Real Estate

E-Commerce

Beauty

Daycare

Professional Services

Entertainment

Consulting

Transportation

Nutrition & Fitness

Food & Beverage

Retail

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.”

Headshot of riley mate founder of pseudodudo

riley-mate-and-1-800accountant-designing-the-perfect-partnership-large

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

client-spotlight/retail/riley-mate-and-1-800accountant-designing-the-perfect-partnership

Entrepreneur Jackie Ranieri admits that the jewelry market is oversaturated. However, she has combined making jewelry with her love for spirituality to put up her own unique small business in this industry.Ranieri, a 1-800Accountant client, operates her own jewelry company called Jacqueline Rose, LLC. Originally launched in January 2014, she runs the startup company directly out of her home office in Brooklyn, New York.“I design and sell handmade spiritual jewelry based on numerology and astrology,” Ranieri explains. “I come up with the design ideas, and then I give them to an artisan who actually puts the pieces together. I’m also looking to add candles, handbags, and some other spiritual items to my selection.”It was a combination of experience and a personal passion that led the 32-year-old to take a dive into starting a business for herself.“I’ve worked in the fashion jewelry industry for over 10 years,” she says. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In my personal life, I’m really into spirituality and astrology. Over the past few years, I started brainstorming ways to combine my skill set and passion, so this is what I came up with.”Throughout her career, Ranieri has worked for a few well-known jewelry designers, including the late Joan Rivers’ line and Anthropologie.Under Jacqueline Rose, LLC, she offers high-end necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and body jewelry in brass, sterling silver, precious stone, and other metals. The pieces are primarily for women, but she does get men as customers buying for the females in their lives. In addition, she can produce custom pieces based on certain specifications.She explains what she thinks are the keys to startup success for any entrepreneurs out there.“I know I took a big leap of faith starting a business at this point in my life,” she says. “But I’m quite courageous and have a bit of an impulsive personality, so I jumped in with both feet. There has definitely been a learning curve for me. You have to learn from your mistakes and not repeat them in the future, and you will always need to re-tweak things that don’t work. My business plan kept me organized.”According to the newly crowned small business owner, flexibility is a fantastic reward to self-employment.“I love the freedom I get to have,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to create my own schedule and be my own boss; I like to wear many hats, and I know this will help when I bring on employees because I’ll know exactly how to do their jobs. It will make me a much more effective leader.”In addition, the process of seeing an idea turn into a real piece of jewelry is very gratifying to Ranieri.“It’s extremely rewarding to see a customer wearing my jewelry, especially when they say how much of an impact it has made on their lives. One customer said she actually felt at peace wearing it because of the positive energy and spiritual nature of the gemstones.”<h2>How to Compete in the Jewelry Industry</h2>No matter what line of work they are in, entrepreneurs are typically up against some sort of competition with others offering similar products or services. In Ranieri’s words, she believes her jewelry is different enough to give her a leg up.“It is very competitive out there right now. The economy still makes it a challenge because my jewelry is moderate to higher priced, and people normally want to spend less than $50 on fashion jewelry. Where I have an edge is the fact that my jewelry is based on numerology and astrology. There is a big New Age craze going on in our culture. In my research, I couldn’t find any mainstream brands solely focusing on these New Age concepts.”<h2>Small Business Marketing Tips</h2>To make others aware of Jacqueline Rose, LLC, Ranieri mainly relies on Internet marketing. Her company website through which she sells her jewelry is <a href="http://www.shopjacquelinerose.com/">www.shopjacquelinerose.com</a>. She also maintains company profiles on social networking sites like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShopJacquelineRose">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/shop_jacrose">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/shopjacquelinerose">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ShopJacRose/">Pinterest</a>.<h2>Challenges to Self-Employment</h2>Ranieri admits that starting a business in any field comes with unanticipated challenges and struggles. Her experience with this has mostly been in the financial realm.“Financially, it’s been rough,” she says. “I’m not sure if I was totally prepared for the financial sacrifice. It’s a huge monetary investment, and you can’t expect to see a return on investment early on. I will definitely look for investors down the road.”<h2>Advice for Aspiring Business Owners</h2>She offers tips for entrepreneurs interested in taking the same risk she mustered up enough courage to take herself.“Don’t be afraid of failure because it is the key to success. Yes, it’s cliché, but it’s something I’ve truly discovered. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, either. Make very sound decisions with your money, and document everything.”She adds that being one’s own boss comes with pros and cons, but the positives should outweigh any drawbacks.“An advantage is the ability to create my own schedule, which is awesome,” she explains. “At the same time, you need a lot of discipline because there is so much freedom, so it’s easy to get scatterbrained. I work from home, so I feel like I never leave work. It’s easy to get on my computer and start working. I usually start my workday at 9 a.m. and finish at 8 or 9 p.m., which is a lot later than when I was an employee. Also, you’re the problem-solver 24/7 when you have your own business. As an employee, you can just go to someone to help fix your problems.”<h2>Experience as One of 1-800Accountant’s Clients</h2>Ranieri speaks highly of the small business accounting support she has received as a 1-800Accountant client.“1-800Accountant has been great,” she says. “From quarterly taxes to sales tax payments, you guys have been able to answer all of my accounting questions and needs.”Photo credit: The photograph of Jackie Ranieri was provided by Jacqueline Rose, LLC and is used with permission.

