Real Estate

E-Commerce

Beauty

Daycare

Professional Services

Entertainment

Consulting

Transportation

Nutrition & Fitness

Food & Beverage

Retail

Entrepreneur Love King works as a full-time hospital administrator, overseeing doctors and nurses and ensuring patients receive top-notch medical care.
But King wanted to do something on the side that was totally different from working in a busy medical center. So she thought that starting a business in the online retail space through which she offers women’s clothing would be fun – and give her some extra income.
Fittingly, King is the proud CEO of Loving Yourself, LLC in Boston Massachusetts. It’s a one-woman operation with King running the small business entirely on her own. She formally created it in June 2014, and she can manage it from the convenience of her own home since it is web-based.
Located online at <a class="link" href="http://www.loveityourself.com/">www.loveityourself.com</a>, the retailer offers a variety of elegant and casual dresses, tops, and other items for female shoppers. Pricewise, they run from about $20 up to $75. While it specializes in selling clothing for women, King plans to offer items for men as well.
“My clothing can be worn by women ages 18 and up,” King says.
The entrepreneur is a native of Liberia, a West African country. She emigrated to the United States 12 years ago. Since setting foot on U.S. soil, she always had the goal of achieving the American dream in the back of her mind.
“I had always wanted to have my own business since coming to this country,” she explains. “I started thinking about what I could do to get into a business. I just thought about it and thought I could have an online store where I could buy items from a wholesaler and resell them. I love clothing, so it seemed like a good option for a business.”
According to King, serving her customers will ultimately make her new small business profitable and sustainable long-term.
“My customers come first,” she says. “I have to treat them with lots of respect and make sure I help them with everything. Customer service is so important in any small business.”
Starting a business can lead to lots of enjoyment for entrepreneurs in various ways. For King, she really likes the challenge it has presented her in using a different part of her brain.
“It’s something totally different from what I’m used to doing every day,” she says. “There is a big learning curve and learning process. The whole experience is just very interesting and enjoyable.”
<h2>Gaining an Edge over Competition</h2>
The clothing industry is quite competitive with so many retailers out there offering similar options on clothing at similar price points. King feels there are a few key ingredients to gaining an edge over her competition to get more customers to shop on her website rather than clicking over to other sites.
“Like any small business, you have to have high-quality products, the best prices, and offer discounts at times,” she says. “Customer service is also a big priority for me. Customers want more one-on-one support, and they can get more of this from a smaller company like mine compared to a bigger store.”
<h2>Small Business Challenges</h2>
All entrepreneurs, regardless of industry, are faced with a multitude of unexpected challenges when starting a business for the first time. Some of them are exciting, while others are a little scary. King talks about the challenges she has endured.
“Getting the customers by getting people to know about the business has been my biggest challenge so far,” she says. “Once I get them on the website, I have to find the best ways to get them to buy my products.”
<h2>Advice for Entrepreneurs</h2>
Based on her experience as a newly crowned small business owner, King wants to give some words of wisdom for anyone who has an interest in starting a business.
“You need to have that enthusiasm for the business,” she says. “If you aren’t enthused, it won’t go anywhere. Failure is not an option, especially if you’re trying to support yourself. Sometimes your business will stall and you’ll get down on yourself. You have to find ways to keep it going and be persistent.”
She adds that there are both advantages and disadvantages to self-employment.
“The biggest advantage is being your own boss,” she says. “But because of this, you have to do a lot of thinking for yourself since everything is on you. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with smart people.”
<h2>1-800Accountant Client Testimonial</h2>
King is a client of 1-800Accountant. She offers praise to the national accounting and business consulting firm in terms of how the company has been able to assist her with her taxes.
“I’ve been very satisfied with 1-800Accountant,” King says. “One of my other accountants had me owing a lot of money to the IRS, so I needed something different. I’m very grateful for 1-800Accountant. Everyone I’ve talked to has been very nice, helpful, and understanding of my specific needs. I would recommend the firm to others seeking accounting services.”
Photo credit: The photograph of Love King was provided by Loving Yourself, LLC and is used with permission.

