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Entrepreneur Lorena Flores loves her hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. So she decided to launch her own small business reselling Mexican-based artisan crafts in order to spread the artistic culture of her native land.Flores is the proud founder and CEO of Flor de Lis, LLC in Fairfax, Virginia. She formally registered the home-based business in October 2014.Flor de Lis resells a variety of artisan crafts, primarily specializing in offering unique Talavera pottery made in Mexico.“I import these items and resell them on Amazon,” Flores explains. “The artisans in Mexico design them near Guadalajara.”The entrepreneur immigrated to the United States about 7 years ago after her father took a job with the government. Her goal is to spread the Mexican culture to others who may be unfamiliar with its beauty.“I wanted to create a Mexican-inspired brand to provide more awareness about the qualities of the arts in my home country because it’s not really presented in the media,” she says.Flor de Lis has a menu full of creative offerings, including traditional pottery pieces, lamps, wall decorations, plates, and figurines.“The products sell themselves and are totally authentic to Mexico,” she explains. “I also offer fair pricing, unlike some of the department stores and other competitors out there.”Gaining an Edge over Other Small Business OwnersThere are countless brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers that offer artisan crafts. However, Flores is confident that her small business has an edge over her competitors because of the quality of the products and where they actually come from.“Other companies have very different price points. There is also a lot more selling by volume versus selling pieces individually. Plus, there are not many authentic sellers in the U.S. So I feel like I don’t have too much competition.”<h2>Marketing Strategies for Startups</h2>To make others aware of Flor de Lis and its online offerings, Flores relies heavily on social media marketing. She uses <a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/flordelisinc">Facebook</a>, <a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/flordelisinc">Twitter</a>, and <a class="link" href="https://instagram.com/flordelis.inc">Instagram</a> to spread the word about her pottery items.Like fellow entrepreneurs, Flores admits she has had to overcome some tough hurdles in her efforts of starting a business and maintaining it over time. She says the process of finding a customs broker was probably the biggest challenge because of the laws on importing goods from another country into the U.S. Fortunately, she has surrounded herself with a support system of individuals and professionals who have helped her achieve startup success.<h2>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h2>She offers some insightful tips for entrepreneurs interested in taking the dive into starting a business for themselves.“Follow your passions. When you have a passion in your life, everything else comes naturally. I also think starting a business should be more about the community and how you can make a difference in your community.”She admits that self-employment requires a good amount of self-discipline. But, in her words, the freedom comes with the ability to be more creative.<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>As a client of 1-800Accountant, Flores says she has been very happy with the small business accounting support she has received from the nationwide firm.“1-800Accountant offers me a great support system in my quest of being a successful small business owner,” she says. “If I have any tax and accounting questions, all I have to do is call or e-mail you guys so I’m not running around like a chicken with its head cut off.”Photo credit: The photograph of the cylindrical vase included in this blog post was provided by Flor de Lis, LLC and is used with permission.

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Using Talavera Pottery to Spread the Artistic Mexican Culture

