Starting a small business

I have a few things I’m trying to wrap my head around here:

I'm looking at launching a small business that covers maritime services, tourism (specifically beach chair rentals), and food service/hospitality;
for context, I actually hold a degree in maritime transportation engineering;

Is it legally possible to run a single small business that encompasses all three of those sectors?

And secondly, if I set up this kind of enterprise, can I eventually transfer the entire business to a new owner and completely scrub my name from the ownership records?

I’m thinking about signing up for an aromatherapy certification course, and once I finish, my goal is to launch my own small business.
I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of what the monthly paperwork and administrative costs look like? Also, regarding the startup costs for equipment—I’d really appreciate it if only those who have already opened an aromatherapy-related business could weigh in on that part.

What’s the landscape like when it comes to getting a business loan for something like this??
Thanks in advance!

Asking about setting up a spa? Honestly, it just depends on what kind of setup you're aiming for—you'll need to run the numbers yourself to see what the actual overhead looks like. Also, look into how aromatherapy is classified under US business regulations—you don't want to find out too late that you need a full corporation instead of just a simple LLC.

Nathan Cox25 said:Asking about setting up a spa? Honestly, it just depends on what kind of setup you're aiming for—you'll need to run the numbers yourself to see what the actual overhead looks like. Also, look into how aromatherapy is classified under US business regulations—you don't want to find out too late that you need a full corporation instead of just a simple LLC.

Yeah, I was thinking about the equipment side of things. Like, a massage table, some tubs, and hopefully enough stock to sell essential oils too... I'm just trying to get a rough idea of the startup costs for all that.
Do you know of any specific websites where I could browse for supplies??
From what I've gathered so far, it should fall under a standard small business license.

If you're going the certified route, find out if they’ll actually honor your previous training for the license—or if you're stuck retaking exams.
As for gear, honestly? You might be better off hunting for used stuff that's still in decent shape—just keep an eye on the marketplaces. I haven't a clue what things cost these days.

I'm a college student—almost done with my degree—and I’m looking into opening a cafe... or rather, a family member wants to open one under my name... I'm wondering if that's even legal and if it would mess with my student status at all. Thanks in advance! 🙂

Jesse Chase32 said:So, here's the deal: I spend my free time flipping stuff online, basically buying low and selling for maybe a 15-35% markup. Honestly, for a college student just trying to get by, things are actually going pretty well right now. Over the last 11 months, I’ve managed to pull in about $2333 in profit. I'm starting to wonder if I should go through the whole headache of registering a business or if I should just keep it on the low. Like, is this even worth turning into a formal thing? I don't really have a website or anything to promote myself, so I'm just kind of flying under the radar at the moment.

Setting up a sole proprietorship for $150 is a decent idea, sure—but there's a catch. That setup won't work because what you're doing is basically wholesale, and for
wholesale operations, you really need to incorporate as an LLC. 🙂 With an LLC, you're looking at roughly $27 $0.00 plus maybe another 20,000.00 in startup costs, and then there's the other $7
—you know, the notary fees, filing with the Secretary of State, stamps, all that bureaucratic nonsense😵. www.photocopy.net:no way, he knows:

Michael Sullivan6 said:Setting up a sole proprietorship for $150 is a decent idea, sure—but there's a catch. That setup won't work because what you're doing is basically wholesale, and for
wholesale operations, you really need to incorporate as an LLC. 🙂 With an LLC, you're looking at roughly $27 $0.00 plus maybe another 20,000.00 in startup costs, and then there's the other $7
—you know, the notary fees, filing with the Secretary of State, stamps, all that bureaucratic nonsense😵. www.photocopy.net:no way, he knows:

Look, an LLC isn't mandatory for wholesale—you can definitely run it as a sole proprietorship. Why wouldn't you?

As far as I can tell, you can run wholesale through a small business too

I’m currently working a full-time job at a firm, but I’ve been nursing this idea to launch my own small business—just focusing on hair removal and waxing to start. Does anyone happen to know if there’s a specific professional certification or state license required to open a business like that? Right now, I just have a basic certificate from a private course...

The thing is, I didn't go to a specialized cosmetology school, so I’m honestly a bit lost on how the regulations work here. I did reach out to the local county office, and they mentioned that since I'm already employed elsewhere, I’d only be looking at a 15% contribution toward health insurance through my own business. Then there’s the quarterly fees for the local Chamber of Commerce, and I really need to sit down and crunch the numbers to make sure the overhead doesn't swallow my profits whole. But back to my main point: can I actually legally open a service business like this if I don't have that formal cosmetology degree?

