As a jewelry design and gem faceting company for 10+ years, Tom Mitchell and I have learned a few things and wanted to share these tips with those who want to sell, but don’t want to have a brick and mortar location or don’t have the time to spend at a retail location 24/7. Vendor booth selling is an alternative that retailers round the world use to sell their wares. Of course it does involve preparing ahead by signing contracts, sending deposits and planning lodging if you are far from home. Packing, unpacking and storage of merchandise and display essentials need to be anticipated. Are you up for this?
Essentials/Options for A Business
More often lately, show venues require that you validate your business by presenting a Tax ID certificate, which requires that you collect sales taxes, and report your collections to the state of your residence. As of this writing, collecting taxes on customer purchases generated online is required for sales within your state.
We have also applied for a “Ficticious Name Registration” in the state of Florida, another possible requirement in your state of residience. Here is the link in Florida: https://www.floridaregistrations.org/dba-forms.html. Florida has a new business start-up Guide at this link: http://floridarevenue.com/dor/business/newbusiness startup.html The annual resale tax certificate link is: http://floridarevenue.com/taxes/taxesfees/Pages/annualresale certificate sut.aspx
Website Options: Domain name (registered) www.godaddycom is only one choice, but they do have other services, so shop around. Websites are available to be creative from many resources. Review your options by watching some YouTube videos on this subject. Keep in mind that you will have to do the creating, editing and updating, unless you hire a developer to do this as a one-time fee. But then you aren’t able to update the website, as you may want to. An online storefront, as we have here is an additional area of challenge, depending on how involved you wish to go. Facebook and Instagram are now offering live video selling options that may be a way to deal with overstocks and dated merchandise. instagram.com/instgramlive/ A business page on Facebook and Instagram can also enlarge your social media footprint.
Accounting software: Yes, well, it can get complicated to learn this area, if you are not an accountant, but some websites have apps that provide support in this area, and some softwares are friendlier than others. We use Sage and I’m learning nuances each day.
Business cards: Check out this expense at your local UPS store. Not only can they help design these, but the glossy finishes available currently are classy. Vistaprint.com and Avery.com can also provide this resource. You can save your design, update and reorder too. vistaprint.com/category/business-cards.aspx
Accepting multiple forms of payment makes it easiest for your customers, so having a bridge service to process your customer purchases is recommended. This is an Internet connected service to verify credit cards, take cash or check payments, gift cards, determine sales tax charges, all in a few moments. We recommend www.squareup.com that we have used proudly for 12+ years. They have a very friendly transaction system that we love. We get positive customer feedback and they only charge when a transaction is made, no monthly fee. Your money is deposited in your bank account in a timely manner too.
Inexpensive cash boxes are available at Walmart, but be sure to have small change, and small bills for those cash sales.
Keep a small pocket calendar in your car/truck glove box to record your mileage for a business expense. Each year this figure changes, but, just Google the current one: business mileage expense.
Tomoka Gem and Mineral Society Show, Volusia County Fairgrounds, Florida, four show tables, plus one “back table” not shown.