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Keith Pedescleaux likes to call himself Santa Claus – not because he rides around on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, but because he helps the clients of his small business obtain unclaimed money as if they were getting a free financial gift for the holidays.
Pedescleaux proudly serves as the CEO of Hidden Funds, LLC in Plano, Texas. He officially launched the startup venture in November 2014, and he’s able to conveniently run it right out of his comfortable home office.
Hidden Funds, LLC has a name that literally speaks for itself in terms of its function.
“I specialize in working with people who have money due to them through corporations or the government, but they don’t even know it exists. I help them get this unclaimed money, and then they pay me a certain percentage of it for the legwork involved in the process,” he says.
It was some unanticipated life circumstances that led him to try his hand at startup success by becoming his own boss.
“I worked in Corporate America for 25 years,” he says. “I had some health issues and was no longer able to work, so I looked around and finally found something I could do from home where I could help others.”
The 56-year-old explains what he believes will ultimately make Hidden Funds, LLC a long-term success.
“Obviously you have to build your pipeline of clients and partnerships over time,” he says. “You have to work through common issues and be relentless.”
The money he helps his clients obtain comes from several sources, which include forgotten or unused bank accounts, un-cashed checks, mortgage insurance funds, trust funds, and tax refunds.
Pedescleaux conducts research by examining government records, books, and accounts to find unclaimed funds being held by government agencies. He says the fact that he does not charge a penny unless he finds this unclaimed money for a client makes his service unique.
“I’m helping people,” he says. “Normally when someone calls you, it’s a telemarketer or bill collector. But in this case, people don’t even know the money is there for the taking. I’m kind of acting like I am Santa Claus.”
From his vantage point, there are 3 main competitors he is up against – government agencies, mortgage companies, and homeowner’s associations. The good news for him is that he feels like he’s more personable and accessible than any of these other organizations, especially when it comes to collecting money on his clients’ behalf.
<h2>Advertising Methods for a Small Business</h2>
To inform potential clients about how Hidden Funds, LLC can benefit them financially, Pedescleaux uses several advertising methods for small business owners. He primarily uses direct-mail marketing by sending out postcards that include his phone number.
<h2>Overcoming Hurdles When Starting a Business</h2>
Pedescleaux has not been exempt from some of the common challenges self-employed business owners face when starting a business and having to maintain it over time.
“I’ve learned that each state has different tax laws and rules on doing business in them,” he explains. “I started doing business in South Carolina where it was a little bit easier to reach the end-consumer. There were not as many rules and regulations, either. Now that I am in Texas, there are a few more rules that make things a little more challenging.”
He adds that doing the research and crunching the numbers can be overwhelming. So he likes to run an errand or take a break during the day to freshen up his mind – something he knows he wouldn’t be able to do when tied down to a 9-to-5 job.
<h2>Tips for Entrepreneurs</h2>
Based on his personal adventures, he offers a few important tips for entrepreneurs.
“Talk to as many people as you can. Also, do plenty of research. Go with your heart. You have to follow through and have faith, work hard, and always hope for the best.”
<h2>Experience with 1-800Accountant</h2>
Pedescleaux speaks highly of his experience as a 1-800Accountant client in terms of the small business accounting support he has received from the nationwide firm.
“It feels like more of a business partnership to have 1-800Accountant on my side,” he confides. “I have been very impressed with the responsiveness and professionalism of everyone I have talked to there.”
Image credit: The image included in this blog post is used with permission via the Flickr Creative Commons license.

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Entrepreneur, a.k.a. Santa, Helps Get You Unclaimed Money

