A business (an enterprise or a firm) is an organization engaged in the trade of goods and/or services to consumers or other enterprises.
37
votes
15answers
2k views
How much does physical appearance matter for becoming a successful entrepreneur?
I am in my late 20s with physical height of 4 feet 10 inches (147.3 cm) only and interested to start my business. I look fine but I don't look like "The man" or "The CEO". Most successful businessmen ...
26
votes
12answers
2k views
Hourly rate - client wants invoices from other companies to prove my rate
I am being asked by a client to provide invoices from other clients showing that I was paid the hourly rate that I want to charge them. In other words, Client A wants to see my invoices to Client B ...
15
votes
9answers
1k views
Have the ideas, found the niche…what to do first?
I have found two completely seaprate niches, and identified the target markets for them both. I have comprehensive ideas and details on how the applications should work. I have a developer that I ...
15
votes
26answers
1k views
What's the best business book you have ever read? [closed]
I need inspirational and pragmatic business books.
14
votes
12answers
652 views
Should I continue with my idea?
Recently I had this idea about a website and I have a passion to for it. After doing a number of research, i know exactly what i need (design, developers, management etc) and i have a few discussion ...
13
votes
3answers
335 views
Under what circumstances does it make sense to create another business?
If I have a consulting business, does it make sense to start another business (new legal entity) if I want to develop and sell a product? What if I have business selling B2B but want to start selling ...
12
votes
3answers
599 views
How to find customers (or early adopters)
I read a blog post that said before you start developing your product, you should find at least 10 people who are willing to pay for the product. This seems like good sense to me and I plan to follow ...
11
votes
8answers
391 views
What do you think about working only 4 days?
Our startup is getting bigger and I'm thinking about decreasing our weekdays to 4. I always wanted this for myself and now I thought I can give it a try in my own company.
We are fairly small, about ...
11
votes
4answers
527 views
Finding a start-up partner as a developer
I have been coding solutions since like the dawn of time, at least that's how it feels, and I love it so now I want to help found a new start up or help an existing start up that needs a technical ...
10
votes
9answers
731 views
New Startup - How to outsource everything without losing control
I run one technology startup now that takes up most/all of my time.
I have another idea for a technology startup and wanted to outsource everything either through contract workers or salaried ...
10
votes
9answers
988 views
Business Bank Account Suggestions
Recently, my partner and I created an LLC and have secured about 30K in capital to start our online company. We are in the process of choosing a bank to work with and would appreciate some guidance. ...
10
votes
2answers
441 views
Does the concept of “Unlimited Vacation” increase productivity and attract talented employees?
Does the concept of "Unlimited Vacation" increase productivity and attract talented employees ?
I've read about it here, specifically:
Unlimited vacation fosters productivity and loyalty because ...
9
votes
5answers
633 views
Is there any categorization or in-depth analysis of business models based on the Internet?
I was searching for some information, analyses and categorization for business models that are used in Internet-based businesses (basically: in the businesses that are conducted through the Internet).
...
9
votes
3answers
594 views
How long was it before you started generating revenue?
For a software business, how long did it take to get:
Your first $1 in revenue?
Your first $100 in revenue?
Your first $10,000 in revenue?
Your first $100,000 in revenue?
Intent
Hopefully we can ...
8
votes
14answers
758 views
Argh! Not knowing how to program holds me back
I have experience in running a business, in marketing, research, strategy, customer service, business development, and I have some very important ideas that I want to transform into businesses. ...
8
votes
3answers
500 views
How do minors legally start a business?
I am a fifteen year old Web and iPhone developer. I'm looking to get apps published on the App Store under a business name. So, this leads me to a few questions. (I already have a bought membership).
...
7
votes
8answers
763 views
How to get the passion back and to stay focused and organized?
I've been running my business for 3 years now. It's grown substantially and doing quite well but I seem to be losing the passion of running the business. I'm interested in doing newer things but need ...
7
votes
3answers
689 views
How can I avoid being screwed by my co-founder
Im involved in a start up and I fear that at some point in the future my co-founder is going to screw me out my position or shares. What protections can I setup and what should I do avoid this from ...
7
votes
4answers
196 views
Allowing instant trial download vs contacting you for trial?
On one hand, people leave bogus emails just to get the download link. You don't get any means of contacting them afterwards or build your email list.
On the other hand, if people see that sending an ...
7
votes
5answers
247 views
How do I manage my business money vs personal money?
I recently received my LLC for my business and was able to open my business checking account. Now I have to figure out how to pay myself. When I get my check from my contractor, should I deposit it ...
7
votes
4answers
360 views
Creating a Business for Side Programming
I'm an Android developer that has made money over some of the apps I've created in the past year. I have no corporate filing so I am currently considered a sole proprietor in the state of Florida. I ...
7
votes
9answers
3k views
How did you come up with your business idea?
For those of you who have successful businesses, how did you come up with your business idea?
I'm trying to think of a business idea but none of the ideas I've come up with so far (currently about ...
7
votes
3answers
230 views
Role of Business Partner While Developer is Developing
So... in a startup... im the techie/developer of the business, my partner is the business side.
While, I'm developing this elaborate application... what should he be doing? What do business people do ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
What advantages does price discrimination have over the using the same price for everyone?
I'm trying to decide whether to change my pricing scheme from 'the same price for everyone' to 'a different price depending on which customer you are' (price discrimination / price differentiation). ...
7
votes
2answers
202 views
Has anyone sold a “fork” version of their software?
I created a SaaS that became quite popular over the weekend. I had a steady stream of users sign up and many are actually still using it (lots of folks who signed up out of curiosity).