giving-customers-something-theyll-love-to-wear

Giving Customers Something They’ll “Love” to Wear

client-spotlight/e-commerce/giving-customers-something-they'll-love-to-wear

Four years ago, Antonio Cala and Amanda Zeisset quit their day jobs, bought two bicycles, and took a cycling trip from Southern California all the way to Patagonia, Argentina. Little did they know this unique – and risky – adventure would one day lead them to starting a business in the travel industry. Today the married couple proudly runs The Adventure Junkies, LLC, a startup they formally established in June 2016 that is registered in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The two entrepreneurs are the only employees in the startup venture, but they have hired several freelance writers to contribute to their unique online portal. “Our website is a resource that provides information for thrill seekers and anyone else who is looking for some exciting travel adventures,” Cala explains. “We provide all kinds of content that is free to access, including articles, reviews, ideas on courses and gear for certain adventures, travel guides, and so much more. Our motto is, ‘Dream it. Learn it. Live it.’” So, how does the web-based company make money if its content is free for all users? “We make money through an affiliate program,” Cala says. “We find companies that will provide our readers with gear, courses, and other products or services, and then we’ll get paid when our visitors go to these affiliate companies’ websites. We have links to stores in lots of U.S. states and other countries depending on the type of adventure someone is interested in pursuing. Doing all of this has helped us build an important trust with our readers.” During their lengthy bike trip that led them to startup success today, the two entrepreneurs saved up lots of money from their day jobs that they used to go hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving along their journey. “Friends of ours would ask us our opinion on the best places to visit, so we decided to start a small blog about our travels. When the site was growing pretty quickly, we thought it was time to get serious about this.”
<h3>Enjoyment To Self-Employment</h3>
Cala agrees with most entrepreneurs who cite flexibility as their favorite thing about working for themselves. “I love the freedom to organize my schedule the way I want,” he says. “I can work and live wherever I choose. Plus, I can avoid the stressful commute and have breakfast with my wife every morning.” He adds that working with his wife has been truly rewarding. The two have developed a plan of tasks for each person, which has worked well so that they aren’t stepping on each other’s toes. “I’m in charge of the accounting, legal, and SEO facets of the business. My wife handles more of the content production and working with our writers. We cycled together for 3 years, getting by on $10 per day, camping, and cooking our own meals. So by now, we’re pretty set doing anything together.” When asked about the best spots in the world for adventure traveling, he immediately points to New Zealand as being at the top of his list. “I lived in New Zealand for 4 years, and it is a very unique place in the world,” he says. “Whether you’re into climbing, fishing, sailing, hiking, or anything outdoors, this is the place to go. I also think Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana are big hot spots because of the mountains.”
<h3>Handling Small Business Competition</h3>
Cala, who is originally from Spain, admits he was a bit nervous about diving into the web content space that has become oversaturated in recent years. So, he and Zeisset made it their goal to remain an independent website that users could visit as a one-stop shop for adventure travel information. “We’ve gone from competing to creating the ultimate online resource for travelers. We want to increase our users’ quality of life and make them happy by providing them with everything they need to find joy in experiencing the world.” The company’s website is&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://www.theadventurejunkies.com/">www.theadventurejunkies.com</a>. It also has a presence on&nbsp;Facebook,&nbsp;<a class=link href="https://www.instagram.com/theadventurejunkies/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="#">Twitter</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="#">Pinterest</a>. “We were pretty big on using social media early on in this venture, but we found that the traffic we got was not the quality we wanted. That’s why we have implemented SEO strategies much more, and we’ve found that our target audience tends to come from people searching on Google. We also use e-mail marketing and have created groups on social media so people can share their travel interests and experiences.”
<h3>Challenges To Starting A Business</h3>
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in so many interests when starting a business, Cala admits. “In the beginning, we started doing too much. Once we realized this, we started to focus on one main thing – providing the best quality content to our readers. Now that we’ve mastered that pretty well, we are looking to develop mobile apps and other products.” He offers some advice for entrepreneurs who may be nervous about the risks of self-employment. “First and foremost, invest in yourself,” he urges. “If you grow, your business will grow. Get all of the skills you need, and be sure you can have an intelligent conversation with anyone about any aspect of your business. Also, build a team around you and delegate tasks to free up your time.”
<h3>Experience As A 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Antonio Cala says that he and his wife have been happy with the small business accounting support they’ve received as clients of 1-800Accountant. “I like the responsiveness whenever I contact 1-800Accountant. You guys are always super-fast and quick with your helpful tax assistance. You’ve also made sure I’m working with the right accountant since my business is a little different.”&nbsp;Photo credit: The photograph of the Choquequirao Trek in the Peruvian Andes was provided by The Adventure Junkies, LLC and is used with permission.

Two people standing on a cliff edge in front of a mountain view

riding-to-startup-success-how-a-bike-trip-led-to-a-small-business-large

Riding To Startup Success: How A Bike Trip Led To a Small Business

client-spotlight/e-commerce/riding-to-startup-success-how-a-bike-trip-led-to-a-small-business