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Some entrepreneurs pursue small business ownership because they’d prefer not to interact with people, while others are so people-oriented that they jump at the chance to be more hands-on. Rayleen Pirnie falls into the latter category.After 20 years of helping various industries reduce payments risk, she identified that there were limited educational resources specifically for businesses in her region. Payment processing is a critical part of a business’ infrastructure, so in April 2015, she formally established RP Payments Risk Consulting Services, LLC to focus on education and services to help businesses strengthen their risk management posture.Pirnie is the sole employee of her company, but she does outsource certain tasks to a network of consultants she works with because — although she’s based out of her home office in Camden, Missouri — her company’s reach is nationwide.“In every business, there are payments to consider — whether you’re paying your employees, yourself, your vendors, or taking payments. What I do is offer education and assessments of their processes related to those payments. I help them evaluate risks and make sure they’re following the rules,” Pirnie explains.Pirnie credits the experience she acquired over the last few decades as the not-so-secret to her success. Her wealth of knowledge makes her trustworthy to her clients — so trustworthy, in fact, that she relies heavily on word-of-mouth referrals to rein in new clients. Her passion for her work is obvious to them.“I just want to help businesses and consumers protect themselves so they don’t fall victim to fraud or risk losing money. I get a lot of feedback from clients and consumer groups saying, ‘I didn’t fall for this scam,’ or ‘We caught this before it happened.’ Those affirmations fuel me.”Although Pirnie has some stiff competition in the form of large firms, she more than makes up for what she lacks in size when it comes to giving her clients the more nuanced attention that larger firms can’t offer.“My clients like my one-on-one approach. I’m not a big business. I get very familiar with my clients and their operations. I’ve also been told that I’m an energetic and engaging speaker, and that helps to draw potential clients in and empower them to move forward. I provide continued support beyond the initial engagement,” she says.<h2>Challenges of Small Business Ownership</h2>Just because Pirnie didn’t have to learn the ropes of her industry before formally establishing her entity doesn’t mean she didn’t face her fair share of hurdles to overcome.“I didn’t know what I needed to do to become a formal entity, like what type of entity I was supposed to have and what the state rules are,” she admits.Despite her loyal client base, Pirnie does sometimes feel like a small fish in a big pond.“When an organization is evaluating me to see if they should hire me or not, I know they’re comparing me to corporations. Sometimes I wonder if I lose business based on some people’s comfort with a large business over a small business.”<h2>Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners</h2>For those looking to establish an entity, Pirnie insists passion should be at the root of it, as entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart.“Passion will get you through a lot. It will make the very long days and the odd hours worth it. Find people who can support you, like a family structure or just people externally that you can outsource tasks to. There is a lot involved in owning your own business and a lot of penalties you could face if you don’t do things right,” she elaborates.Hard work has its perks, though. Having a schedule of her own making leaves her with additional time to pursue her hobbies and spend priceless time with her family.“That advantage is one of the reasons I stepped out of the corporate world. If I want to, I can take my grandson to the zoo on a Tuesday.”<h2>Experience as a Client of 1-800Accountant</h2>Rayleen Pirnie of RP Payments Risk Consulting Services, LLC is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.“I travel a lot — at least 50% of my business year — so I can’t worry about different state filings. And it’s not simply the state filings that my accountant takes care of, but it’s knowing my numerous questions are a simple call or e-mail away from resolution and that my taxes are done on time and accurately,” she enthuses.Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by RP Payments Risk Consulting Services, LLC and is used with permission.

