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David Mattei of Cambridge, MA felt there was something lacking in the fast casual restaurant sector. With more of an emphasis being placed on personal wellness now more than ever before, as well as a growing consciousness about where food comes from, people are craving nutritious alternatives to fast food that take the guesswork out of transitioning into a healthier lifestyle. So Mattei decided to fill this void by formally establishing Nourish Foods, LLC in April of 2014. He plans on introducing the concept using a food truck and brick-and-mortar restaurant in the greater Boston area.
“I decided to start this business because I felt there was a real market opportunity for thoughtfully raised food that’s good for the customer and the environment,” he says. “Helping local farmers in New England distribute their meat and produce is a key component of our business model.”
In addition to a growing demand for this type of service, Mattei believes Nourish Foods, LLC will be successful because it simplifies the process of attaining a nutritious meal. The health food industry can appear exclusive to those who don’t have the funds to buy organic produce, or the time to prepare meals. With Nourish Foods, those looking to better their lifestyle can order a meal rich with health benefits as easily as they can a cheeseburger and fries.
“There’s a growing demand and need for this kind of option and already we’re seeing interest from local businesses and institutions. That’s how I’ll define success: Are we selling out? Are we experiencing high traffic and volume throughout the day? Are we serving a wide range of customers? And, most importantly as an indicator, are we generating revenue and hitting our income goals?” Mattei explains.
What Mattei enjoys most about this line of work is knowing that he is helping his community by collaborating with local farms, building a diverse workforce and offering consumers food that is good for them. While the small business owner is aware that the food industry is competitive, he is one of few filling this niche around New England. The demographic for Nourish Foods is all-inclusive, and the business’ website can be located at&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.nourishfoods.com/">www.nourishfoods.com</a>.
“The people who are going to be eating at Nourish Foods care about their health, the environment, and their community. It’s not just millennials or a small segment of the population anymore — it’s become the standard,’’ he elaborates.
<h2>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h2>
“Raising sufficient capital for infrastructure and growth operations has been the biggest challenge so far. Narrowing the scope of the company — doing a couple of things well and doing them better than anyone else is a challenge,” he admits. “I’m constantly asking myself, ‘How can we position Nourish to effectively communicate our message and drive sales and loyalty — some of this comes through trial and error and some comes from having more experienced advisors critique your business model.”
<h2>Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners</h2>
“Do your homework, speak with as many people as you can, and do your best to get an idea of what the financial reality of the situation will be. Understand how you’re going to get from Point A to Point B before you jump right in. Follow your instincts and ask for help when you need it. Make sure that the reality of your dream is attainable. 1-800Accountant can help you with that,” he chuckles.
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
David Mattei is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I like knowing that I have a partner overseeing all of the details that I just can’t keep track of as a small business owner, like the financial and tax issues that my company is dealing with,” he says. “With 1-800Accountant I have complete confidence that I’ll receive the guidance necessary to operate a financially successful business.”
Photo credit: The photograph and logo included in this blog post were provided by Nourish Foods, LLC and are used with permission.

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Giving Back to the Community by Nourishing Your Health

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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.

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Startup Story: Making the Thin Blue Line More Visible

