Accidental Business

[Dreadbelly]

So. I was downtown today.

And the real cost of starting up a business started weighing me down. Cost of silver and various precious metals. Cost of supplies. Cost of everything. And it began to dawn on me that I just didn't have enough funds, even with the very small line of credit to make a solid start. I had enough to start my apprenticeship and start learning, but that was it.

And so, as chance often likes to happen, a business chance opened up and angels sung, and bells and whistles went off in my head.

Lady "You know, I wish there was somebody that would go door to door downtown and sell cookies and brownies and such."

Me "Why's that? I mean, there are bakeries just down the block, and places to buy food everywhere."

Lady "If I close my shop to go to lunch, that's an hour's worth of lost sales."

Me "So you want somebody to bring you some junk food?"

Lady "I just wish somebody would sell stuff door to door. You know, with all the of women here downtown and shop keepers, a person could make a fortune with home made cookies and brownies selling them to the shopkeepers."

Me **Hears cash register noises**

Me "You know, I went to school to be a chef. I specialised in deserts and meats. I have dozens of gourmet cookie recipes."

Lady "Really, like what?"

Me "Like Chocolate Cherry Coconut Cookies. Or Pina Colada Cookies. Oatmeal Raisin Rum Cookies. All kinds of cookies. And I can make a chocolate brownie with cheesecake frosting to die for."

Lady **DROOL**

So we talked for a while... And it dawned on me that hungry shopkeepers have no means to go get lunch. I have a captive customer base. And I make DAMN GOOD COOKIES.

It never would have dawned in my mind to do this had I not had that conversation. I mean, I live right smack in the middle of the downtown area. And I walk these streets every day. Most of the shopkeepers have gone from being a little weirded out by me to being happy to see me.

More to come, stay tuned.

[Mr. Kilt]

Some of the best business opportunities are ones that you'd never think of.
I have a feeling you may be on to something good here, Dread. I hope it takes off for you.

[bubba]

Don't forget to check the local regulations and permit requirements. Sounds like a shot at bringing in some cash.

[Dreadbelly]

It would cost me 50 dollars to get a revenue permit, 1200 dollars to begin the process to get a home based business license, plus a cartload of money I don't have.

SCREW THE BLOODY PERMITS AND LAWS.

I found out that it would cost me 375 dollars for six hours worth of business to be a street vendor to be able to sell goods to passersby here in the city limits.

I don't think I would be able to even break even if I sold jewelry downtown under those kinds of economic strangleholds. And I damn sure aint even going to try and do a little cookie business above the table.

Sorry, a little angry about all this.

I have no plans to actually run a "legal" business.

I couldn't afford to.

[Doc Hudson]

This might sound wierd, but it is not intended to be smart-arsed at all.

Before you start to peddle you goodies, get a little wagon similar to one of the old Radio Flyer Red Wagons of years gone by. That will make hauling several dozen cookies of several varieties easier. And you can put a banner on the side saying something like: Kookies from the Kitchen of the Kilted Kook

[bubba]

If you want to keep it kinda off the radar you might make samples and take orders to be delivered on a set schedule. These folks obviously know you so it should be a feasable way to go about it and keep the moneygrubbers from catching it.

[LordDamax]

It would cost me 50 dollars to get a revenue permit, 1200 dollars to begin the process to get a home based business license, plus a cartload of money I don't have.

Are you fricking serious? $1200 to begin to get a license for a home based business? You sure you're not in India or something? I'm in the process of getting a contracting licence here in MD that would allow me to build $50,000 additions onto people's homes. $55 for the test, and $380 for the 2 year license. To build a NEW home it's a $45 license fee.

What state you live in again? SC or GA I believe? Remind me to never move there.

[Iolaus]

My mother was going to start up a wedding cake business, here in California, 'til she found out that she would have to have a whole seperate kitchen, dedicated only to her business. She decided to do it as a hobby instead.

[Dreadbelly]

City of Greenville Business and Permit Fees. I have the paper right here.

Resident Home or Small Business Application and Paperwork Fee. $1200.00. And that's just for the FEES and PAPERWORK. Plus the cost of lawyers and such and actually getting the license it self. And this is a YEARLY fee, with a 15% penalty fee if if it is late, with an additional 10% per day each day after April first. There is also a 200 dollar filing fee for the city to maintain a copy of your records, license, and various paperwork each year. There are also fees based on the revenue you take in. 80 dollars on the first 2000 gross that you take in. $1.67 per 1000 or portion thereof on the next $98,000, with is the cap on home based business incomes. If you excede this ceiling cap on home based business income, you can be fined upwards of $10,000 for various violations of revenue laws and go to prison for up to one year.

Adam Smith is rolling in his grave right about now.

I ripped the people down at city hall a new one. They demanded that the officer present drag me away, but he refused to do it. He knows me rather well. He's not Officer Friendly, but I see this one down at the coffee shop a lot. He said as long as I kept profanity to a minimum and did not actually make any threats, that I had not broken the law and I as an American citizen and a resident of Greenville county had the right to say whatever I damn well pleased. So I did. And then some. Grr. And he kept covering up his mouth with his hand and acting like he had a cough.

It's nuts I tell you, nuts.

No sane person would open a business under these conditions.

[davedove]

The laws are crazy in most states. Some are put in place for very good reasons (public safety and such), but most are just there so the state can make some more money.