Anyway, I ...
7
votes
2answers
372 views
Books / Advice on running an outsource software development shop?
So there's tons of documentation and books on project management, agile development, how to manage outsourcing projects, how to send our project offshore, etc...
But I'm on the other side, I'm ...
6
votes
9answers
623 views
How much importance do Degrees (study) hold in becoming an Entrepreneur?
I have a Masters degree in Computer Science. I always thought that when I was small I was more innovative and more risk taking than I am today. From childhood, I have a dream of doing my own venture, ...
6
votes
7answers
687 views
How complete should my business plan be before I approach investors?
I know there are a number of business plan questions already, but my question applies to a specific aspect of the process.
As my partners and I are researching and developing our plan, I've been ...
6
votes
6answers
649 views
Startups and full time jobs
I've come over from Stack Overflow. I'm currently working full time as a web site developer, and like many people have got a bit fed up of working for someone else and want to set my own business up. ...
6
votes
6answers
671 views
Changing my name for business
I need your opinion on this:
I'm from Europe but live in US for years. My name is a very difficult to pronounce here in US .
Something like Timoleon Karaxtzidakis.
I'm starting an online business ...
6
votes
5answers
425 views
What should a young entrepreneur do?
I'm twenty years old and I live in upstate New York. I took the last semester off to focus on starting a business, but it didn't take off as I planned. I want to be a successful entrepreneur and I'm ...
6
votes
10answers
361 views
How do you know if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
Many professionals want to start their own venture but are scared of failing. Many of them do not know if they have a multi-faceted personality that is needed to run a business successfully. How ...
6
votes
2answers
433 views
What can I do with this now stagnant website (3000+ hours of work)?
For nearly a year, a co-developer and I spent the majority of our time working on a fitness tracking website. We created some neat functionality, but had no idea what we were doing in many other ...
6
votes
4answers
339 views
What should a technical co-founder look for in a business co-founder?
This is the flip side of this question about what to look for in a technical co-founder.
If I have technical skills and can build a prototype myself, what sort of skills or experience should I look ...
6
votes
2answers
303 views
Is it ethical for an employee to start a similar business?
Is ethical for an employee quitting to start a similar business?
What do you think?
6
votes
7answers
236 views
Researching a business idea
Where can one do research for past attempts at a business idea? Like if someone has already tried to start a similar business and failed...
6
votes
6answers
442 views
How to find a business partner
Does anyone have any general advice on finding a business partner? I want to find a like-minded person to start a business with. I'm done with school, I don't know a lot of people, and I don't live in ...
6
votes
1answer
615 views
How To Open US Business Bank Account For LLC Without Going to US
Recently opened a LLC in USA, I am non-US citizen, do not live in USA, we are running an ecommerce business, now we need to open a business bank account for this LLC without physically walking into ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I start a business in USA and work from my country?
Can I incorporate a business in USA and work from my country? Can I receive profit from my corp even when I'm not an employee, only director? I have a b1b2 visa. Is this enough to manage a business ...
6
votes
3answers
281 views
What are your greatest tax season pain points?
As we think through new features to offer our small business and entrepreneur users, we're looking to the coming tax season as the time of year when most prefer not to have the distractions from their ...
6
votes
1answer
266 views
When does the profit-sharing model break down?
Two co-founders and I have started a project that is going rather well. We sell a service that is paid on a monthly basis but that also has some up-front costs (revenues for us).
Thus far we have ...
6
votes
9answers
514 views
Do you think Groupon business model is sustainable?
Considering people unsubscribe (I think so; I would be happy to see both information regarding that) email lists from Groupon (and other daily city deal sites), do you think paying thousands for ...
6
votes
6answers
347 views
Inexpensive or Free Tools to Organize Your Contacts [closed]
I am getting lots of contacts (Law/Accounting/etc). And trying to find a good tool to keep all the phones/emails/notes together.
Ideally, not just text, but something smarter. So it can show me all ...
5
votes
7answers
789 views
How do you keep yourself and employees from goofing off?
I have noticed that for the past few months, I have been wasting a lot of time on needless things. How do you keep yourself focused in your business?
5
votes
8answers
7k views
What does traction really mean?
I've heard alot from this forum about traction. I tried to look at the meaning in the dictionary, but I somehow can not relate it with a startup. So what does it mean by traction and how does that ...
5
votes
6answers
444 views
I have an idea but no free time - can I pay offshore developer?
I am a software developer. I have a good idea and I'd like to create a startup.
I am planning to invite one or two of my colleagues as co-founders.
Problems:
1) Free time
I realised it is very ...
5
votes
3answers
245 views
How do I make my mother open a side business?
My mother is reaching 55, and she raises ideas for start-ups every now and then.
I am a software developer and I'm used to rapid prototyping, so I keep urging her to just go ahead a do it! I believe ...
5
votes
3answers
115 views
In need of strategic advice
Some days I feel that I need someone experienced to have a top-level discussion of my next business steps. I don't necessarily feel that approaching investors is the right move for that -- I'm not ...
5
votes
7answers
7k views
Can I start a company and sponsor my H1b to work for that company?
I am currently on a student visa (F1) at a community college. About two years ago I was laid off from work. My former employer had filed for my H1B. After the lay off I did a change of status to be in ...
5
votes
3answers
332 views
Is starting a business without somebody knowing “business” a good idea?
I am a developer since quite some time. I am having some good ideas and plan to start a business in the startup world. I already have a friend who will join me as a co-founder.
Now the problem is: ...
