Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with business

What to do with two townhouses?

littleredwagon — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:59:15 -0800

What to do with two townhouses that my sister and I may be taking over ownership of soon? My sister and I will soon be taking over ownership of two townhouses owned by our critically ill father. They are side by side to each other in a community in the RTP area of NC. We moved our father to the one floor unit back in the fall and have had the two story unit on the market up until last week, when the potential buyer backed out.

Currently, both units have very little equity in them. So, my sister and I (along with our spouses) have started thinking about renting them out once we take ownership.

Obviously, we'd like to do this little 'project' RIGHT in terms of an investment.

What I'm looking for from the hivemind is this...

- How do we go about this as a business entity that benefits both our families?

- What resources can you recommend we utilize to prepare for this undertaking?

My sister and her husband have experience in buying places and fixing them up. They aren't necessarily 'flippers', but they have experience. My wife and I do not.

We want to avoid all potential pitfalls if possible!

Our long term vision would be to use this experience as a stepping off point for a future in real estate investment.

All information is appreciated!

Small business planner?

malphigian — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:18:22 -0800

Help with small business financial (and organizational) planning? Recommendation for someone to talk to? I've had a small web business for a number of years now, mostly operating by using a network of freelancers. We're in the midst of making the jump to a more formal set up with full time employees.

The process is going pretty well, but one of the things I'd really like is someone to talk to about the financial planning side of the business. We don't necessarily need any financing right now, but I'd love someone I could talk to about preparing for that process down the road. As well as the nuts and bolts of organizing finances and preparing for full time employees.

I have an accountant, but he's focused strictly on the basic books. What I'm looking for is some kind of consultant who can give us advice, and who I can email questions to now and then.

I tried to google, I really did, but I don't know if what I'm looking for exists. All I found was a lot of state/city agencies (too basic/broad) and a lot of banks who want to loan me money. Are there people out there who do what I'm looking for and what do they call themselves?

Even better, any specific recommendations in the NYC area?

Thanks in advance!

Ad-based Economies

Non Prosequitur — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:04:57 -0800

Are there industries that are as dependent on advertising revenue as The Media and (Free) Web Apps? I can't shake a prejudice I've acquired recently of thinking of ad-based revenue as "fake revenue".

It was precipitated by looking at the Adsense reports for a firm and realizing that they were basically running on nothing. If they'd spent as much time writing random blogs as they had making technology they'd probably have higher revenues (if their plan is just to slap on AdSense.)

(I realize that a lot of these firms roll out speculative sites/applications rather than safely profitable ventures just to see what catches on, and that doing custom ad sales can be better than using automated ad networks.)

But I still feel that unless you're pulling in 'customer money' or real affiliate money somewhere in the flow you're heavily dependent on something that's pretty shaky (advertising budgets: whimsical because of how they flow in and out of particular media, and ebb according to the macroeconomic context.)

Is pulling money from showing banner ads just as 'solid' as pulling money from customer pockets in terms of what firms outside of the internet sector do? (Or, Do you know of any resources I could read to explore the idea of Ad/Sponsorship-based Economics?)

Where I can get exquisite business cards that leave an impression designed and printed?

remcobron — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:48:02 -0800

Who knows where I can get really exquisite business cards designed and printed? I'm looking for a company who will help me design a special businesscard for my consulting firm. It should be something special that will leave a real impression on clients. Something like these cards at Creativebits. I'm located in Europe but will work with anyone via the internet if they have the right ideas and references.

Does anyone have any experience with a company who does this or can refer me to anyone?

Starting a teen business

freddymetz — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:55:45 -0800

Starting a teen business! Good idea or not? A friend and i have some t shirt designs we decided were quite marketable, so now we're toying with the idea of starting a business.
I'm not looking for someone to burst my bubble, but constructive advice on what we need to do to get going.

Also, if anyone knows the story of a similar business which started from nothing and succeeded or failed i'd be glad to hear it!

