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Archive through January 04, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Apr. 2008 ~ June 2008: Career Group: Starting a Brand New Business--Advice... : Archive through January 04, 2008 users admin

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Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 8:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Oh heck, Biscotti, I hire a petsitter to take care of my dustbunnies when I go away!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
, Kar!

Biscottiii, thanks for the great name idea! I like the brevity of it, for sure. And I like the consonance--Pet Perks, too!

You are so funny. You think you're the only one???!! Puhleeze. Even though I dust and vacuum regularly, I still do that running around like a madwoman every time someone comes to visit. (I could never hire a cleaning lady; I'd go nuts.) I mean, Hercky sheds! And dust revisits right after you dust. So there is no way to even entertain perfection. That neighbor lady wouldn't have lasted past one visit in my house. Good for you in coming up with the fix for that! Smart!

Got a callback from SCORE this morning to set up a time for my private consultation. Was walking Hercky in this very cold weather (19F, with wind chill, 5F!) this morning when he called, though, and just let it ring. (We were all bundled up, believe me. Only thing cold on me was my face. I'm gonna have to buy one of those mask-like head coverings.) Left the guy a vm now, to get back to me. Nothing yet from State Farm on the bonding (no, not bondage, Pamy) thing.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Good one, Karuuna!

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Bisc, I've got a cleaning lady coming in today to zap those dust-bunnies. I've got so many under the bed, I'm sure they're breeding like rabbits. LOL.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Herck, be careful with Pet Perks. Isn't that the name PetSmart uses for their member card? Be sure you can register the name in your state.

Check out if your local pet sitting services have a web site (there is one in San Diego). My cat sitter is a bit of a maverick and doesn't belong to the local association, but used to. (She is bonded though.) You could try to network with out of town folks to see what has worked/not worked for others (I dunno if any locals would want to help prospective competition! <grin>).

I dunno if anyone's mentioned, but once you get set up, go to all of the local small pet stores in your neighborhood, and ask to leave cards/flyers.

Keep your logo graphic simple. I did the design for a local dog wash a few years ago, and although the owner wanted this real elaborate design, I talked her into simplifying it (especially since a simplified version looked better on her biz cards).

And I dunno if this has been mentioned, but start out with one niche and get that one going, and then start on the next. So dog walking is what you want to do first, yes? Get a few steady customers on that, and then add the other services you'll offer. Otherwise you may be spreading yourself too thin. My local dog/cat bakery started out by being a bakery, and then gradually added other items and services. They started small, and have been quite successful and celebrated their 10 year anniversary last year!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Costa. I will most definitely check out any name. That's why I was going with my original weird name--I had googled a bunch I thought of and they were all taken. No big surprise. I am sure SCORE will counsel me about the name, as well. (I am starting to make a list of possible names.)

Yup, I had a pet sitting organization I am eyeballing so I can be on their list. Found another, out of area (I think, AZ), that actually has posts from the vendors telling their setup experiences. So it looks like a good source for that important nitty gritty information.

Yup, first circulating my flyers and cards in my own development. Then, when I deem the time to be right, will circulate to vets, pet stores, grocery stores and a sign on the back (window?) of my car. Finally, to classified ad in the paper--again, only when the time is right.

You do art work??????!!!! What do you charge? Where can I see a sample of some of your work? I have asked my son for line art only. I think that is on track with what you are suggesting (linoleum block-art look).

Taking it slow. I think the dog walking business may be brisker (esp now that winter has set in), but the pet sitting may have the bigger payoff -- vacations/holidays/business trip kind of thing. I am gonna try to work with both unless I happily discover I've got more opportunities than I can handle.

Talked to my sister today and learned (!!) that before she and her hubby had their children, she used to watch 2 doxies every summer (they had one of their own)--in her home. Unfortunately, she said, the owners were not careful, and the dogs brought fleas into their home. So she was always spraying, dusting and vacuuming. I won't be bringing pets to my home, so none of those worries.

Definitely good to hear success stories and HOW they achieved it. Thanks so much for the suggestions. I really appreciate it. And I meant it when I asked about your art, so please do let me know.

Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vacanick a private message Print Post    
aa

How exciting HP ... good for you!!!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    


Merrysea
Member

08-13-2004

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
Herckle, don't worry about there being another of the same name if they're not in your state. If you like a name, go ahead and try to register it, but have a few (or several) just in case the one you want is already taken in your area.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Merrysea. I know that some people never register their business names, and that leaves the names free and clear. Didn't know to ignore names in another state, though! Yeah, trying to come up with a bunch.
1

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 9:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Whew! Kar, too funny!
So GLAD to hear that I'm not the only one with dustbunnies. Dang kitties ratted me out when they ran to hide under my bed. Of COURSE, that neighbor lady was busting to point out what she saw.

Think Herck should put on her business cards:
that she's an "Equal Opportunity" petsitter
WITH Dustbunnies included.

Herck, this is so exciting! I'm sure sending positive vibes your direction. Great point about the nasty weather. Even elderly people staying home might want their dog exercised but too afraid to venture out for fear of falling. THAT can be seriously costly.

Kady
Member

07-30-2000

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kady a private message Print Post    
you will need a name for your LLC and have 2 members. for example, my name is Kacee Enterprises LLC...DBA: Sun City Tanning.

i don't remember all the reasons why we went with a LLC. i know it had to do with liability and somebody sueing us. when my father died, we owned 3 liquor stores. we were basically closed down until we got things out of his name. all the business license, liquor license, tax id's, etc. was in his name. it was recommended by our lawyer to create a LLC and put all 3 of our stores in it. then if something happened to another one of us, we could continue on business as usual. we had 3 members...Mom, me and my brother. any of the 3 of us could sign any legal papers for the business.

when we sold our liquor stores, i just automatically went ahead and created my LLC. my husband and i are co-managers. if something happened to either of us, we could sell or disolve the business. if i ever buy another business it would go into my LLC.

start small and add. i have had my tanning salon for 10 years now. i started with 3 beds. i now have 9. this year i am replacing one of my old beds with a bigger, nicer one. my goal is to continue building my sales and business till i think i have peaked. then i want to sell and retire. i hope to accomplish this before i'm 50.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Here's a few names I found online.

Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Sitting
Best Friend's Angels
Waggin Tails Dog Walking
Prancing Paws Pet Services
Creature Comforts
PetSafe Of[city name]
Blue Ribbon Pet Sitting
Connolly's Home Assistance Pet Services
Paw Pro's In Home Pet Care
Housewatchers Pet Care
PS We're Home
Talk to the Animals Pet Sitting
You Dirty Dog
Cosmo Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Service
Critter Sitters
Pet Love Petsitters Incorporated
Pet Tenders
Pets At Home
Pitter Patter Pet Care
Amore Pet Sitting Service LLC
Paws & Claws Pet Care
Tru Luv Pet Care
Critter Sitter Connection LLC
Furry Friends Pet Watch
Happier At Home Pet & House Sitting
No Worries Pet Care
Paw Prints Pet Sitting Inc


Or if you want to change directions *L*:

Pooper Scooper People
Dog Duty Waste Removal Service
Doo Away
Poo Poo Pickup

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 11:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Kady, thanks so much for sharing that! I didn't know a whit about the two names protocal. I am totally with you on starting small and growing incrementally, too. I am conservative when it comes to financial risk, believe me.

My SCORE counselor and I talked today. He was very nice. He's 62 and now has his own consulting company. Not exactly sure what kind of consulting. (I didn't want to be overly inquisitive.) He will be meeting with me on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for our first session--at a local French bakery/cafe place for coffee. It's a very casual atmosphere with enough tables so we can talk openly without being conspicuous.

Serate, thank you! That list is a big help because it gives me more impetus to brainstorm -- and/or check to see their availability here. Today, when I was walking Herc, I decided the thing people had to know was that I was an in-home vendor. So I was thinking something like "In-your-home pet sitting and dog walking service." Not very catchy, eh? Well, so what do I see in your list that's similar in meaning? The names: "Happier At Home Pet & House Sitting," "PS We're Home," "Housewatchers Pet Care" and "Pets At Home"!!! How about that?! Thank you!!!!

