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<p>Entrepreneur Lorena Flores loves her hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. So she decided to launch her own small business reselling Mexican-based artisan crafts in order to spread the artistic culture of her native land.</p><p>Flores is the proud founder and CEO of Flor de Lis, LLC in Fairfax, Virginia. She formally registered the home-based business in October 2014.</p><p>Flor de Lis resells a variety of artisan crafts, primarily specializing in offering unique Talavera pottery made in Mexico.</p><p>“I import these items and resell them on Amazon,” Flores explains. “The artisans in Mexico design them near Guadalajara.”</p><p>The entrepreneur immigrated to the United States about 7 years ago after her father took a job with the government. Her goal is to spread the Mexican culture to others who may be unfamiliar with its beauty.</p><p>“I wanted to create a Mexican-inspired brand to provide more awareness about the qualities of the arts in my home country because it’s not really presented in the media,” she says.</p><p>Flor de Lis has a menu full of creative offerings, including traditional pottery pieces, lamps, wall decorations, plates, and figurines.</p><p>“The products sell themselves and are totally authentic to Mexico,” she explains. “I also offer fair pricing, unlike some of the department stores and other competitors out there.”</p><p>Gaining an Edge over Other Small Business Owners</p><p>There are countless brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers that offer artisan crafts. However, Flores is confident that her small business has an edge over her competitors because of the quality of the products and where they actually come from.</p><p>“Other companies have very different price points. There is also a lot more selling by volume versus selling pieces individually. Plus, there are not many authentic sellers in the U.S. So I feel like I don’t have too much competition.”</p><h2>Marketing Strategies for Startups</h2><p>To make others aware of Flor de Lis and its online offerings, Flores relies heavily on social media marketing. She uses <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/flordelisinc">Facebook</a>, <a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/flordelisinc">Twitter</a>, and <a class="link" href="https://instagram.com/flordelis.inc">Instagram</a> to spread the word about her pottery items.</p><p>Like fellow entrepreneurs, Flores admits she has had to overcome some tough hurdles in her efforts of starting a business and maintaining it over time. She says the process of finding a customs broker was probably the biggest challenge because of the laws on importing goods from another country into the U.S. Fortunately, she has surrounded herself with a support system of individuals and professionals who have helped her achieve startup success.</p><h2>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h2><p>She offers some insightful tips for entrepreneurs interested in taking the dive into starting a business for themselves.</p><p>“Follow your passions. When you have a passion in your life, everything else comes naturally. I also think starting a business should be more about the community and how you can make a difference in your community.”</p><p>She admits that self-employment requires a good amount of self-discipline. But, in her words, the freedom comes with the ability to be more creative.</p><h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2><p>As a client of 1-800Accountant, Flores says she has been very happy with the small business accounting support she has received from the nationwide firm.</p><p>“1-800Accountant offers me a great support system in my quest of being a successful small business owner,” she says. “If I have any tax and accounting questions, all I have to do is call or e-mail you guys so I’m not running around like a chicken with its head cut off.”</p><p><strong>Photo credit</strong>: The photograph of the cylindrical vase included in this blog post was provided by Flor de Lis, LLC and is used with permission.</p>

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Using Talavera Pottery to Spread the Artistic Mexican Culture