Learning how to model the processes of a medium-sized business

yoz420 — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:41:24 -0800

A friend has recently been offered a position that will involve modelling the company processes in her company. She has a good knowledge of the business but needs to learn to formalize this knowledge into proper business process models. Where can she start a crash course on the formal approaches to modelling and creating diagrams of the processes used in this company of about 100 employees? There is a lot of information on the web about this, but it's difficult to separate out the noise from good information. I am looking for recommendations of insightful websites or good introductory books that you have found useful in the past, as well as any advice based on your own experience of doing this sort of thing.

I am 21 and bored with life

thegmann — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:45:52 -0800

I am 21, male, and I'm pretty bored with life, I feel stressed about doing nothing. I am having trouble figuring out what it is I really want to do with all of the time I have right now, and I've definitely been stagnating. Give me some advice! I've run a small computer business since I was about 14, and now I've gotten completely bored with it, but I have so much of it automated and outsourced at this point I really do very little (probably 4-6 hours a week) and all of my bills get paid, and I have enough to let me be comfortable for the month (hang with friends, go out, etc.). I recently got my motorcycle license because riding a motorcycle sounds like a ton of fun to me and I've been looking at motorcycles but I can't afford to pay cash for one. I don't want to take on the debt of a loan for something I could possibly destroy within weeks of owning it.

I've always been very motivated but I tend to love having a creative outlet. In high school I was in every play I could get into and I would take extracurricular classes that sounded interesting. I didn't apply for any schools after high school as I was working, but now I am planning on starting at my local CC come fall because I miss the social environment school gave me. In my current work I don't meet anyone new and my daily life is for the most part spent inside or out with my old high school buddies doing nothing very productive.

I have a huge urge to travel but again money comes to mind. I don't want to get a salaried job- I've only worked one in my entire life and while it was an interesting place to be in it didn't challenge me at all.

I feel like I'm just rambling now, I know I'm lucky to be in the position I'm in, I'm in Southern California with all of the time in the world, given my position, what would you do?

Trying to brainstorm for a one-person business idea.

pinkbungalow — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:41:30 -0800

Help me think of a new business or career that can be started by one person with a small start-up budget? The more portable the better, and I hope to be able to support myself (not extravagently) with income from the business within 2 years. I have done this before starting a massage therapy business in FL that is now quite successful. I don't need to change the world, I just need something interesting and challenging to support myself until I retire in about 15-20 years. I am more of an idea and big-picture creative type than a detail or numbers person, but I am not averse to hard work. I do enjoy flexibility, travel, and living in a temperate climate. Start-up budget of $50k +/- Thank you!

Software services gone good

pallen123 — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:36:29 -0800

Can you please help us think of niche software/IT services that positively impact people or the world... and can turn a reasonable profit? I'm a partner in a small software strategy and development company. We've got steady client work and we want to take this opportunity to refocus our business on markets for hosted software solutions that we can feel good about. For example, we want to build fewer Web sites for manufacturing companies, and instead sell some kind of IT/software services to nursing homes, or family members with aging loved ones far away, or specialist doctors and their patients, or a hosted service that helps manufacturing businesses reduce the negative impact they have on the environment.

In short, we'd like to either develop a software solution that fits a real need in the social/healthcare arena, or we'd like to offer hosted open source or third party solutions that will make a positive impact.

Any suggestions, ideas, input are *greatly* appreciated!

Microsoft Vista Business in Japanese/Chinese

schnee — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:48:46 -0800

Where can I buy the Japanese version and a Chinese version of Microsoft Vista Business online for use in the United States? Media and license. I've done a quick Google search and keep comping up with bootleg copies instead of legitimate copies. My normal vendors do have the Japanese version, but I need both.

I don't need the foreign language pack add-on that you can download from the Microsoft website. I need the full OS in the language.

Remember the NPR interview about the book on a Chinese businessman?

rmless — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:37:19 -0800

Help me find a book about a Chinese businessman mentioned on NPR for my Dad! My Dad says he was listening to NPR a few months ago and he heard an interview with a Western author about his nonfiction book. The book was about (paraphrasing, could be wrong) a Chinese businessman who imported automobiles, got too rich for the government's liking, and fled in a rowboat.

Any ideas? I have tried googling and looking on the NPR website and I am not coming up with any good results.

I am looking for the name of the author, name of the book, or anything that helps me be able to buy it!