spreading-spirituality-through-a-unique-jewelry-business

Spreading Spirituality through a Unique Jewelry Business

client-spotlight/retail/spreading-spirituality-through-a-unique-jewelry-business

Sean Fitzpatrick grew up on Cape Cod. The 32-year-old has had a love of his hometown and the Atlantic coast his entire life. However, he recently realized that there was a major void in properly spreading the true culture of Cape Cod. So he took the bull by the horns to launch his own small business – Cape Cloth, LLC – through which he shares this culture by offering unique apparel.
Fitzpatrick, a 1-800Accountant client, proudly registered the business in October 2014. In fact, he officially pushed the “Go” button on it on October 10th&nbsp;at 10:10 a.m. He runs the e-commerce store directly out of his home office in South Dennis, Massachusetts.
The entrepreneur-by-day and bartender-by-night explains what ultimately led to him taking the leap of faith into starting a business of his own.
“This past summer, I was on the beach with my girlfriend, Kerin. She was complaining about something that was wrong with her baseball hat,” he says. “I realized that there is no apparel that captures the true spirit and energy of this place. I always wanted to work for myself someday, so I came up with a design for apparel that is a modernized version of Cape Cod.”
He offers t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, and beachwear. The items are emblazoned with images of people enjoying common activities on Cape Cod, such as fishing, sailing, golfing, and water sports. He is also looking to add some formalwear options like polos and button-down shirts.
Unlike other clothing outlets, Fitzpatrick is not just selling a cool line of apparel. He is also donating $1 for each purchase of a cloth item to Cape Abilities, a local nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities find jobs, places to live, and other fulfilling opportunities in their lives.
<h3>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h3>
While Fitzpatrick admits it’s a cliché, he says wearing lots of hats is what he truly enjoys about being one of the many self-employed small business owners out there in pursuit of a passion.
“A common theme in my life has been challenging myself to do things and learn new skills,” he confides. “I kind of have an ADD-type brain. As a business owner, every day is so different, and there is so much you just can’t plan for. I really enjoy the constant learning process.”
<h3>Successfully Competing in the Apparel Industry</h3>
Fitzpatrick admits that the apparel industry is quite competitive with countless brands offering various designs. However, his unique twists – the Cape Cod-centric style and his charitable giving – separate Cape Cloth, LLC from the rest of the pack.
“I’m trying to symbolize a certain energy, the community, and the people who live in this area,” he says. “There have always been a very Kennedy-esque, blue blazer, khaki crowd, and then the casual crowd. This kind of meets right in the middle of those styles. From a design element, there is nothing out there like this. The charitable element also makes it unique.”
<h3>Marketing a Small Business</h3>
Starting a business that primarily sells its products online means its marketing strategies should obviously be more web-based. Fitzpatrick has a website –&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://www.capecloth.com/">www.capecloth.com</a>&nbsp;– along with social media pages on&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://facebook.com/capecloth">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://twitter.com/capecloth">Twitter</a>, and&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://instagram.com/capecloth">Instagram</a>. He explains the importance of consistent branding on the web.
“Make sure the domain name you want is available, and try using the same URL names for your social media pages. This allows you to have a powerful marketing presence online.”
In addition to online marketing strategies, the entrepreneur has received a good amount of word-of-mouth referrals – something he finds extremely valuable to any small business.
<h3>Overcoming Business Ownership Hurdles</h3>
Like fellow entrepreneurs working independently, Fitzpatrick says he’s been no exception to many of the common challenges that come with starting a business.
“Staying focused and staying on task are a challenge. The biggest thing has just been trying to keep it all running myself. There are no employees or departments I can turn to for help. I have some close confidantes I can bounce ideas off of, but it’s still all on me. You’re kind of off on your own island.”
<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h3>
Thanks to his own experience, he offers some tips for entrepreneurs.
“You really have to love something,” he says. “The demand will dominate so much of your mental state. It’s so easy to think about your business all the time, so you have to be able to balance all the plates in your life.”
<h3>1-800Accountant Client Testimonial</h3>
Fitzpatrick says he has been very happy with the business accounting services he has received from 1-800Accountant.
“When it comes to accounting, the less I have to focus on, the better. 1-800Accountant offers a very convenient service. Whether it’s basic tax questions or figuring out different tax strategies, I love having a company with a large breadth of knowledge at my disposal.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Cape Cloth, LLC and is used with permission.