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Startup Story: Pioneering the Payment Industry

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Most people would find Jeremy Oneail’s job downright nightmarish, but for Oneail of Goffstown, New Hampshire, it’s a dream come true. In April 2015, Oneail FX Studios, LLC was formally established. The entrepreneur’s business requires him to make realistic masks that are a big hit in the Halloween industry.
“I make monsters! In a nutshell, that’s what I do. I make monster masks and other silicone masks. In addition to being popular during the Halloween season, they’re also used in theatrical and stage productions. Practical jokers seem to like them, too!” he says of Oneail FX Studios.
Like many entrepreneurs, Oneail sought out small business ownership because of the freedom it allows him to not only follow his passion, but make his own rules. He does not have any business partners or employees, and he makes his creations out of his home studio — making time for family more available than it ordinarily would be with a conventional job.
“Real work is yucky! This business is something I just kind of fell into. I’ve always been artistic. I started to make some masks for my friends, and I went and got an art degree. I also started doing movie makeup, which is a lot of fun. When I made silicone masks for some customers, things just really took off,” he explains of the business’ origins.
It is this organic development that he thinks will bring Oneail FX Studios continued success.
“I think that the product itself is what has made me successful so far, but I’m always innovating and moving forward. I try to figure out what people are looking for, and then balance between what other people want and what I want. Usually, these ‘wants’ coincide with my artistic temperament,” he jokes.
According to Oneail, the most enjoyable aspect of small business ownership is that he never feels like he’s working, and the gratifying feeling he gets when a customer purchases a piece of art.
“Whenever I sell a mask, it’s validation from my customer that my piece of art is worth their hard-earned money,” he says.
The customer base of Oneail FX Studio is mostly men in all age ranges. The small business has a website located at&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://www.oneailfxstudios.com/">www.oneailfxstudios.com</a>, as well as pages on&nbsp;<a class-link href="https://www.facebook.com/OneailFx?ref=ts&fref=ts">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class=link href="https://twitter.com/oneailfx">Twitter</a>. Oneail also interacts with customers face-to-face at conventions and trade shows. His creations even made an appearance at San Diego Comic Con in 2015.
<h3>Competition in the Halloween Industry</h3>
Oneail offers a glance of what competition within the Halloween industry looks like.
“When you’re talking about Halloween itself, it’s a multibillion-dollar industry. There actually aren’t too many businesses making masks like this, and what’s great is that we’re all friends. We see each other at trade shows and conventions, and we pass customers to each other if we think the other business is a better fit. There are always going to be people who butt heads, but it makes us look better when we don’t,” he confides.
<h3>Overcoming Challenges as Small Business Owner</h3>
Being that Oneail FX Studios is a newly-established small business, Oneail – a lifelong artist – is still getting adjusted to the title of “business owner.”
“Even though the business just kind of formed finally after laying the foundation for it, I’m still an artist. The biggest challenge is reminding myself, ‘Oh yeah, I have a business!’ It’s not just a cool hobby that I have anymore,” he admits.
<h3>Advice for Entrepreneurs</h3>
Oneail reminds aspiring entrepreneurs that startup success can be achieved in multiple ways.
“You can make a huge leap and dive right in, or you can do what I did and just let it form organically,” he says.
He encourages those who want to turn their craft into a profession to seek what he calls the “terrifying freedom” of small business ownership, and to evaluate strengths and weaknesses and outsource accordingly.
<h3>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Jeremy Oneail of Oneail FX Studios is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“I’ve received help with modifying my business to make sure I’m going in the right direction. It’s a lot less scary knowing I can turn to you guys with questions,” he says.
Photo credit: The photograph of the masks included in this blog post was provided by Oneail FX Studios, LLC and is used with permission.