Trademark, business moving questions!

grablife365 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:04:17 -0800

I have a few basic business questions about a trademark and changing the business address when I move. Any advice would be great! I have a few questions and I'm hoping someone can answer them for me please.

1 - I want to trademark my business' name. I know it will take a while and cost a lot but what I'm wondering if I have to trademark the business nickname if I choose one and if I have to trademark on the variations such as grablife365 Baby or grablife365 home in addition to just grablife365. I don't understand how this works. I wouldn't think I'd need to but I just want to be sure.

2 - If I file a DBA where I'm living now and then move to a new county in the same state do I need to fill out papers again or just contact someone and let them know? How does that work if I move to another state?

3- If I move a few times in the beginning of setting up my business, does that make my business look unstable? I'll be moving sometime in June to a new county and maybe the year after to CA. I don't know how long I'll be there but I want to use mailbox etc if that makes any difference.

So those my questions. Please help!

Help me find the exact "eat a bullfrog" quote?

internet!Hannah — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:28:23 -0800

What is the original origin and exact wording of the quote that goes to the effect: "If you have to eat a bullfrog, don't look at it for too long. If you have to eat two bullfrogs, eat the biggest/ugliest one first"? I've heard variants on this quote attributed to Mark Twain, but the original source escapes me. Googling mostly turns up business management pages. I would like the original quote for a door plaque of mine. Could anyone point me in the right direction?

The Economics of Financial Domination

divabat — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:18:21 -0800

How do financial dominatrices make their money? A comment on AskMefi some time ago talked about financial dominatrices, and I've been fascinated by their business ever since. From what I could gather, all they have to do is put up a website saying "You worship me! Give me money and stuff because I know you want to!" - and it works. One site had her Internet bills paid off. Many ask for regular tithes and offerings, and have application processes.

How does this work? From what I could tell, the buyers don't actually get anything back for their cash - it's up to the dominatrix if she wants to give them something or not. (Usually they don't bother.) It's not like she's selling pictures or anything (though I did see one with videos) - it pretty much seems like they're paying money because it gets them off.

How does one get established in the financial dominatrix business? Is there some sort of Financial Dominatrix Directory where they get listed and people just scroll through to see who they like? How do they get attention, and how do they get people to pay? Are there any male dominators, or any women that would pay for such "services"? How would you keep your identity secret to collect cash (and avoid a situation like this mess - link NSFW)?

If you would like to comment anonymously, send me an email at dominatrix.economics@gmail.com.

Drama-free networking: how?

justonegirl — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:28:52 -0800

Looking for advice and strategies from experienced business networkers (or schmoozers, for lack of a better word.) My husband and I run a pretty successful company in an industry based largely on interpersonal relationships and referrals. Our success thus far has been built on things like providing great service, earning various honors, being a good source of industry-related information for media contacts, etc. (Basically, for doing good work as opposed to just being a good schmoozer.)

Our next frontier is for my husband, who’s the face of our company, to do more networking, so that more business can be referred to us. We’re members of several industry groups, so there are a lot of opportunities for him to get involved with other people. The challenge is that he’s trying to break into a fairly tight-knit group of people who spend a lot of time doing this whole networking thing, in an industry that tends to breed a lot of gossip and pettiness. On the whole, people tend to be way more interested in what others are doing than in most industries, I’d guess.

For what it’s worth, our company has a pretty impeccable reputation and we have absolutely no reason not to be completely proud of our business practices and ethics. However, there are a lot of “haters” out there, specifically competitors whom we (once upon a time) worked with or for, who’ve had ample time to put down our company and our accomplishments to whoever would listen. There also seems to be some general resentment among direct competitors that our company, which is only a few years old, is doing really well. This results in some pretty creative story-spinning on their part, and it would seem that many people are all too happy to listen.

I’m hoping to get some suggestions on ways to effectively and professionally network with other businesses, while not being bogged down by competitors’ negativity toward us. We’d like to be able to quickly shut down these people’s efforts to slam us (as opposed to just pretending it isn’t happening) but without getting involved in a lot of petty drama.

