LFGSS as a small business

Actually, it's more Büro 9 as a small business.

I need to find a way to obtain a server so that I can finish my degree. It's a chunk of money, and it seems to me that there are advantages in both being VAT registered (you get a rebate) and a small business (better rates).

So I'm probably going to register my own small business for the purpose of helping to support my studies. The business will just sell SharePoint Web Parts most likely, but as it's an opportunity to also get LFGSS out of my personal bank account (so I can avoid having to put it on my personal tax declaration - which risks higher rate tax being paid on all donations) I'm going to put LFGSS down as an asset of the business and use the company books to make it all legit.

This would be good for people we do business with (SJS, who really would've loved it if we were VAT registered) and means that the books are audited and I won't get grey hairs wondering whether it's all legit and above board.

There's a risk that it also creates an entity that could be sued, but actually a limited limited company is a fair better thing to sue than me personally... so I see that as a plus too.

I'm not really sure if this all makes sense, and it doesn't really change anything (LFGSS still won't make money I'm betting), but it does formalise stuff and help me get the server I need for my studies at a rate I couldn't otherwise.

Anyhow, speaking to an accountant at lunchtime about the business in general and will mention the forum as a possible asset of my company.

If anyone has concerns or views please drop me a PM so that I can consider them accordingly.

Also, if anyone actually knows how to make money, that would be good to know too.

The easiest way to make money is simply advertising or charging a subscription fee(which I'm all for to weed out the tits and spammers)

You go on any website nowadays and there's always mass advertising. This site has what, 10,000+ members(?) and that's growing rapidly. I'm sure there'll be loads of international(or not) brands who'll be interested in atleast talking

Why not speak to all the big brands - Adidas, Nike etc. They're all tryin to tap into the 'trendy, fixie skidder' market

Ah, I meant non-LFGSS ways to make money. I'm so anti-advertising that I prefer to keep LFGSS advert free.

SharePoint web parts will be what I focus on.

Ahhh

Also, if anyone actually knows how to make money, that would be good to know too.

Apart from having a eureka moment and coming up with something no one else has thought of and everyone needs then capitalise on what you are good at and take it from there. Some people have something that is useful to others but they don't realise that they could turn it into a business or make money out of it.

If you allowed advertising, you would make a fortune, and i for one wouldnt begrudge you for it

If you allowed advertising, you would make a fortune, and i for one wouldnt begrudge you for it

There's far too much advertising as it is. And you shouldn't encourage me.

By allying with other commercial and non-commercial sites (vélospace, fixedgeargallery, BLB, TokyoFixed etc) you could get a lot of outclicks... yes it's advertising of sorts but it's not so painfully corporate.

Once set up, I've always thought you should get Superprecise, Nuknow and the rest of those graphical fractal types making tshirts, clothing, and screenprints. An LFG store run from one of our many lockups would be very easy and you'd have a lot of volunteers.

But what do I know?

Licence out the LFGSS name.

LFGSS branded tyres, saddles, perfume - all guaranteed £$£.

Lfgss njs?

lfgss njs?

tk max?

tk max crowe?

tk max crowe?

That'd never work.

Sorry Max, that was cruel. Aren't there any jobs at High and Mighty? Or has DJ taken them all?

VB, couldn't you just have advertising for non logged in viewers, or does that still make it advertising?

Maybe V is testing the water and is on a sell out mission?

Licence out the LFGSS name.

LFGSS branded tyres, saddles, perfume - all guaranteed £$£.

This has legs. *lfg*Legs.

Maybe V is testing the water and is on a sell out mission?

hey, well i'm gonna stand up and say i support velocio's stand on advertising. i really hate it!

I would happily pay a subscription to guarantee no ads in my whole life...

Looking at the brand and to realise advertising revenue and to be able to sell off something for £500k I'd be tempted

I'm surprised you haven't made it a Ltd Co already. The only pisser is needing to be audited, which costs money. You could do what a lot of IT contractors do and shut your company and start a new one when the audit time comes around.

Id just sell it to a venture capitalist and move to Barbados

Why not speak to all the big brands - Adidas, Nike etc. They're all tryin to tap into the 'trendy, fixie skidder' market

If there's anything I can do to not get involved with the above-named global superbrands, let me know.

Why not speak to all the big brands - Adidas, Nike etc. They're all tryin to tap into the 'trendy, fixie skidder' market

If there's anything I can do to not get involved with the above-named global superbrands, let me know.

Where do you live I can drop you of a length of rope ;p