Business Discussions

   

‘Tis the season for giving! That’s why many businesses bring in the bulk of their sales during November and December. We’re curious about how much revenue you earn now compared to the other seasons.   What % of your total sales this year will happen in November and December?       If you don’t know the numbers, it’s time to calculate. Figure out your average monthly revenue and compare that amount to this November and December.

  What’s on your mind right now? We know folks who work for themselves have plenty to say about the business of doing business. That’s why we want to share your insights, ideas and best practices. Today, we’re spending a few minutes with Outlaw Soaps founder Danielle Vincent. Danielle has successfully launched and run three crowdsourcing campaigns through Kickstarter and Kiva, a community-based lending program.   We’ll find out why Danielle has repeatedly opted for non-traditional financing -- no surprise, perhaps, given her non-traditional penchant for blue hair and knee-high llama socks!   Danielle, what was your biggest concern about crowdfunding?   I’ve heard a lot of small business owners say they don't feel comfortable asking friends and family for money. This concern is totally legitimate. If you borrow money and you don't pay people back or give them the value they are expecting in return, you will lose friends and family.   My response was to take th

   

Making money is hard enough. Don't make it harder by losing track of how you spent it!   What are *your* tactics for counting every penny in the coming year?   Tell us – and then click on this link to find out how to track your cash and keep it flowing.

   

Every business relies on customers. In order to grow, you need more!    What will you do differently in the coming year to grow your customer base more than ever before?   Tell us – and then click on this link to find out how to get free marketing and rave reviews.

QuickBooks's "Own it. Every day." video series brings you real insights from real small businesses. Here, Icelantic Skis Founder and CEO, Ben Anderson, shares parts of his small business journey. In each episode, he offers a new insight into elements of Icelantic operations, from idea development to local sourcing to finding a great accountant! How did your journey into business begin? How has creativity influenced your business? What have been the benefits of local production? How have your accounting needs developed as you’ve grown? How do you connect with your customers? What organizational strategies do you employ? Do you have any ideas for Ben? Leave them here in the comments below!

   

   

So, I am trying to structure a business with two partners.  I’m not 100% of ownership or remuneration would love advice.  So, partner A has a contact which can lead to a very lucrative contract.  Partner B partner has the time and expertise to implement the contract that would be created.  Partner B would be doing 90% of the work with 100% of the expertise.  Partner A will be doing basic clerical tasks but brought contract to table.  Any suggestions on ownership percentages and remuneration for the partners as far as salary.  It will be an S-Corp for Dividend sake.

   

How can you make that happen in your business/life? What would help you make this reality? 

 

 What to do when you have your own business and work for another company F/T and the F/T job is in the same field as your own small business.  It could definitely be called a conflict of interest. I find myself calling out at times to run my business. It needs the attention for me to grow it. It can't only work at the wee hours of the night after putting in 8-9 hours at my day job. Yes, it's not the right thing to do. But I feel you need to be a little selfish when it comes to your endeavors.     A friend once said to me, you work business P/T you get P/T results. I believe their some truth to that statment.  I'm challenged. When I'm working at my company inspiration, passion and ideas flow. When I go to day-to-day job the momemtum drops. Yes, I need to work to maintain the family. My wife is very supportive and wants to see me happy in whatever I do. The question I'm looking at for 2018, take a leap of faith and work on the business F/T?  Or take a P

"I'm not going to be afraid of having it, I'm not going to be afraid of earning it, I'm not going to be afraid of making a mistake with it, I'm going to just be very aware. I'm going to take the risks that I truly believe will pay off for me."  Any guesses what Nate Berkus is talking about here? You got it -- money. Hear his thoughts about money, business and much much more right here in this video from the Main Stage at QuickBooks Connect 2017 in San Jose, California. Are you afraid of money?  Share the way your thoughts about money shape (or don't shape!) your financial actions and decisions.

    What do popsicles, lipstick, sustainably raised meat and a run-down flower truck have in common? Two things. First, they’re all products featured in crowdfunding campaigns launched by enterprising entrepreneurs.   Second – and most notably – these are just some of the campaigns that have received a critical funding boost thanks to the “Backed by QuickBooks” initiative. In this awesome campaign, Team QuickBooks selects standout ideas from small business owners and helps them reach their crowdfunding goals with a surprise infusion of cash.   The campaigns selected so far all demonstrate the hallmarks of a successful crowdfunding effort: a solid product, a dynamic video telling their story, robust social media integration and ongoing updates for funders throughout the entire campaign. The backer perks are pretty sweet, too. Who wouldn’t want fresh local flowers or a sausage sampler for your next cocktail party? (By the way, many investors report the greatest per

How do you make powerful presentations?

   

   

   

Name: Katharine Huber Business: Wit Design Founded: October 2017 Architect Katharine Huber always loved watching her busy toddler interact with furniture in “weirdly wonderful ways.” Little Margaret wiggled in her chair, climbed up on it to sit on her feet and even carried her seat from place to place. Epiphany struck, and Katharine designed a set of lightweight, Margaret-sized chairs, plus a stool and a table. A fellow architect built the wooden furniture, and Katharine’s two kids (and all their rambunctious friends) used them for years before the set was retired to an upstairs bedroom. Fast forward to 2013. Margaret was all grown up, and Katharine had ditched her daily commute and opened her own full-service architectural business in her home office in Connecticut. She wanted a new project to complement her practice. She knew the furniture in Margaret’s bedroom had more than withstood the test of time (and tykes). What would it take to bring her designs to market? Katharine decided

So much happens during the course of a year. Priorities shift, goals change, business models get refined. When you think about the past 12 months working for yourself, did your expectations stack up to reality? Tell us:   Did you meet your stated goals for business in 2017?   If not, what will you differently in 2018?     We can’t wait to hear how you did -- and what you plan to do!

It’s hard enough juggling family and business the other eleven months of the year. When December rolls in, personal and professional responsibilities ratchet up, making the challenge greater than ever. Tell us:   How do you balance your business and your family during the holidays?     Whether you swear off travel, refuse to cook or find some way to do it all, we want to know your secret to staying sane this month.   We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this one!