Divakim89
Pretty On Fleek
Alot of people have been messaging me asking about how to start a business and i thought id make a thread because i wish i would have had a one stop place to look to find all the resources FOR FREE.
1. Know what you want to sell/make/etc...
2.Research and make sure you really like what it is and have the time to dedicate to the product you are going to sell. Research Price points, styles, vendors, etc. (youtube is a great research tool)
3.Name your Business ...try> ( namelix.com)
4. Create an EIN...this is like a social security # for your business, you will need this number to sign up for a bunch of things following
( https://sa.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp)
5. Go to your local business website chambers of commerce for your State(normally you would go to your local circuit court pre covid but most courts are closed now) here you want to apply for your traders/business license. My State has a business express website. the price is based on how many products you plan to sell. starting out i knew it wouldn't be more than 1000 so i only had to pay $17! Yes ONLY $17! The price goes up depending on how much you plan to sell
6. Register your business name...this is not required but suggested. You will get a certified Certificate in the mail with your business name and ID # , This was around $160. This will save you if someone comes along trying to take your name especially if they live in the same state as you. It also establishes your business.
7. Find a FREE small business bank account( united bank, bank of america , chase all have free business no fee accounts) (https://www.fundera.com/blog/free-business-checking )
8.Create your business domain(website) godaddy.com is a perfect domain site for you to pick your custom domain or buy an already established one. I paid only $20/year for mine. When creating your site try to make it as appealing with less amount of words as you can.
9. Find a LOGO...I used a site thats no longer in business but it provided me with several different sizes logos, watermark, business cards templates ect. Now knowing what i know I would have used Canva...its a site and an app. Its by far the BEST thing you would need as a business owner. You can make logos, business cards, advertisements, flyers, postcards...literally ANYTHING for FREE. They have millions of templates all you have to do is delete whatevery words pictures etc and replace them with your own. you can also create your own if you dont see anything you like ( https://www.canva.com/ )
10. Set up your online store. I prefer shopify. Its $29/month but this will be a place showcasing your products so its well worth it. Its literally so easy to set up and it gives you stats on your business by the minute(who looking at your site, where, number of click from what platform etc. (You can also use bigcartel, wix, wordpress)
11. Set up social media( IG and Facebook) are the top 2 places. Even if you haven't already got a product you can still get people excited about what you plan to sell, make etc.
12. Buy/make product/ buy wholesale. You dont always need to buy from china or alibaba etc. try etsy.com, or even instagram or amazon for tool, wholesale goods. Im in the beauty field and have yet to rely on shippers from china. I use other small businesses off of etsy, ig. and that are based in the USA
13. Set up a stamps.com or usps account for shipping and printing your labels
14. PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE make your ig page a business page and use that to buy promotions, use word of mouth, give out business cards. Tips...pay close attention to comments you read anywhere online and to where you can insert your business site. I sold a bunch by reading one girls comments and seeing people ask where they got a certain product and when they dont know i advertise my site. Look for starter influencers they wont ask for money and just want the exposure...they will help promote. Drop business cards somehwere and walk off lol...ask different local business if you can leave a few cards in their establishment. I even leave cards at restaurants along with the tip
things you will need
-printer(and things that go along with it)
-laptop
-shipping supplies(polymailers, boxes, tissue paper, shredded paper, tape, mesh bags, etc...you can look on etsy for custom anything. vistaprint.com is another custom site
-scale for weighing products. try amazon or walmart
I know i may have missed a few things, feel free to ask any questions !!! Im an open book!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BUSINESS!
Watching this girls youtube is who inspired me to start my business...its full of valuable information!!! She a lil ratchet lol but fun!
https://www.youtube.com/user/glamazontay
1. Know what you want to sell/make/etc...
2.Research and make sure you really like what it is and have the time to dedicate to the product you are going to sell. Research Price points, styles, vendors, etc. (youtube is a great research tool)
3.Name your Business ...try> ( namelix.com)
4. Create an EIN...this is like a social security # for your business, you will need this number to sign up for a bunch of things following
( https://sa.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp)
5. Go to your local business website chambers of commerce for your State(normally you would go to your local circuit court pre covid but most courts are closed now) here you want to apply for your traders/business license. My State has a business express website. the price is based on how many products you plan to sell. starting out i knew it wouldn't be more than 1000 so i only had to pay $17! Yes ONLY $17! The price goes up depending on how much you plan to sell
6. Register your business name...this is not required but suggested. You will get a certified Certificate in the mail with your business name and ID # , This was around $160. This will save you if someone comes along trying to take your name especially if they live in the same state as you. It also establishes your business.
7. Find a FREE small business bank account( united bank, bank of america , chase all have free business no fee accounts) (https://www.fundera.com/blog/free-business-checking )
8.Create your business domain(website) godaddy.com is a perfect domain site for you to pick your custom domain or buy an already established one. I paid only $20/year for mine. When creating your site try to make it as appealing with less amount of words as you can.
9. Find a LOGO...I used a site thats no longer in business but it provided me with several different sizes logos, watermark, business cards templates ect. Now knowing what i know I would have used Canva...its a site and an app. Its by far the BEST thing you would need as a business owner. You can make logos, business cards, advertisements, flyers, postcards...literally ANYTHING for FREE. They have millions of templates all you have to do is delete whatevery words pictures etc and replace them with your own. you can also create your own if you dont see anything you like ( https://www.canva.com/ )
10. Set up your online store. I prefer shopify. Its $29/month but this will be a place showcasing your products so its well worth it. Its literally so easy to set up and it gives you stats on your business by the minute(who looking at your site, where, number of click from what platform etc. (You can also use bigcartel, wix, wordpress)
11. Set up social media( IG and Facebook) are the top 2 places. Even if you haven't already got a product you can still get people excited about what you plan to sell, make etc.
12. Buy/make product/ buy wholesale. You dont always need to buy from china or alibaba etc. try etsy.com, or even instagram or amazon for tool, wholesale goods. Im in the beauty field and have yet to rely on shippers from china. I use other small businesses off of etsy, ig. and that are based in the USA
13. Set up a stamps.com or usps account for shipping and printing your labels
14. PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE make your ig page a business page and use that to buy promotions, use word of mouth, give out business cards. Tips...pay close attention to comments you read anywhere online and to where you can insert your business site. I sold a bunch by reading one girls comments and seeing people ask where they got a certain product and when they dont know i advertise my site. Look for starter influencers they wont ask for money and just want the exposure...they will help promote. Drop business cards somehwere and walk off lol...ask different local business if you can leave a few cards in their establishment. I even leave cards at restaurants along with the tip
things you will need
-printer(and things that go along with it)
-laptop
-shipping supplies(polymailers, boxes, tissue paper, shredded paper, tape, mesh bags, etc...you can look on etsy for custom anything. vistaprint.com is another custom site
-scale for weighing products. try amazon or walmart
I know i may have missed a few things, feel free to ask any questions !!! Im an open book!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BUSINESS!
Watching this girls youtube is who inspired me to start my business...its full of valuable information!!! She a lil ratchet lol but fun!
https://www.youtube.com/user/glamazontay