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<p>Nicole Buergers knew she’d be taking a risk when walking away from a guaranteed paycheck to start her own small business. But she didn’t know how sweet it could be – and in more ways than she expected.</p>
<p>Buergers, who is a client of 1-800Accountant, is the proud owner of Bee2Bee Honey Collective, LLC. Formally established in February 2016, the company is headquartered out of a shared workspace facility in Houston, Texas, but the entrepreneur has traveled around the country for business purposes.</p>
<p>Buergers says her small business is twofold.</p>
<p>“I offer beekeeping services in which I install and maintain beehives on property owned by individuals and businesses,” she explains. “People want bees for various purposes – typically for environmental reasons or to help maintain a garden. The second part of the business is the website. I help people sell honey online since many of these individuals are not tech-savvy and are often just selling honey on the side of the road.”</p>
<p>Buergers previously worked in Internet marketing for several agencies. She now uses the skills she honed on that path in her current small business. She also works as a cheese monger at a local cheese shop in Houston.</p>
<p>She explains what drove her to take the dive into self-employment.</p>
<p>“I want people to be able to get honey easily,” she says. “I love feeling like I’m making a difference by giving back to the planet to keep bees around. Plus, I sat behind a desk in the corporate world for too many years. Now, I really enjoy getting out there and putting my hands in the soil.”</p>
<p>Being around bees all the time certainly increases the risk of being stung by one. Buergers – or “The Queen Bee” as she likes to call herself – is always fully prepared for the job.</p>
<p>“Working with bees is like tai chi,” she explains. “You will get stung at times because some bees are quite aggressive. But for me, it’s no big deal. I gear up with a bee suit and gloves. Bee suits are very puffy and can be pretty hot to wear, but they really protect you.</p>
<h2>Competing in the Beekeeping Field</h2>
<p>According to Buergers, there are many beekeeper companies that serve most large cities around the United States. However, she found that the Houston market has been underserved in this area.</p>
<p>“Houston is a very green area with lots of grass, plants, and flowers. But it needed a beekeeping service. So, I saw this as a great place for an opportunity to start one myself.”</p>
<h2>Small Business Marketing Methods</h2>
<p>To get the word out about Bee2Bee Honey Collective, Buergers has created a marketing plan with a variety of platforms. The company has a website at&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.bee2beehoney.com/">www.bee2beehoney.com</a>. It also has pages on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/bee2beehoneytx">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/bee2beehoneytx">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.pinterest.com/bee2beehoney/">Pinterest</a>,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/bee2beehoney/">Instagram</a>, and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0JFnO1lVz6FjSRb8z5l2Bg">YouTube</a>. The beekeeper is looking to contact local publications, magazines, websites, blogs, and other relevant outlets, in addition to running&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/houston-beekeeping-bee2bee-honey-collective#/">an Indiegogo campaign</a>.</p>
<h2>Challenges to Owning a Business</h2>
<p>Starting and running a small business isn’t for the faint of heart, Buergers confides.</p>
<p>“It’s my first time doing this, and I had no idea what I was doing at first. There are all kinds of rules on forming a business, legal issues, insurance, taxes, and paperwork. It’s all a new game for me. It has also been tough telling everyone about this pivot in my career. I think my mom has finally accepted it.”</p>
<h2>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h2>
<p>Thanks to her recent entrepreneurial experience, she offers some helpful advice for entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>“Expect a lot of doubt and a lot of uncertainty throughout the early stages. It’s a giant step, and you really just have to take it. Outsource tasks to the experts as well. Honestly, the biggest help for me has been the emotional support from family and friends. I still have days when I think I’m not doing the right thing. Reach out to others and get encouragement from them. Your passion will shine through in the end.”</p>
<h2>Experience as a Client of 1-800Accountant</h2>
<p>Buergers says she has been very happy with the support 1-800Accountant has provided her with business taxes, accounting, and everything else she simply doesn’t have time to do.</p>
<p>“Learning about business taxes has been challenging,” she says. “1-800Accountant has been so helpful at taking me by the hand and walking me through all of my business accounting needs.”</p>
<p><strong>Photo credit</strong>: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Bee2Bee Honey Collective, LLC and is used with permission.</p>
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Why Entrepreneurship Is So Sweet For A Houston Beekeeper

