Category: Startup

With the advent of cloud computing and digital technologies, solopreneurs with a taste for adventure have transformed their way of living and working to become what’s commonly referred to as digital nomads. Have you also considered that lifestyle for yourself? Before you pack up your bags, there are things to consider when selecting a city to move to, such as cost of living, internet access, and available amenities. And here are four options that make great destinations for small business owners:

Seattle, Washington

Located on Elliott Bay, with access to the Pacific Ocean, Seattle has been voted the number one US city for remote workers and digital nomads. Not only does it offer spectacular landscapes and plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature, but it’s also home to several major corporations, which could give you an advantage when it comes to building business connections for your small venture. And with a variety of rental opportunities ranging from studio apartments to luxury condos, you’re sure to find a place that fits your lifestyle and budget in the Emerald City.        

San Angelo, Texas

Being a solopreneur doesn’t mean you should forgo the company of other humans and spend all your time in your home office. But if your work requires a certain level of privacy and security, working in a crowded coffee shop or in a library with free unsecured wifi could put your or your clients’ personal information at risk. Thankfully, some cities like San Angelo in the State of Texas offer the capability of working in communal spaces specifically designed for digital nomads. Becoming a member gives you access to high-speed internet, meeting rooms so you can engage with clients in real life, and other perks like community and networking events. And with an average monthly rent much lower than the national average, it’s an attractive city for entrepreneurs striving to keep their cost of living affordable.

Nashville, Tennessee

Music lovers will feel right at home in Nashville, Tennessee. With an average rental rate at $1,570 a month, it also boasts great restaurants and shopping, so you’ll always have something fun to do when you take a break from work. And while you’re out socializing in your new city, you may even meet your next client or customer! That’s why you should make sure you always carry something tangible to give people, which will help them remember you later. For example, this site could be helpful if you want to create an eye-catching business card bearing your contact information along with a well-thought-out logo that will increase brand recognition.

Charlotte, North Carolina

An up-and-coming, family-friendly city with plenty of parks and opportunities to enjoy recreational activities, Charlotte boasts a mild climate for most of the year. And since it’s home to the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, you can easily hop on a plane and travel to fun and exciting destinations whenever the mood strikes. If you’re just starting out as a solopreneur and want to make Charlotte your home base, form an LLC using an online formation service, and appoint a registered agent to be your legal business representative, so you can be free to go on your next adventure while you run your company.      

If you love exploring new cities, becoming a digital nomad can give you the freedom to work and play wherever your travels take you. Think about structuring your small business as an LLC to ensure your personal assets are protected and look for places with great internet connection and plenty of opportunities for networking. You’ll see your business soar while living out your dream!

Work for yourself, not by yourself! Join our community at sanangelostudios.com and be inspired to take action, grow, and do better.

While no one can predict which businesses will be successful and which won’t, there are steps you can take to put yourself on the path toward success before you make your first sale. From having a solid educational background to knowing where you’ll work and forming the right type of business structure, today’s San Angelo Studios tips are for those of you ready to make the leap but who are afraid of where you’ll land.

Start With An Education

If you don’t already have experience in education and business, now’s a great time to go back to school. You can earn a degree in anything from management and business communications to accounting online while you establish a solid foundation for your startup. Going to school online has many benefits, including flexibility and affordability. Check this website out for more information on the different types of bachelor’s degrees available to you.

Choose A Place To Work

Before you start any business, you have to decide if you’re going to work from home or if you’re going to provide a brick-and-mortar location for your customers to visit. Working at home has many advantages, including less overhead, considerable flexibility, lowered risk, and lots of tax advantages, according to AllBusiness. Unfortunately, it may not always look the most professional. Thankfully, you can take advantage of the amazing co-working space at San Angelo Studios if you need to book a spacious and well-appointed conference room to host an important client meeting.

Establish A Business Structure

Your business structure will dictate much about how you run your organization. For most small business owners, an LLC makes the most sense. This is an affordable and easy to DIY option when you use an online formation service instead of an attorney’s office. As an LLC, you’ll form a legal separation between you and your company, and you won’t have to fill out a ton of paperwork to enjoy this protection, plus tax benefits and management flexibility.

