How to start a Design//Multimedia Company

startup business web design startup

[eron19]

Would someone please (in short) give me the steps to starting a business with employees. Dont take to much time, but briefly give me the steps to starting a web design/multimedia firm. If there are links somewhere I could check out, that would be great. Thanking you in advance.

[Jenstar]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld.

Where are you located? If you are in the US, head down to your nearest SBA (Small Business Association). They can give you plenty of information on the legalities and business issues surrounding starting a business with employees. They are probably your best single source of information for starting a new business.

They also have a website at www.sba.gov

Hope this was brief enough for you ;)

[bunltd]

Welcome Eron19

Here's another site that has lots of great info:
SCORE [score.org]

LisaB

[le_gber]

If you are in the UK go to the nearest Businesslink or chamber of commerce. Also there are local and national association like FSB.

Many more info if you tell us where you're from ;)

Hope this helps

Leo

[peewhy]

If you are UK based, decide on your status; sole trader, limited company etc. Talk to an accountant about those options.

They are the basics, getting the business is the hardest.

Whare abouts are you now in setting up and geographically?

[Serio]

eron19 - Having done this myself a few years ago I can offer a little help. My advice? The key to getting this type of business up and running successfully is to focus on people - your business will only ever be as good as the people who work with you. The three basic requirements (IMHO) are 1) Strong leadership 2) Tight financial control and 3) truly original creatives

1) Employees have their ups and downs - you can't afford to. Lead from the front, key qualities = optimism, self-belief, stoicism (yes there will be problems) and acceptance

2) If the figures don't stack up, you're done for - no matter how good your work etc etc

3) Go for commited young designers, good ones will not be too greedy if you cut them some slack in their work - just keep them away from the clients ;) Tip: Go to end-of-year-shows in your area - a great source of raw talent before these youngsters start answering ads.

A note of caution; be wary about how far you go with the SBA, Business Link, Chambers of Commerce etc. These invariably employ consultants who will take your money, put you through a sterile but theoretically correct programme and leave you with a kind of dependency that saps your confidence and stifles originality.

All IMHO of course

Sorry for the lack of brevity :)

[peewhy]

A note of caution; be wary about how far you go with the SBA, Business Link, Chambers of Commerce etc. These invariably employ consultants who will take your money, put you through a sterile but theoretically correct programme and leave you with a kind of dependency that saps your confidence and stifles originality.

Well put! I'll back every word of Serio ... but, look at the chamber of commerce as a source of potential clients...as opposed to a font of knowledge.