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<p>Filmmaking has been a dream of Stephen Miller’s since he was a little kid. In November of 2014, he decided to make his dream a reality by formally establishing Loose Screw Productions, LLC. Loose Screw Productions is a production company based out of Rochester, New York. Miller owns and operates Loose Screw Productions, of which he is the mastermind, out of his home office.</p>
<p>The small business is in its startup stages, with Miller currently in the process of creating a web series. Once production has wrapped on the web series, Miller will begin working on full-length features. Miller’s ambitions are open-ended, and he plans to tackle all genres. He believes his cohesive vision and creative collaborations will help make his small business a success.</p>
<p>“I believe the passion that I put into the work and the people that I surround myself with to do it will make my company successful,” he says.</p>
<p>The writing and conceptualizing for each project are all on Miller, but he does rely on independent contractors to help him get the job done. Actors, cinematographers, sound engineers, and other key players are needed for a production’s successful completion. Miller works with different independent contractors from job to job, depending on what the work calls for. The entire creative process, from beginning with nothing to crossing the finish line with a completed product, is what Miller enjoys most about this line of work.</p>
<p>Miller explains what will give Loose Screw Productions an edge in a competitive industry.</p>
<p>“There’s quite a bit of competition. The Internet has kind of exploded, so there is enough space out there for everyone. I’m a perfectionist, and everything that I put out is going to be the best it can be. I want my work to appeal to people like myself. I’m 45, but I’m very childlike at times, so I feel I can relate to a wide range of audiences.”</p>
<h2>Small Business Marketing Strategies</h2>
<p>Miller is marketing Loose Screw Productions by building a strong online presence. He has an official website,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.loosescrewproductions.com/">www.loosescrewproductions.com</a>, as well as pages on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/mylsp">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/loosescrewfilms">Twitter</a>. Excluding filming on location, Miller’s small business is currently exclusively web-based, making online marketing essential.</p>
<h2>Challenges to Startup Success</h2>
<p>Miller admits he faced some challenges during the startup phase of small business ownership.</p>
<p>“I’m jumping into a very competitive business in which most people fail, so it’s definitely daunting and a little scary, but I don’t want to be 80 years old and thinking, ‘What if?’”</p>
<p>Miller has a full-time job in addition to building content for his production company. Juggling his full-time job and his small business takes up most of his time. Still, it’s worth it to him. The entrepreneur urges people with dreams of small business ownership to take the plunge and go for it.</p>
<p>“Just follow your dreams. Even if this fails, at least I tried. I don’t ever want to have any regrets, so just follow your dreams.”</p>
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
<p>“I definitely have been satisfied with 1-800Accountant. It’s a peace of mind that everything is going to be taken care of, and I can continue being creative and not have to worry about the numbers.”</p>
<p><strong>Image credit</strong>: The logo included in this blog post was provided by Loose Screw Productions, LLC and is used with permission.<br /><br /></p>

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Building a Production Company with Some Loose Screws

client-spotlight/entertainment/building-a-production-company-with-some-loose-screws

<p>Journalist Carrie Sheffield saw a country divided by its political parties. But instead of being satisfied with the status quo, she decided to do something about it. Carrie teamed up with celebrity Clay Aiken and founded a new digital network called&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://bold.global/">Bold Media Enterprise, Inc.</a>&nbsp;– a true bipartisan news media outlet – in November 2015. Carrie has been a news correspondent for more than a dozen years. After graduating with a journalism degree in 2005, she moved to Washington and wrote for The Hill newspaper, then for&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.politico.com/">Politico</a> when it was just a startup. She next wrote editorial pieces for The Washington Times, before achieving a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. Suffice it to say that Carrie is passionate about politics because it affects everyone’s lives. “I’m driven by a desire to help make the world a more peaceful, unified, and happy place,” says Carrie. “And that’s so much easier said than done.” In starting Bold Media Enterprises, Carrie faced many hurdles. Says Carrie, “Initially, one of the challenges we found was that it was hard to bring in outside capital to a media company because a lot of venture capitalists and financial investors are not interested in media.” But instead of giving up, Carrie transformed the challenge into an opportunity. Rather than trying to attract investors, she pursued sponsors for the business. The sponsorship model allowed Carrie to retain her own vision for the company. To keep costs down but still preserve the company’s financial integrity, Carrie hired 1-800Accountant to handle day-to-day accounting needs. “1-800Accountant has been very responsive to our needs from an accounting standpoint,” says Carrie. The outlook for Bold is bright. Bold airs three shows: Bold Politics, Bold Life, and Bold Business. The company’s focus is on growing the audience and the community for each. The company is also in conversations with a number of exciting partners for distribution and sponsorships. Carrie wants to encourage everyone to be bold. “Live your boldest life possible,” she says.</p><sp><p></p></sp>

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Carrie Sheffield Makes a Bold Business Statement