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Logan Rhys loves staying fit, eating healthy, and building social bonds with others. So he took the initiative to combine these three activities into his own innovative small business – VFITT, LLC.
Formally established in July 2014, the startup company is based in San Francisco, California. Rhys says it’s a passion for the outdoors that ultimately led him to starting the company.
“I need to be outside and doing what I love,” Rhys says.
VFITT is not just a personal training service. Instead, it is multifaceted and offers one-on-one personal training, group classes on the beach, outdoor adventures, social events, and will soon offer vegan whole-food meal plans through a food delivery service.
“The whole thing is built around total wellness – not just physical fitness, but social, emotional, spiritual, and occupational fitness as well,” he says. In addition to private training sessions, Rhys holds 6 group classes on the beach throughout the week. They’re offered in the morning and at night to accommodate clients’ schedules. These 50-minute, high-Intensity interval training sessions utilize each client’s own body weight; along sand bags, medicine balls, battle ropes, kettle bells, and VIPRs to provide clients a complete body workout that’s fun and full of variety.
As for the outdoor adventures, Rhys takes clients windsurfing, scuba-diving, kayaking, skydiving, mountain biking, hiking, and more.
“Some of these activities are things people have always wanted to do, but they’ve just never had the time or never found anyone to do them with,” he explains.
In Rhys’ eyes, it’s all about how the small business is structured that he feels will make it a hit over time.
“The feedback I am getting from people already has been great,” he says. “People love the fact that it is well-rounded. Fitness is only one aspect of wellness. It’s hard to balance all of this on your own. That’s where VFITT comes in to provide the organization and opportunity for my clients to do it all.”
He explains what he finds most rewarding about running this type of startup company.
“I truly enjoy working with people and seeing them improve and manage their wellness. Helping people maintain a consistent quality of wellness in their lives is what’s really driving me to do this.”
<h2>Handling Small Business Competition</h2>
Small business owners across all fields encounter some type of competition. Fortunately for Rhys, he believes his business concept is unique enough to the point where he hasn’t felt a ton of competitive pressure yet.
“There are other companies that offer all of these services individually, but there aren’t any that I’m aware of in our immediate market that offer all of them together,” he says. “There are personal trainers and gyms, but none really offer the social, nutritional, and networking aspects that VFITT does. There are also meal services out there, but they don’t offer the social, networking, or fitness components, either. Our clients are able to rely on VFITT for a balanced offering of all of these components. Those who take advantage of our newest offering of meal delivery will truly enjoy the maximum benefits. Their meals will be delivered to their homes twice a week, leaving them with more time to focus on things that enrich their lives, while making it much easier to make healthy dietary decisions on a regular basis.”
<h2>Marketing Strategies for a Startup Company</h2>
Since VFITT is still in its early stages, Rhys has yet to make a big official marketing push for the startup company. However, as the business grows, he plans to focus mainly on social media, targeted outreach, and developing partnerships with other local businesses. He has a company website at&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.vfitt.com/">www.vfitt.com</a>.
<h2>Challenges to Self-Employment</h2>
Just like fellow business owners, Rhys has endured multiple hurdles and challenges in getting his small business off the ground.
“Working full time while trying to get it up and running has been the biggest challenge,” he admits. “The laws and tax requirements of owning a business are sometimes very unclear, and even the actual forms to fill out can be hard to understand.”
To overcome some of these challenges, he offers some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Always be organized. If you just try to roll with it with no real direction, it’s tough. You can have a great concept, but it will never work if you aren’t organized. At first, I had all these thoughts in my mind. I needed to sit down, write it all out, put a timeline on it, and prioritize each step.”
Self-employment comes with both advantages and disadvantages, Rhys admits.
“You get to see your creation come to life, and you have the ability to make it what you want it to be. The disadvantage is the responsibility of making sure everything is taken care of and is running smoothly day to day.”
<h2>1-800Accountant Client Testimonial</h2>
Rhys is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant. He offers lots of praise for the assistance he has received.
“Working with 1-800Accountant has been such an awesome experience,” he says. “You always want to make sure you’re in compliance with everything, but it’s hard to know what all the rules are, and some are very unclear. 1-800Accountant has been very helpful. They give me the peace of mind that this part is taken care of so I can focus on getting clients and growing my business.”
Rhys did not have to pay for his accounting services upfront thanks to&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://behalf.com/">Behalf</a>, a company that offers unique financing options to 1-800Accountant clients.
“The program through Behalf was a really great option. I was either going to have to pay for the accounting services or the franchise tax to start a business in California. So having this financing option gave me the ability to pay the tax and get the accounting support I needed at the same time.”
Photo credit: The photograph and logo included in this blog post were provided by VFITT, LLC and are used with permission.

