Offline Consulting

1. I just hopped right in and had nothing..got my business name and all of that registered later on
2. You have to check with your state to see what type of license you need, but I'm sure you need something since you're selling and collecting money
3. I just opened my business account, don't really plan on using it..it's through a credit union, you can pick whatever type of bank you want
4. $0, of course I didn't have all the licenses and all that to start out with so my start up cost was really $0 (besides the list that I bought for $27) but your startup costs will vary. Licenses and registration, etc..will be different in different states.

1) You can start as a Sole Proprietor, however an LLC or Corp will afford you more protections and will prevent any potential legal proceedings from affecting your personal assets.

2) Depending on the type of consulting you are doing there may be additional licensing required along with a Business License in your Locale. It depends on local ordinance. Some areas don't require a Business License for a Home Based Business. Others have a Business Tax Certificate. Check with your Local Govt or Chamber of Commerce for actual requirements.

3) Having a Business Bank Account is usually a good idea. If you are going to have a business you might as well run it like one. The size of the Bank isnt as important as their level of service and the fees and costs associated with the Account. That's a matter of personal preference.

4) There are no "Average" Start Up Costs. every Business will be different. Once you know what the legal requirements are and you have itemized the costs for what you will need as well as a cash reserve you will then be able to calculate what you will need to launch your business..

Thank you guys for answering.

How do you feel about using a PO Box for registering your DBA and as a business address?

1. The common advice is to just get going - even using your personal name. I've started several businesses and I've found I can burn up a lot of time/energy trying to get everything set up. In fact, on a few occasions I decided to scrap the whole business or modify the approach and all the setup time was a waste. Prove your business first - you can always address it down the road once you're making money.

2. In my experience no licenses are required for home-based businesses, just retail outlets collecting sales tax; but this varies with state and local municipalities. The SBA (Small Business Association) as well as your state/city/county offices can be helpful here.

3. As a self-employed individual you need a business account - even if it's just an alternate personal account. You want to create a "separation of funds" in accounting-speak. This is useful for business operations, but it is crucial for the IRS/taxes.

4. I've used P.O. boxes, UPS-boxes (appear to be office suite #'s), my home address, and even no address at all. A lot of business cards don't list an address for contact info at all. If you know you're form-of-contact will be electronic, phone, etc. you may not need an address. Again, simple is better. If you need an address most new businesses just use their home unless there is particular reason not to do so.

5. Answers to this question can be all over the map. Offline marketing is one of those businesses you can bootsrap very easily. You don't need tons of cash to get started. Almost everything is optional. If you make contact by phone or in-person you can literally land business with little or no cost at all. Then that initial income pays for the costs of servicing those clients as well as growing your business. And you go from there. Unless you feel you have to pay for a lot of training, advisors, etc. (and even those can be quite reasonable), you can certainly get started under $100; and for $0 if you really need to. If you want to do a mailing, create a web site, etc. then startup costs obviously increase. But even then $500 should be plenty.

Thanks. I'll try that.