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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.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.Flor de Lis resells a variety of artisan crafts, primarily specializing in offering unique Talavera pottery made in Mexico.“I import these items and resell them on Amazon,” Flores explains. “The artisans in Mexico design them near Guadalajara.”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.“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.Flor de Lis has a menu full of creative offerings, including traditional pottery pieces, lamps, wall decorations, plates, and figurines.“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.”Gaining an Edge over Other Small Business OwnersThere 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.“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.”<h2>Marketing Strategies for Startups</h2>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.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.<h2>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h2>She offers some insightful tips for entrepreneurs interested in taking the dive into starting a business for themselves.“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.”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.<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>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.“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.”Photo credit: The photograph of the cylindrical vase included in this blog post was provided by Flor de Lis, LLC and is used with permission.

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Using Talavera Pottery to Spread the Artistic Mexican Culture

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

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Startup Story: Empowering People to Attain Their Goals

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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.
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.
Buergers says her small business is twofold.
“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.”
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.
She explains what drove her to take the dive into self-employment.
“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.”
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.
“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.
<h2>Competing in the Beekeeping Field</h2>
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.
“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.”
<h2>Small Business Marketing Methods</h2>
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>.
<h2>Challenges to Owning a Business</h2>
Starting and running a small business isn’t for the faint of heart, Buergers confides.
“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.”
<h2>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h2>
Thanks to her recent entrepreneurial experience, she offers some helpful advice for entrepreneurs.
“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.”
<h2>Experience as a Client of 1-800Accountant</h2>
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.
“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.”
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Bee2Bee Honey Collective, LLC and is used with permission.

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Why Entrepreneurship Is So Sweet For A Houston Beekeeper

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

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

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

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Startup Story: A Special Delivery for Teachers

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

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

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

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Giving Customers Something They’ll “Love” to Wear

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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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