Questions about starting a business (help!) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MojoRisin · 10-24-2005, 05:52 AM

A friend of mine has his own carpet cleaning machine and has been doing small side jobs around our state for the past few years. I have helped him on occasion and we are talking about ways we can go out and make more money doing this. I've been thinking of making a website, putting ads in newspapers and distrubuting flyers. Also I'm going to get some T-shirts made to give a more professional look and setup a cell phone line and e-mail address to use just for our business. We don't need any start up money because we only need to cover the cost of soap and gasoline. The questions I have is, are we doing anything illegal by not being registered with any government agencies? I don't see us needing any outside help as far as money goes, so whats the next step?

cyrnel · 10-24-2005, 06:38 AM

Depends on the area. You'll at least need a tax ID, probably a contractor's license of some type for the cleaning, and you'll want insurance. Check with state & local to find out which are necessary. Get insurance regardless.

BBtB · 10-27-2005, 03:07 AM

I would check out some local rescources myself. Library is a good place to start. A local branch of the BBB would probably be helpfull too.

Yakk · 10-27-2005, 11:47 AM

A caution: the carpet cleaning machine may not stand up to regular intense use as well as it has to more casual use.

10-24-2005, 05:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
MojoRisin Crazy Location: Just got into town about an hour ago.	Questions about starting a business (help!) A friend of mine has his own carpet cleaning machine and has been doing small side jobs around our state for the past few years. I have helped him on occasion and we are talking about ways we can go out and make more money doing this. I've been thinking of making a website, putting ads in newspapers and distrubuting flyers. Also I'm going to get some T-shirts made to give a more professional look and setup a cell phone line and e-mail address to use just for our business. We don't need any start up money because we only need to cover the cost of soap and gasoline. The questions I have is, are we doing anything illegal by not being registered with any government agencies? I don't see us needing any outside help as far as money goes, so whats the next step? __________________ Dropping a barbell he points to the sky and says "The suns not yellow, It's chicken!"

10-24-2005, 06:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Depends on the area. You'll at least need a tax ID, probably a contractor's license of some type for the cleaning, and you'll want insurance. Check with state & local to find out which are necessary. Get insurance regardless. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

10-27-2005, 03:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
BBtB ClerkMan! Location: Tulsa, Ok.	I would check out some local rescources myself. Library is a good place to start. A local branch of the BBB would probably be helpfull too. __________________ Meridae'n once played "death" at a game of chess that lasted for over two years. He finally beat death in a best 34 out of 67 match. At that time he could ask for any one thing and he could wish for the hope of all mankind... he looked death right in the eye and said ... "I would like about three fiddy"

10-27-2005, 11:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	A caution: the carpet cleaning machine may not stand up to regular intense use as well as it has to more casual use. __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.