LAW OFFICES of
    William Gaines Ellyson
    a professional corporation

    The Virginia Building / Suite 401
    One North Fifth Street / Richmond, Virginia 23219
    Telephone: 804.780.0880    Fax: 804.419.4401
    WGE@EllysonLaw.com / Make an appointment


    Small business lawyer specializing in advice to very small businesses
    in the Richmond, Virginia, area for more than 30 years.




Free Advice

Free advice is really quite plentiful in the small business community. The problem is knowing whether it's good or bad advice for you. Gather up the free advice from your sources, and then go back home and sort through the ideas, keeping only those ideas which seem to make sense to you. Get a second opinion if you have doubts.

Advice that works for one person may not work for another. Don't let anyone tell you what to do, they are not you. If someone thinks they have the answer for you, they're standing in your way. Your way is different from everybody else's way and your small business has to reflect this difference in order to distinguish itself, to stand out from the herd. The most effective advice someone could give you is what they would do if they were you and this is different from telling you what to do. You are the boss of you.

The people and companies below have indicated a willingness to give free advice on certain subjects. Good and bad advice. None of them receives any compensation from this law firm and the law firm receives no compensation from them for putting them into this list, but all of them have agreed to advise you without charge. If you ask them to do something for you, they may charge you, but they should alert you to this ahead of time.

Starting a Very Small Business - The Four Steps

First, gather general information.

Second, choose your business structure and register it for taxes.

Third, organize your business and your business systems.

Fourth, concentrate on marketing and sales.


 STEP ONE: Gather Information from Advisors, Teachers and Books

When you start to think about starting a new business for the first time, there are resources in the community that can give you basic free advice about how to do this.

These resources include two excellent classroom programs that are available for the budding entrepreneur (I teach at both of them). In addition, there are other people and organizations that can help you with specific questions.

First, pick up some general information about the needs of your very small business.

My favorite sources for this are:
  • The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) gives a class on "Starting Your Small Business" on the third Thursday of each month from 11:30am until 1:30pm at the offices of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce - 2nd and Franklin Streets 1n Richmond - contact Jackie Carter an (804) 783.9314 or jackie.carter@grcc.com.

    In this class we talk about business structures and registration as well as tax savings and marketing...and how not to start a very small business.

    The SBDC also does general counseling - how to do a business plan, how to get loans...a very useful place. Sally Feltner is a favorite counselor at (804) 783-9369 or sally.feltner@grcc.com.

    The SBDC has become a part of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce which, in itself is a useful source of information and contacts. Take a look at GRCC.com for their offerings.


  • The Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce also provides the following services: Demographic Reports, Market Analysis, Custom Maps, Targeted Business Leads, Customer Prospecting, Site Selection Analysis, Geocoding Customer Data.


  • Another excellent class to attend is the SCORE Workshop which is an all day workshop held once or twice each month, covering the separate elements of a small business: insurance, accounting, law, marketing, etc. Contact Hal Tyler at (804) 282-0194 or haltyler@comcast.net.


  • The Retail Merchants Association can give you in-depth advice and information about retail locations, demographics and pitfalls. Contact Bill Baxter, President, 5101 Monument Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 662-5500. Baxter@retailmerchants.com.


  • Steve Barnett, www.shopbarnetts.com, 1306 D/Gaskins Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229,(804) 740-9773. Steve can advise about actual retail operations, one of the trickiest of all small business activities. Steve@shopbarnetts.com.


  • Jolor Enterprises, Inc. Richard Arthur, 600 N. Shepherd Street, (804) 399-0825. Cafediemrich@aol.com. Richard can help you with another tricky small business activity - restaurants.

STEP TWO: Choose your business Structure and Register for taxes

After you have decided to get the business started, I suggest that you choose a lawyer who will help explain things to you and help you structure your business correctly in order to limit your personal liability and save taxes.

The very first thing to do in this stage is to form your company and get your new Federal ID number. Everything flows from this - business license, registration, taxes, and liabilities - so this comes first, and I hope you will call or e-mail Pat Hood and make an appointment for yourself with me at this point for some free advice and a consultation (804) 387-4188 or Pat@ellysonlaw.com.

