I never imagined that starting a home buisness would be so involved. Let's see--here's a short list of all the things that we have been up to lately:
1. Obtaining a business license, federal tax ID, local tax ID, and deciding on the type of buisness entity (sole proprietor, LLC, or an 'S' corporation) we will be.
2. Deciding on the appropriate place to hold the business. I thought we could squeeze in our dining room, but that was quickly ruled out. So, we designed and commissioned a sun room addition out back.
3. Meeting with contrators and hearing sales pitches (the funniest one was the guy demonstrating his unbreakable glass--yep, you guessed it--he knocked on it with a medium rap-a-tap and it shattered on my kitchen floor. He was horrified and I was amused. Needless to say we didn't pick his company). Deciding on the contractor with a reasonable bid and best roof design.
4. Obtaining money to pay for sun room addition--interviewing mortgage companies and banks. We decided on a home equity line of credit.
5. Meeting with the concrete provider and designing a new drive way addition and patio for sun room.
6. Meeting with shade/blinds guy to decide on appropriate window dressing for sun room, something that will diffuse but not block light.
7. Joining various professional organizations and the local chamber of commerce.
8. Designing a website and finding someone reasonably priced to host it--check it out: www.scatterjoyphoto.com
9. Attending photography classes three times a week while hubby secures management end of things--business cards, fax machine, telephone line, extra home insurance, business insurance, and advertising means.
10. Attending workshops and local photographer association meetings while trying to look reasonably professional and acting like I know what I'm doing.
11. Researching equipment needs and various sources for backgrounds and props. Spending copious amounts of time on Ebay trying to save a buck here and there.
12. Buying professional lights and learning how to use them.
13. Buying a light meter and learning how to use it.
14. Buying a new camera (Nikon D200) and learning how to use it.
15. Managing homework assignments for various photography courses.
16. Learning tricks in Photoshop to make post-processing time quicker.
17. Learning how to shoot "raw" and to convert to jpeg.
18. Learning the art of white balance and light temperature settings.
19. Planning new landscape design with plants currently in yard where sun room will go.
20. Being a fantastic Mom and wife, sister, daughter, and aunt--sorry, that was priority #1.
Ciao...Gabriel wants to play... 
1 comment:
Joy, I am so impressed. I hope you enjoy this endeavor as much as you do sweet Gabe. Good luck!
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