How should my business partner and I split the ownership and income of our start up? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 7, 2009 - 16 answers

My buddy just landed $100k and we both want to start a business...Any recession-proof business startup suggestions? [more inside]
posted by schindyguy on Oct 14, 2009 - 25 answers

I need an SBA loan yesterday. My business is in startup mode, I'm already fielding new orders, but I need startup capital to get this thing off the ground. [more inside]
posted by ohyouknow on Oct 8, 2009 - 10 answers

What are the best books to read if I'm interested in incorporating a business? In this I'm interested in more legal-oriented books (taxes, finding a CPA), as well as general advice/best practices. [more inside]
posted by christopherbdnk on Sep 20, 2009 - 9 answers

How do a few friends with a talent and a vague idea, but no plan and no money, start a business? Or is this a recipe to disaster and broken friendships? [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] on Aug 14, 2009 - 11 answers

What kinds of advertising options should a new internet startup offer its customers and how should they be priced? [more inside]
posted by tnoetz01 on Jul 29, 2009 - 2 answers

I am thinking about incorporating my web-based software startup. First, I am not sure if it makes sense to incorporate. Second, if I do incorporate, I am not not sure where in the world ( not just the U.S. ) I should incorporate. [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized on Jun 24, 2009 - 3 answers

I am looking to self fund starting a business, but I need to seek a small amount of additional capital. Ideally, I would like to do this through friends and family, through a more formalized agreement. So how can I "sell them" a piece of my business without selling them stock? [more inside]
posted by Jonsnews on Feb 5, 2009 - 9 answers

LLC d/b/a BBQ. Let's say I incorporate as "cavalierisawesome lol LLC". I then make a business card that says "Bob's Consulting". When I do business, the bills are settled to "cavalierisawesome lol llc". Can I market or advertise my services in a name separate from my incorporated name? [more inside]
posted by cavalier on Jan 5, 2009 - 5 answers

BusinessStartupFilter: I'm looking to get into the sports concession business but have idea where to start. [more inside]
posted by shew on Dec 17, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm about to start some new business ventures and my current web host has not been doing a very good job so I want to switch while things are still small. Helllp! [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster on Nov 2, 2008 - 7 answers

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 by drkrdglo 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 by pinkbungalow on May 7, 2008 - 14 answers

StartupFilter: Payroll processing co or part-time bookkeeper for SF Bay Area co? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 21, 2008 - 6 answers

Startupfilter: best on-line account for a small US business? [more inside]
posted by anonymous 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 by Redruin 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 by mateuslee 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 by andifsohow 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 by scarabic 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 by croutonsupafreak on Jul 23, 2007 - 1 answer

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 by jennyjenny 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 by sacho on Mar 11, 2007 - 29 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

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 by anonymous on Nov 11, 2006 - 16 answers

When to bring a business development person into a startup? [more inside]
posted by peptide 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 by anonymous 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 by Alterscape 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 by nyu2 on Aug 22, 2006 - 13 answers

Should I bring someone on as a business partner? [more inside]
posted by subpixel on Jul 20, 2006 - 6 answers

What can I do about a business partner who ran off with an idea? [more inside]
posted by anonymous 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 by AdInfinitum on May 25, 2006 - 13 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

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 by jbb7 on Feb 26, 2006 - 9 answers

I need advice about taking my side business to the next level. [more inside]
posted by Bjkokenos 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 by nyterrant 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 by anonymous on Jan 27, 2005 - 12 answers