About Your Business (include URL)
Website: www.brandnewconcept.com
Twitter: @brandnewconcept
Brand New Concept Marketing is a full-service marketing and advertising firm, specializing in brand identity, collateral design, and online marketing services.
When did you start your business?
I originally started the business as freelance graphic design about 12 years ago. But I've updated the business model and rebranded it in the last two months.
Your Business Structure
I have always functioned as a sole proprietorship, but I am going to change to an S-corp to protect my personal assets. As I attempt to grow the business from what one person can handle, I will take on contractors to fulfill work on an as-needed basis.
With this growth (and because I am now married with a family, house, etc.), I need to change the business structure as a precaution against potential liabilities.
Your Start-Up Story - Why You Started Your Business
I started my business to expand my design portfolio by taking on projects of friends and family and only worked on a few projects every year without doing any real promotion.
I lost my job in November of last year, and after a few months of searching for new work, realized that there are very few open positions in my industry and at my level.
Because my knowledge has grown far beyond simple graphic design and expanded into developing full marketing plans and advertising campaigns, I decided to forge ahead into making my part-time work into my new full-time career.
I'm looking forward to the flexibility working for myself full-time at home will provide. With two pre-school aged children, it is difficult to juggle sick days, doctor visits, daycare field trips and other miscellaneous tasks around a corporate job schedule.
Advice
- Time management and motivation are keys to being self-employed. It is tempting to work in pajamas or with the TV on as background noise. Don't!
- Get dressed as if you are going to work outside of your home. That way if you leave the house on a quick errand (to get lunch, run to the store for print cartridges, or just take a walk to clear your head and brainstorm), you are dressed professionally in case you bump into a potential business contact.
- Always carry your business cards. If you are a one-person business, you need to always be "on" to make a good impression and promote yourself and the business.
- Network!