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<p>Like many people who have a passion for the arts, Oral Clarke of Brooklyn, New York wondered how he could turn his love for filmmaking and storytelling into a profitable business venture. Clarke had been harboring ideas for films for years, but in November of 2014, he finally took the plunge into formally establishing himself as a small business owner with Musing International Production, LLC.</p><p>As the owner and operator of Musing International Production, Clarke acts as the mastermind behind the small business’s projects. As it typically is in the production industry, Clarke’s ensemble of employees would change from project to project, depending on size and style. He works closely with writers who he trusts to help him maximize his creative visions to the fullest extent. Clarke currently does business from home and is working toward having his own studio.</p><p>Whether it’s film, novels, commercials, or music videos, Clarke doesn’t discriminate. He has plans to make Musing International Production an all-encompassing creative force. Clarke will begin his creative career by building his own original content, and plans to welcome other collaborators to jump on board in the future.</p><p>Many creative people find themselves brewing with exciting ideas without knowing where to channel them or how to turn a profit from them. Initially, Clarke planned on selling his stories and letting the buyers take over. It was when a friend suggested to him that he form his own entity and take control himself that he formed Musing International Production. Clarke’s creative and professional paths were verified for him when a friend in the music industry approached him with some music videos. Clarke discovered he could contribute his talents to take other people’s ideas to the next level and make them even better. Plus, the formal entity gives him more clout when approaching investors.</p><p>“I wanted to make it official for when I approach people with my ideas,” he explains.</p><p>Clarke is looking forward to achieving success with his startup venture. He feels he is savvy enough to present his concepts in a way that is attractive to investors. By developing a solid business plan, he will be able to confidently approach film companies and not only execute his ideas, but also help them with theirs as well.</p><p>“I have the capabilities to be persistent and do the work. They’ll be more likely to invest in my ideas with the entity and business plan,” he says.</p><h2>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h2><p>Clarke’s favorite aspect of owning a small business is musing, hence the name of the production company.</p><p>“I’m a mental person. I have a natural gift of coming up with ideas and executing them. I like the process of coming up with ideas,” Clarke confides.</p><h2>Competing in the Production Industry</h2><p>Clarke is too busy making his small business the best it can be to worry about competition right now, although he knows it exists. During the crucial beginning stages of starting up a production company, he is focusing on working hard and letting his creations speak for themselves.</p><p>On the business end of things, Clarke wants to win over collaborators and investors. The art itself, however, will appeal to a more universal demographic. His films involve religious fiction, and his audience is mostly those who have lost their direction and seek spirituality through artistic exploration.</p><p>The web presence for Musing International Production is still in the works. In the meantime, the small business has a <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/musingip?fref=ts">Facebook page</a>. The toughest challenge so far has largely been accumulating the funds required for a production company to function. Computers and film equipment are costly necessities.</p><h2>Advice for Aspiring Small Business Owners</h2><p>Clarke offers the following tips for entrepreneurs looking to make their dreams of startup success come true.</p><p>“Have a focus in mind. Be precise on what it is that you want to do. Anybody can become a business owner, but you need the right people to involve themselves in the business with you. You need a focus group with people whose ideas work with yours, with an artistic vision. Be dedicated and put in hard work. You need to feed the mind,” he insists.</p><p>The biggest advantage to being self-employed, Clarke says, is “not being able to get fired. You put your ideas into your own company instead of somebody else’s. The disadvantage is that you have to let it consume your time.”</p><h2>1-800Accountant Testimonial</h2><p>Clarke has had a positive experience with 1-800Accountant.</p><p>“I’m building my business plan and learning about how to structure my expenses and keep track of the tax side of things.”</p><p><strong>Image credit</strong>: The logo included in this blog post was provided by Musing International Production, LLC and is used with permission.</p>

