Hello from South Jersey (U.S.)

dlp1967 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

Hello,

I haven’t started my business yet. I’ve been laid off for almost a year now and have been searching for the right job for me. I’m so excited to have found this industry, it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for for years, but wasn’t finding it.

Anyway, I’ve been stalking the forum for a few days now and love all of the info out here. I’ve also looked over several of the members’ websites and that has helped me tremendously understand that there is actually a market for what I want to do.

I have several different skill sets, being in the marketing coordinator / marketing administrator role for about 15 years. I have a B.S. degree with a marketing specialization - although now that I’ve grown up a little, I’ve realized that there are some things in the Marketing field that I really like and some things that I don’t.

I’m really excited to get started, but at the same time, I’m overwhelmed.

I have so many questions and not sure who to ask them to so hopefully I can use this thread to get started and am not wearing out my welcome….lol.

If anyone can point me in the direction of where I can get info on any of the following that would be great.

Is there a group of VA’s who pools together to get discounts on health and other employee benefits?

Do I need to get more tech savvy and understand about having a back up system for my software?

What do I need in place to get started? Business Insurance? Business license? Sales tax and withholding tax (I’m very accounting illiterate) set up?

I know I’ll need basic office equipment - landline, fax, scanner, printer, computer, and basic office supplies.

How can I go about finding a mentor - or finding out if that would be a good place to start for me?

I’m currently on unemployment, but I know there’s a certain amount I can earn and still be eligible. So how would I go about finding someone who needs me to help them with subcontracting - would that be a good start for me?

I know I have a lot of questions here, and like I said, I hope I’m not wearing out my welcome, but I feel very passionate about doing this.

Thank you everyone.

Donna