• One is to borrow money or find venture capitalists to fund your startup (difficult and has an element of risk);
  
  
• The other is to build it gradually, find a few jobs on the side & let word get around about your services.

Personally (being of a more conservative nature), I could only recommend the latter approach unless you've been in business before and really know what you're doing. And it's a lot less stressful knowing that you're making extra money rather than paying off a huge debt!

Let me share with you how I got started with my first audio/video business: I had been working full-time for an A/V company & couldn't do anything on the side (conflict of interest);  so...

... I found subcontract work which had the effect of making me immediately self-employed. This had the advantage of giving me greater control of my time - I could take on as much work as I wanted & devote whatever time was needed to building my business. If you have the courage to do this, you can gain a lot of experience in related areas (cabling, security, satellite, etc.).

Well, it took a few years, but finally I was in business full-time for myself! The good thing about it was that I never had to borrow a penny.

If this is something that interests you, let me give you a few tips:

First, get in touch with some people who can advise you. Contact the local chapter of SCORE (that's "Service Corps of Retired Executives"). These are people who know the in's and out's of small business, and who freely volunteer their time to consult with people like you and me. You'd be wise to make use of their services.

Second, consider becoming a reseller of the goods that you install. It's a simple matter of buying a vendor's license from the county where you do business ($25.00 where I live). You're then obligated to collect and account for sales taxes.  But you might as well make money on product as well as services!

Third, don't get carried away buying into a lot of overhead right away. I've worked out of my home, and I've had a showroom business, done the incorporation thing, had partners, employees, etc.    Let me tell you, KEEP IT SIMPLE for as long as you can. When the day comes that you MUST add overhead, you'll know (by the way, not everyone will agree with me about this - but I just like to keep life stress-free).

If you care to give me some feedback on this subject, I'll know whether to devote more attention to it in the future.

(there are actually ways of AUTOMATING your business, too!)

IF YOU NEED helpful advice on how to automate your home from start to finish, check out http://www.integratorpro.com/ for my helpful e-book, "Integrating the Smart Home and its Owner."   It's packed with step-by-step instructions and specific product recommendations.

Over the years I've found these to be some of the most cost-effective quality alternatives to the high priced systems sold through custom installation companies.



If you have any suggestions or comments, please enter them below.

...or send an e-mail to mailto:comments@integratorpro.comwith your thoughts.

Thanks again,

Andy Jackson,
Integratorpro.com