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Creatively Working Toward Small Business Success

client-spotlight/entertainment/creatively-working-toward-small-business-success

<p>Daren Fuster says he wears about 17 hats with the two small businesses he operates and other work he’s involved in. This is probably an underestimation for the motivated entrepreneur from Los Angeles.</p><p>Fuster, who is a client of 1-800Accountant, proudly runs Fuster Artistic, LLC (based in Los Angeles and established in 2016) and Pro Art Music, LLC (based in Cincinnati and established in 2013). By day, he even works as a booking agent for a music producer.</p><p>“I offer a lot of different services in my companies,” Fuster explains.“I can provide music for weddings – everything from a string quartet, to a DJ, to a full-fledged band. I also provide music for other various events and venues. Plus, I offer contracting services to artists and presenters who need an orchestra or other accompaniment at concerts and events.”</p><p>Fuster has had the opportunity to work on behalf of many big names in music, including Nelly, Kenny G, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, and Peter Cetera. He even manages a jazz band that went on tour with Jane Lynch.</p><p>It was his own musical talent that helped him get into this industry and make the waves he’s made in it already.</p><p>“By trade, I’m a professionally trained violinist and violist,” he says. “I have performed with a variety of artists and institutions around the U.S. and abroad. I’ve performed in Italy, Germany, and other countries. I did this for about 15 years, but I knew it was not something I wanted to do forever. So, I then landed some administrative jobs with symphonies.”</p><h2>Why Fuster Enjoys Small Business Ownership</h2><p>According to Fuster, he loves how every day of his life is different.</p><p>“I really like the diversity in what I do. We’re able to provide entertainment to so many different people in so many unique capacities. One day, I’m booking something for Nelly. The next day, I’m booking a band for a wedding happening down the street.”</p><h2>A Unique Perspective On Small Business Competition</h2><p>Unlike many entrepreneurs who spend time closely analyzing their competitors within a specific industry and market, Fuster approaches competition differently.</p><p>“There is competition prevalent in all markets, but I’ve never been one to focus on my competition,” he explains. “Instead, I focus on the products and services we provide, and I firmly believe in all of them and their quality. After 15-plus years, I don’t think I’d be where I am today without thinking of it like this.”</p><h2>How To Market A Small Business</h2><p>Some entrepreneurs focus on one specific marketing strategy, while others employ a variety of methods. Fuster falls into the latter boat. He has 3 websites for each of his brands – <a class="link" href="http://www.fusterartistic.com/">www.fusterartistic.com</a>, <a class="link" href="http://www.musicsocal.com/">www.musicsocal.com</a>, and <a class="link" href="http://www.proartmusic.com/">www.proartmusic.com</a>. He advertises on online wedding portals, attends trade shows primarily on weddings, and uses both e-mail marketing and direct mail pieces. In addition, his companies are on social media with Facebook pages for <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/musicsocal/">Music SoCal</a> and <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/Pro-Art-Music-359967284086230/">Pro Art Music</a> and Twitter pages for <a class="link" href="http://twitter.com/musicsocal">Music SoCal</a> and <a class="link" href="http://twitter.com/proartmusic">Pro Art Music</a>.</p><p>“I know my clients pretty well and have learned to target savvy buyers,” he says.</p><h2>Challenges to Starting &amp; Maintaining A Business</h2><p>Handling the financial side of things has been Fuster’s most noteworthy challenge as a small business owner.</p><p>The biggest challenge has been understanding my cash flow and forecasting. These obviously have a direct effect on your bottom line.”</p><h2>Tips For Aspiring Business Owners</h2><p>Based on his own endeavors, the musician-turned-business owner offers up some valuable tips for entrepreneurs who aspire to achieve the American dream one day.</p><p>“In 1999, I started out with $1,000,” he explains. “That built me one of the most bare-bones websites you’ve ever seen in your life. Almost immediately after that, I partnered with another company that was expanding. This really helped in marketing my company, and after 6 or 8 years, things were looking really good for me. So, I would say start with as small of an investment as necessary to get started. Then it’s really elbow grease and a lot of hard work after that.”</p><p>He adds that there are both pros and cons to being your own boss.</p><p>“You’re responsible for everything – marketing, getting clients, paying your employees and contractors, and so forth. It’s definitely not a 9-to-5 job. It’s basically like being married to another person because your business follows you wherever you go. But the beauty is that it provides a great amount of flexibility with regard to controlling your own destiny.”</p><h2>1-800Accountant Client Review</h2><p>Daren Fuster is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.</p><p>“Knowing you have the expertise of someone who understands the tax code is invaluable and can save you lots of money. That’s because you are totally responsible for your financial numbers when you are self-employed.”</p>

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It’s Always Showtime For This Driven Entrepreneur