spreading-the-cape-cod-culture-through-apparel-business

Spreading the Cape Cod Culture through Apparel Business

client-spotlight/retail/spreading-the-cape-cod-culture-through-apparel-business

Since high school, Keith D’Angelo has always enjoyed creating things through welding and sculpting. So, when he saw people having a good time around the fire pits in their backyards, he jumped on an opportunity to create a unique version of these neat devices.In November 2016, he and his father, Terry, formally launched Colorado Custom Fire Pits, LLC in Denver, Colorado. The two work out of a welding shop in the area and handle the business side of the venture right from home.“We sculpt custom fire pits that are completely made out of steel,” Keith D’Angelo explains. “With these fire pits, there is no mess, no ash to clean up, and the fire danger is extremely low. Plus, we offer a superior product at a cheaper price than what you would find elsewhere.”The fire pits are powered by either natural gas or propane. Instead of dealing with real logs for a fire, the D’Angelos create lifelike log sets, pinecones, and twigs made out of steel. But they’ve had customers who can’t even tell the difference.In terms of customization, the company offers circular, rectangle, and square fire pits with various options on log sets and aesthetics. It takes the entrepreneurial duo at least 100 hours to handcraft a custom fire pit.“It is a very time-consuming process, but we want it to be just what the customer wants,” he says. “Our turnaround time is only about two weeks.”While D’Angelo labors away on steel in the shop, he is also working on earning a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver.<h2>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h2>According to D’Angelo, he and his dad get the most reward from self-employment upon seeing the reactions of their customers.“When I see someone’s face and the smile they have when I deliver their fire pit, it really means a lot. It is also nice to see something you’ve spent so much time working on come to life in the end. But the process of creating these products is a lot of fun, even though it is a lot of work.”He adds that the main goal behind the fire pits is to help customers make fond memories of sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows, and just relaxing in a rustic-inducing environment.<h2>Competing in the Small Business Sphere</h2>Small business owners in all fields are up against some form of competition. While there are other companies out there that create and sell fire pits, the customization that the D’Angelos offer is what sets them apart from the rest of the pack.“We spend a lot of time on the aesthetics of each product,” he says. “They also look so real but are totally made of steel, so it’s very unique.”In terms of demographics of their customers, they generally target families and individuals who are 40 and older.<h2>Marketing a Small Business</h2>The company has a website – <a class="link" href="https://www.coloradocustomfirepits.com/">www.coloradocustomfirepits.com</a>. The father-and-son business partners have also used word-of-mouth strategies to simply tell others about their venture. In addition, they’ve implemented search engine optimization (SEO) techniques on their website, and they’re looking into using some third-party distributors to help them get more products into the hands of eager customers.

