My husband and I want to open a business, where do we start?

jess: My husband and I want to open a business, where do we start?
Okay please, no rude answers, my husband and I have good jobs right now, we love working together, so we’ve been thinking about opening a store with car products such as tires, rims, those kind of products. My husband loves cars, so he knows a lot about them. However, where do we start? At the moment, we are just working full time. Are there any online classes that you people recommend we take, to know more about business, so we can get a license? My father has his own business, and I work for him, so I know a lot already, so yeah please help!

Answers and Views:

Answer by saved_by_grace
Go to the Small Business Administration site. They have a lot of info for someone just starting out.

Answer by American Beauty
If you won’t do your own research on starting a business, you won’t be successful in it. Do your own homework!

Answer by Ruth C
first you need a business plan. that is where you figure out exactly what your business will be, how you will run it, and what you are going to use for money. Other considerations are what location you will work from, and how you will promote it. An estimated breakdown of costs/profits will be helpful, too.
Once you have a business plan, you can then contact the SBA. SCORE has a website and can offer helpful advice also

Answer by Serena
The first step is to make sure there is a market for your product in your area. If there is a competitor close by, people are already shopping there. Do you have something unique that would draw people to your business instead of the one they are used to?
Then I’d search for locations and figure out the overhead. Will you be renting from a corporate real estate company or will you be building a shop of your own? You’ll need insurance, utilities, and trash pickup. Get quotes from the area in which you’d like to do business.
Will you hire someone else to manage it while you are still working full time, or will one of you handle the business? You’ll need pay for any extra employees. Who will handle your books? Will you or your husband be doing the taxes and counting the tills? The taxes are easy to do, but counting tills takes talent and special knowledge. I hope your dad already showed you how.
Is there a reason you don’t want your dad’s input? Sometimes a parent can be a great resource, as long as they don’t offer unsolicited advice about something that is purely rooted in opinion and what is best for you as you know it.
You’ll obviously need capital to buy supplies and products. You also need to decide what to keep in stock and what will be special-order products.
Are you prepared to stick with the business even though it will not be self-supporting for a few years? Most businesses fail in the first 3-5 years due to the lack of community support. So make sure you have something to fall back on.
Are you prepared for the stress of being the owner/operator? Working for someone and then turning around and becoming the one is charge can be a difficult process. Are you generally laid-back about money, or will it hurt your marriage if the business doesn’t do as well as expected? It is more stressful on a marriage in most cases when you work with each other AND own the business.
I wish you much success!!

Answer by Doran P
I recommend the book “e-myth” It is an outstanding book for entrepeneurs ready to make the jump.

You will feel much more empowered with the authors insights.

As a new business I know you will be needing printed marketing materials. I would like an opportunity to be in the bidding of those services when you are ready.

I love to help folks who are taking the plunge into job freedom as I like to call it.

email: [email protected]

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