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Pity Party needed

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    #16
    RE: Pity Party needed

    Hi Wanda,
    I encourage you to pursue your dreams and step out into unchartered territory. "If you want something you've never had...you've got to do something you've never done!"

    Starting your own business takes a lot of work but there are definite payoffs in the long run. Seek out those who are willing to give you assistance, encouragement, and support. Don't let those who don't believe in your dream deter you from your pursuit.

    I commend you. I encourage you to leave the "land of familiar" and pursue your dream. Please do not hesitate to email or call if you need any assistance in getting started. There are a lot of resources...some free...that are out there. Don't feel like you have to do everything yourself. I can't wait to hear of your great success! Call me...301-249-3400 or 800-633-3195!

    Cheers.
    - Valerie ;o)
    Valerie Simpkins
    Intellectual Business Solutions, Inc.�
    Business Intelligence for Intelligent Business�
    301-249-3400
    [email protected]
    www.intellectualbusinesssolutions.com

    Comment


      #17
      RE: Pity Party needed

      What a success story, Ray! I'm happy for you. I particularly like the question, "What if I don't?"

      My mortgage is 5 times greater than that attic apartment, though, which is what's really frightening. I found my dream property a year ago and somehow managed to get a loan for it, as I am now totally maxed out, financially. But, I don't want to lose it!

      I am going to launch the business on a part time basis and keep this job for as long as I can stand it, and am going to try to be accepted as a consultant with the Guild. This weekend I'm going to work on writing an article for the Alpha Newsletter, and take a stab at building a website so that I CAN be a Guild member. On Monday, I will apply for a business license. Wheeeee! Here I go :)

      Thank you so much for your story and encouragement! -Wanda

      Comment


        #18
        RE: Pity Party needed

        Hi Ohlen :) Good advise! That is exactly what I'm telling myself to do...stay here as long as I can stand it and get all the education I can at their expense. Actually, learning Alpha has always been at the expense of an employer. Sweet, eh?

        I have a few references, actually, but the design work was done on company time, so I'm not sure how I can use those references. I'm not even sure if it's okay to re-work the designs a bit to be able to sell them...how much different do then need to be from what I designed on company time, in order for me to call them mine? How does one "copywrite" (or at least protect) a system so that it isn't stolen and sold by someone else?

        Okay - I'm being too wordy...

        Comment


          #19
          RE: Pity Party needed

          Valerie - thank you so very much for your encouragement:) I feel like we're friends, already. I especialy appreciate the quote - it's very fitting and eye-opening. I have lots of questions and will definitely call you over the weekend - maybe not until Monday (I'm off work Sat thru Mon.)

          Sincerely,
          Wanda

          Comment


            #20
            RE: Pity Party needed

            Hi Wanda:

            Thought I'd chime in again. Not being an attorney, I don't know all the legalities and, as was demonstrated in the recent thread about copyrighting software, it is a very complex section of law.

            That being said, I've always heard that any work you do for an employer belongs to the employer. If you do work under contract, make sure the contract specifically states that you retain the intellectual property rights to all work produced including the source code (scripts), design, etc. Otherwise, you could use some standard routines you've developed over the years in some contracted work and all of a sudden you don't own them any more and some nifty routines you develop in the process of completing the contract you may not be able to use in future work.

            As for any work you've done for your employer, I think you're on pretty safe ground if you start over from scratch on your own time, on your own computer. Don't use any of the coding, screens, etc. that you created while employed. You'll have to develop it over again from memory and probably make it better in the long run. They can't purge your brain of what you know and, unless you have an employment contract with some hooks in it, you can use your knowledge as you see fit. I wouldn't even have a copy of the application you developed at work on your computer at home for reference.

            Don't know if you remember the BIOS wars in the early days of PCs, but there was some serious litigation went on then about companies hiring programmers from other companies and reproducing the BIOS they had developed for their previous employer. Got real nasty.

            I doubt you'll run into anything like that, but better safe than sorry.

            Just my thoughts for whatever they're worth. Typically not much.

            Allen

            Comment


              #21
              RE: Pity Party needed

              Hi Allen,
              Thanks for the tip. I'll take time over the weekend to look up the copywrite thread...right now I'm on company time. Also great advise about starting from scratch/memory, and do agree that it'll probably turn out better.

              Do you know where I can get sample contracts? Anyone willing to share theirs with me? Am I asking too much?

              Gotta get peddlin' here...TTFN.