startup-story-fire-pit-designers-help-customers-make-memories

Startup Story: Fire Pit Designers Help Customers Make Memories

client-spotlight/retail/startup-story-fire-pit-designers-help-customers-make-memories

To many kids who grow up listening to rock and roll music, owning a record store is the ultimate dream. For John Gentner, that dream followed him all the way to his adulthood. Now, he’s opening the doors to Metal Head, LLC – a brick-and-mortar record store based out of Astoria, Oregon. Formally established in October of 2014, Gentner is the mastermind behind the business. The retail store is not limited to vinyl, selling used denim and functional glass products as well.“It’s always been something that I wanted to do. I’ve been working fairly steadily since I was a teenager and had done a lot of retail. I wanted to combine my years of work experience and do something alone and completely how I want to do it,” he says.In addition to selling products that cater to a niche market in his region, Gentner has landed a location for the store that will surely aid in the success of the small business.“Since it is a well-manicured niche market, a lot of what I am going to be providing will appeal to that type of person. Where I’m conducting business is a pretty hot destination for people to come visit, so that, along with a good product, should work out well,” Gentner explains.Enthusiasm definitely doesn’t hurt success, either. By starting up a small business of his own, Gentner now has the opportunity to surround himself with what he loves on a daily basis — and share that with others. In true record-store fashion, he is in a position to give inquiring minds recommendations based on the music purchased from him, keeping the tradition alive from when he was a teenager.Metal Head’s demographic is fairly open-ended. The music being sold caters to many different age groups. The customers who purchase the denim and vintage band t-shirts will most likely be folks in their 20s and 30s. He’ll also be selling buttons and patches separately for those looking to punctuate their clothing. The culture of Astoria allows Gentner to focus on the business without having to concern himself much with competitors.“There are maybe 3 or 4 other record stores. It’s such a small community that likes to take care of one another and do what is good for the whole town, so if I have something that someone else doesn’t, they’ll pass them my way. I kind of stand alone, which is beneficial,” he confides.<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>Like many small business owners in the startup stages of success, Gentner has experienced challenges in the form of materializing an idea he has had since he was a teen and turning it into a fruitful endeavor.“I’ve always had an idea for what I wanted to do. The challenges were looking at the big picture of everything I had to get done instead of taking small bites. The concept itself was always there. Frankly, the red tape and getting all the licensing and paperwork done was the hardest part for me more so than the aesthetic aspect,” he admits. “The downside is that since it is your thing, the free time isn’t there as much. If you want help, it might not always be there, and it can be overwhelming. But the good outweighs the bad.”<h3>Tips for Entrepreneurs Seeking Startup Success</h3>“Don’t take your eye off the prize. There are definitely going to be roadblocks, and there’s definitely going to be occasional discouragement, but fight tooth and nail if you want it,” Gentner urges. “The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You can be in total control of what you want to do, and not have to answer to anybody about what you’re doing and have total creative freedom.”<h3>Testimonial for 1-800Accountant</h3>Gentner is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.“The people I’ve spoken with have been very helpful and mellow, and talk to me like a person and not like they’re forced to do their jobs,” he says. It’s been very helpful!”Photo credit: The photograph of records included in this blog post is used with permission via the Creative Commons license through Flickr.

startup-story-keeping-the-classics-spinning-at-metal-head-llc-large

Startup Story: Keeping the Classics Spinning at Metal Head, LLC

client-spotlight/retail/startup-story-keeping-the-classics-spinning-at-metal-head-llc

