to learn how to start up a business and run it? I've already a website I've been working on... It's almost complete, but I think websites are never quite finished tbh.
Every small business is different. There is really no place to learn what you specifically will need to do.
Start slow and small. Try to sell locally in the beginning. Make the business self-funding from the start.
Do not borrow money from a bank, or from friends or relatives, ever.
Get the proper zoning and hire a good CPA immediately. Keep proper records at all times. Have a dedicated
bank account for all the business activities. Never make the customer wait longer for delivery than is stated
in the order terms. Try to make each and every customer happy. And some people should not be your customers.
Start slow and small. Try to sell locally in the beginning. Make the business self-funding from the start.
Do not borrow money from a bank, or from friends or relatives, ever.
Get the proper zoning and hire a good CPA immediately. Keep proper records at all times. Have a dedicated
bank account for all the business activities. Never make the customer wait longer for delivery than is stated
in the order terms. Try to make each and every customer happy. And some people should not be your customers.
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If your business cannot quickly generate profits and be self-sustaining, at whatever level,
it is not a business. It is a hobby.
it is not a business. It is a hobby.
That goes both ways. Never lend money to a friend or family member. You will never see it again.
Yes, I know if I can't get sales then I won't have a business. I'm trying to find business leads and subscribers to my site. But I don't know how to go about doing that. I don't know if there's a course or if I should just find a business partner.
We need more details, so far we have no clue even about what you offer: physical objects? Services? Software? something cultural? (Videos - texts - art - etc.) .
Where are you located?
You need significant Capital for it?
Do you resale or self produce?
That said, almost everywhere in a modern Country, usually at some Government level, be it Federal/State/City here are free Business teaching/Helping/Guiding offices, start there because it´s free and generally useful, sometimes even very good.
Even if all they can provide is a few brochures.
You will eventually need a CPA but the Free/Public information , sometimes even courses, can answer many questions.
You are trying to part people from their hard earned money, answer yourself: "Why will they give me money?"
"What am I offering that they want to pay for?"
Where are you located?
You need significant Capital for it?
Do you resale or self produce?
That said, almost everywhere in a modern Country, usually at some Government level, be it Federal/State/City here are free Business teaching/Helping/Guiding offices, start there because it´s free and generally useful, sometimes even very good.
Even if all they can provide is a few brochures.
You will eventually need a CPA but the Free/Public information , sometimes even courses, can answer many questions.
You are trying to part people from their hard earned money, answer yourself: "Why will they give me money?"
"What am I offering that they want to pay for?"
I've built a website for group purchases. It can be set up to sell just about anything. I have basically been a part of many group buys here, and was well aware of the process, and since being in DIY I built one myself. Now, I would need to source some b2b vendors and create a following (or subscribers) and offer them great savings on awesome products.
I'm in Toronto. It would be resale. No, I think most of the capital now would be used to grow the business (ie marketing) and listen to customers' feedback to improve the website's offerings.
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An old CLASSIC is The incredible secret money machine, 1978, by Don Lancaster
https://www.amazon.com/incredible-secret-money-machine/dp/0672215624
Yes, over 40 years ago. You will not be running posters on Mimeograph today. But most/all his advice works today with obvious transpositions. And is still working for Don.
https://www.amazon.com/incredible-secret-money-machine/dp/0672215624
Yes, over 40 years ago. You will not be running posters on Mimeograph today. But most/all his advice works today with obvious transpositions. And is still working for Don.
Never turn down good advice by an accomplished person. Especially for free.
https://www.tinaja.com/ebooks/ismm.pdf
easy.
Not that easy.
At all.
Hundred thousands if not millions of people wish to do the same, it´s hard to be the drop in the sea which is noticed over all the others.
Not saying you can´t and hoping the best, but that in general needs a BIG promotional investment.
There is an alternative, called "Guerrilla Marketing", were you create some content that is so amazing that it becomes viral and brings people to you.
If you can create something along those lines, it may help.
Ok.
First you have to find awesome products.
Then you must get them at a price far below what others pay, not so sure about that ...... or you simply won´t have "headroom" to undercut others.
Problems:
* Unless you know a lot about Chinese suppliers, preferably having lived there or visited often on buying trips, your "supplier source" will be AliBaba or equivalent.
Problem being that anybody can browse and find same as you do.
Same products, same price.
* the market if chock full of people doing the same, dropshipping and equivalent, many charging only cents on the dollar just to "move" the Business forward.
It´s a shark infested cutthroat Market.
Again, not impossible, but will take not only commitment (no doubt you have a lot) but also means to carry it on.
Ok, much talk, but any practical advice?
Maybe you can fulfill a small niche Market.
For example Small Bear Electronics
http://diy.smallbearelec.com/specializes in semi obsolete components for Guitar pedal makers, including germanium transistors, russian PIO caps, etc. and has become the de facto "go to" guy in that market.
If you can achieve something similar .....
You mentioned Group Buys .... maybe you can stock some popular boards or whatever and offer them quickly instead of waiting for a long time.
Maybe, I need to talk to a business consultant and find out if I actually have a business or what steps I need to take going forward.