Following on from
this question, I have decided to start offering private, custom arts & crafts workshops. I'm hoping to find people who need someone to help them plan an art activity, bring the materials, and run the workshop-- so, birthday parties, homeschool co-ops, scout groups and the like. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to find them.
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posted by nonasuch
on May 21, 2013 -
14 answers
How can a small (3-5 employees) brick and mortar/e-commerce B2C retailer survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive market (outdoors/sports products) when it cannot compete on price? Any good examples of small companies doing just that?
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posted by Foci for Analysis
on Apr 15, 2013 -
5 answers
I'm currently looking at adopting Freshbooks or Kashoo, and would be interested in experiences with either, or other recommendations. Context: I'm a few years into freelancing (across a few different industries) and I'm working on improving my accounting, with the goals of easier tax time, smoother day-to-day operations, and better information about cashflow and budgeting. Right now I use Toggl for time tracking, and Mint for expense tracking and budgeting; I like Toggl but I'm not married to it, and Mint is starting to drive me absolutely nuts. I do invoicing and bookkeeping manually. Also welcome would be general tips on bookkeeping and accounting for small businesses / freelancers. I'm on a Mac, in Canada.
posted by sixswitch
on Apr 1, 2013 -
2 answers
So, I'm running a fairy garden craft workshop in the store I work at in April. I've done this activity before when I worked at an after-school program, so I pretty much know what I'm doing with the actual crafting. However, interest in the workshop has been high enough that I would like to try running private workshops for people, and already have two people interested in hiring me for this. How do I figure out what to charge them, what do I offer to provide, and how do I find more clients if I want to make any actual money?
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posted by nonasuch
on Mar 28, 2013 -
2 answers
What would be the best type of provider (web-hosting, hosted exchange, cloud storage) for a small business with less than 20 employees? Would a company like Godaddy.com or our current phone and internet provider. We are currently with Cbeyond. It seems like it may be simpler to go with our phone provider but I feel like they are not really specialized in this type of thing and therefore maybe not as good or reliable.
Also, we would like no more, "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! WE HAVE NO EMAIL ACCESS. SERVER DOWN, I REPEAT SERVER DOWN!"
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posted by Che boludo!
on Feb 8, 2013 -
7 answers
Accounting degree, experienced bookkeeper working for other folks, already know Quickbooks, etc. A small amount of capital ($5-6k) and a current part-time job that pays just enough to cover my expenses, but it's only going to last another year or so. I could go get another bookkeeping job, but I'm sick of making next to nothing and having next to no control over my work. How can I make myself viable as a business?
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posted by Ex-Wastrel
on Feb 7, 2013 -
6 answers
Looking for a referral for a tax preparer for personal and small creative business. I am located in Los Angeles.
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posted by i_wear_boots
on Jan 24, 2013 -
1 answer
I have a small niche food business. I have no organizational skills. You can see where this is going.
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posted by Kitteh
on Jan 9, 2013 -
15 answers
Both my parents and one of my partner's parents run small businesses, and they're not doing well.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 3, 2013 -
13 answers
Should we create a business for our Airbnb listing? After our Mom moved into a rest home this year, we listed her (out of state) place on Airbnb and did surprisingly well. In fact, we grossed more than $10,000. But we frequently had incidental expenses - I had to fly in several times, the cleaning service was $75 each time, and there were some modest house expenses when things had to be replaced or were broken, etc. With our 2012 taxes coming up, we're wondering if it would be helpful to create a business for this, or if people have done this?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 17, 2012 -
7 answers
Someday, maybe 10 years from now, I would very much like to own my own nail salon and mini day spa. Aside from saving my pennies, what can I do now to get myself prepared to make said salon a super hygienic, super chic, and hopefully successful enterprise?
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posted by These Birds of a Feather
on Dec 2, 2012 -
17 answers
You started a small business in Canada. What books, websites etc. taught you how to do it? Are there any resources that you particularly recommend? What did you learn along the way that you wish you knew when you started? What techniques and software do you use to track expenses, hours worked, inventory, sales etc? Is there any common advice on running a small business that you strongly disagree with? (I'm tentatively planning to make and sell festival clothes and accessories.)
posted by fullerenedream
on Nov 21, 2012 -
6 answers
My husband is a computer programmer and is considering moving to independent contracting. We are researching the idea. I normally do well with Google, but I'm failing this time. Please help?
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posted by RogueTech
on Nov 12, 2012 -
10 answers
I'm curious how people hire employees for a business that only needs to have one employee present at any given time. How do you deal with sick days, lateness, etc.? Further details inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 5, 2012 -
14 answers
I have grand ideas for an ecommerce web site and am curious about how to get where I need from an inventory perspective.