One thing that small business owner Francis Zape has learned is that fashion trends may come and go, but classic timepieces never go out of style. At least that’s what he’s experienced in his line of work repairing wristwatches. In December of 2015, Zape formally established ZWatchmaker, LLC. Although Zape’s business is only newly established, he’s no stranger to the industry after having worked with his father who taught him the ins and outs. Now, the entrepreneur has settled into a store in a mall in Charlotte, North Carolina.“I work strictly on wristwatches. I fix fine timepieces. Some of my duties are replacing broken parts and batteries, restoring the look of the watch, polishing it, and making it look brand new. I only touch the watches that are out of warranty,” he explains.Although Zape is off to a good start with his small business, he believes his work ethic and attention to detail will be what brings him continued success. In a world where everything is hurried, perfectionism pays.“I don’t want to sound cliche, but hard work is what brings me success. I can only do so much with my hands, my eyes, and my time. The quality of the work and the consistency of the work is important to me. At the end of the day, it has to be perfect,” Zape elaborates.It makes sense that Zape’s favorite aspect of small business ownership is working with a variety of luxury watches under the microscope.“Most people only get to see these watches in the magazines, but I get to work with them. There’s a big science behind it.”In modern times, it has become more fashionable for people to buy cheaper, throwaway watches instead of investing in timeless, higher-quality pieces. This reality has only benefited the growth of ZWatchmaker. Because of the old-school nature of his business, Zape isn’t really mindful of his regional competitors as they are few and far between.“There are watchmakers outside of the region, but I have an edge because my physical presence is here, so I am easily available to them. I am the only one in town who is certified, and there aren’t even a lot of certified watchmakers in this century. So when potential clients need a watchmaker and they ask around, my name comes up,” he says.Because he’s what he calls a “dying breed,” Zape gets by quite well through just word-of-mouth advertising, and most of his watch-wearing customers are men.<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>One of the biggest challenges that Zape encounters on the job is something typical for many small business owners — which is convincing clients to pay for quality and not just convenience.“Sometimes customers will want to pay less for the service, but they don’t know what they’re going to get if they go for the cheapest option. They don’t know if real parts are being used. If you’re investing $10,000 in a watch, you don’t want to go to the cheapest place to get it fixed. This is not just a piece of fine jewelry, but a status symbol.”<h3>Tips for Small Business Owners</h3>Zape insists that the foundation for a small business to build on is education. He emphasizes that the learning never stops and should grow alongside the experience gained.“Things change every year. I am always training myself to become better at what I do. Seize any opportunity to learn,” he enthuses.He also urges small business owners not to take advantage of their customers, particularly if they are not knowledgeable about what their needs are and are seeking a professional’s expertise.<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>Francis Zape of ZWatchmaker, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.“I like the fact that I can set up an appointment and have a meeting within that week,” he says.