If you have not already done so, please take a look at my business philosophies and fee policies.

The next thing at this stage is to interview an accountant to help you set up your books and recordkeeping. There are many new things (such as business deductions) to keep track of, and this will be confusing to you if there is not a place to put your expense receipts and disbursements before you start to sell.

All accountants and lawyers are not alike. Here is a list of some of the accountants that specialize in very small businesses, recommended by my clients.., as well as some lawyers who are in different practice areas than we are. All of those listed have agreed to give free basic advice to our clients.

Accountants: Other Lawyers: - selected fields: Next, Register your business locally:

By now, with the help of your professionals, you have registered with the Federal Government for Federal tax purposes. Whether you need to register with the State or locality depends on what business you are in, but you more often will have to have a business license from your locality.

Most localities require you to pay a business license tax yearly - usually $30 if you estimate your gross income to be less than $100,000 for the calendar year. Here are links to most local Counties and Cities business license forms:

City of Richmond
County of Henrico
County of Chesterfield
County of Hanover
County of Goochland
County of Charles City
County of New Kent
County of Fairfax

STEP THREE: Organization

How your business operates depends on how well it is organized. In my view, organization comes first, before sales.

Organize your check book:

Keeping good financial records is simple, especially with computers, but it is absolutely essential to your operation and your mental health.

If you do not organize your checkbook first, you will quickly have a pile of paper receipts, and a limited recollection of what they are and where they came from - which is why I put this type of organization before the other elements of order and operations.

  • Burdette Resources, Inc.
    Susan Burdette, 7108 Lakeshore Drive, Quinton,Virginia 23141, (804) 932-9416 swburdette@cox.net. Skilled in setting up computer software such as Quicken, Quickbooks, Money, and the like.


  • NET 30, Inc, www.net30.net
    Martha Goodman, martha@net30.net, 8014 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23228, 804-716-9070, 804-716-9075 (fax), office hours 8 am - 5 pm.

Theoretically, according to this business model, you now have your business and tax structure in place, you have registered your business with the proper governmental authorities, and you have a place to put your income and expenses, so that you will know where you are financially.

Now is the time to complete your organization so that you can concentrate on the business of your business.

Think about this: there are businesses whose business is to help you organize. These businesses can generally be separated into two types: Those that help you organize your space, and those that help you organize yourself.

Organize your space:
  • Space Matters LLC, www.spacemattersonline.com
    Katherine Lawrence, PO Box 7222, Richmond, Virginia 23221, (804) 677-2879; Katherine@spacemattersonline.com. Specializes in organizing and eliminating paper… a paperless office is everyone's dream, but if there is paper, there ought to be one and only one place to put it, so that you can find again.


  • S.R. Fearrington, LLC, www.Fearrington.net
    Stefanie Fearrington, 4427 Cutshaw Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23230, (804) 359-4133; Stefanie@Fearrington.net. Specializes in the design of your space for efficiency and beauty.
Organize yourself:
  • J. Dillard Group LLC
    John D.Watt, 9416 Paigefield Court, Richmond, Virginia 23229, (804) 741-6771; john.watt@verizon.net. Specializes in management coaching - how to manage yourself and your business.


  • One Source Solutions, Inc., www.myonesource.net
    Roger Rhoades,10020 Rinker Drive, Mechanicsville, Virginia 23116, (804) 519-6640; roger@myonesource.net. Specializes in cost cutting and efficiencies for your business.


  • O.K. Foundry Company, Inc.
    James O.Neil 1410 Markan Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, (804) 310-3090; Jnoneiliv1@yahoo.com. Lots of management experience, especially knowledgeable in systems - what computer and other office systems might be best for your business.


  • Gary Palmer, www.vabusinessadvisors.com, 4530-108 Valley Crest Drive, Midlothian, Virginia 23112-2694 Phone: 804-744-6003, Fax: 804-744-6650; garypalmer@vabusinessadvisors.com.
Organize your Information (or your "IT" ... your information technology)
  • Carick Technologies LLC
    Sean Francis, 603 W. 33rd Street, Richmond, VA 23235, (804) 264-4690; sfrancis@CarickTech.com . Organizes data - meaning customizes the data retrieval and storage for the particular businesses needs.


