sole proprietorships - you aren't taxed unless you make profit, and I don't see our profit outpacing our costs for a year - the State of California charges an LLC "tax" (really a fee) of $800, due almost immediately after your incorporation paperwork goes through, so... [more inside]
posted by luriete on Sep 8, 2006 - 9 answers

Number-crunchingFilter: What's the best small-business accounting software for a non-accountant? [more inside]
posted by YoungAmerican on Sep 3, 2006 - 9 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 by Alterscape on Aug 27, 2006 - 7 answers

How does corporate governance work in a small- or micro-business environment? [more inside]
posted by oissubke on Jul 15, 2006 - 6 answers

Health insurance targeted toward small business owners and their employees? [more inside]
posted by richardhay on Jun 4, 2006 - 10 answers

What are good resources, books, etc. on how to find investors/business partners for buying a bar? [more inside]
posted by scody on May 18, 2006 - 4 answers

I have several questions about starting a business. [more inside]
posted by medusa on May 17, 2006 - 11 answers

What are the advantages, disadvantages, and Important Things To Know about officially starting a business? [more inside]
posted by cortex on Mar 28, 2006 - 17 answers

I'm looking for recommendations for hosting for a new Australian small business. Yes, I've searched the archives. Yes, I've read all the old hosting recommendation threads. [more inside]
posted by obiwanwasabi on Feb 22, 2006 - 7 answers

What prepaid legal service would you recommend for business matters? [more inside]
posted by newgrl on Aug 7, 2005 - 6 answers

Tips on turning a business idea into reality? [more inside]
posted by drezdn on Aug 6, 2005 - 11 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 by anonymous on Jan 27, 2005 - 12 answers

I own a very small company, and I feel that my product is the best in its category. If I can just get my message to the masses, my company will be a success (otherwise I'll have to go back to work for "the man"). What's the best way to ge the message out? I realize that everyone is advertising-averse, and I don't want to consider anything that might irritate people.
posted by yaquina27 on Nov 27, 2004 - 15 answers

So I'm thinking of starting a new small business... it involves food, though. My idea is to make a very small range of products -- say, baked goods -- and sell it at farmer's markets and upscale grocery stores. Since it involves food, I imagine I have to jump through more hoops than I might otherwise, but I don't even begin to know where to look about what all is involved. Health inspections? Licenses? Anyone have any experience in this sort of thing?
posted by crunchland on Oct 14, 2004 - 7 answers

I am thinking of starting a very small business, but I have a few questions for those of you who have done so before I really make up my mind wheter to go forward or not. [More Inside] [more inside]
posted by shotsy on Jul 29, 2004 - 10 answers

SmallBizFilter! A pal of mine has asked me to help him build out a small shipping-and-fulfillment center serving an online store he started recently. Things are going well, but my part of the work will be most challenging. Advice? Recommendations? [the interior features the more.] [more inside]
posted by mwhybark on May 19, 2004 - 2 answers

I want to start a web design business focusing primarily on Flash design, but I need some tips on how to acquire clients. [More Inside] [more inside]
posted by banished on Mar 16, 2004 - 6 answers

Can someone recommend a book or a resource for the small business owner, especially in regards to tech/eCommerce? Not a tech book, but something that can clue me in to 'businessy' stuff like advertising, accounting, employee issues, etc? [more inside]
posted by skallas on Mar 12, 2004 - 3 answers

Has anyone had experience opening a small shop as a business? What are the pros/cons of such an undertaking? If you have, please share a bit of the highlights and lowlights of the endeavor! (more inside) [more inside]
posted by BrodieShadeTree on Jan 5, 2004 - 11 answers

I want to start a small computer gaming place in Portland that also will house a "mini" brewery, where people can come in and play on computers while drinking beer. I have never owned a business before (although I had a self employed computer repair thing, wasnt registered) and I wanted to know what I should know right off the bat, before I walk into a bank and ask for a loan.

More information inside. [more inside]
posted by Keyser Soze on Dec 21, 2003 - 26 answers