startup-story-time-is-money-for-this-watchmaker

Startup Story: Time is Money for this Watchmaker

client-spotlight/retail/startup-story-time-is-money-for-this-watchmaker

Michael Kincannon loves driving. While working as an Uber driver for over 3 years,Kincannon discovered that life on the road was therapeutic for him. So he decided to take it to the next level and start his own transportation company with his wife, Crystal.
Serene Transportation, LLC was born in December 2015. Although the couple operates out of a home office, they really conduct business in the 2 black Chrysler 300s they bought for the company. These vehicles ensure its clients will arrive at their destinations safely and in style. Serene Transportation takes their clients anywhere from hospitals, to airports, or to sporting events.
The two are not afraid to market themselves, network, and put themselves out there. This, Kincannon thinks, will be the secret to their success.
“One of our clients is a celebrity in Detroit and known worldwide. He’s a doctor and on the news a lot. We attended a networking event and met his assistant. She came over and talked to us and the rest is history. If we can land a few more clients like him, we’ll be gold,” he explains.
When it comes to being a business owner, Kincannon is enjoying the ride.
“I like the opportunity to own something that is mine. Business ownership has always been my dream. Eventually, my wife and I are going to hire employees.”
Between classic yellow cabs and the new ride-sharing phenomenon that made Uber and Lyft household names, Kincannon admits that competition is fierce. So he and Crystal set themselves apart from the pack by offering a more luxurious, personalized experience.
“It’s a battle here. When Uber came to Detroit, the taxi and limo services had to change their strategies. We may not have the technology that Uber has, but we basically go door-to-door to get our name out. We have to provide top-notch service because Uber and Lyft are so easy. But we make sure to wow our clients once they’re in the car with us,” Kincannon confides.
<h3>Marketing a Small Business</h3>
Word-of-mouth is the most effective marketing method for small businesses, and forKincannon, it’s no different. He markets Serene Transportation by dipping into his network of people – like friends and family – and they help get the word out for him.
“We take high school kids to their proms. We take trips to and from the VA hospital. Our client base ranges from ages 7 to 70. I connect with my old classmates, friends, family members, and friends from out of town. And then we get in touch with people they know. They say we’re 6 people away from everyone in the world,” he elaborates.
Serene Transportation also has a&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://www.serenetransportation.com/">website</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a class=link href="https://www.facebook.com/serenetransportation/?fref=ts">Facebook</a>&nbsp;page.
<h3>Advantages &amp; Challenges of Business Ownership</h3>
One of Kincannon’s favorite aspects of business ownership revolves around the tax breaks, although the startup costs were a struggle at first. He also wasn’t used to the level of discipline required to run a business.
“You have to be disciplined because no one is going to get up and get business for you. You need to be working every single day.”
Still, he encourages any aspiring entrepreneurs thinking about starting a business to just go for it.
“Don’t think you can’t do something. Whatever your dream is, you can achieve it. Just act on it. Go ahead and try to pursue your idea,” he enthuses.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Michael Kincannon of Serene Transportation, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I’m more than satisfied. I didn’t realize how easy it was going to be for me. Starting a business was costly and I wondered, ‘do I really need this?’ But I’m just amazed by the software and the tax preparation. I’m blown away,” he raves.
Photo credit: The photograph and logo included in this blog post were provided by Serene Transportation, LLC and are used with permission.

going-ride-serene-transportation

Going for a Ride with Serene Transportation

client-spotlight/transportation/going-for-a-ride-with-serene-transportation

Leah Lancaster of Chattanooga, Tennessee always dreamed about working from home. So when a gig cropped up that would allow her to do just that, she seized the opportunity. While working at her former company as a freight broker for truckers, some contract revisions were made that she wasn’t thrilled about. After seeking a new parent company to work under, Lancaster formally established Lancaster Logistics, LLC in January 2015. She’s living her dream of working remotely with her husband and business partner, Nathan.“As freight brokers, we work in logistics. We’re basically travel agents for products. We act as go-betweens for people who need trucking companies to transport the product from point A to point B,” Lancaster says.In a fast-paced, modern world, sometimes quality goes overlooked. Lancaster feels that the old-school approach of having honesty and integrity is just part of the tremendous responsibility of being a small business owner — and believes that’s what will get her ahead.“My main goal is to just do things the right way in regards to my customer base. I believe in doing the job honestly so I can sleep at night. There are a lot of shady people in this industry, but that also means that I get to do things my way with my business, and I know what I want my business to be about,” she confides.Despite working from home, Lancaster still deals with a variety of interesting characters. In fact, one of the things she enjoys most about her line of work is how surprisingly people-oriented it is. She works with both the customers and the carriers.“You wouldn’t believe the different types of people I encounter. It’s my dream job because I get to work from home in my pajamas but also make connections with so many people,” she enthuses.What makes Lancaster’s situation unique from other small business owners’ is that she — along with many other freight brokers — works under a parent company. Her experience is similar to someone who works in a corporate environment in the sense that she must build her name within her industry and set herself apart from other brokers working within her parent company. In order to market herself to the right prospects, she maintains a presence on websites designed for brokers and truckers.<h3>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h3>When asked about the challenges she faced in the infant stages of small business ownership, Lancaster admits she had no idea what she was doing.“There’s a lot of industry knowledge that goes into doing this job well. At first, I got looked down on, especially because this is such a male-dominated industry. Sometimes they talk to me like I’m vapid, and I deal with it,” she confides.Lancaster has also been forced to learn how to deal with rejection.“It can be tough to pick up the phone and listen to people tell you ‘no’ 50 times before they give you a chance. But getting through it is the rewarding part.”<h3>Tips for Aspiring Entity Owners</h3>Although Lancaster loves being a small business owner, she admits competition is intense in her industry. Combating competitors all boils down to delivering the quality customer service to her client base that Lancaster swears by. Her advice could benefit anyone trying to make a name for themselves in their industry.“Do everything you can to stand out and make yourself different. Part of my success just goes back to how I do business. It’s the level of service you provide. Get your foot in the door and then blow them away by going above and beyond. Give 100% every time,” she advises.Lancaster also insists small business owners should never take “no” for an answer.“Keep working. Don’t quit. Sometimes ‘no’ just means ‘not right now.’ Eventually, a break will happen.”<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>Leah Lancaster of Lancaster Logistics, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.“I love 1-800Accountant. I recommend the service to everyone. I’d be lost without the help I’ve received,” she enthuses.Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Lancaster Logistics, LLC and is used with permission.