  • SystemWorks, http://www.systemworksva.com
    Debra Silbert, Richmond, Virginia; deb.silbert@verizon.net, (804) 543-6013. Specializes in automating the mundane tasks of small businesses.


  • Shawn Stern Computer Services Inc., www.shawnsterncomputer.com
    Shawn Stern, 1636 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA 23220, (804) 358-7889; sgstern@shawnsterncomputer.com. Specializes in computer systems, servers and backup systems for small businesses.


  • Wettstone Enterprises LLC (Mr. Tech Support), www.mrtechsupport.com
    Patrick Wettstone, 1516 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23230, (804) 673-1240; pwettstone@mrtechsupport.com. Specializes in keeping the very small business computer up and running, free from viruses.
Organize your telephones and communications systems
  • Central Virginia Datacom LLC
    David Peterson, www.cv-data.com, 8351 Brook Road, Richmond, Virginia 23227, (804) 565-2405; dpeterson@cv-data.com, Cutting edge phone systems and fire walls.


  • Take-A-Byte LLC, www.take-a-byte.com
    Danielle Luck, 8711 Beaties Mill Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111, (804) 779-2368, dluck@take-a-byte.com. Specializes in saving money on long distance and phone charges for small businesses.


  • Technology Craft Services, Inc.
    Bruce Turner, 4900 Sanburne Parkway, Sandston, Virginia 23150, (804) 226-6904; bturner100@msn.com. Specializes in telephone networks for small businesses.


  • Syrinx Technologies LLC, www.syrinxtech.com
    Bryan Miller, bryan@syrinxtech.com, 7109 Staples Mill Road, #281, Richmond, VA 23228, (804) 539-9154.
    Specializes in Computer/Network Security.
Organize your mailings: Organize your web site:
  • Sites2BeSeen.com, www.Sites2BeSeen.com
    Beth Barnett, 13315 Herringbone Place, Richmond, VA 23233, (804) 360-9335, Beth@Sites2BeSeen.com. Specializes in custom web site design and development, e-commerce sites, web site maintenance, search engine placement and email marketing. Beth has designed and maintains my website, www.ellysonlaw.com.


  • Top Dead Center Design, LLC, topdeadcenterdesign.com
    Phil Hertzler,1320-A North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230, (804) 380-7962. Very high level designer of web sites and web logs.


  • Wendrick Business Services & Design, Inc., www.wendrickinc.com
    Marcie Wendrick, 6007 Pleasant Pond Place, Chesterfield, Virginia 23832, (804) 271-6484; marcie@wendrickinc.com. Very knowledgeable about Photoshop, Pagemaker, Adobe...computers (PCs) in general. Web design, graphic design, brochure and business card needs.

Banking, Financial Planning & Business Valuation:

It is important to establish a relationship with a banker or financial advisor when you are starting a small business. Relationships are currency in difficult times, but they must be established when times are hopeful - at the beginning.

Business Brokers:

Most of us need help both in finding an existing business to buy and selling our businesses when the time is right. That is what business brokers do.

  • Xana Group, http://www.xanagroup.com
    Andy Klemm, 804 422-9262 (office), 804 402-2700 (mobile), 804 422-6131 (fax), 4470 Cox Road, Suite 101, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060, a.klemm@xanagroup.com. Specializes in helping people buy and sell small businesses.


Real Estate:

More that a first or second home, real estate has become a mainstay investment vehicle...but it may not be easily sold and it requires a commitment to upkeep that is not found in stocks and bonds… However, real estate can be a very profitable small business, too.

  • Aztech Construction LLC
    James Miller, 11104 E. Langham Court, Richmond, Virginia 23233, (804) 360-8800; J.R.Miller@comcast.net.


  • Bluestar Electric, Inc.
    Charles Hubbard, 3461 Scottview Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23225, (804) 560-3088; chubbard@sprynet.com. Master electrician… can wire electrical, cable, DSL.


  • Clear Water Drilling, Inc.
    Amanda Cash, PO Box 65,,Bumpass, Virginia 23024, (540) 872-0304; clearwaterdrilling@nexet.net. Digging wells with top equipment.