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Every Day is Halloween for This Small Business Owner

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Four years ago, Antonio Cala and Amanda Zeisset quit their day jobs, bought two bicycles, and took a cycling trip from Southern California all the way to Patagonia, Argentina. Little did they know this unique – and risky – adventure would one day lead them to starting a business in the travel industry. Today the married couple proudly runs The Adventure Junkies, LLC, a startup they formally established in June 2016 that is registered in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The two entrepreneurs are the only employees in the startup venture, but they have hired several freelance writers to contribute to their unique online portal. “Our website is a resource that provides information for thrill seekers and anyone else who is looking for some exciting travel adventures,” Cala explains. “We provide all kinds of content that is free to access, including articles, reviews, ideas on courses and gear for certain adventures, travel guides, and so much more. Our motto is, ‘Dream it. Learn it. Live it.’” So, how does the web-based company make money if its content is free for all users? “We make money through an affiliate program,” Cala says. “We find companies that will provide our readers with gear, courses, and other products or services, and then we’ll get paid when our visitors go to these affiliate companies’ websites. We have links to stores in lots of U.S. states and other countries depending on the type of adventure someone is interested in pursuing. Doing all of this has helped us build an important trust with our readers.” During their lengthy bike trip that led them to startup success today, the two entrepreneurs saved up lots of money from their day jobs that they used to go hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving along their journey. “Friends of ours would ask us our opinion on the best places to visit, so we decided to start a small blog about our travels. When the site was growing pretty quickly, we thought it was time to get serious about this.”
<h3>Enjoyment To Self-Employment</h3>
Cala agrees with most entrepreneurs who cite flexibility as their favorite thing about working for themselves. “I love the freedom to organize my schedule the way I want,” he says. “I can work and live wherever I choose. Plus, I can avoid the stressful commute and have breakfast with my wife every morning.” He adds that working with his wife has been truly rewarding. The two have developed a plan of tasks for each person, which has worked well so that they aren’t stepping on each other’s toes. “I’m in charge of the accounting, legal, and SEO facets of the business. My wife handles more of the content production and working with our writers. We cycled together for 3 years, getting by on $10 per day, camping, and cooking our own meals. So by now, we’re pretty set doing anything together.” When asked about the best spots in the world for adventure traveling, he immediately points to New Zealand as being at the top of his list. “I lived in New Zealand for 4 years, and it is a very unique place in the world,” he says. “Whether you’re into climbing, fishing, sailing, hiking, or anything outdoors, this is the place to go. I also think Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana are big hot spots because of the mountains.”
<h3>Handling Small Business Competition</h3>
Cala, who is originally from Spain, admits he was a bit nervous about diving into the web content space that has become oversaturated in recent years. So, he and Zeisset made it their goal to remain an independent website that users could visit as a one-stop shop for adventure travel information. “We’ve gone from competing to creating the ultimate online resource for travelers. We want to increase our users’ quality of life and make them happy by providing them with everything they need to find joy in experiencing the world.” The company’s website is&nbsp;<a class=link href="http://www.theadventurejunkies.com/">www.theadventurejunkies.com</a>. It also has a presence on&nbsp;Facebook,&nbsp;<a class=link href="https://www.instagram.com/theadventurejunkies/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="#">Twitter</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="#">Pinterest</a>. “We were pretty big on using social media early on in this venture, but we found that the traffic we got was not the quality we wanted. That’s why we have implemented SEO strategies much more, and we’ve found that our target audience tends to come from people searching on Google. We also use e-mail marketing and have created groups on social media so people can share their travel interests and experiences.”
<h3>Challenges To Starting A Business</h3>
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in so many interests when starting a business, Cala admits. “In the beginning, we started doing too much. Once we realized this, we started to focus on one main thing – providing the best quality content to our readers. Now that we’ve mastered that pretty well, we are looking to develop mobile apps and other products.” He offers some advice for entrepreneurs who may be nervous about the risks of self-employment. “First and foremost, invest in yourself,” he urges. “If you grow, your business will grow. Get all of the skills you need, and be sure you can have an intelligent conversation with anyone about any aspect of your business. Also, build a team around you and delegate tasks to free up your time.”
<h3>Experience As A 1-800Accountant Client</h3>
Antonio Cala says that he and his wife have been happy with the small business accounting support they’ve received as clients of 1-800Accountant. “I like the responsiveness whenever I contact 1-800Accountant. You guys are always super-fast and quick with your helpful tax assistance. You’ve also made sure I’m working with the right accountant since my business is a little different.”&nbsp;Photo credit: The photograph of the Choquequirao Trek in the Peruvian Andes was provided by The Adventure Junkies, LLC and is used with permission.

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Riding To Startup Success: How A Bike Trip Led To a Small Business

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Chris Ackerman saw a vital transportation need he thought he could fill. It seemed that most people living on the eastern shore of Maryland rarely made the trip to the western shore, especially to visit the landmarks of Washington, D.C. or Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, or to enjoy the casinos and wineries in the area. Moreover, Chris realized that a lot of people didn’t like driving across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and renting a limo or other transportation was expensive.“All of these places are an hour and a half or better from this area,” says Chris. “A lot of people don’t like to drive across the bridge. So I decided it would be a good thing to see if people would want to take the opportunity to just get on the bus and ride. There was just no one here on the east shore who was doing that.”As a side job, Chris bought a bus in May 2018. It took several months of planning, getting insurance and licensing, and dealing with other hurdles before he could accept passengers. He also registered his business as&nbsp;E. Shore Bus Tours LLC, operating out of Cambridge, Maryland. Finally, in the second half of 2018, Chris started booking tours and boarding passengers.In addition to providing safe, fun, and economical transportation to the places above, E. Shore buses transport happy passengers to sporting events, concerts, plays, outlet malls, and more. Some families use the service to take their kids to Six Flags amusement park. As of now, Chris drives some tours and has a second driver for others.Running a new business has certain challenges, like how to best book passengers for each trip. Another challenge is bookkeeping and tax preparation. “I can organize a trip, but actually handling the paperwork and all the details that come with the business side of this thing, I need some help.” That’s why Chris has teamed up with 1-800Accountant to assist him with organizing his business receipts and paying his taxes.Chris has a clear vision for where he wants to take his business. Once he starts to see a profit, his next goal will be to turn that profit into a second bus. Chris would also like to expand to other cities and start providing an airport shuttle service. Eventually, he’d like to leave behind his day job and make his company the work that takes him all the way through retirement.For now, though, Chris carefully plans each of the E. Shore Bus Tours. “I’m just good at it,” he says.