how-this-small-business-owner-keeps-on-trucking

How This Small Business Owner Keeps on Trucking

client-spotlight/transportation/how-this-small-business-owner-keeps-on-trucking

George Baer knows the roads that connect most areas of the United States like the back of his hand. That’s because he has worked as an over-the-road truck driver for the past four decades. Baer has driven in cold climates for many years, and he realized that he could offer a handy device to truckers who travel in ice and snow to help make their road trips a little easier.
Baer and his wife, Pamela, proudly run their own small business called Baer Enterprises, LLC out of their home office in Gillette, Wyoming. The couple officially established the startup venture in March 2015.
Through Baer Enterprises, George Baer designed a heating device that can attach to the external rearview mirrors of trucks.
“When truckers go through cold weather, the mirrors on their trucks will often ice up and become hard to see out of,” Baer explains. “Using a heated mirror, it will defrost despite the cold weather, and it will improve visibility on the road.”
His wife, Pamela, assists with the backend of the small business. He feels their main selling point for the product will be to improve the entire trucking experience – and to keep drivers safe.
“It’s an important safety feature for drivers,” he says. “This can be used by anyone who drives 18-wheelers and even smaller vehicles up north.”
Baer, who is a Navy veteran, travels all over the country to transport Hazmat loads, tankers, flatbeds, and oil rigs. Thanks to his experience behind the wheel, he knows there is a big need for the type of device he has invented. Because of this, he does not feel like he’ll face much competition when getting the item on the market. He plans to approach several trucking companies in hopes that they will offer it as an accessory for their trucks.
In terms of small business marketing, Baer plans to launch a website for the company. He also hopes to simply get his name out there, which he thinks shouldn’t be too challenging considering how long he’s been part of the transportation industry.
<h2>Overcoming Small Business Challenges</h2>
To ultimately achieve startup success, the Baers have been up against a variety of challenges.
“Our number-one challenge has revolved around the financial aspect of starting a business like this,” he admits. “We’ve personally funded it so far, but we’ll likely explore a small business loan in the future. Also, getting the knowledge needed for business ownership has been a challenge since we’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s definitely a learning process for both Pamela and myself.”
<h2>Advice for Entrepreneurs &amp; Aspiring Truckers</h2>
In terms of tips for entrepreneurs, George Baer says it’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people – and watching out for scams. He also offers some advice for entrepreneurs who have an interest in exploring trucking as a career.
“The first step is to get with a good instructor who is experienced. Then get all the endorsements you can hold as a truck driver to increase your value in the industry.”
<h2>Experience as Clients of 1-800Accountant</h2>
The Baers are both clients of 1-800Accountant and speak highly of how the nationwide small business accounting firm has been able to help them navigate the IRS tax code on their path toward startup success.
“We’ve absolutely been satisfied with our services from 1-800Accountant,” George Baer says. “You guys have given us outstanding knowledge and assistance on everything.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post is used with permission via the Flickr Creative Commons license.

navy-vet-invents-handy-device-for-northern-truckers

Navy Vet Invents Handy Device for Northern Truckers

client-spotlight/transportation/navy-vet-invents-handy-device-for-northern-truckers

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. 