new at "business" have few questions

[BATISTAinc]

I am 23 I am in the army im an infantryman and have been for 3 years. I find myself looking at being a civilian again in 2 months. So needless to say I have an upcoming problem with not getting a paycheck. From this comes that I have realized that working for someone other than myself will get me nowhere but getting a paycheck 2 paycheck lifestyle which isn't too appealing. Either way there isn't too many companies out there looking for someone that can shoot a 240 or do a hundred pushups in 2 mins. I am looking to form an LLC and go into the advertizing business. I have a plan . have done the math, realized the margins in the area that I am getting into are great and I look to make A quarter mil in the 1st year. B4 taxes.
So for the question part of my thread:

1. Can I get my business license thru the same place where I do my LLC(Corporation commission) in my state?
2. What are the benefits of being apart of my chamber of commerce?

I have more questions but as this is my forst time on the site I will let these two be my "introduction". Hope to get alot of feed back or answers all is welcome.

Maybe this is the wrong category but im new to the site sorry

[GuyBBY]

Hi-

1. You typically get your business license from the Corporate Division of the State Secretary's office, so yes, where you get the LLC filed.

2. The benefits vary based on the industry. Usually a "stopping by" ecommerce site would not benefit greatly from being a member of the COC, but a brick-n-mortar would as well as any business that plans on hunkering down in that area. The benefits are particular events you can attend, literature and seminars you can be involved it to either promote your business in the state or network and collaborate to achieve greater success. You also are able to keep up with changing policy/zoning/etc more frequently...basically, it's like anything where if you want to walk the walk you should try and talk the talk. You can get in there and mix it up with other business owners and respected players in the community to further your knowledge and success.

Hope this helps a bit.

Guy

[GuyBBY]

Also the main benefits I guess to go a bit further can impact your operations and save you money and also gain you a lot of knowledge, here are some examples from Chamber of Commerce's in the NE area and these apply mostly nation wide in their own versions.:

Networking (informal networking events)
Events such as New Member receptions, seminars, legislative breakfasts
Chamber committees
Exposure For Your Business
A free listing on the Chamber's Web site,
A free listing in a local Regional Resource Guide.
Promotion of your business in the Chamber's monthly newsletter
Marketing options in Chamber publications and on Web site including hotlinks, photos, ads, sponsorship, tourism e-mail program, etc.
Member referrals: The Chamber helps 3,000 callers and 20,000 walk-in visitors each month find the products and services that they need
Brochure placement at the Chamber's location
Discounted advertising rates at Welcome Centers
Business Resources & Information
Monthly newsletter and electronic supplement
Business advocacy in state government
Regional demographic information
Exclusive Membership Discounts
Health Insurance Packages

And depending on your region, other benefits as well.

What area are you in?

Guy

[FUN-GUYZ!]

Hello Batistainc!

First, thank you for serving our country!

Second, a piece of constructive crtizism (nothing personal). If you can estimate your pretax earnings, but not sure where to get a business license...you need to take a deep breath and start at step 1 again. Try the Small Business Administration here.

I talk to many people who get ahead of themselves with projected earnings, and then become frustrated when they see that their perception isn't reality.

Third, to answer one of your questions. Joining the local chamber is always a good idea. Just as GuyBBY said, there are many advantages. But don't stop there. Look for other networking groups. BNI is a large one, but there are many locally too.

Comming from the ad business myself, I can tell you that it's all about who you know...and you better know a lot of people! Start rubbing elbows now!

[GuyBBY]

Hello Batistainc!

First, thank you for serving our country!

Second, a piece of constructive crtizism (nothing personal). If you can estimate your pretax earnings, but not sure where to get a business license...you need to take a deep breath and start at step 1 again. Try the Small Business Administration here.

I talk to many people who get ahead of themselves with projected earnings, and then become frustrated when they see that their perception isn't reality.

Third, to answer one of your questions. Joining the local chamber is always a good idea. Just as GuyBBY said, there are many advantages. But don't stop there. Look for other networking groups. BNI is a large one, but there are many locally too.

Comming from the ad business myself, I can tell you that it's all about who you know...and you better know a lot of people! Start rubbing elbows now!

100% Agreed FUN-GUYZ, and appreciate the note.

BATISTA- sorry for forgetting that in my first post---thanks for serving us, we are able to do what we do everyday because of you and your guys out there.

Use YE to your advantage as well...I set up a thread "Boston Area YEs" and we got together and now have a project going on with 5 of us and about 15 others on an email list that we will be getting together shortly. I also just started another venture with a YE member and we are ready to go forward with that. It is a great resource and you will be able to help, learn, and share in the situations of starting up with one another.

Hope this helps.

Guy