Mary DeRosa of Austin, Texas wanted to do something special for teachers. After spending several years teaching at the elementary level, she became familiar with the stressors teachers face on a daily basis – and knew what it would take to put smiles on the faces of both the teachers and the students. So DeRosa – with the help of her business and life partner, Robby Lee – came up with ElementaryBox, LLC. The pair runs ElementaryBox out of their home office.“ElementaryBox is a monthly subscription service for elementary school teachers, from the pre-k level to 5th grade. Each box contains grade-level specific teaching resources, rewards for the kiddos, and a special gift just for the teacher. We try to keep the boxes themed and seasonal,” DeRosa says of the objective of her business.Although ElementaryBox was formally established in May of 2014, the team of two didn’t launch until July, so their then-handful of subscribers would receive their first box in August, appropriately in time for the back-to-school season.For DeRosa and Lee, the urge to do something to give back to teachers was what prompted them to become small business owners.“I wanted to do something special for teachers and provide them with resources they need, as well as special gifts just for them. After getting to know the life of a teacher through me, Robby was onboard. We put our heads together and asked each other, ‘What better way than a monthly delivery system?’ We wanted to boost teacher morale and also contribute to learning in elementary classrooms. I have teaching experience, and Robby is a landscape designer and artist, but he has worked with several schools and education programs and art programs,” DeRosa explains.DeRosa and Lee knew now was the time to strike while the iron is hot since the subscription box industry is growing at such a rapid pace. There seems to be a subscription box for everything – men and women’s grooming products, subscription boxes for dogs and for gamers, among other niches that have been filled.“We curate what teachers need and save them time and money. I use my prior experience as a teacher to determine what they want and what works,” she says.It’s this process of picking and choosing what goes into the subscription boxes that DeRosa enjoys most about small business ownership.“The teacher can open the box with his or her kiddos, so being behind that and being the one to put it all together is really rewarding. Teachers can be so overworked and so underappreciated,” she confides.According to DeRosa, the vast majority of their subscribers are female.<h2>Competition in the Subscription Box Industry</h2>Although subscription boxes similar to ElementaryBox exist, none of them are quite like what DeRosa and Lee send out.“There are a couple of businesses like this that are focused more on snacks, or desk materials, or gifts for teachers and not educational supplies, so we give them a good mix of all of those things. We’re sourcing them from the best educational suppliers of the latest products. So I think that gives us an edge, as well as my experience as a teacher. We’re focused on meaningful, useful, educational resources — not just putting a bunch of stuff in a box,” she elaborates.<h2>Marketing Strategies for Subscription Box Businesses</h2>In addition to a website — <a class="link" href="http://www.elementarybox.com/">www.elementarybox.com</a> — and utilizing all of the social media platforms available to them, DeRosa and Lee partnered up with another relevant business that could help them spread the word about ElementaryBox.“Advertising on social media can only get you so many subscribers. So we recently started a partnership with Teacher’s Notebook. It’s an online marketplace of downloadable and printable educational resources. We’ve included gift certificates and some of their material and, in turn, they’ve done e-mail campaigns for us. That partnership has really helped us go from that handful to hundreds. We also network and go to educational conferences here and there. By back-to-school season, we’ll have really grown significantly.Connect with ElementaryBox on <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/elementarybox">Facebook</a>, <a class="link" href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ElementaryBoxLLC/posts">Google+</a>, <a class="link" href="https://instagram.com/elementarybox/">Instagram</a>, <a class="link" href="https://www.pinterest.com/elementarybox/">Pinterest</a>, <a class="link" href="http://theelementarybox.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>, and <a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/ElementaryBox">Twitter</a>.<h2>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h2>The biggest challenge DeRosa and Lee have faced on their journey toward startup success has been ensuring that their product is worth the while of their subscribers.“Teachers don’t make a lot of money, so they want to make sure that their money is well spent. We have partnered with several bloggers, so we send them a complementary box and they review it. Teachers see those reviews and decide if it is worth it to them or not. Customer acquisition has been the biggest challenge in the first year of business,” she confides.<h2>Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs</h2>For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to become small business owners, DeRosa offers the following advice.“Have a clear vision and a clear mission of what you want to do. Be passionate and go for it. Take risks and don’t hold back,” she urges. “If I can do it, anyone can!”DeRosa insists that there are advantages that come from the independence of small business ownership.“It’s very nice being your own boss. I enjoy working for myself because I have a strong opinion about the way it should go. It is hard work. It is a risk and it can be scary, but I don’t know if that’s a disadvantage.”<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>Mary DeRosa and Robby Lee of ElementaryBox are satisfied clients of 1-800Accountant.“Our account manager is awesome. He makes sure we’re well taken care of. I have a really difficult time wrapping my brain around taxes and accounting, so not having to worry about it is a huge relief,” she enthuses.Photo credit: The photograph and logo included in this blog post were provided by ElementaryBox, LLC and is used with permission.

