Start my own business and work from home

I decided to go the freelance route to find an accountant. I found one who I like and who was able to explain my tax responibilities as a small business owner. I learned how to calculate my tax per quarter and how to file it with the IRS.

I learned that I can file it along with my personal taxes since I am a single member LLC. I liked the accountant so much that I am going to use her to file my business and personal taxes.

I don’t have to pay my taxes until July 2007.

We are talking a bit more about recordkeeping. I want to make sure I am going down the right path.

I found my accountant via Guru.com. Once I get her okay, I will let you know her name.

She’s great!

I love Pay Pal. It’s quick and almost all the book buy back companies use it.

I checked my email this morning and the payments are coming in. In my head everytime I see an email I hear ” Cha Ching!” I’m waiting for a few checks to roll in and then it’s “Money in the Bank” time.

I did some research and found more companies that buy back books.
I have about ten that I use so far.

The photography portion of my business has been slow. I am going to school so I am cool with my income coming from the used books.

Today I have a half day at work so I am going to venture out and visit some new thrift store. I’ll let you know how it goes.

It’s been a good week.

I was able to find some photography books that were on my wish list for a $1 each. One was about black and white photography.

I purchase a book for $1 that I was able to sell for $24 with free pre-paid shipping. I am going out after work today and try to find more deals.

I found out one of the services I use during my thrift store hunts will allow me to check prices for just about anything. So I know before I purchase whether it will sell or not.

I am set up to pay my taxes quarterly via my bank. The only problem is I haven’t found an accountant yet. I am keeping track of all my purchases and sales until I am able to find one.

I went through my book collection and found some books I no longer want and was able to sell them.

I found more sites to sell my books on and I am getting better prices. I am learning to take the time to check my sites and get the best prices.

I haven’t done much photography work but I think I might have some print sales coming soon from the last wedding I did.

I’ve been listenng to podcasts about photography. I like them and it makes my morning commute that much easier.

I purchased a monopod for when I need to take photos in tight spaces. Many of my low light shoot come out blurry so I want to have that extra stabilty to get the perfect shot.

More quality shots will equal better photos and happy clients!

I purchased a monopod for when I need to take photos in tight spaces. Many of my low light shoot come out blurry so I want to have that extra stabilty to get the perfect shot.

More quality shots will equal better photos and happy clients!

I sold some CD that I found on Friday.

I made about $33 in 20 minutes of work. Not bad.

The camera lens didn’t work out. I’m not mad because another opportunity will present itself.

Last week I went to the library and picked up some books to get a better understanding of accounting. I also pulled out my copy of Quicken. I am going to do some reading before interviewing a new accountant.

I spent a good portion of last week creating draft price lists, my web site template, draft contracts for general and wedding photography and writing a frequently asked questions list about my work. I also wrote my bio and artist statement.

On Thursday I found a good deal on web site creationg software. I figure it is worth it and I will be able to create it the way I want rather than use templates.

I found a used Pentax Zoom Telephoto 70-210mm Auto focus Lens on sale at my favorite Photo Store. It’s the lens I need the most right now and I can’t believe I lucked out found it.

The store is holding it for me and I will pick it up later this afternoon after work. Things are falling into place.

This is good…really good.

:)

Yesterday I had my first visit with a CPA. I ended up coming out more confused than when I went in. The gentleman was nice enough but didn’t let me get a word in or even give me a general understanding of his services.

So today, I spent time looking up bookkeeping and accounting. I reviewed my notes from a small business class. I am going to call around some more and talk to a few other CPAs.

I found out that I have Quicken Software at home that I never used. This may come in very handy.

On a good note I dreamed that I was watching a powerpoint slideshow on TV about my life for the next year. It started slowly filtering through the slides and increased in speed as it went along. It showed me that I would be successful in my business venture and that it will work out fine.

It showed me how my life would improve. The slides kept going until it was just a blur. Finally it stopped on the last slide. It was soft music and a white glowing slide that turned to a calm yellow.

I received information from Collages.net and dnlphoto.com.

Collages.net allows photographers to build per job websites for your clients. You pay for each customized website per event. They are a full-scale fulfillment company. My clients can proof their event and order prints and albums. Collages.net takes 15% of each order. I like the services this company offers and the print quality of the photos. The web galleries are customizable and very user friendly.

I found out that collages.net offers retouching of prints. This might be very useful.

I have decided to use their service to showcase my work and use it for when I start doing jobs again.

http://www.collages.net

DNL Photo is a company that supplies photo packaging materials such as proof boxes, albums and bags. It’s the finishing touch a photographer needs before handing over a completed project. Their style is very sleek and the company offers great prices and products. I am mainly interested in them for their proof boxes, CD/DVD covers and bags.

http://www.dnlphoto.com.

My employer offers an Employee Assistance Service with an outside firm. This company helps employees with family, financial and legal problems at no fee. I called up and have schedule a time to speak with a lawyer and a financial advisor. I am drafting a list of questions to ask each at our scheduled time.

I signed registered for two photography classes that take place in May. One is to give me a better understanding of aperture, shutter speed and light balance. The other was a seminar on wedding photography.

Someone gave me some insight on how I can go about getting better in a more structured way. Instead of taking a class that might go over what I need to know I am going to take hands on private lessons at the school so I have some one on one time. I will eventually go on to group classes but right now I want to do the one on one.

The way it works is the teacher meets with you and views your work and the two of us will make a game plan on what needs to be covered.

I feel good about this.