Brett Said:

Can someone help me start start a business in art?

We Answered:

Often communities will have an arts program. If you go that route you may find that you can be brought in under one of their programs without having to go through the grant headache yourself. Check your local phone book. If you don't see anything, try the Chamber of Commerce for your city. They are often in the know about such things. If you still have no luck, try the nearest museum, art gallery, or art club to get the information.

For instance, in our state/town there are artist programs that allow the artist to live in various designated homes throughout the state to be able to be in residence on rotation to the local public schools. Artists have time to create their own artwork but primarily they will be responsible for putting together projects for their presentation to the schools in that region. You might spend two weeks at Smith Elementary teaching the kids about African art and helping them make African masks and other African artifacts. Then you move on and give the presentation to another elementary school a few miles away for the next two weeks, etc.

One of our local programs has a paid artist running the program's art gallery, teaching classes, and painting special projects for the town (a mural for instance). He doesn't get paid much, but the program provides board, insurance, a little bit to retirement, a vehicle, etc.

This is a tough economy right now to try to take on the responsibility and cost of a loan. I would highly recommend avoiding that at all costs. Produce some art in a public location NOW while people are looking for novel holiday gifts. From the holiday commissions, you may have enough to call it seed money to expand a bit. The first quarter of the year is a very thin time for artwork even among professionals who have been in the field for a while. So plan on hanging on to that seed money until after the tax refund checks start rolling in and busy yourself with getting some outstanding samples made up to hit target niches such as portraiture, doing show events such as horse shows, races, graren club events, etc. High end decorating stores, not the run of the mill ones but the eclectic, lots of handmade items type of shops, are another good place to visit. They often take a big commission, but it can give you a bit of a client base. Watch the terms you agree to though. You don't want them making all the future profit and you have your hands tied to do anything with the business you build up through them.

When the season is right, whatever channel you select, let people see you actually drawing and painting. Let them see actual pieces of your art, not just photos of it. Keep your prices reasonable until you have a reputation to support a price increase. I see too many artists get dollar signs in their eyes at the first flush of success and price themselves right out of their market only to find some other artist gobble it up because they are just as good but charge a reasonable fee. You cannot ask a lot of money until people are commissioning the work because it is YOU that is painting it, not because you are the only artist they know or are the cheapest. As your reputation grows, approach galleries. You will be shocked at how much they take for just having a place and lights on, but remember they make money when you do so they will drum up the clients leaving you time to produce art.

In real estate it is location, location, location. In art it is reputation, reputation, reputation to get you to a survivable income level.

Source - years of being an illustrator turned portrait artist when my kids came along. I haven't painted in the last few years to focus on a different project that is near and dear to my heart, but I was busy for 15 years non-stop in portraiture. I started out in portraiture via one of those high end decorator shops I suggested. I booked up two years solid in two weekends of painting portraits just outside their shop. From there, it never really stopped though most of that time after the initial start at the shop was merely by word-of-mouth - meaning I got to keep all the profits instead of having to share it once I became well known. There was always an order waiting for me unless I wanted to set aside a time slot for a break.

Sidney Said:

How to start a business plan?

We Answered:

Go to sba.gov , www.score.org or www.bplans.com for instructions on how to write a business plan and sample business plans.

Afterwards, Go to www.score.org/ and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a volunteer SCORE counselor. They will guide you through the process.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide and is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.

Renee Said:

How to start a inground pool business?

We Answered:

hi better u can join your hand with services.engg@gmail.com
hence it is upcoming and newly starting one or other day surely u will be a vip in the organisation.

DO SOMETHING WHICH WILL HIGHLIGHT U LONGER

Elizabeth Said:

Job,housing, live in programs for a disabled person, wanting to start a business, not 9-5 work.?

We Answered:

Rare genetic conditions, huh? As in more than one. Interesting, and probably not just to me. Start a website about your conditions and blog tests/treatments - all that stuff. Keep a diary online and include all of your efforts to secure assistance - W5, who did you see, where, for what, how much and the outcome of each visit. Are there other sites devoted to one or both of your conditions? If so, link up. If not, what sites would most likely be interested in your information? Link up. Maybe they'll hire you to blog or maybe they'll take out an ad. That's one idea.

Basically, business Web or otherwise is about identifying a need and finding a cost-effective means of filling it. Visit the library and ask a librarian (these people are the true civil libertarians and protectors of democracy) if s/he would point you to some good books on setting up a Web business. Whatever type of Web business you decide on, check with a few banks near you to find out whether they have grants like these ones http://www.bcdisabilities.com/bcdisforum… to support start-ups by people with disabilities. If so, find out what the parameters are and what sort of businesses they've funded. Network! Introduce yourself. Ask questions.

There may also be job clubs at employment resource places that offer free seminars on start-up how-tos. Alumnae Resources in San Francisco was SO GREAT! They may have outlets throughout California and even the country. Check it out.

The good news about a personal blog is that you're writing what you know and, after awhile, a publisher might be interested in collating the material into a book, which would be more likely to sell if you've already had a presence online.

That's all I can think of so far. You're already on the right track if you've decided against trying to bring some sort of civil action. Keep going and best of luck.

Samuel Said:

Need of advise from successful small business owners?

We Answered:

If you live in the US contact your nearest SCORE or Small Business Administration. Your husband may be wanting to save money, but you are being far more wise to let experts help you and these two agencies are there for you.
~jennifer