startup-story-a-special-delivery-for-teachers-large

Startup Story: A Special Delivery for Teachers

client-spotlight/e-commerce/startup-story-a-special-delivery-for-teachers

Angel Toussaint, author of the book titled, The Right Way to Write it Down…Goal-Storming, and co‑founder of Life’s Power and You, says, “Sometimes we need a little pick-me-up to get motivated about our life goals.”Life’s Power and You is a small specialized business and a client of 1-800Accountant. The company and its founders strive to do this through their information-based website and by selling motivational products through their online storefront. Their products consists of books, motivational photo prints and their exclusive “Goal Rocks.” Information is shared on their website and via their weekly and monthly newsletters.Incorporated in Nevada and officially launched in November 2013, the owner of the small business says the business – and becoming an author – is icing on the cake. The actual making of the cake was developing success in the most important thing there is in life – family and close friendships. She has an abundance of warmth and love for her family and close friends, and she is loved and cherished by them.“Knowing I will be deeply missed when I am dead by those I cherish is the greatest reward a person can receive,” she says. “Growing this business and authoring books lets me believe that I am helping others make their cakes, find their favorite icing, and add their decorations. The final decorations on my cake will be building this company to positively influence others to reach their desired life ambitions, to author more books to help people move forward, and to keep the company growing.”Toussaint published her first book after the launch of Life’s Power and You. The book is titled The Right Way to Write it Down…Goal-Storming. It’s designed as a daily journal/workbook with 3 daily writing tasks, a few short stories, and lots of motivational quotes intended to keep the spirits of its readers high.“I’ve come across a lot of people complaining about life, not being satisfied, and not having any belief that life can be fun and fulfilling,” she says. “Some people fully focus on what is wrong in their lives, and they continue to find more and more to complain about, which stifles them into standing still and simply existing – not living. People need motivation and something positive every single day because life gets hard every single day. I created this company and wrote the book to get people focused on positive and their abilities to change their circumstances. Being able to help other people succeed is success to me.”The company consists of the 2 founders, a small board of directors, and a hand full of 1099 contractors. She believes the key to success of any business is offering what others really need or want.“You have to have something people need or want. Then you have to let them know you have it. When you get something out there in front of enough people, have them use it, like it, and tell others about it. That is how you will grow.”To get the word out about what Life’s Power and You offers, she plans to use social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc, cold-calling, mailers, and other advertising media.While she is still narrowing down their target demographic based on who buys the company’s items, she believes they can be most beneficial for customers who are over the age of 25.<h2>Small Business Startup Challenges</h2>Owning a startup company can be an adventure at times. There are hurdles that must be endured and overcome along the way. Toussaint has faced many of these challenges.“I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I have taken the necessary steps to avoid those same mistakes going forward,” she says. “I talk to the IRS, small business advisors, and I hire professionals when needed. I circumvent many hurdles by hiring professionals like 1-800Accountant for support.”<h2>Tips For Entrepreneurs Looking To Establish A Startup Company</h2>She offers several valuable pieces of advice for aspiring small business owners in search of the American dream.“First, take a few deep breaths,” she says. “Then plot out your business plan. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it should include all of your business goals and how you plan on attaining them in a step-by-step manner. Narrow down your market and start small.“Also, don’t be afraid of the IRS. You should call the IRS business center and talk to multiple agents. They won’t give out specific advice, but if you ask the right questions, you can glean a lot of information from them. Some agents are willing to advise without giving advice – if you know what I mean. Visit the IRS website as well. Hire a professional accountant like 1-800Accountant and a lawyer who can help you through all of this.“Finally, if starting a small business is truly what you’re supposed to do, nothing will make you give it up. You’ll sacrifice everything to get it done. Don’t beat yourself up for things you consider failures because they’re not really failures – they’re building blocks to get to the final result.”<h2>1-800Accountant Review</h2>As a 1-800Accountant client, she says the national accounting and business consulting firm has been a big help to her startup company.“I’ve been extremely satisfied with 1-800Acountant’s services,” she says. “They do great follow-up work and keep me on my toes. I would highly recommend 1-800Accountant to any entrepreneurial startup company because of their fee structure. As entrepreneurs, we have very limited capital, but the services are affordable for everyone, and the staff is always very helpful and encouraging.”Image credit: The image of the book cover included in this blog post was provided by Life’s Power and You and is used with permission.

startup-story-empowering-people-to-attain-their-goals

Startup Story: Empowering People to Attain Their Goals

client-spotlight/e-commerce/startup-story-empowering-people-to-attain-their-goals

