In my last post, I wrote about what you need to start your creative small business … so let’s talk about what you don’t when you’re just getting started.
A thermal label printer. I feel like a broken record talking nonstop about thermal label printers because I am obsessed with mine, and it was a huge milestone for me to go from printing labels on printer paper and cutting them out by hand to print, peel, and stick. But for how much I love my thermal printer, you do not need to invest in one immediately. As I mentioned in that post of shipping must-haves for your small business, you do need a way to print labels, but that way does not have to be dropping $150+ right away.
Business cards. This might be a surprise, and perhaps controversial, but business cards are not a prerequisite to opening your maker small business. I’m very much of the opinion that you do not need to include a business card in an order; that customer already found you and knows who you are, and that card is more likely to end up in recycling than in the hands of a potential new customer. I do like to include a thank-you card containing a link to my shop (to encourage reviews). Additionally, the ubiquity of e-commerce, QR codes, and social media means fewer situations in which a business card is expected or useful. So all that to say – you don’t need them.
Branded packaging & shipping supplies. Don’t get me wrong, I love an aesthetically-pleasing unboxing, with every detail considered, down to custom tissue paper. And I understand how powerful that can be for marketing your brand. But don’t think that’s a must-have on day one — or day 1000 for that matter. In fact, re-using materials is becoming much more commonplace for environmental considerations and is sometimes even preferred by customers. Even if you aspire to that fully-branded experience, don’t let that stop you from starting your business.
An LLC or an S-corp. Two disclaimers first: I am not an accountant or legal professional. And policies, procedures, laws, and regulations for establishing a business vary state-to-state – I’m speaking from my personal experience owning a business in Ohio.
You’ll often see business advice that begins with, “Open an LLC immediately.” “You have to have an LLC.” While there are exceptions, most makers do not need to rush out and incorporate immediately. It is perfectly fine to operate as a sole proprietorship – you’re still a real business owner – until an actual need arises for a different business structure. LLCs and S-corps come with more regulations and requirements to abide by, so maintaining a sole proprietor status is much simpler. In my case, in Ohio, you are automatically a sole proprietor the moment you start a business – bada bing. Even if you know you want to incorporate, it does not need to be a barrier to get started.
As your business grows, you can – and will – continue to invest in more things you need or make sense for those next steps. But the best thing you can do when you start out is to just do it. You don’t want to get stuck in analysis paralysis or behind all kinds of prerequisites — so don’t let these things preclude you from hitting the ground running with your shop!
Lemon Press Studio 