Starting up LaPoint Design

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This is my first blog and I’m not quite sure what you write about. So here goes nothing…

DID I REALLY EVER THINK THAT I WOULD START MY OWN BUSINESS? NO! NEVER IN A MILLIONS YEARS, BUT I DID!

Believe it or not, starting up LaPoint Design was pretty easy, fun, and exciting. I had been thinking about starting my own plan design company for some time. I always knew that it was a possibility. I had been in the industry for quite a few years, nineteen years to be exact. I was getting asked to draw plans on the side for some time now. I tend to be cautious when it comes to my employment. I would always do the “what if” scenario and then chicken out because of this or that. Having financial security is must for me and is what always held me back. It would come down to the right opportunity and the right time.

That is EXACTLY what happened. I got lucky and got hitched the end of April 2018, to Ron, who wholeheartedly has been my biggest supporter of this endeavor. He’s given me the financial security that I needed so that I don’t have to worry about a paycheck each week to support a household. I separated from my former employer May 2018. I had job offers coming in and then, it happened, the phone calls came in asking if I would design and draw up house plans. By the end of July 2018, my business was in the works. August 21, 2018 is when I officially received my certificate from The State of Ohio and I had already has a jobs lined up.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS YOU FOLLOW WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS?

1. Decide on a business name. Make sure that no one else has registered a business by that name at the Treasurer of State.

https://businesssearch.sos.state.oh.us/

https://businesssearch.sos.state.oh.us/

2. Hire an attorney to set up your LLC and Employer Identification Number - I did find out you can do all of this without an attorney at the State of Ohio.

https://www.sos.state.oh.us/businesses/

https://www.sos.state.oh.us/businesses/

3. Decide on what you are going to charge for services. Work on your contract to be signed and/or pricing list. Basically, write down your ideas, a business plan so to speak.

4. Create a Logo if you choose to do so. I used Fiverr.com. They have alot of logo designers to choose from within all different budgets.

5. Decide if you are going make a website and purchase a domain. I used Wix.com. They have website templates and their interface is easy to use. So making a website was a breeze.


6. Design business cards if you choose to do so. I used vistaprint.com. They have great deals and a lot of templates for business cards.

7. Set up a Business Facebook Page if you choose to do so.

8. Spread the word about your business. I had family, friends, and former co-workers help me do this. Networking does amazing things.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING I RAN INTO WHEN STARTING MY OWN BUSINESS?

The logo design! Goodness gracious! I know I over thought all the logos that I was sent from the logo designer. But, this is what everyone is going to know my business as! I knew that I didn’t want something that ever other business in my area had, a house peak, roofline, or something similar. I knew that I wanted something different and wanted to stand out a little bit.

Then, I over thought the colors for the logo design because apparently there is a science associated to choosing colors for a logo.

I only hope that I chose the right color scheme and a logo design that stands out.

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

Be cautious and a risk taker at the same time. Be cautious in the fact to make sure that you have all your I’s dotted and your T’s crossed and if need be, have a back up plan for income. That is something you don’t want to worry about, income and money, when just starting out. You want to be able to focus everything you have on getting jobs under your belt for your new business. Be a risk taker and go after it. It's a great feeling to know that you accomplished all of this and received your first paycheck. If I can do it, you can do it.

It’s been 6 months since I stated LaPoint Design and it’s been great. There has been plenty of work and time for myself and my Husband. It’s been the perfect balance. I wish I would have done this a long time ago; it’s been one of the best choices I’ve made.

Thank you for reading my first blog post.

Lori

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