Entrepreneur Robert Rice is not afraid to call himself a geek. That’s because he found a way to share his lifelong hobby of collecting with others through his own small business. The Columbia, South Carolina resident launched Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC in March 2015. He and his family manage the operation right out of their home.
“We are a box subscription service catering to nerds and geeks like myself who love comic books, movies, games, toys, and collectibles,” Rice explains. “The whole premise for this business came about in 2014 when a coworker introduced me to a similar online service. But with that company, you only get one set of items in any box you order. With mine, you can fully customize your box by filling out a questionnaire so that you’ll get everything you actually want in your box.”
Rice’s wife, Noelle, and 11-year-old daughter, Judy, also assist in the startup business. Judy paints the cardboard boxes with special designs for each recipient and helped design the company’s logo.
Customers can purchase one box for $35 and have it shipped right to their doorstep. The service also offers a 3-month subscription in which customers receive new boxes over the course of that timeframe for a lower price per box than only buying a single box.
In addition to sending fun-filled boxes to his customers, Rice has created a large social media community of his fans who all enjoy comics and fantasy characters. They often record themselves opening the boxes and post these videos on YouTube. Or, they’ll simply start discussions about the different items.
“Everyone really converses well with each other and supports each other,” he explains. “I had one guy post on one of our pages that he wanted a box but couldn’t afford it. So, someone stepped up and bought it for him.”
<h2>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h2>
According to Rice, it’s the customers who truly make his entrepreneurial endeavor exciting.
“I really enjoy the people who are just so nice, cool, and understanding,” he says. “I manage a restaurant as my full-time job, so this business is a wonderful change of pace compared to the challenges of dealing with customers at a restaurant. I love seeing the people open their boxes and just how excited they get. This has taken off far more than I ever imagined it would.”
Rice obtains the items he ships in his boxes through various sources, including antique shops, Toys ‘R’ Us, Wal-Mart, Target, and through a wholesale distributor. As for those interested in collecting these items, he says it’s mostly men and women ages 24 to 48, but many parents buy the boxes for their young children.
<h2>Small Business Marketing Strategies</h2>
To make potential customers aware of Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC, Rice has primarily relied on Internet marketing through&nbsp;a website and social media. He has company pages on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/Big-Ol-Box-Of-Stuff-438015293021329/?fref=ts">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://instagram.com/bigolbox77">Instagram</a>, and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.pinterest.com/rrice1971/">Pinterest</a>. He plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign and attend comic book shows and other relevant events.
<h2>Challenges to Operating a Small Business</h2>
Like fellow entrepreneurs, Rice admits he has had a few tough challenges along the road to startup success and the long-term maintenance of a small business.
“The biggest challenge has been the fact that these boxes are fully customizable. Sometimes it’s hard to find certain items. When I do, some of them can be very expensive since they are collector’s items at this point. It’s also challenging to fit certain items in the boxes.
<h2>Tips for Small Business Owners</h2>
He offers up some handy tips for small business owners.
“One of the big things is that your business doesn’t have to be perfect from the start. If you wait until everything is perfect, it’s never going to happen. So, just be smart about how you approach everything. Put the big things in place first, and don’t get hung up on the little-bitty things because they can wait. Most entrepreneurs have OCD, so you have to be even-tempered about everything. Customers pick up on this as well.”
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
Rice is a client of 1-800Accountant and says he has had a great experience with the national tax and accounting firm.
“Everyone I’ve talked to has been so nice and helpful,” he says.
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC and is used with permission.

startup-story-everything-you-want-in-a-big-ol-box-of-stuff

Startup Story: Everything You Want In A Big Ol’ Box of Stuff

client-spotlight/e-commerce/startup-story-everything-you-want-in-a-big-ol-box-of-stuff

Since she was a junior in high school, entrepreneur Angele Lovejoy says she’s always been obsessed with shoes. Back then, she dreamt that one day, she’d be her own boss by selling female footwear. Today, that dream is now a reality.
Lovejoy, a client of 1-800Accountant, proudly serves as the CEO of LoveAngels Shoes, LLC in Miami, Florida. She officially registered the home-based, online small business in November 2014.
LoveAngels Shoes is a web based retailer that offers a nice selection of stylish high heels and sandals for women. Currently, Lovejoy resells footwear manufactured by other companies. However, she intends to start her own brand and design, and she hopes to add clothing like tank tops, t-shirts, and shorts to her selection in the near future.
“I have always been obsessed with shoes and heels,” Lovejoy explains. “People should do what they love, so I figured it was a perfect time for starting a business of my own.”
While she maintains a day job doing medical coding, the entrepreneur hopes to one day focus 100% of her career on the small business. In her view, learning from one’s mistakes is such an important facet of being a successful small business owner.
“I learned by my own mistake,” she admits. “I purchased shoes I saw people buying from others. I realized that I needed to stay true to what I like and then share my own passions with others. This is the best way for me to prosper. I would feel like a fraudster if I sold shoes that I wouldn’t wear myself. I want to put my own style into this business.”
<h3>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h3>
Many entrepreneurs find the learning curve of starting a business to be quite daunting. However, Lovejoy has embraced the whole experience of doing something new in her life.
“I enjoy everything about this, especially the learning. It’s a lot of trial-and-error, but learning how to do things is something I’ve always enjoyed. It’s also fun to share my personal shoe styles with the world.”
<h3>Competing in the Footwear Industry</h3>
Lovejoy knows there are lots of retailers out there offering all types of footwear for women. The good news for her is that she takes a unique approach to what she sells.
“Most of my competitors just want to please others,” she says. “I want to share my shoe styles with the women who like them. I keep an open mind about fashion trends and what’s hot as well. Finally, I consider myself a bit of a humanitarian as I donate shoes to underprivileged teenagers. I chose the name LoveAngels Shoes as a way to spread love to others.”
The demographic she is targeting encompasses women between the ages of 18 and 45. As for the clothing she plans to sell, it will likely appeal to a younger crowd – probably females from 16 to those in their early 30s.
<h3>Small Business Marketing Methods</h3>
To get the word out about LoveAngels Shoes, Lovejoy utilizes her website and social media pages on&nbsp;<a class=link href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/LoveAngels-Shoes/1388216294819347">Facebook</a>, Instagram, and&nbsp;<a class=link href="https://www.pinterest.com/source/loveangelsshoes.com/">Pinterest</a>. She is designing an ad for the women’s magazine&nbsp;Bold&nbsp;as well.
<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h3>
Thanks to her entrepreneurial experiences in starting a business on her own, Lovejoy offers some advice for aspiring small business owners.
“Be true to yourself and what you believe in. Always remember that anything is tangible if you work hard enough. In the beginning, there are more difficult days. It can be very frustrating at times. You just have to keep pushing.”
<h3>1-800Accountant Client Review</h3>
Lovejoy is a very satisfied client of 1-800Accountant and praises the nationwide accounting firm for its support.
“1-800Accountant has been very helpful with my business taxes and helping to structure my LLC properly,” she says. “I appreciate all of the guidance I’ve received.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Love Angels Shoes, LLC and is used with permission.

