Easy steps to start up, really quickly.

[YidBiz]

Hey! while I was surfing the web this weekend, I came across an opportunity, a really unique opportunity, that I don't want to pass up.

There is a new product coming out onto the marketplace that hasn't become too popular yet. I want to jump onto the bandwagon and be the first one to start selling the product in my area.

I can be either a distributor, or a retailer, or maybe both. Which option would be best?

Right now, I don't have ANY business name or title that I operate under.

I want to approach the manufacturers of this new product and secure a sales territory in my city. I want to be the go-to guy for anyone and everyone that wants to buy/sell this product.

What's the best way to approach this? What are the first steps?

I know that I can start a sole proprietorship, maybe that's the best option for me right now. Generally, a person can use their SSN as a Tax ID number, but not all businesses will accept it.

So, maybe I will pick out a name for my business, register is with the Secretary of State as a sole proprietorship, sign up for a Tax ID, and poof! I'm in business. Can it be done like that? Or, am I missing something?

[The Stealthy One]

Distributorship. Go ahead and at least form an LLC - it will definitely be worth it. You do not register your business name with the Secretary of State. Corporations register with the State Corporation Commission, and sole proprietorships register with their local courthouse.

I would recommend spending some time at http://www.allbusiness.com and http://www.entrepreneur.com going over some of the basics of running your own business. It doesn't sound like you have any experience here, which could be very costly. Knowledge can make up a large chunk of what you're missing.

Good luck with your venture!

[YidBiz]

Distributorship. Go ahead and at least form an LLC - it will definitely be worth it. You do not register your business name with the Secretary of State. Corporations register with the State Corporation Commission, and sole proprietorships register with their local courthouse.

I would recommend spending some time at http://www.allbusiness.com and http://www.entrepreneur.com going over some of the basics of running your own business. It doesn't sound like you have any experience here, which could be very costly. Knowledge can make up a large chunk of what you're missing.

Good luck with your venture!

You are correct. I don't have any experience with running a business of my own. I just have big dreams.

When I was a child, I would always setup lemonade stands and sell lemonade in the neighborhood. Also, I would rent out my bicycle for people to use... by the hour. I was allowed to run a concession stand in my high school and I've been a "vendor" and local ball games.

The way I see it, I have it in me to continue selling things into my adulthood. But I just have to go about it the proper way. When you're a child, you don't really need a business license and stuff.

Things have been pretty difficult for me right now because I have 2 jobs and not much time for anything else.

I know that I should take some schooling or some courses about small business. I just don't have the time.

Ideally, I'd like to get rid of my night job first, by transitioning into a business of my own. Then eventually, start doing it full time and getting rid of my day job.

People have dreams. People have goals. ANYONE can succeed. It's just about knowing the right steps to take and being motivated.

Just because someone is full of ideas. Well, firstly it doesn't mean that they are realistic ideas. But you gotta start somewhere. Also, even if they are, at times, silly ideas, that's no reason to belittle a person.

I have it in me to succeed. We all do. There is no reason that ANYONE on here should treat ANYONE else in a condescending manner. We all need to be supportive of each other. We shouldn't be knocking down ideas of one another.

I'm sure we're a creative bunch. But sometimes, we need a little reality check. No every single idea can be executed. Many ideas will never be executed. But always remember, an idea is just the beginning. Without ideas, this world would not be as advanced as it is today.