              Comment


                #22
                RE: Pity Party needed

                Cool...I'll be around ;o)
                Valerie Simpkins
                Intellectual Business Solutions, Inc.�
                Business Intelligence for Intelligent Business�
                301-249-3400
                [email protected]
                www.intellectualbusinesssolutions.com

                Comment


                  #23
                  RE: Pity Party needed

                  Wanda:

                  Make sure you submit information to have yourself posted on Alpha's Consultants page.

                  To do this, go to the Services Tab, and in the left "alley" is an "Add a Consultant" link. You'll complete the info, send the information, and we'll confirm by email when you post. This is a FREE service.

                  You can do this IN ADDITION to the Guild, as Richard offered in a previous post.

                  Think only positive thoughts, envision your success, and only good things will result.

                  I wish you success in whatever you seek to endeavor.

                  -Jeannette Cook
                  Alpha Software Customer Service

                  Comment


                    #24
                    RE: Pity Party needed

                    Jeannette and the rest of the Alpha crew - you're absolutely the best!

                    I knew about the Alpha Consultants page, and I will definitely add myself to the page when I am ready...first comes the business license, a new phone line, a web page, and a few, simple designs that people can download as samples. Give me a couple weeks (of evenings and weekends foregoing all the domestic chores that I can, and letting the garden go to...!)

                    I do have a question, though, that you may be able to answer. I've purchased the Alpha Five v5 Buldned Applications. May I resell them?

                    Thank you, Jeanette! - Wanda

                    Comment


                      #25
                      RE: Pity Party needed

                      Hi Wanda,

                      If you are planning on setting up your business as a d/b/a then you can probably get away with filing a Fictitious Name and getting a Federal EIN. In addition to that you would need an occupational license, that you will have to check with your local county for the details.

                      You can go to google.com and do a search: fictitious name registration "YOUR STATE" From there you should be able to find the online applications for a Federal EIN and registration of your Fictitious Name. There is no cost for the Federal EIN and the registration of your Fictitious Name should be inexpensive ($50 in the State of FL)

                      Good luck, chin up :)
                      Cheryl
                      Cheryl
                      #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
                      http://pagecrazy.com/

                      Comment


                        #26
                        RE: Pity Party needed

                        Thank you, Cheryl :) I am amazed at the help and suggestions and encouragement that just keeps coming and coming. I actually found that site a few hours ago...still trying to think of a name, though...THAT will have to come to me in my dreams, tonight!

                        TTFN!
                        Wanda

                        Comment


                          #27
                          RE: Pity Party needed

                          Hi Wanda,

                          Some good advice.

                          Work product is one thing and a reference is quite another. You can ask anyone for a reference and use it to your heart's content. You're not taking the county's product and promoting it. You are promoting YOU!!!

                          kenn
                          TYVM :) kenn

                          Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                          Comment


                            #28
                            RE: Pity Party needed

                            Hey Wanda,

                            You'll need a ficticious business name but won't need a federal EIN. Your SS# is good enough for now. If you hire employees, then get the EIN.

                            kenn
                            TYVM :) kenn

                            Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                            Comment


                              #29
                              RE: Pity Party needed

                              Wanda,

                              I do not know about your state, but if you are a sole-proprietor in Pennsylvania, and are using your own name in the title of the business, you can use a descriptive term without having to file for a ficticious name.

                              I was in business for 12 years as James A. Talbott, Jr., Computer Consultant and never needed to file for a ficticious name. I chose to do that to emphasize that people were hiring me, not ABC Computer Consulting.

                              Perhaps your state is the same.

                              Good luck.

                              Jay Talbott
                              (okay, it's really James A., Jr., but Jay is much easier)
                              Jay Talbott
                              Lexington, KY

                              Comment


                                #30
                                RE: Pity Party needed

                                From CA I went for 15 years without filing a fictitious name. Stephen Williams Landscaping. I have an FEIN as I have employees, but I file under my SS#.

                                Be sure and charge a lot - your tax bill will go up as you have to pay self employment tax. As an employee your employer pays half the medicare and Fica. Now you have to pay the whole burden - maybe another 12%? Anyway - better to know sooner than later.

                                Also you can depreciate stuff.

                                I recomend a little time with an accountant to get the costs figured out. It is a different set of rules being self employed and the IRS does not care if you don't know them. That is what accountants are for. The tax code is simply ridiculous.

                                But don't be put off - just know this is what self employment is. Bigger bills. Hence you bill bigger.

                                Comment

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