startup-story-helping-women-stroll-in-style

Startup Story: Helping Women Stroll in Style

client-spotlight/e-commerce/startup-story-helping-women-stroll-in-style

Karen Donley-Hayes of Garrettsville, Ohio has been a lifelong, self-proclaimed “horse person.” One horse in particular – Indigo, her horse of 19 years – even inspired Donley-Hayes to become a business owner. In June of 2015, Donley-Hayes formally established Little Indigo Arts, LLC. The small business specializes in jewelry and mementos made from braided horsehair and unique stones. Donley-Hayes operates Little Indigo Arts out of her home office, selling her handmade items online and at state fairs and trade shows.“Right now, my inventory mostly consists of jewelry made out of braided horsehair, which is where Indigo comes in because she’s the donor. It was a surprisingly steep learning curve. I’m fascinated by the artistry of eclectic jewelry makers. When I put together my pieces, no two are alike. I didn’t want to put ‘jewelry’ in the title of my business because I want to expand. Making my items by hand gives me a personal connection to my work,” she explains.Donley-Hayes was inspired to start up a small business of her own while attending a writing conference in the Bahamas in October 2014. While there, she discovered a kiosk on the island containing wire-wrapped sea glass, each item one-of-a-kind.“I’m an artist and come from a family of artists. I liked the idea of repurposing. Recently, we experienced a flood and lost everything. Our basement contained these old crystals, and even though they were wrecked, I couldn’t stand the thought of throwing them out. Then it occurred to me to give them new life and turn them into something artful. It was hard for me to put a hammer to those crystals! But it has been really wonderful to take these little personal treasures that were wrecked in the flood and be able to make them beautiful again,” she says of the origins of the business.Donley-Hayes thinks Little Indigo Arts will be a hit because there is already a niche market carved out for it. Most of the attention the business receives will be from the horse people who she describes as a “crazy and committed” bunch — and the unique, personalized quality of each individual piece will make good potential for customized memorial pieces for horses that have passed on. Catering to this demographic is her core focus and what she thinks will bring her success in the long run.It is the creative outlet that small business ownership offers that Donley-Hayes finds the most rewarding.“When we think of artists, we think of someone sitting there painting and drawing, but designing and coming up with something that looks interesting and has a unique appeal is also an art form.”In fact, the creative process turned out to be a bit more difficult than she had originally anticipated.“The learning curve surprised me. The finished product feels almost like nylon when it’s tightly braided. I think it holds up pretty well, but like any natural product, you need to be careful not to snag it. It has been an interesting and fun process. We find interesting and pretty rocks and stones on the ground and find ways to incorporate them into the designs as well, and they’re all found locally,” she shares.Although she operates her business independently, she’s still in the habit of saying “we” instead of “me” when discussing her business because the inspiration from her horse and the support of her family make it feel like a team effort.Donley-Hayes hopes that positive word-of-mouth will be her biggest marketing component to drum up interest in the business. She aims to provide great customer service by working with her customers in order to ensure that they’re getting exactly what they want. She also has plans to advertise her business in local equine publications and pass out business cards at craft shows. To find out more about Little Indigo Arts check out her store on <a class="link" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/littleindigoarts">Etsy</a>.<h2>Competing With Other Handmade Jewelry Makers</h2>Despite having a core demographic in place, competition is inevitable for any small business in the startup stages of success.“From the horsehair standpoint, there are more little companies out there than I realized. Obviously, there are plenty of people who design their own jewelry. What I want to bring to all of it – from the braided horsehair aspect – is a focus on the wants of the individual clients, and work back and forth on customs. I want them to be satisfied and be able to get something they can wear, use, and love at a reasonable price,” she explains.<h2>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h2>Among the many challenges that crop up in the startup stages of small business ownership, Donley-Hayes agrees that fear of failure is perhaps the most daunting one.“I’m my own worst critic. I don’t want to pour my heart and soul into something and not have it work out. I was doing this before I made it into a business, so I don’t want to do something solely for the sake of making money. I’d ask myself, ‘Am I really going to jump in and do this?’ It’s like wanting to go to the school dance and not knowing if anyone is going to ask you.”<h2>Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners</h2>For those looking to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, Donley-Hayes suggests putting together a business plan — and look into all the legalities required of small business owners before formally establishing the company.“Ask yourself, ‘Do I want to ramp the business up quickly or slowly? Do I want to do this as a side business?’ It’s easy to talk about it and dream about it, but it’s a whole other thing to go out and do it. Any business person should have a healthy respect for the fear involved,” she advises.<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>Karen Donley-Hayes of Little Indigo Arts, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.“I watched the webinar and was impressed with that, and I was impressed by my conversations with my account manager. It really gave me confidence because I knew I had people supporting me, and I knew I didn’t have to worry about the tax stuff. I feel like I’m in good hands, and I feel like they’ve gotten to know about me and my little business. They’re also dealing with the other factors that are included into my tax picture – big and small – like my husband’s income. I’m a skeptical and dubious person, but I’m comfortable with this component that I’m not skilled in. It’s been a positive experience from the get-go,” she enthuses.Photo credit: The photographs included in this blog post were provided by Little Indigo Arts, LLC and are used with permission.