In case it affects your response, confidence and ability to “work a room” isn’t really the issue; we’re more concerned with how to get a fresh start in a networking group that may have already been influenced by the words and actions of our competitors. Also, we definitely do want to network and feel it’s important, so responses that networking isn’t a good business tool probably won’t be that helpful – it really is a huge part of the industry we’re in. Thanks so much!

One Bag for the Business Traveler...

Tamanna — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:42:23 -0800

I'm going on a six-week trip to another city for an internship, and want to avoid being that person with the half-a-dozen elephant-sized bags. Unfortunately, most travel sites either focus on short business trips (>2 weeks) or backpackers. Any tips for travelling light on what will basically be a temporary relocation would be much appreciated.

One-stop Book Repair Shop

ikahime — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:24:07 -0800

I'm trying to cover all my bases for my budding book repair business. I'm sure in the process people will be asking me to appraise their books. For my own collection, I've found it adequate to use the usual online suspects, such as Abebooks, alibris, vialibri, amazon, ebay, etc. What more can I do to educate myself on this process? Are there formal classes I should be looking into? Also, when providing this service, what is the standard fee, or is there one? Should I just charge my hourly rate, but for research instead of conservation work?

Cheapest partnership structure

thinktwice — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:26:52 -0800

I am looking to form a partnership, Company A, with someone to buy a franchise. A couple of points to note are: This type of franchise only exists in order to each partner to do business (i.e. do deals) within the franchise territory. We will split , legal, professional, office costs.
We would like to have it structured so that both partners Company B and Company C can have their separate DBA's bill Company A.
We will do so that we can both structure defined benefits plans within Company B and Company C.

Is this a good solution? The main issue with all the different companies is the defined benefit plan. The reason for separate companies and plans is that one partner is making significantly more in commissions and thus will be contributing far more into his defined benefit plan.

What is my next step? To business, or not to business..

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:33:34 -0800

I have a business idea. For the last 8 month I have day-dreamed about making it happen. I find myself ironing out all the details that would make the business run, but I lack the funding and experience of running a business. There are also personal issues that I keep me from moving on to the next step (not that I know what the next step is). Come on in for the rest… Ok. Let’s get it all out on the table.

I am 25 years of age.

I am two years away from completing a degree in Multimedia Writing & Technical Communication, which does somewhat relate to the business that I want to start (I started my degree with a different plan). I work the normal 9 – 5, making $35k a year, before taxes. I have a small side business doing websites that generates about $4k-$5k a year. I have a 5 year old, who I put through Montessori schooling, costing me roughly $4.5k a year. I pay just over $800 in rent, and another $700 in bills (car, insurance, elec, water, gas, etc.). I am able to save roughly $400-$500 a month, although that savings has recently been brought back to zero. Because of the small amount of savings, I find that every 6 months to a year, an issue will pop up that require this savings, such as vehicle repairs or a family emergency. This is partly what the savings is for though, and I really don’t plan on getting rich saving $500 a month. I don’t live paycheck to paycheck, but I am not advancing in my financials either. I have debt. All of my debt was generated between the ages of 18 and 23, other than my school loans that I am currently taking out for my education. That previous debt is probably between $10k-15k. I also have about $15k to pay off on my car over the next 3 years, but this is included in the $700 in bills mentioned above.

So that is my personal and financial status.

I have been completing a business plan, so I have a pretty good idea of what I need and can expect back in my first few years. I am not going to tell you too much about the business I want to start, but there are some details that I can share that may be useful. From what I have researched, I will need roughly $100k to get the company on its feet and through the first year. I believe the company could profit up to $500k in that first year. My honest opinion is that I will have a hard time keeping up with demand and need to take on somebody who is more business minded and has the experience to make smart / correct decisions. The company has to do with advertising. While there are companies out there that have a similar service (hard for me to say similar, I need a word for ‘kind of alike, but not really’), our approach is 100% unique and can easily expand to cities throughout the US and the world.

Ok. So… Knowing what you now know about me, and what I think of my business idea, I have some questions. Please feel free to answer any of these questions. I really want as much input as possible.

At my age, and with my lack of experience, should I go any further with this right now, or is there something else I should focus on first? While my idea is unique and untouched as of now, the advertising industry is expanding at amazing rates right now. I feel it is only a matter of time before somebody else does catch on to my great idea.

