Well, I had once the worst days at work in a LONG time. They're all regularly shiddy-days anymore (but). On Sat (service dept closes at 12) and I was there until almost 3:00, and I'm there late on a regular basis on weekdays too. We close I 5:30 and I'm usually there til 6:30-7:00. If I leave at 5:30 it's a damn miracle!! I seldom take lunches anymore etc etc. Bitchin' about my job isn't the real purpose of this thread. 
Anyways, I've been kicking around the idea of starting my own small business. I know alot of guys are business owners or have been in the past. I've been wanting to do it for a while (several years), but never really had the money or opportunity, and I was scared to take the "risk" (all excuses in my opinion). I'd really like to go after this, but I've got a LOT to learn yet. . .
What I'd like to do is create a mobile auto-detailing business. I'd also like to offer wheel refinishing and paintless dent repair (in due time). I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, but I want to be able to offer/perform enough services so I'll stay busy with work. For now, I do not intend to have any employees other than the occasionaly helper. I'd also prefer my client-base to be mainly specialty/collector cars instead of daily driven cars but I'll take any work that comes my way. I'm not totaly sold on that idea, because alot of enthusiast (like ourselves) prefer to do their own detailing. That's probably because they don't trust anyone else with their vehicles (atleast that's how I feel). So I figure the mobility aspect of the business will be a more beneficial so people's pride-and-joys will not have to leave their property or their sight for that matter. So, bascially, that's "it" in a nutshell. I'm gonna start doing this on the side any-day-now (gonna hope I have the time with work and all). I'd like to be up and running by next spring or summer. I plan to hit all the local car shows in the spring to spread flyers and drum up customers.
OK, I'll get to the real point of the thread. I'm gonna do as much research online as well as seek the guidance of local professionals/advisors. What are the do's or dont's of opening a business? Those of you that own your own business, what'd you learn the hard way or what would you have done differently now that you know what you know . . . I (think) the best way to operate would be as an LLC. I want to be able to show a legimate taxable income. I want to be insured incase something crazy happens to a customer's car. I live in a multi-state border (TN/GA/AL) and would want to able to business in all states. I'd also like to be able to travel outside of the "metro" area if the need arises. Well, that about sums it up for now.
Note: Please save all the "where the f**k have you been" posts for another thread. :aetsch:
Anyways, I've been kicking around the idea of starting my own small business. I know alot of guys are business owners or have been in the past. I've been wanting to do it for a while (several years), but never really had the money or opportunity, and I was scared to take the "risk" (all excuses in my opinion). I'd really like to go after this, but I've got a LOT to learn yet. . .
What I'd like to do is create a mobile auto-detailing business. I'd also like to offer wheel refinishing and paintless dent repair (in due time). I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, but I want to be able to offer/perform enough services so I'll stay busy with work. For now, I do not intend to have any employees other than the occasionaly helper. I'd also prefer my client-base to be mainly specialty/collector cars instead of daily driven cars but I'll take any work that comes my way. I'm not totaly sold on that idea, because alot of enthusiast (like ourselves) prefer to do their own detailing. That's probably because they don't trust anyone else with their vehicles (atleast that's how I feel). So I figure the mobility aspect of the business will be a more beneficial so people's pride-and-joys will not have to leave their property or their sight for that matter. So, bascially, that's "it" in a nutshell. I'm gonna start doing this on the side any-day-now (gonna hope I have the time with work and all). I'd like to be up and running by next spring or summer. I plan to hit all the local car shows in the spring to spread flyers and drum up customers.
OK, I'll get to the real point of the thread. I'm gonna do as much research online as well as seek the guidance of local professionals/advisors. What are the do's or dont's of opening a business? Those of you that own your own business, what'd you learn the hard way or what would you have done differently now that you know what you know . . . I (think) the best way to operate would be as an LLC. I want to be able to show a legimate taxable income. I want to be insured incase something crazy happens to a customer's car. I live in a multi-state border (TN/GA/AL) and would want to able to business in all states. I'd also like to be able to travel outside of the "metro" area if the need arises. Well, that about sums it up for now.
Note: Please save all the "where the f**k have you been" posts for another thread.
:aetsch:
