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Now that we have covered the necessary evils, let’s start looking at some of the things you may need to purchase in the early stages of your business. One of the main reasons that a mail-order type of business is so attractive to the would-be entrepreneur is its low initial start-up investment.
This list was made with the assumption that you already own a computer and all the hardware and software necessary to connect to the Internet and send and receive E-mail. Other than your monthly on-line charges, as you will see from the list, you really won’t spend much, if anything!
Research Material 4
Anytime you take on a new venture, whether it be a business or a hobby, it’s always a good idea to learn as much as you possibly can about this new interest of yours. This means you should read books, instructional literature, magazines, and anything else related to your new area of interest. You can purchase these items or, better yet, make a trip to the local library. The libraries are filling up with information about on-line services! Expected cost: $0-$100.00
Registration, Licensing, Permits
You may need to do some form of registration to make your business legal. As suggested earlier, check with your local officials to find out exactly what is necessary in your area. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until it’s too late. Do this relatively early in your business start-up period, so you won’t need to worry about it later. Expected cost: $0-$200.00
Basic Office Supplies . G *
You certainly can spend a lot of money here, but don’t. Just start with the very basics. Pens, pencils, paper, business-size envelopes, and a good notebook should get you started in the beginning. You can purchase other larger office supplies on an “as-needed” basis. Not included in this basic needs list is shipping supplies. These don’t need to be purchased until you’ve actually sold your product. You should look into prices, though, to get a rough idea of the cost. Expected cost: $0-$20.00
Business Checking Account G
You should open a business checking account sooner or later, to keep all of your business transactions separate from your personal finances. It is important to have your business name on your checks to keep a professional image. You should open this account once you have chosen a name and registered your new business. Expected cost: $0-$50.00
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