Message from @Tyler0317
Discord ID: 532716061091561473
I am in the process of starting a business, and I believe it can be done without a loan or on credit. While remaining vague, I'll say that it's a service oriented business. I will initially be filing as a dba but plan to hire people if things manage to go well. Anyone have tips on how to launch something whilst keeping costs down?
You’ll need to be more specific in what you’re working on in order to have helpful input @Papa Pizzagate
Keep us posted on your status. One day I’d like to start a business(es) and well and I’d like to learn from others
I'm in the process of taking over the company I for.
@Papa Pizzagate I own a home inspection company with 2 (part time) contract employees.
I also have another venture that I'm invested in, but isn't yet off the ground.
What specifically are you trying to organize?
Man Power, Tax structuring,... etc
Appreciate the response, guys. I'll admit I'm being a bit purposefully vague - The service I will be operating will be running out of a work vehicle, which I already own until I am (hopefully) able to bring on a second crew. At which point a small garage or something of the sort would be required. I can build a website myself and there are others in IE willing to do some small graphic design work below market rate as a favor... what I am after is the most cost effective ways to advertise and promote getting my business off the ground. Naturally I am not going in blind... I have a few ideas on how to attract customers, but I was hoping others who've been down that road could be of some assistance.
Additionally I will need a phone line - I am thinking that a second SIM card connected to my phone would suffice for the startup period.
Things of this nature, hidden startup costs -etc.
Marketing:
I have only done 2 marketing campaigns in my 2.5 yrs in business.
1st Campaign) I asked local dry cleaners if they would give me "Bring 3 items, get one free" promotion. They all agreed.
On a set of custom business cards hand delivered to Realtors offices.
"Bring 3 Items, Get 1 FREE!!!"
Courtesy of Tyler0317's Company!!
2nd Campaign) I hired bodybuilders to dress like Rambo, with red bandanas and to hold my company signs at an intersection in front of Realtors offices. They flexed and posed for the crowd and put on a show.
-I need local Realtors to funnel business to me, so I cater myself to them as a demographic.
-The Realtors in my area are 65% Female, and largely between 30-60 yrs old
hahaha okay, that second one is epic.
For a phone, I use this service, it's worked OK so far,https://grasshopper.com/
Yeah so both men and women would be interested in my service. The sort of women who would be interested are the same sort who don't mind paying 300+ per month at hair/nail salons (it's not a beauty service, guys...lol). Once I have business cards, I intend to go to the better salons in the three countys that I intend to serve and set up either a referral program with them or simply offer to buy their staff lunch once a month if they keep a tiny business card holder with my company stocked at the front counter.
Not sure how to reach the fellas but I'll get there.
I will check out Grasshopper. thanks @Tyler0317. not exactly parallel industries but some good stuff none-the-less.
I hear you. There is never really a template to follow. Take bits and pieces from others as you go.
Also, join a business group/guild. If one doesn't exist, make one.
Yeah, way ahead of you there, my friend.
I joined real estate meetup groups, then started one of my own, where I could invite only heavy hitters. Those connections later paid off with house flipping, I just finished my second one after Xmas.
I have a lunch meeting tomorrow with a gentleman who runs the largest Entrepreneurs group in the main county I want to serve.
@Tyler0317 Yeah Louis indicated that was your line of work before, so I kinda-sorta knew what you were up to. That's awesome.
@Tyler0317 have you been on biggerpockets.com? Lots of good info/potential contacts there
If anybody needs a website or digital marketing for their business, just reach out 😃
Hey everyone. I have expertise in running startups. My MBA concentration is entrepreneurship. I’m here to help.
@Papa Pizzagate have you done market research for your potential endeavor? Have an ideal consumer in mind? How do others in your particular industry acquire and retain customers? Feel free to keep it as vague as you need.
@Ryan -NJ I've done a good amount of research, yes. Youre coming to Philly this weekend, right? Let's talk about that as well as that other thing you dmed me about in person
@Papa Pizzagate Sounds good. Looking forward to it.
has anyone here got into trucking as a lease or owner operator? Just got my doubles/triples after a few years non-CDL work and may buy a tractor after a few months as a company driver on a local route.
I'd like to get a second truck and start putting IE members through trucking school here in northwestern Montana. The goal is to be OTR for just three or four days a week. There seems to be no shortage of loads to and from northwestern Montana on load app I'm looking at.
Trucking is in high demand. Great idea. Good luck.
@Logan If you need any help with creating and implementing a startup strategy, let me know.
@Logan trucking sucks for a family man, dude. The only money is over the road, and you only go home once a week
@John O - I am not. I have experience in startups and business strategy.
@John O - I was OTR for a year. If you work for yourself and are directly in touch with a broker you can go out for three days and it will pay the bills for the whole week
Right on, dude
If anybody needs help with digital marketing, hit me up.
my current job as a company driver gets me home every night and pays almost 70 a year which is not bad really
Cool. I didn't know you already had experience in it, I thought you were going in blind. Sounds good, man, good luck
$70,000 a year?