startup-story-jewelry-and-mementos-for-the-horse-person-in-you

Startup Story: Jewelry & Mementos for the Horse Person in You

client-spotlight/e-commerce/startup-story-jewelry-and-mementos-for-the-horse-person-in-you

Entrepreneur Anton Karbanovich knows all about web development and Internet marketing. He also knows that there are lots of children in need around the world. So, he decided to combine these two factors by taking the leap of faith to start his own small business.Officially called Melt Candle Company, LLC, Karbanovich launched the home-based venture in October 2016. While he has a residence in Belarus, the business was registered in Oak Harbor, Washington. That’s where his mother and business partner, Larysa, resides.“I put this business together completely from my own computer,” Karbanovich explains, noting how so many business services are now available entirely online these days. “I found a manufacturer here in Belarus to make these candles that we sell. I then have them shipped to the U.S. where Larysa is fulfilling all of the orders.”The entrepreneurial family sells the candles on its website, eBay, and Amazon.com. There are about 70 styles of candles in its varied selection. “I’m in close contact with the manufacturer, and we come up with our own ideas on shapes, colors, designs, wicks, and other characteristics. The candles are perfect for home décor.”Some of the larger candles have 6 wicks and weigh 4 pounds. Some are hand painted with a Christmas theme. Others are made into the shape of fruit, such as oranges and lemons. There are even outdoor candles designed to brave the breeze on a patio.In addition to selling items that can light up a room, the company is also brightening the lives of needy children.“We donate a percentage of our sales to a charity called Top Kids, which helps orphans and children in foster families,” Karbanovich says. “Our goal is to help as many children as we can. We want to make a profit but also want to give back.”He says one of the reasons he decided to dive into entrepreneurship was to demonstrate what his home country can do for the world.“I ultimately wanted to show that Belarus can manufacture something beautiful and useful for others.”In his words, Karbanovich says the power of the Internet and the global economy are two incredible elements for small business owners that can make business ownership possible anywhere today.“My business has no borders and no limits,” he enthuses. “You can dial my U.S. company phone number and talk to me in Belarus. You can open bank accounts, use accounting services, register a business, rent items, and connect with customers – all from a single computer with an Internet connection.”<h2>Competition In The Candle Industry</h2>As in most fields, Karbanovich admits he’s up against a large number of companies and individuals selling candles. However, he has illuminated his own unique niche in the candle marketplace.“We have a few key selling points. We offer innovative designs and shapes of our candles that you probably won’t find anywhere else. These candles are also all handmade, but we can provide a competitive price for them. Plus, we have a bigger purpose than just making a profit through our charitable giving.”<h2>Spreading The Word</h2>To make others aware of Melt Candle Company, LLC, the firm has a <a class="link" href="http://meltcandlecompany.com/">website</a> and social media pages on <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/meltcandlecompany/">Facebook</a>, <a class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/melt_candle_company/">Instagram</a>, and <a class="link" href="http://twitter.com/meltcandleco">Twitter</a>. Plus, the owners plan to send all purchases out in branded packaging.<h2>Advice For Aspiring Small Business Owners</h2>He offers up some valuable advice for those who have the goal of starting a business of their own someday.“Outsource your work to the professionals as much as possible,” he advises. “Let the broker handle your paperwork. Let the accountant do your tax filings. Let the photographer take pictures for your website. While all of this does require a big investment, it will pay off in the end.”<h2>1-800Accountant Client Experience</h2>Anton Karbanovich is a client of 1-800Accountant and says he is very grateful for the support he has received from the national small business accounting firm. “1-800Accountant has sorted out all of our tax and accounting requirements for us,” he says. “Exporting our products from Belarus has posed a few challenges, but we’ve been very satisfied with the assistance we’ve received to be able to do what we are doing.”IMPORTANT: Readers of this article receive a 20% discount on all orders when entering the coupon code EVERYCANDLEHELPS before checking out on the <a class="link" href="http://meltcandlecompany.com/">website</a>.

startup-story-lighting-world-one-candle-time-large

Startup Story: Lighting Up the World One Candle at a Time

client-spotlight/e-commerce/startup-story-lighting-up-the-world-one-candle-at-a-time