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<p>Sandy Jacobs’ son, Justin, and daughter, Amanda, love music. While Justin was working as a roadie and sound technician for musicians, Amanda was working as a DJ for parties. Eventually, the family decided they wanted to branch out on their own and formally established their own DJ service. From there, Panda Jazz DJ Service, LLC was born out of Saint Louis, Missouri in April 2015. The name of the business comes from Justin and Amanda’s nicknames, Jazzy and Panda.</p>
<p>After formally establishing the business (“to keep everything legal,” Sandy says), Justin purchased DJ equipment like soundboards and lights to prepare them for the gigs ahead. They also designed polo shirts, business cards, and magnets for their cars. The team – which includes Sandy, husband Jerry, Justin and Amanda – currently operates out of a home office.</p>
<p>“We’re putting ourselves out there so we can gain word-of-mouth exposure. We’ve been told that we’re good, so now we’re doing some pro bono work to get our name out there and prove that to people who don’t know us. We know it takes awhile for things to get going and move out of the startup stage,” Sandy Jacobs explains.</p>
<p>According to Jacobs, competition amongst other DJ services in the Saint Louis area is fierce, some of which are licensed entities and some that aren’t. Other DJ services exist under major corporations or are franchised, and others have seniority over startups.</p>
<p>The family has plans to put ads in bridal magazines in order to spread the word about their services.</p>
<p>“It’s an expensive process,” Jacobs admits.</p>
<p>The Panda Jazz DJ Service team is currently building a website and pages on social media. In addition to the aforementioned polos, business cards, and magnets, they’ve also utilized promotional materials like flyers. They’ve formed business relationships with local florists, limousine services, and venues that utilize DJs for parties.</p>
<h2>Advice for DJs</h2>
<p>For DJs looking to formally establish themselves, Jacobs offers these suggestions.</p>
<p>“Make sure that you get all the facts. Before you set anything up, make sure that you’ve covered all the bases. Make sure you evaluate how much competition there is and what the startup costs are going to be. Hire an accountant who understands business taxes and legalities. Also, don’t be afraid to do some things for free just to get your name out there. We have even let people borrow our equipment just so we can get kudos for it. A lot of banquet halls already have their own DJs that they work with, so it’s just a matter of getting up and getting out there and pounding the street,” she shares.</p>
<h2>Advantages of Small Business Ownership</h2>
<p>Despite startup costs and the fear of failure, Jacobs still insists there are advantages to small business ownership.</p>
<p>“You can work at the pace that is best for you. When you’re working with somebody else, you’re limited to their timeframe. As a small business owner, you can set your own hours and goals. You have the satisfaction of knowing that this belongs to you rather than just working for someone. When companies outsource work to their departments, those employees aren’t as motivated because they’re probably underpaid. As a small business owner, I’m my own boss. I work at my own pace because I know that it’s mine. Whether you succeed or fail is up to you,” she explains.</p>
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
<p>Sandy Jacobs and the rest of the Panda Jazz DJ Service, LLC team are satisfied clients of 1-800Accountant.</p>
<p>“We would not have known where to go or what to do without 1-800Accountant. They’ve been with us every step of the way. We didn’t know how much was involved during the startup stage of small business ownership before we went into this.”</p>
<p><strong>Photo credit</strong>: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Panda Jazz DJ Service, LLC and is used with permission.<br /></p>

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Making a DJ Service a Family Affair