I've been weighing the pros and cons of starting a sole proprietorship versus setting up an LLC—it's a bit of a toss-up. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on which route actually makes more sense financially, and specifically, who qualifies for small business grants or startup incentives here in the States? 🙂

neonraven19 said:I’m currently working a full-time job at a firm, but I’ve been nursing this idea to launch my own small business—just focusing on hair removal and waxing to start. Does anyone happen to know if there’s a specific professional certification or state license required to open a business like that? Right now, I just have a basic certificate from a private course...

The thing is, I didn't go to a specialized cosmetology school, so I’m honestly a bit lost on how the regulations work here. I did reach out to the local county office, and they mentioned that since I'm already employed elsewhere, I’d only be looking at a 15% contribution toward health insurance through my own business. Then there’s the quarterly fees for the local Chamber of Commerce, and I really need to sit down and crunch the numbers to make sure the overhead doesn't swallow my profits whole. But back to my main point: can I actually legally open a service business like this if I don't have that formal cosmetology degree?

Accountant 🤷
Don't forget to look into the simplified tax filing options.
And from what I know, you should be able to open it. Not every restaurant owner went to culinary school (honestly, most of them didn't 🤣), so they just use their certifications to get started.

Amanda Davis3 said:I've been weighing the pros and cons of starting a sole proprietorship versus setting up an LLC—it's a bit of a toss-up. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on which route actually makes more sense financially, and specifically, who qualifies for small business grants or startup incentives here in the States? 🙂

It probably depends on what kind of business you're running. As for those grants, I guess a sole proprietorship might be easier to manage, especially since setting up an LLC can cost you something like $30,000 in capital. But then again, nothing in this country ever seems to be straightforward...

Startup costs for a small business usually land around $167.
Back in the day, you could snag some grants through the unemployment office—provided you’d been collecting benefits for at least six months. As for other funding sources... I'm not really sure.

Hi,
My husband and I are looking into opening a gift shop, and I wanted to see if my degree in hospitality and tourism management qualifies me to start this kind of business, or if I'll specifically need a retail license instead. 😕
Thanks,

Would you actually get into making souvenirs?
If you're setting up a small business, you'll be the only one running the gift shop—it's your domain. As for whether you can specifically manufacture them, your best bet is checking with the local Chamber of Commerce or City Hall. They'll give you the straight answer.

Either you need to become a trader yourself, or you're going to have to hire one.

Hey there. So, I’ve been doing some prep work lately to get my small business registered—just gathering info and such. I’m a senior textile and apparel designer, so I’m looking to register for design services in general, plus jewelry design and making. I also finished a nail technician course, and I’d love to include that activity too. I couldn't find a specific code for it in the 2007 classification; the closest thing was under hair salon services where "manicures" are listed. Does that actually cover nail extensions/sets?

Since most of these are freelance service businesses, I plan on working from home—except for the nail tech stuff, which I'll do mobile. Basically, I'll travel to clients' houses with all my gear. I read somewhere that once you register, an inspector might show up at your workspace. I'm wondering if that even makes sense in my situation. Jewelry making doesn't need a dedicated studio or anything special; just a desk, some wire, pliers, and beads. And since I'm traveling for the nail work, there isn't really a "site" to inspect for that part.
If an inspector does show up, do I get to schedule an appointment with them, or do they just drop by unannounced? Also, can I handle the registration at any local Finance branch—maybe one in Washington, D.C., or maybe out in Suburban Chicago? I'm really hoping for some clarity here because I've already sent inquiries to the state administration office and through the government portal, but I haven't heard a peep back.

Honestly, just head straight to the local Department of Commerce office. Skip those sites like Hitro.hr—I’ve heard they aren't nearly as reliable as they claim to be.
We knocked out our whole registration process in just a few days, but only because we did a ton of digging beforehand.
You also need to go in and ask about the minimum technical requirements and whether you actually need them. Usually, inspectors just show up unannounced, and it's not just one agency looking over your shoulder. 😁

I've got a question, though I'm not entirely sure which thread this belongs in.
Since I'm just starting out as a small business owner—still finding my footing here—I need some advice on buying a computer through the company.
Obviously, all the software needs to be licensed, but I was wondering if I could just go with Linux since it's free, along with all its programs. Would using that cause any headaches with the IRS or anything?
Thanks to everyone for whatever info you can throw my way.

...I am currently employed, but I own a mobile food truck that I’m hoping to transition into my own full-time business. Since I haven't passed a food safety certification exam and my background is actually in mechanical engineering, I was wondering if it might be possible for me to run this business on my own, or if I would necessarily need to hire someone who holds the required certification? ...I appreciate any insight you all might have! ...Best regards from Santa Barbara!