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Helping Clients Maintain Wellness through VFITT

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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.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.“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.”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.It was his own musical talent that helped him get into this industry and make the waves he’s made in it already.“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.”<h2>Why Fuster Enjoys Small Business Ownership</h2>According to Fuster, he loves how every day of his life is different.“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.”<h2>A Unique Perspective On Small Business Competition</h2>Unlike many entrepreneurs who spend time closely analyzing their competitors within a specific industry and market, Fuster approaches competition differently.“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.”<h2>How To Market A Small Business</h2>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>.“I know my clients pretty well and have learned to target savvy buyers,” he says.<h2>Challenges to Starting &amp; Maintaining A Business</h2>Handling the financial side of things has been Fuster’s most noteworthy challenge as a small business owner.The biggest challenge has been understanding my cash flow and forecasting. These obviously have a direct effect on your bottom line.”<h2>Tips For Aspiring Business Owners</h2>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.“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.”He adds that there are both pros and cons to being your own boss.“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.”<h2>1-800Accountant Client Review</h2>Daren Fuster is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.“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.”

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It’s Always Showtime For This Driven Entrepreneur

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Riley Mate got an early start in designing. His parents introduced him to art at a very young age. Later, his interests became more focused on design and textiles, both of which he studied in college. Riley now has a four-year career under his belt. He’s been designing clothing and other objects under the pseudonym PSEUDODUDO since 2015. In October 2017, Riley officially incorporated his business as an LLC. “The thought of owning and operating some sort of entity was always very appealing to me,” says Riley. “So when things really started to pick up, it just felt like the right thing to do. Incorporating was one of the best decisions I have ever made.” Riley says that what drives him to succeed are all the odd and abstract aspects of life that he doesn’t fully understand. “Those things keep me thinking, keep me working.” He also feels challenged by clients who seem to ask for the impossible. He realizes that these challenges push him to explore new territory and discover unexpected ways for things to fit together. “Progress in design is amost always tough but worthwhile,” Riley says. To solve other business challenges, Riley reached out to 1-800Accountant. “1-800Accountant’s service has helped in many ways,” he says. “For one, the online portal provides such a beautifully simple way to keep everything organized and balanced.” Riley recognizes the important investments 1-800Accountant has made in keeping current on the latest technology. “And of course my accountant, Robert – I have a lot of good things to say about him,” says Riley. “He’s somewhat akin to an accounting oracle. He provides a wealth of valuable guidance and answers that help me make smart decisions related to my business.” PSEUDODUDO will continue building up its clothing line and design portfolio while being open to any new opportunities that come along. “Simply put though,” Riley says, “more work and more fun are on the constant horizon.”

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Riley Mate and 1-800Accountant: Designing the Perfect Partnership