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<p>Kyle Fosburgh has had a passion for music for most of his life. In fact, he has mastered the acoustic guitar and has even recorded and sold his own musical creations. So what better person would there be to launch a unique production company for other artists looking to get their tunes heard?</p>
<p>Fosburgh, a 1-800Accountant client and self-employed entrepreneur, is the proud CEO of Grass-Tops Recording in Bloomington, Minnesota. The home-based small business became a reality in 2011, but Fosburgh set up the LLC for it in April 2014.</p>
<p>Grass-Tops Recording is a multifaceted entity in the wide-ranging music industry. The startup serves as a production studio, a record label, and as a music promoter. Fosburgh and his contractors record, produce, and release CDs, LPs, and digital downloads for artists worldwide, with an emphasis on folk and world music. The small business also offers archiving and reissuing services for music that was originally produced in the past.</p>
<p>“I’m a musician myself, so starting a business like this was a way to record and market my own music, while helping other aspiring musicians do the same,” Fosburgh explains. “It’s sort of my livelihood. I enjoy music and putting musical products together.”</p>
<h2>Competing in the Music Industry</h2>
<p>While many see the music industry as a cutthroat type of field, Fosburgh takes a different stance. From his vantage point, as long as a production company produces music for a niche market, the amount of competition can be greatly minimized.</p>
<p>“We have a niche market in terms of the type of music we produce and the audience who can enjoy it,” he says. “We’re different because we are more than just a record label. Plus, anyone from young to old can enjoy our music. We have customers of all ages.”</p>
<p>In addition, he takes a different approach in terms of his goals with the startup company.</p>
<p>“We are taking a long-term approach by building a name as a producer of high-quality musical products,” he says. “We’re focusing primarily on artistic integrity, as opposed to having a ‘fly-by-night’ mentality and trying to sell lots of records to our audience. We’re about patience and creating high quality art first and foremost.”</p>
<h2>Marketing a Music Production Business</h2>
<p>To make others aware of Grass-Tops Recording, Fosburgh has mostly used online marketing strategies. He has a website for the business at&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.grasstopsrecording.com/">www.grasstopsrecording.com</a>, along with profiles on music distribution sites like SoundCloud. Additionally, the small business maintains a social media presence on<span>&nbsp;</span><a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/grasstopsnews">Twitter</a>. Finally, Fosburgh has a customer e-mail list that he contacts regularly and contracts with an outside promotional person to help spread the company’s tunes to as many ears as possible.</p>
<h2>Challenges to Small Business Ownership</h2>
<p>Fosburgh confides that being a one-man band – literally and figuratively – is the biggest challenge to starting a business and ongoing ownership of it.</p>
<p>“I’m kind of doing everything on my own,” he admits. “I oversee everything. I have to be in contact with audio producers, manufacturers, distributors, designers, and other individuals. I have to update the website and social media pages myself.”</p>
<h2>Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs</h2>
<p>Based on his own experience running Grass-Tops Recording, Fosburgh gives some insight into what starting a business is really like – and how to effectively achieve startup success.</p>
<p>“I’ve had mentors who have showed me how to do things more efficiently. I’m not really a business person at heart. I consider myself more of a creative thinker. So you should find what you want to really do and seriously focus on that. Then find a means to make it financially sustainable.”</p>
<p>Entrepreneurs take the leap of faith into small business ownership for many reasons. While Fosburgh admits there are some drawbacks to being a self-employed business owner, the freedom that comes with this territory is unmatched.</p>
<p>“You have lots of freedom to create your own schedule,” he says. “You can structure your time any way you choose. Of course, you may have to work on weekends and at times when others would be off work.”</p>
<h2>1-800Accountant Client Testimonial</h2>
<p>As a client of 1-800Accountant, Fosburgh says he has been extremely satisfied with his services from the national accounting firm.</p>
<p>“Everything has been covered very well with regard to my business taxes,” he says. “It’s been a very good learning experience on what my business needs to do to survive and tax strategies to help me save money. I really like the webinars as well and have gotten so much information from them.”</p>
<p><strong>Photo credit</strong>: The photograph of Kyle Fosburgh and company logo included in this blog post were provided by Grass-Tops Recording and are used with permission.<br /><br /></p>

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Making Musical Artists Shine through a Small Business