  • John Richmond Landscaping, Inc.
    Ike Carter, PO Box 17941, Richmond, Virginia 23226, (804) 257-9595 cbustercarter@msn.com. Can do large jobs or small… has the equipment and the manpower.


  • Robert W. Ellyson, Inc.
    Robert Ellyson, 1723 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223, (804) 644-2419; robbyee@yahoo.com. Specializes as an agent in commercial real estate.


  • Shearman Associates. PLC
    Michael Shearman, 17531 Mabrey Mill Dr. Midlothian, VA 23113, (804) 647-0249; michaelshearman@yahoo.com. Specialty is design-build architecture… meaning the company is both an architectural firm and a builder.
Insurance:
  • GFH Insurance Agency, Inc., www.GFHInsurance.com
    Gerald Hemphill, 5500 Monument Ave. Ste A, Richmond, Va. 23226, 804-740-5711, 804-740-8180 fax, ghemphill@GFHInsurance.com. Specializes in property and casualty insurance, very knowledgeable and helpful.


  • The Insurance Lady Agency, Inc.
    Cindi Marcellus, 1700 Tigers Road, Manakin-Sabot, Virginia 23103, (804) 784-7162; theinslady@mindspring.com. Specializes in health insurance also helpful, knowledgeable and funny.

STEP FOUR: Marketing and Sales

You are organized now; with places to put things and lots of ideas… now is the time to consolidate those ideas into a marketing and sales plan.

Most of us "learn by doing" in the very small business, but marketing and sales take time (and talent) and you will want to put your best foot forward in the beginning.

My advice is to get some help in the beginning - from one or more of the experts in this area. You should make more in time and money from this sort of advice than it costs you.

Everyone needs advice in this area - you only know what you know no matter what you know - and there is always a fresh way to look at sales and marketing.

  • Dancing Elephants Achievement Group, Inc., www.dancingelephants.net
    Laura Posey and Will Turner's business , 2100B Maywill Street, Richmond, VA 23230, (804) 254-4122; laura@dancingelephants.net Specializes in sales training only… classes on sales that can turn an introverted engineer into a sales "magnet." Their book on types salespeople, Six Secrets of Sales Magnets, is a must read, as well.


  • EAB, Inc., www.eabresearch.com
    Erin Armstrong, 5109 Devonshire Road, Richmond, Virginia 23225, (804) 232-3766; erin@eabresearch.com. Specializes on qualitative market research….what and where and how much market is there for your small business.


  • Echelon LLC, www.echelon-events.com
    Tracey Reed Laverty, 3122 West Clay Street: Suite 201, Richmond, Virginioa 23219, (804) 864-9555, tracey@echelon-events.com. Manages facilities and big events.


  • Scudder LLC
    Robert W. Scudder, 2420 Devenwood Road, Richmond, Virginia 23235, (804) 320-6670, scudderbob@comcast.net. Does video production and PowerPoint custom presentations for small businesses.


  • The Success Strategy Group
    Pat Hood, 4712 Burtfield Court, Richmond, Virginia 23231, (804) 222-5608; ssgmarketing1@aol.com. Pat Hood specializes in Customer Service and she has all of the patience in the world.


  • Terra Firma Marketing, Inc.
    Matthew Potts, 1810 Fox Downes Lane, Oilville, Virginia 23139, (804) 833-9150; mattpotts@peoplepc.com. Specializes in branding - helping your business establish its "brand" - the identifying element that makes your business singular.


  • Touch Points Public Relations LLC, www.touchpointspr.com
    Jennifer Scott, 11438 Doswell Road, Doswell, Virginia 23047, (804) 227-9445; jennifer@touchpointspr.com. Specializes in helping small businesses to successfully bring their goods to market. Good teacher.


  • Y Not Now LLC, www.ynotnow.net
    Tena Krouse, 804-402-1497; tena@ynotnow.net. Does sophisticated strategic marketing for medium to large businesses.


Make an appointment with Billy Ellyson, or call 804-780-0880 x2
Copyright © 2008 William Gaines Ellyson. Site by http://www.Sites2BeSeen.com