How will my current debt and financial status affect this? Should I start by taking care of my current debts? This could honestly take me a couple years, or more. Even after taking care of my debt, it will take some time to get my credit to a decent state. I know that with these debts, getting any type of loan is going to be just about impossible (I think I know anyways).

What materials or communities are out there for people wanting to start their first business? What other materials should I look into? What resources do I have in Arizona (the state I reside and would start the business in), and how about nationally?

Where should I start looking for financial backing to get up and running? I have started a business plan, and have done a good amount of research so far. I really don’t have wealthy contacts, or family members to put in on this, so it appears that I will need to look into stuff like grants, loans (?), investors, anything else (?).

What Could I Do With My 2009?

divabat — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:03:03 -0800

This year's my final year of my degree. My psychologist asked me if I had any plans for next year. My original plan fell apart, so now I don't really have anything. Hmm. What could I look into? So I didn't get shortlisted for the Danish KaosPilots. Ouch. I'm still sad about it, but I've had two weeks to brood about it and it's time to move on.

Since I had been so single-mindedly focused on that one goal for the past six months, I didn't really consider Plans B, C, and so on. (I did consider that it would be a possibility, but I didn't spend too much time on it.) I had been pretty worn out from all that preparation and planning, so I'm taking at least this month off from anything along the lines of "my future" and just do random things for a while. If something strikes me as interesting, I'd apply for it, but I won't devote much time or energy on it.

I do still have to think about next year though. This is my final year; I'm finishing off all my required subjects this sem and have 4 electives free next semester. Deciding what to do after university isn't really a clear-cut process, as there are a few complex factors that need to be considered.

While I don't think I'm quite ready to devote my entire life to one pursuit (like I did before), and I don't want to commit to something just yet, I'd like to explore my options and just take a look at what seems interesting.

I'm interested in young people, non-traditional education, culture, community work, and making a difference. What could I do? What could I explore?

Some ideas:

1. Apply for the KaosPilots in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) - it starts roughly around the same time as the Denmark school, but they seem a lot more excited about potentially having me (though I don't want to get my heart broken again!!)

2. Do a Masters or a Grad Dip in something - some courses that look interesting and are more the kind of stuff I'm interested in are the Non-Profit/Philantrophy stream in QUT's Business programs (though I'm ineligible because they're part-time); International Comparative Education and Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies in Stanford; Arts in Youth and Community Development in Columbia College Chicago; SIT Graduate Programs; Humane Education. Possibly also education in general, social work, or counselling. I'd rather it be more experiential and real-world as I'm sick of academic writing and learn best by doing, but I'm not sure how to search out this information.

3. Get a job in Australia. The main problem here is visas - to be eligible for the 18-month bridging visa, my job has to pay me at least $40,000/year - next to impossible for entry level, especially in the creative industries/community services which are underfunded. The other option is to be sponsored by a company, but they need to have a lot of resources to prove that I'm better than any Australian candidate, and most of the companies that would otherwise be an excellent fit just can't afford to do so.

4. Get a job in Malaysia. No visa issues, but prospects are pretty low as there aren't as many opportunities.

5. Take some of my ideas and make them real (so this would also involve research on funding, project management, how I'll survive while I plan out my project...)

6. Apply for my dream job at UWP, if it's available

7. Take up the partial scholarship from The Scholar Ship and travel for a sem - might need to reapply though. Alternatively, travel on similar programs (though funding would be an issue)

8. Take up BrainStore's traineeship offer - 3 months in Switzerland. It's actually meant for this August but I could defer it.

9. Apply for a fellowship to something - I've applied to a couple that don't require much travel (and pay expenses if I have to). Sauve Scholars would be COOL. I'm not sure where to search for these though - most of the ones I find require you to already have a project in mind, but I want to find a project I can get involved with.

10. Stay at home, mooch off the parents. While desirable by my parents (who sometimes have Empty Nest Syndrome) I would be bored very quickly.