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<p>Entrepreneur Ternell Washington loves capturing the sweet moments of life. So he decided to take his years of experience behind the camera as a photographer and try his hand at startup success.</p>
<p>Washington, a client of 1-800Accountant, operates his own small business called Axiom Foto, LLC in San Antonio, Texas. He formally set up the business entity in December of 2014.</p>
<p>Through Axiom Foto, Washington offers a variety of top-notch photography services to nearly anyone who wants an event or special moment captured in images. However, he primarily works as a contractor for two local charities that benefit children – Kinetic Kids and Ferrari Kids. Kinetic Kids supports kids with (dis)abilities by giving them opportunities to participate in a variety of sporting and fine arts activities specifically tailored to meet their needs.</p>
<p>Washington, who is an Air Force veteran of 24 years, explains how he has made it to this point in his career – and why starting a business was a fantastic decision for him.</p>
<p>“I started shooting pictures at age 7,” he says. “I was an Instructor Pilot in the United States Air Force and had the opportunity to combine two of my lifelong loves into one incredible passion by being tasked with capturing aerial photography for our NATO partners while flying as a member of the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. I discovered after launching my LLC that I did not fully understand the U.S. tax laws and federal tax code. I realized that I was missing out on numerous tax savings. Therefore, in order to feel that I was being fully compensated for all of my work, I felt it was necessary to partner with 1-800Accountant and follow their invaluable advice.”</p>
<p>Ferrari Kids is a charity he shoots for that provides a VIP-like experience for kids with cancer by giving them a ride in a snazzy Ferrari while enroute to a special venue that normally includes a meal and a family shopping spree. He then photographs them in their glory much like a paparazzi would do for a celebrity. He also has done work for the San Antonio Talons arena football team, NCAA sporting events, and a professional women’s football league.</p>
<p>In his words, Washington believes establishing himself as a very capable and trustworthy professional is what it’s all about to achieve startup success.</p>
<p>“Getting known through word-of-mouth is what it’s all about,” he admits. “I’m fortunate to have several contacts in my network who are big influencers. Finding people who respect my work as a photographer has helped a lot.”</p>
<h2>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h2>
<p>Entrepreneurs cite a variety of reasons for what they enjoy most about having the ability to pursue their passions. In Washington’s case, the smiles he sees going around are priceless.</p>
<p>“I love interacting with the people and the kids,” he confides. “In the digital world, you can snap a photo and show them the screen and see the smile brighten their day. I think it is so important to capture kids with disabilities or health challenges in the best light possible and at their best moments. You just see a lovely little child, and it really puts all your problems in perspective.”</p>
<h2>Competing in the Photography Field</h2>
<p>Unlike two retail shops on the same road vying for the same customers within a community, the Air Force vet says the concept of competition is a little less cutthroat in the photography industry.</p>
<p>“Ironically, we are all trying to network with each other. Each of us has our own way of taking pictures and using different styles. For me, I’m more of a purist. I’d say my biggest competition would be people using their smartphones and consumer-level cameras to take photos. My work is all about using a camera to provide high-quality images.”</p>
<p>In terms of small business marketing, Washington promotes Axiom Foto through several different platforms. He has a <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Axiom-Foto/615423721903000?ref=br_tf">company Facebook page</a>. He has also appeared in newsletters, and his work gets promoted online through the organizations for which he shoots. He always includes a watermark of his company logo on the photos he distributes to certain organizations.</p>
<h2>Challenges to Startup Success</h2>
<p>Like his peers who have taken the plunge into starting a business of their own, Washington feels like he has endured many of the common challenges faced by other entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>“I have had all of your typical challenges,” he says. “I’ve had to find out about all the paperwork and documents that must be filed. I’m also learning about what my expenses are in terms of tax deductions. I want to write off as much as possible, but at the same time, I don’t want to deduct things that could raise a red flag with the IRS.”</p>
<p>He adds that putting a price tag on his work has been an interesting experience.</p>
<p>“If you take a few hundred pictures at an event, you’ve got to remember that this work alone is not all you do. There is so much editing, cropping, and tweaking the images in post-production that you should be accounting for in a photography business. If you don’t, you are undervaluing yourself.”</p>
<h2>Advice for Small Business Owners</h2>
<p>“Find a mentor to help you,” Washington advises. “Make sure you are fully invested and commit yourself to the hard work it takes to make your product successful. Network by finding a group of close confidantes, and learn from them.”</p>
<h2>1-800Accountant Client Testimonial</h2>
<p>As a client of 1-800Accountant, Washington says he’s been happy with the small business accounting support he has received.</p>
<p>“1-800Accountant has been very thorough in assisting me with my business tax situation,” he says. “I’m looking forward to a continued positive relationship with the accounting firm.”</p>
<p><strong>Image credit</strong>: The logo included in this blog post was provided by Axiom Photo, LLC and is used with permission.</p>

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Startup Story: Air Force Vet Captures Sweet Moments

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<span>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.</span>

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