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posted by kmurray24
on Sep 28, 2012 -
8 answers
How can I expand my business from a 1 person independent freelance/contractor to a few people (or with an assistant?) While simultaneously maintaining high quality and being able to trust the project or parts of the project to others.
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posted by Dances with sock puppets
on Sep 27, 2012 -
6 answers
Book recommendations requested: I liked
My Korean Deli, which went into considerable detail about the day-to-day operation of a small convenience store.
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posted by enn
on Sep 21, 2012 -
9 answers
Kickstarter advice: Have you done a successful Kickstarter? An unsuccessful one? What do you wish you had known in advance? And does my Kickstarter sound likely to succeed?
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posted by nonasuch
on Sep 5, 2012 -
17 answers
We're a small auto-repair business. How do we deal with a potentially litigious client?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 11, 2012 -
23 answers
I'm interested in getting reproductions of vintage clothing made. Am I better off finding a local seamstress, or should I scale up?
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posted by nonasuch
on Aug 6, 2012 -
14 answers
My successful small business website is on a subdomain owned by the website template provider. I want to switch providers and domains without loosing my websites search engine rankings. Since a 301 redirect isn't an option, what else can I do to maintain my website's Google rankings?
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posted by gwen1234
on Jul 25, 2012 -
3 answers
Today's fantasy: buying the small business my husband works for. Talk me through the steps like I'm a 5-year-old.
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posted by Laura Macbeth
on Jul 25, 2012 -
4 answers
A hypothetical business like a pizza place (but it could be something else) wants to open up shop. How do the hypothetical first time business owners find out all the things they should or need to do before they can open their doors? Things like....
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posted by Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night
on Jul 14, 2012 -
18 answers
What options does our small UK business have for booking short notice travel when the credit limit on our business cards is fairly low?
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posted by nangua
on Jul 10, 2012 -
9 answers
I want to make a presentation to our town council on behalf of local business owners, and I'm having trouble finding examples of how local governments show
financial support for small businesses.
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posted by mireille
on Jul 4, 2012 -
5 answers
I'd like you to tell me if I should quit my job (I'm a member of the "ugh, I.T." chorus), but the snowflakey part is that it's not just my job. It's my small business. And to some degree, it's all I've got right now.
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 16, 2012 -
23 answers
Approaching a local small business with an offer to write their blog for free: is this a good idea? If so, how to do it? I'm looking to gain some freelance writing experience and thought this might be the way.
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posted by indognito
on May 24, 2012 -
10 answers
I run a electronic music blog and we are in the works of snagging some pretty big deals. A number of my partners mentioned forming an LLC. While our profit is low, we are potentially entering some big contracts in the future and need some credibility and protection. What is the most basic, simple form of corporation we can form?
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posted by ascetic
on May 15, 2012 -
4 answers
Recently I've been considering starting a small personal chef business. I was hoping there might be some personal chefs here on MeFi that could offer me some advice/tips.
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posted by ISeemToBeAVerb
on May 1, 2012 -
8 answers
I need a free online bookkeeping / accounting website, can anyone suggest one for a small business?
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posted by ascetic
on Apr 30, 2012 -
2 answers
How to be the best digital content consulting guy I can be: taxes, subcontracting, incorporation, fees, etc. Your thoughts on freelancing business stuff?
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posted by lackutrol
on Apr 18, 2012 -
2 answers
What is the best solution for a small business to run credit card payments for small purchases with a mobile phone?
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posted by i_wear_boots
on Mar 31, 2012 -
12 answers
Will I have to undergo a credit check in order to form an LLC and open a business checking account for that company?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 27, 2012 -
11 answers
Small business owners: Is it possible to turn down a request for a raise from employees, yet maintain workplace morale? On the flip side, have you been turned down for a raise, but stayed in your position?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 16, 2012 -
42 answers
How does one get "licensed and bonded" for liability insurance with dogwalking/housesitting, and a bonus question about umbrella policies for a personal business
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posted by shortyJBot
on Feb 14, 2012 -
2 answers
What are the best resources for someone looking to buy a small business in the UK?
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posted by K.P.
on Feb 6, 2012 -
1 answer
My friends' street kiosk: They are suffering bullying by drunkards and feral 14 year olds. Suggestions for how to deal?
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posted by yoHighness
on Jan 17, 2012 -
28 answers
If I don't understand Quickbooks online, will Quickbooks the application be better for me? (Or: HTF should I be handling my accounting?)
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posted by richrad
on Dec 9, 2011 -
5 answers
My office needs a seemingly simple database setup. I don't know what tool to use to set things up (or if we need to outsource it). Can the hivemind help?
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posted by philosophygeek
on Nov 22, 2011 -
12 answers
Trying to decide between using PayPal & Google Checkout. Would love thoughts/advice from people who have been on the merchant side as well as you on the buyer side: which are you more comfortable with?
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posted by amanda
on Nov 17, 2011 -
28 answers