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Kara Fiore didn’t always have dreams of small business ownership. After her father turned 80, he fell ill under a mysterious sickness that confused and concerned the doctors they worked with. The doctors quickly learned his condition was not a textbook condition, and it didn’t take long for Fiore’s father to become a Stanford case study. Finally, they discovered he had a very rare condition that causes an abnormal protein to get deposited into the brain. Several misdiagnoses on their part, sleepless nights of doing research on hers, and two brain surgeries performed on him later, she formally established CBD Meds, LLC in July of 2014.Sometime after a few years of research had already taken place on Fiore’s part, she learned about hemp. Hemp is a legal and non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant. Inside the cannabis plant is a compound called CBD, which stands for “cannabidiol.” Not to be mistaken for THC, CBD eases inflammation and pain. Neuroscientists believe it protects the brain and neurons from damage and positively affects seizures, eye health, memory, mood, stress, and the immune and nervous systems.“My father started using the compound I was able to find, and that’s how I started the business. I believe that this compound, which is part of a plant Mother Nature has given us, acts as the key to some of these health issues because an overwhelming assortment of health issues involve inflammation of some kind. It’s always kind of a sticky situation when you sell botanical extracts because you need to respect the law, you can’t make any claims, and you must be very particular about terminology. You can’t say your product will cure any disorder, and there’s a misconception that THC and CBD are the same thing,” Fiore explains.Fiore runs her small business out of a home office in San Mateo, California. Under CBD Meds exists RSHO HempOils, a web-based store that sells award-winning, high-quality, topical products that contain CBD, like calming balm, body wash, body lotion, shampoo, and conditioner, in addition to oils, hemp drops, and hemp capsules. So far, the collective reaction from her customers has been the most rewarding part of her journey toward startup success.“Hearing people tell me how the products are working for them, and how they no longer have inflammation — topically or internally — has been so rewarding. There are people in chemotherapy who are using these products who say they don’t have any pain. Hearing all this positive feedback from people is very exciting. Most importantly, they are grateful to be pain-free,” she enthuses.Although the small business owner does face competition in her industry, she sees this as a good thing when considering the bigger picture.“The competition is good because the more people who get educated, the better,” she says.<h3>Challenges of Entrepreneurship and Networking</h3>Like most small business owners in the startup stages of success, Fiore has faced her fair share of challenges. For Fiore, having to develop an online presence on social media proved to be challenging, especially because she was not active on social media before becoming a small business owner.“I wasn’t involved in social media at all before this,” she admits. “I do see the benefits in getting the word out fast. I’m still so new, and with every business comes challenges, so it’s a natural learning process.”<h3>Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs</h3>Fiore learned that she simply couldn’t do everything by herself, and she emphasizes that aspiring entrepreneurs should learn the importance of delegating tasks.“As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that delegating and getting help with the things I can’t do myself has given me a peace of mind and has helped me to organize my time so that I can focus more on the business, as opposed to all of the accounting,” she says. “I’ve hired a web designer and a virtual assistant.”<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>Kara Fiore is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant. She is receiving assistance in the form of bookkeeping, tax consulting, and tax preparation.Image credit: The logo included in this blog post was provided by CBD Meds, LLC and is used with permission.

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Raising Awareness for CBD Research through Small Business Ownership

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Melanie Haynes has always loved animals. All animals, big and small. So when Melanie was in transition from a corporate job, she decided to take her eleven years of pet care experience and start a business that reflected that passion. In March 2017, Melanie officially registered Mel’s Space Coast Services, LLC, and from there Space Coast Pet Services was born. “I did pet sitting casually as a hobby and was a pet owner for many years before taking the leap and starting my own pet care business,” Melanie says. “There’s a huge difference between a professional pet care provider and someone who does it as a hobby, and I knew there was a need for qualified, trained and caring pet care professionals in my area. I decided I would fill that need.” Melanie puts in long hours for her business. What drives her to succeed, besides giving pet owners peace of mind, is providing for her family’s future. “There’s a great sense of pride in knowing that you’ve worked hard to create something from nothing all on your own and, in the process, are able to help others. I want my children to see that hard work can pay off when you’re passionate about what you’re doing.” As a new business owner, Melanie continually seeks to learn new best practices and to keep up with current trends in the industry. She’s had many opportunities to connect with and collaborate with other local small businesses. “When you can find a way to network with other small business owners who hold the same core professional values as you do, it can only lead to positive results,” Melanie says. “My experience has shown me that when you do good, good comes back to you.” Melanie also hired 1-800Accountant for tax preparation and advice. “The prompt and exceptional service I receive from 1-800Accountant has tremendously helped my success,” says Melanie. She’s thankful that her personal tax advisor answers any questions she has in a timely and detailed manner, and help is always just a phone call or email away. “It’s definitely been worth the investment as a new business owner to make sure my business has a successful financial ground from the start. I feel very confident going into tax season and beyond.” Melanie has big plans for her business. She’s currently enhancing the services she offers to ensure that Space Coast Pet Services continues to be the premier pet care company in the area. Says Melanie, “I’m really excited to see ideas become reality and watch my company grow into more than I ever dreamed.”

