starting a design studio
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- snizl
Anybody have any advice for starting a business? I have been talking to some friends and we have decided to take the plunge and start our own design studio. Any help is appreciated.
- Soler0
Write a business plan. Strategize marketing and advertising.
- rise0
friends become enemies in a business/partnership, unless its clear up front what everyones role and side is.
thats just the game...
- nooner0
first thing you need is steady work from paying clients. i would def make a buiz strategy and plan what everyone's roll will be and what percentage of the profit they will get. i think it's always best to start our very small. 2 or 3 max. then make sure that works before inviting more mouths to feed.
- snizl0
I'm starting it with 2 friends of mine. We are going to draw up a business plan in the next couple weeks. The goal is to open up shop next summer.
- MLP0
biz plan, accountant, steady work (talk to all your friends from high school who's bands are finally making it), coffee
- tkmeister0
strategy, biz plan, agreement signed...enough capital to survive for a while without any projects.
i don't even talked to my ex biz partner anymore. that's how bad it ended.
- snizl0
We were thinking we would need anough capitol to cover our expenses for a year including our salaries.
tkmeister: any particular reason it didn't work out?
- ********0
strategy, biz plan, agreement signed, capital...enough alcohol to survive for a while without any projects.
- snizl0
Almost forgot the alcohol.
- tkmeister0
he was lazy in my opinion. didn't do shit and leeching on my skill set.
it would have worked better if we set very specific role for the studio or signed biz plan. i suggested it but he didn't wanna.
so now i have to deal with the mess.
- snizl0
That really sux. Sorry to hear that.
My friends and I fortunately all have complimentary skill sets. And we are all very motivated.
- tkmeister0
yeah, that works. as long as you are all skilled at something.
my partner was a professor at school for a while. so he was always using his students to get shit done.
i realized there was a reason why he was teaching. he was one of those "those who can't do, teach"
also, make sure to have a long long term goal. have a big dream plan. you may get there one day.
- snizl0
Thanks for the advice, its much appreciated.
- nosaj0
Find a partner who majored/ has experience in business. Produce good work and have him sell it. Go into business with people who compliment your skills.
- tkmeister0
nosaj makes a good point.
having someone business minded will always help the studio to grow.
leave the business/marketing to your biz partner so you can focus on design.
- davey_g0
Get a few cases of ramen noodles, for the "tough" times...because it's not always fun and games out there.
Write contracts for everything and be aggressive when it comes times to collect...even if it means hiring a local heavy to go door-to-door with a bat.
- snizl0
I'll keep that in mind.
- ********0
low overhead
- BrigadeDesigns0
Along the contract front:
Budget to hire a lawyer.
You should have some sort of legal help as far as contracts and intellectual property are concerned-- it's easy to get screwed unless you have someone in your corner sweating the details.
- snizl0
Hiring a lawyer is definitely a good idea.