11. Travel, though this would eat up money mainly in visa fees (damn Bangladesh passport).

12. Do a second degree in something, or a random course that's more for fun than anything else

13. Try to be famous for...something.

As I've said before, I'm most interested in exploring possibilities than anything else, so feel free to toss me any suggestions - schools, programs, people, countries (particularly those not picky with visas), companies, visa advice, etc. Most of the best/most interesting ones tend to be US-specific, so anything that allows internationals would be best (e.g. an international City Year or Peace Corps).

If nothing else, just looking at all the ideas would get me a little more excited about life and lift me out from my dumps!

Thank you!

How can I find my successor?

charris5005 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:49:24 -0800

Since 1995 I have been a self employed business consultant providing environmental, quality, and safety management system guidance (including training) to organizations large and small. Now I want to find and groom someone to gradually take over the business eventually -- but I don't know how to go about it. (more) While my field is very crowded, I specialize in a relatively small but extremely lucrative niche market that requires a very high degree of specialized knowledge and industry-insider status. There's no question that, within this particular industry, I am the leader at what I do. Besides considerable industry specific knowledge and expertise, I also have proprietary training and other support materials that have taken years to develop.

I figure I've got another 5-10 years to go before I'll be ready to hang it up. But I expect the demand for the services to continue (they've only strengthened over the years). So I'd like to 'groom' a successor and then over a period of years sell the enterprise to him/her in return for helping him/her get as well established as I am now.

Most of the obvious candidates are as old or older than I am (I'm 55) and so are not really suitable. I've put out the word on a low key basis via my network and so far have had no leads. I can't believe I'm the first sole practitioner to encounter this situation. What do others do? Advertise? Sell out to a bigger firm?

I'm hoping for some pointers / options from the wiser heads of the hive mind, which has always come through for me before. . . .thanks.

Multiple LLC / Joint Effort Question

mehum — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:08:01 -0800

Can two LLCs work together on a joint venture without forming a third? A friend and I (both software developers) are considering an online business venture, and the original thought was to form an LLC under which to do this work. However, having both considered forming LLCs of our own in the past for various side projects, we are wondering now if it would be possible for us to each form our own LLC and have this new venture be a joint effort of the two companies. This would allow us to each pursue individual freelance work on our own and have our own companies in place to handle it. So is this possible without forming a third LLC owned by the two individual ones? And if so, how would financial issues, such as receiving a payment from a client, be handled (i.e. who is the check written to)?

Or are we better off just forming a single LLC between the two of us for this venture, and each forming our own separate LLCs for our personal projects? (or each forming our own LLCs and then forming a third owned by the two?)

Alternatively, if an LLC is owned by two individuals with a 50/50 distribution, and one individual has the opportunity to do a solo side-project, can it be done under the LLC without the profits being split?

What should I look for in a product photographer?

braveterry — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:01:33 -0800

What should I look for in a product photographer? What kinds of questions should I ask when contacting them for quotes? I'm looking for a product photographer to take pictures of clothing items. (T-shirts and fashion tops.) I've identified several in my area. Right now I don't need any special sets built or any staging setup for the products. I'm fine with product-only shots at this time. I tried taking the photos myself using the techniques and equipment outlined in this book eBay Photos That Sell: Taking Great Product Shots for eBay and Beyond, and I decided that I don't want to spend the time required to get good enough to get quality shots on my own.

"Successful businesses evolve! No really, they do..."

eleyna — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:19:17 -0800

What are some good examples of companies that changed their business, changed their product line, or changed their focus? Significantly? I need some examples like this:

Motorola started out with car radios and ended up in the cell phone business.

Apple started out with computers and evolved into digital music players, phones, lifestyle, etc.

Thanks in advance!

How to buy something from my customers through my simple e-commerce site?

rckites — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:38:56 -0800

I'm working on a website/business model that requires me to not only sell my products, but to also buy certain items from customers. I need to know if I can do this with my current CMS (Shopify.com) or any other CMSes out there Shopify has a really simple interface, and I like the way the storefront looks. However, it is really designed for selling items (their business model relies on a percentage of your sales, after all), and I don't know how to go about adding a page for buying rather than selling.

I have a very limited understanding of scripting, and I know shopify uses ruby/rails, but I'd like to know if it is at all feasible to do something like this. Would I have to use a different CMS? Would I have to create something from scratch?