Two dogs in a dog bed with the logo for melanie haynes pet care

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Melanie Haynes Provides Expert Pet Care, Relies on 1-800Accountant to Boost Her Success

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Jonathan Davis has had a passion for quality, intricate woodworking ever since he was in college. But more recently he saw a chance to take that passion and turn it into a business, which he named JBD Wood Products LLC. “If you love what you do, it’s not really work,” says Davis. Davis knew, though, that if he wanted to make a living at woodworking, he was going to have to do it well and find customers who appreciated his prowess. “Woodworking is more and more of a scarcity every day,” says Davis. “Everything nowadays is made out of plastic or pressed boards, made out of sawdust. I want to show people the quality of real genuine woodworking.” While Davis clearly cares about the quality of his products, starting a woodworking business has meant some big challenges. Originally, Davis wanted to run his business from his home. That might have worked had he been doing just a little bit of it on the side. But being a reputable business meant that Davis had to conform to local zoning laws, which didn’t allow him to make and sell wood products out of his home. He had to rent a workshop, a move that has created higher overhead for his business than he’d expected. Along with overhead and profit margins come tax concerns. Davis has turned to&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant</a> to assist him with business and tax considerations. “1-800Accountant has been extremely helpful during this process,” says Davis. They “opened my eyes to the importance of staying compliant with the IRS and maintaining my business taxes.” Back in the shop, Davis hopes to grow a successful woodworking business while showing people across the country that, as he puts it, “Woodworking is not dead!”<a class="link" href="https://1800accountant.com/">1-800Accountant</a>&nbsp;is happy to help Davis realize his business dreams. We’re a virtual accounting firm merging the convenience of technology with live support from experienced accounting professionals. We offer a complete suite of personalized accounting, bookkeeping, advisory, and payroll services to individuals and small businesses at an affordable price. Schedule your consultation with America’s leading small business accounting firm. 866-699-6123.

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Davis Seeks to Carve Out Profits With the Help of 1-800Accountant

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For Alexis van den Berg, the road to her own business was a long and winding one. Family hardship forced Alexis to take a break from her fine arts and illustration schooling early on. “I was still working random jobs here and there when my boss from the restaurant I was working at heard that I was going to school for illustration,” says Alexis. “He asked me to create new branding for some new restaurant concepts for his business, scooped me up and had me start work at the corporate office.” Alexis found that brand design was a big step up from illustration, but it was a career she felt drawn to. “I found that graphic design was a beautiful marriage of art, technology, and business that I enjoyed,” Alexis says. “I decided that this was something I needed to go back to school to educate myself. I took out loans, went to school and began my new career path.” During three internships, one on the Jim Henson lot, Alexis learned about the branding industry and found that she wanted to help people by using her creativity. After graduating, she worked for a while as an in-house graphic designer, but soon she realized this wasn’t exactly what she wanted to do. She began freelancing on the side, helping small businesses starting up. Not much later, Alexis decided to make a full-time business of it, and in 2017&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.alexisvandenberg.com/">AV Creative Designs LLC</a>&nbsp;was born. It’s been going gangbusters since. “The best feeling in the world is when past clients come back a few months later, and they send you pictures of the logo or other projects you worked on together with some updates on how their business is doing. I live for that.” Alexis also made another smart decision. She hired 1-800Accountant to help with her taxes and bookkeeping. “Taxes were such a gray area for me,” she says. “I thought I was doing things right, but 1-800Accountant gives me the guidance I need with all of my taxes. It also helps that my LegalZoom account is linked up with 1-800Accountant, so it feels like all of my business information is together in one place. Each time I meet with Vanessa, I breathe a sigh of relief because I feel like everything is buttoned up nicely.” Not surprisingly, Alexis is looking to grow her business even more. “I am definitely working on expanding my client base and hopefully hiring some talented graphic designers to work with me in the future,” Alexis says. “I can’t wait to be in a position where I can create some jobs!”

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Alexis van den Berg: The Long and Winding Road to AV Creative Designs

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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.

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

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