Start a business from scratch or buy an existing one?

Hello, I am wondering what resources and/or groups there are for starting a business. My partner and I are thinking of starting a wine of the month type business and are torn whether it's easier to start from scratch or buy and existing business etc. We would also love to find a community of other small business owners starting out if such a thing exists. Thanks for any info! archie

I would bet that if you search the Internet you will find discussion groups for people like you.

Long-time small business owner

http://www.rencenter.org/

http://www.womensinitiative.org

I believe WISE has Oakland offices too - they used to, anyway. Their web sites will have links to othe resources as well.

Best of luck!

Why did I go with Renaissance? They were very good at telling you in detail what to do to get your business going. They didn't advocate getting into debt to start your business, unlike WISE. They advocated working out your business plan in detail. You have to finish your business plan in order to graduate.

They offer a 4 week class on exploring your business idea before you go on to the 14 week class. They have sliding scale tution. I highly recommend them. By the way, it was the working through of my business plan I realized my business would require more money, work etc. than what I wanted to do.

Also check out the book, Small Time Operator. It's a great guide on the nuts and bolts on getting started. However, it's good to work with a group of people too. Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center 's website is: www.rencenter.org/ Beth

Becoming a self-employed architect

My husband is about to begin a career as a self-employed architect. We are wondering what sort of professional advice we should seek. We would need information about the pros and cons of structuring a business that would take into consideration the advantages/disadvantages of hiring employees versus free-lance consultants. We would also like information/advice on financial matters such as filing taxes (does this need to be done quarterly), rolling over a 401K from a previous job, setting up IRAs, paying social security, etc. Are these the sorts of things that could be addressed by one individual (i.e., an accountant), or would we be better off meeting with several different types of professionals (accountant, lawyer, financial planner, other)? Any advice about how to approach this situation, as well as estimates as to what this might cost would be greatly appreciated.

I just moved here from san diego, where I opened my business and took all the help I could from the SBA - espacially as a foreigner I had a lot of questions. now I am very well set up, know my way around and always know where to go when I have another question. good luck.katja

Employer pays 7.5% of the employee's salary for social security, and deducts another 7.5% from the employee's salary. If you're incorporated as a C corporation, you can take shareholder dividends instead of salary to reduce your FICA (Soc Sec) Tax. Congress may do away with double taxation on dividends soon. an ''independent consultant''. Many employers claim employees as consultants to avoid the cost of providing/administering benefits, income tax withholding, social security, etc. Because of this abuse, the IRS is always suspect of these claims and may audit you: if your employees don't meet their test, they can reclassify your consultants as employees and hold your business liable for back income tax withholdings (you, in turn, will be in the awkward position of collecting the money from your new employees!). Look up the IRS rules on independent consultants. I believe Nolo Press covers this and other employer issues. Last word of advice: I was a sole employee of my corporation. I was stressed that first year, being a determined do-it- yourselfer. All I had was my tax accountant who was available to me for the big annual filings but absent for the quarterly headaches. The addition to business responsibilities of learning the paperwork issues was nearly overwhelming. Seeing that you're in a similar situation, I must pass on this borrowed wisdom: if you can write a check and make a problem go away, then it's not a problem,...it's an expense. Focus on growing your business first. Good luck. kim

How to start a non-profit business?

Hi, Does anybody knows how to start a non-profit organization bussiness? and the benefits of it over the convential bussiness. I am interested in opening a store with a loan or through being a partner in a non-profit organization. Thank you , Fafy

But given your question, it seems to me that what you want to do is not start a non-profit organization, but to get help from a non-profit corporation to start a store. There, I'm afraid I can't help you. anon

Looking to buy a small business

We are done with high tech and are looking to buy a small business but could use some advise on where to find them for sale. Has anyone gone through this or know of anyone selling a business? We appreciate your help. Lori

Starting a tutor business

I recently relocated here from the East Coast. I was a special educator before I had my baby but do not hold a CA teaching credential (although I have one for the state I used to live in and have my Masters Degree in Special Ed.) I would like to begin privately tutoring students with learning disabilities but have no contacts and am not sure where to start. In addition to the Berkeley parents network, where else can I advertise my services? How much do tutors charge in the East Bay? I am trained in specific strategies to help students with LD with reading, writing, test taking, vocabulary etc. and work primarily with grades 5-12. Thanks!