Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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If you had a chance to sit down and quiz some of the local young successful entrepreneurs in Columbus, what sort of questions would you ask them? What sort of advice would you seek? What sort of stories would you want to hear?
I'm asking because I'm helping to plan such an event in the not-too-distant future. More details on the event to come soon, but please send me your potential questions either in comments or via email and I'll see what I can do.
CbusIslander
Cbus Islander
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Q: In your success, what could the city have done to ease your process in obtaining your own business? In your case, Did the city do anything?
Q: Would you endorse a one stop website to promote local businesses? The site could answer FAQ's for people interested in starting a local business and describe the process to get a business started.
Q: Is there any advice you can give to someone who would like to be their own entrepreneur?
These could be questions, but we do have a number of members here that have their own business. You could have a trial forum here. Good Luck.
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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CbusIslander wrote Q: In your success, what could the city have done to ease your process in obtaining your own business? In your case, Did the city do anything?
That's a good one. I'd also add a follow up like, "Have you seen any policies/programs in other cities that Columbus should adopt?"
MikeReed
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How many hours a week do you work? How do you manage work/life balance?
How do you focus your energy toward those things that will contribute to the health and success of your business rather then being pulled in 99 different directions?
How do you contribute from your success back to the community, and how has that contributed back to you?
Are you happy?
Would you like to have a drink and talk about an awesome investment opportunity?
gramarye
In Exile
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(1) What did you learn the hard way about starting your own business in Columbus that you wish someone had told you before you started?
(2) Has the climate for young entrepreneurs changed in Columbus during the time between when you started your business and now? How do you see it changing in the future?
(3) What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
mightymighty
North Side
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How can you make me money?
:D
Or, more seriously...
How did you get started?/ Where did the idea come from?
And who did you ask for advice/who mentored you?
myliftkk
Columbus, OH
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Walker, how many entreprenuers are going to be answering questions? Also, a little generic background on what kind of businesses they are might help with eliciting some questions. :wink:
I've got some questions percolating, but it somewhat depends on the entreprenuers in the room.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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There will be a panel of three. Since the event hasn't been announced yet, I don't want to say exactly who they are, but one is in marketing, one is in fashion/retail, and one is a restaurateur. They're all locals and they're all young.
8)
artbomb112
The Heights
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I would love to know more about this when it comes up. I am thinking about questions... I'll get back to you in a minute.
artbomb112
The Heights
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How do you handle issues like health insurance for your employees?
In the creation of your business, how did you wade through the massive amounts of legal and tax issues that came along?
Did you have resources to help you with these things? What were they?
How are you planning for the future of your business, in terms of growth and sustainability?
How did you handle the logistics of preparing a physical space for your enterprise? Loans? Do-it yourself fixing? Rental?
Would a hub or network of people in similar situations help with the process of starting a business? Is there one already?
Do you find that, as a new business, you tend to work with businesses like yourself? Do you feel you can compare in your practices to the "big boys" of your trade? Are you competitive with them?
How do you access your target market? What is your target market?
mightymighty
North Side
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Yes.
Are any of the guys single and would they like to buy me a drink.
:D
I'm kidding of course.
... or am I?
artbomb112
The Heights
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Blue, no red.
Ryan Morgan
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The #1 question I’ve yet to hear a local entrepreneur, client or otherwise, take the time to answer thoughtfullyâ€â€and I’ll also pose this question directly to Josh, Laura, Daniel, Aaron, Walker, Adam, Mike, Amy, Heather, and any other independent business-owners, artists, designers, and individual creatives on CU I may have missed, because I’d like to work with all of youâ€â€is this:
Is there a service, within reason and the confines of the law (no, pot delivery service doesn't count), that up until now nobody’s been able or willing to provideâ€â€an unmet needâ€â€that would make your entrepreneurial lives 100% easier, foster your creativity, and help grow your respective businesses, if it existed? What would help you do what you do, better?
Let me know and we’ll start doing it.
We’ve kicked around the idea of a coalition and a single, unifying brand to raise the collective profile of independents and to increase exposure, through a variety of meansâ€â€Tigertree’s travails with the off-High location, SNBA code and sign issues, and that ubiquitous truck is a prime example, I think, of where an organization like this could really helpâ€â€but it’s hard to get traction when we need business-owners on the board and a steering committee and everybody's got a shortage of extra time to give. Any maybe that’s not the best way to help independents succeed, anyhow?
So if my goal’s to help independents grow their businesses through stewardship and creative service, what would help most?
artbomb112
The Heights
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I'm sure more than one of us reading this would take interest in your offer.
I think a few businesses that would help:
1.Someone willing to investigate and advocate property development for small business owners. It is hard to find someone that isn't just there to exploit you when you are starting out. I would like to have something to own. And doing that alone is difficult.
2.A unifying bridge would be nice. I like the idea of developing a group to do this. But sometimes in the development of the of the group.. we lose focus of the individual company's abilities or strong points. But someone to get groups and businesses to work together would be helpful. Standing together works wonders.
3. An accountant for independants. Maybe one person who goes to several smaller local companies to help with the finances. Each company may not be able to pay someone full time to do their accounting... but several small companies binding together may be able to use the services of someone who doesn't want to get bored working with one company. That way we could focus on what we do. I like selling what I do... I hate recording it. And I often could use accounting advice.
Just some thoughts. Good question though.
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Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus. Click here to visit TheMetropreneur.com.
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