Know Where Your Money Is Coming From

All businesses cost money to launch. Whether you need something as low-key as a computer and desk or you want to outfit a full workshop, the money has to come from somewhere. If you don’t have enough savings to support your launch and your family for the next 6 to 8 months, look for small business grants. The NerdWallet blog explains that there are many options, including those given by the federal government, state and regional entities, and private funders, including Lenovo and the National Association For The Self-Employed.

Have A Plan

You don’t want to trust your future success to unknown factors. Although you can’t predict everything, you can start with a business plan that gives you a roadmap you can follow to reach your goals. The Small Business Administration explains that a business plan includes an executive summary, market analysis, and information on your sales and marketing strategies. This is also an important document that you’ll have to have if you plan to seek funding from an outside source.

Utilize Technology

Business technology is easier than ever to access, and it’s invaluable for start-ups. Don’t overlook things like cloud computing, advanced payment methods, mobile apps, data security, and CRM platforms. All of these and more can help streamline your start-up so that you’re not wasting time or money while you try to build your customer base.

As a future business owner, you’ll join more than 32.5 million other entrepreneurs in the United States. Although it might be an intimidating prospect, remember that success is not a matter of luck. When you take the time to plan ahead by getting the right education, forming the right business structure, knowing where you’ll do your work, choosing the technology you will use, and understanding where the money to launch will come from, you put yourself in your business leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

Are you ready to grow your business but don’t know where to pick up where you once left off? Sales and customer service can only get you so far. If you’re ready to expand, today’s tips can help you move past simply sending more invoices.

Get more space.

Although many businesses operate on a virtual platform either full or part-time, sometimes you need a bit more space to spread out, collaborate with your team, or physically create inventory. For office space without a permanent commitment, sign up with San Angelo Studios coworking space. There are many flexible membership options that start at just $50 per month.

Change your business structure.

Many small businesses began as sole proprietorships or LLCs. However, there are other options out there, including an S corporation. This is a type of structure that gives you the benefits of a corporation with the pass-through tax advantages of an LLC. This means you can count business losses on your personal taxes and skip paying federal taxes on the business level. To save, file yourself online.

Evaluate your process with BPM.

If all of your business processes are currently manual, it’s time to reevaluate. Look for ways to get your systems to talk to each other. This is usually achieved through business process management strategies, which help you automate many practices. Your workflow, data, and people will be in more constant contact with each other, and you’ll cut down on laborious tasks. Talk with your staff continually to see if your BPM plan is working, and listen to them when they offer advice on how to make it more effective.

Hire more people.

Even though everyone around you considers you Superman or Superwoman, you can’t do it all alone. Your business got to where it is with your hands-on guidance, but now may be the perfect time to let go of some responsibilities and hire new people. Marcus Lemonis has famously said for years that his employees are his number one priority, taking that coveted spot away from the customer. When you have great employees, they are an asset to your business and can help you grow in ways you never imagined.

Research complementary products.

Complementary products are those that your customers are likely to purchase alongside of or shortly after buying yours. Make sure that you know what your customers need and want, and then offer it to them. If you are a salon, for example, you might sell your shampoos, conditioners, and styling tools. You’ll also want to make sure you always have gift cards on hand, which is just one of the many marketing tips from The Salon Business blog.

Consider buying out the competition.

If you’re ready for a huge leap on the growth journey, consider buying out the competition. Lendio explains that this has many benefits, including fewer competitors and quick growth. However, you will want to proceed with caution as it may be tough to integrate, and you may go into debt to make the purchase.

Streamlining with business process management, hiring new staff, and moving to an S corporation structure, along with the other tips we presented above, are just a few ways to grow. What’s important for your business is that you look ahead and lay a strong foundation for the future. Remember, growth does not have to happen all at once, and even small steps along your journey toward success are something to be proud of.

San Angelo Studios has a desk for you. Contact us today to see how you can get a free day in our cozy and comfortable coworking space.

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