And thank you very much, Julieboo, for what you are attempting to do for me!!!! I am going to try again in a moment to check save/open the attachment.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 12:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
OMG Here's a few names???? Here is a few names? *L* How about Here ARE a few names. So sorry!

Brainstorming was kind of what I was thinking of HP. I was hoping you wouldn't think it was too many names. I love to brainstorm - takes me back to my TAG days in school - so was hoping you liked it too.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 1:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hush, Serate, I didn't even notice! I make those slips all the time, so stop fussing! Heh.

What were TAG days???

I LOVE the list!!!!!!

I will post the brainstormed names here so anyone interested can help me decide what works. Uh, tomorrow!

Think I'd better hit the sack. It's almost 4 a.m. here.

Night!

dcb


Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
HP, I have a single member LLC, so it is possible for it to just be you.

Originally you could not do this, but the laws have been changed in that regard.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Oh, good. Thanks for that info, Kar. You've been such a big help here. What is your business, Kar?

d


Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
www.bkeepsakes.com

I like the single member LLC design since it makes filing taxes much easier. If you have more than one member, you must file a return for the business; then each partner gets a partnership form (k-1) to file with their own tax returns.


With a single member LLC, you file taxes like a sole proprietor - Schedule C with your normal tax return. A huge reduction in paperwork!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Yay. Since Ed won't be involved, I wanted this to be a single ownership. I figured, in time, if I needed a loan (to expand into a doggie daycare facility, possibly), it would be better because I would fall under the classification of minority/women in business. And the reduced paperwork is definitely a plus!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hey, just checked out your link Kar. Wow! That is such a smart business! I esp like that the business itself feels very 'controllable,' if you know what I mean.

Did you design the cute website yourself? If not, do you pay someone to update it for you or can you do that yourself?

Did you start out with a more limited number of choices, or did you always have the birthday, wedding/anniversary, growth charts, poems, frames etc? I like the 'search for a name' feature. Gets you hooked! And I really liked that I could click on the 3 samples (under poems) and actually see the documents up close.

Glad that I asked! I now have a new resource for unique gifts for my nieces!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Of the names, I kinda like PetSafe of YourCity.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 10:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Thanks, HP!

I'm coming up on my 15th anniversary for this business. Started it at home in my basement so I could stay home and be a mom. Now we have 13 employees and a couple of buildings; and some other collateral businesses too.

And like you, I started out with one product (a single design and a single size for a Birthday Keepsake, no framing offered); and grew gradually from there. My growth has always been directed by what my customers are asking for.

I'm semi retired now, working about 10 hours a week on these businesses - have an operations manager who handles all the day to day management. So it funds my ability to use my education for pro bono work with kids and horses. I also run a small business advisory group where we help single owner businesses either become profitable or grow or position themselves to sell.

This is our fourth generation website. Because there is a lot of customized programming, I did hire another stay at home mom to design it. She was just starting out then too, and now she and her husband both work in her business!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 11:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Whoaaaa! Kar, I had no idea. Thirteen employees and a couple of buildings. And collateral businesses?! Who knew, huh?!!! I love that you grew the way you did. Gives me hope, even though I am starting very late in the game.

I knew you were involved with kids and horses, so I would have guessed your business had something to do with that. How about that, that it actually frees you to do that! It's wonderful that you have given time to help people with their business plans, too. I feel honored that you shared so much here with me. Has made a huge difference to me.

Thanks for the answer on the website development, too. Wondering how far my son can take me, or whether I need professional assistance with that. You have a lot of things going on in your site, so I can see why the customized programming is necessary.

Good for you! Semi-retired!!! Very, very cool! What a model you are for your son--in so many ways.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, January 04, 2008 - 11:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
One thing about PetSafe of YourCity.....it sounds like PetSafe could be a national brand of sorts, where you would have to buy in to being able to use the name in YourCity. Don't know if that's true, but it would be something to check into if you decide to use that name.

You want to have the "home" idea represented in the name? How 'bout something with "homebodies" in it.