The “thin blue line” is a symbol representing fallen law enforcement officers and is also a visualization to symbolize how police officers protect citizens from criminals. Based on this symbol and concept, Renee Heiss decided to explore entrepreneurship with her son-in-law, Adam Veltre, who is a longtime corrections officer in New Jersey to form their own small business.
Headquartered in Tabernacle, New Jersey, the business partners officially created Blue Line Customs, LLC in February 2015. They can both run the startup directly out of their home offices by combining their skills and focusing on the areas they enjoy most.
Blue Line Customs is currently a web-based business that offers a variety of items emblazoned with a unique thin blue line flag symbol. Heiss explains how she came up with this one-of-a-kind design.
“I wanted to make a flag quilt for Adam who does charitable work for the Police Unity Tour,” she says. “When I created the quilt, the stars on it came out dark gray rather than black. We thought it was neat and almost better than the white stars on a black background in the traditional symbol. So I copyrighted this color scheme and decided to put it on items that could be mass-produced.”
They currently sell mugs, hats, cotton throws, stickers, blue line flag patterns, and other accessories that include the color scheme.
“We really want to raise awareness for fallen officers as well as the Police Unity Tour,” she says. “Adam has raised money for this tour for several years, and I’ve always been involved with children’s charities. So starting a business like this made perfect sense for both of us.”
Heiss is a retired teacher who taught high school child development for 25 years. She is handling the paperwork and backend aspects of running the small business, while Veltre is doing more of the marketing and product development.
In terms of competition, Heiss says that there are several other companies out there selling products based on the thin blue line. However, none are using the copyrighted symbol of Blue Line Customs, and very few even include a flag in their designs. Plus, she feels her startup company’s prices are quite reasonable, with most of the items priced at under $15. In addition, all products and even the packaging they are shipped in are manufactured in the U.S. Finally, they give a percentage of the revenue they earn from their sales to the Police Unity Tour charitable organization.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to have a non-profit organization,” Heiss says. “We are on our way there as we’re changing from an LLC to a non-profit corporation.”
<h2>Marketing Methods for Small Business Owners</h2>
To make others aware of the company, Heiss and Veltre rely on online marketing strategies since the Internet is naturally the primary platform for selling their products. They have a website at&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.bluelinecustoms.com/">www.bluelinecustoms.com</a>, and they use social media marketing with pages on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/bluelinecustomsllc">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.pinterest.com/bluelinecustoms/thin-blue-line-flag-products/">Pinterest</a>.
<h2>Challenges to Startup Success</h2>
Starting a business is no easy venture. Heiss admits she and her son-in-law have encountered some challenging moments early in the process.
“The initial financial outlay has been a challenge,” she says. “You have to buy inventory of products, sell them, and then be able to pay yourself back if you make enough money. But until that time comes, there is obviously a delay in funds going into your business bank account.”
Based on her own experience, she gives some insight into what’s involved in pursuing entrepreneurship.
“Never forget that it takes money to earn money, and that’s certainly true when it comes to starting a business. You can’t just start a business and say you enjoy it. If there’s no niche for what you offer, it’s going to be very tough to succeed. Also, advertising is important but does not come cheap, so make sure you budget for it.”
In addition to these tips for entrepreneurs, Heiss admits self-employment has both advantages and disadvantages.
“You can make your own hours and have flexibility in your schedule. But you never know quite how much you’re going to make each month.”
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
“1-800Accountant has been very helpful from a tax and accounting standpoint,” Heiss says. “We initially went with the LLC, but once we talked to your firm, we realized a non-profit corporate structure was the way to go for our small business. There is significantly less paperwork involved with a non-profit when it comes to taxes. I didn’t know you could have disbursements paid out to the owners of a non-profit, either, so we were very happy to learn about that. Your webinars have been informative as well.”
Photo credit: were provided by Blue Line Customs, LLC and are used with permission.

startup-story-making-the-thin-blue-line-more-visible

Startup Story: Making the Thin Blue Line More Visible

client-spotlight/e-commerce/startup-story-making-the-thin-blue-line-more-visible

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat

JOIN NOW!

A great thing about working with so many small businesses is watching as they flourish and grow. The unique paths they’ve taken to succeed are insightful, and we’re proud to share some of those inspiring stories with you.

Client Spotlight 

Screenshot_2023-08-14_at_1.36_1.png

CLP_JoinUs_Testimonial_WomanBlueBackground_3.png

Huong T
“Excellent first call, very informative. This is my third business … this time  I will ease the burden and use 1-800Accountant [for accounting]”

By clicking "Confirm My Appointment" you agree to our <a href="https://1800accountant.com/terms-of-services" target="_blank">Terms of Service</a>. This includes permission to communicate with you about your appointments via phone, email, or SMS. If you prefer to opt-out of SMS communications you may uncheck this box

Orange_5Stars.png

Scheduler Copy

Need help with your business accounting?

Set up a free consultation with one of our tax experts. Learn more about our services and tax savings opportunities for your business. 