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Get On the Bus and Ride – Chris Ackerman Fills a Vital Transportation Need on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

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Entrepreneur Robert Rice is not afraid to call himself a geek. That’s because he found a way to share his lifelong hobby of collecting with others through his own small business. The Columbia, South Carolina resident launched Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC in March 2015. He and his family manage the operation right out of their home.
“We are a box subscription service catering to nerds and geeks like myself who love comic books, movies, games, toys, and collectibles,” Rice explains. “The whole premise for this business came about in 2014 when a coworker introduced me to a similar online service. But with that company, you only get one set of items in any box you order. With mine, you can fully customize your box by filling out a questionnaire so that you’ll get everything you actually want in your box.”
Rice’s wife, Noelle, and 11-year-old daughter, Judy, also assist in the startup business. Judy paints the cardboard boxes with special designs for each recipient and helped design the company’s logo.
Customers can purchase one box for $35 and have it shipped right to their doorstep. The service also offers a 3-month subscription in which customers receive new boxes over the course of that timeframe for a lower price per box than only buying a single box.
In addition to sending fun-filled boxes to his customers, Rice has created a large social media community of his fans who all enjoy comics and fantasy characters. They often record themselves opening the boxes and post these videos on YouTube. Or, they’ll simply start discussions about the different items.
“Everyone really converses well with each other and supports each other,” he explains. “I had one guy post on one of our pages that he wanted a box but couldn’t afford it. So, someone stepped up and bought it for him.”
<h2>Enjoyment to Self-Employment</h2>
According to Rice, it’s the customers who truly make his entrepreneurial endeavor exciting.
“I really enjoy the people who are just so nice, cool, and understanding,” he says. “I manage a restaurant as my full-time job, so this business is a wonderful change of pace compared to the challenges of dealing with customers at a restaurant. I love seeing the people open their boxes and just how excited they get. This has taken off far more than I ever imagined it would.”
Rice obtains the items he ships in his boxes through various sources, including antique shops, Toys ‘R’ Us, Wal-Mart, Target, and through a wholesale distributor. As for those interested in collecting these items, he says it’s mostly men and women ages 24 to 48, but many parents buy the boxes for their young children.
<h2>Small Business Marketing Strategies</h2>
To make potential customers aware of Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC, Rice has primarily relied on Internet marketing through&nbsp;a website and social media. He has company pages on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.facebook.com/Big-Ol-Box-Of-Stuff-438015293021329/?fref=ts">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://instagram.com/bigolbox77">Instagram</a>, and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.pinterest.com/rrice1971/">Pinterest</a>. He plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign and attend comic book shows and other relevant events.
<h2>Challenges to Operating a Small Business</h2>
Like fellow entrepreneurs, Rice admits he has had a few tough challenges along the road to startup success and the long-term maintenance of a small business.
“The biggest challenge has been the fact that these boxes are fully customizable. Sometimes it’s hard to find certain items. When I do, some of them can be very expensive since they are collector’s items at this point. It’s also challenging to fit certain items in the boxes.
<h2>Tips for Small Business Owners</h2>
He offers up some handy tips for small business owners.
“One of the big things is that your business doesn’t have to be perfect from the start. If you wait until everything is perfect, it’s never going to happen. So, just be smart about how you approach everything. Put the big things in place first, and don’t get hung up on the little-bitty things because they can wait. Most entrepreneurs have OCD, so you have to be even-tempered about everything. Customers pick up on this as well.”
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
Rice is a client of 1-800Accountant and says he has had a great experience with the national tax and accounting firm.
“Everyone I’ve talked to has been so nice and helpful,” he says.
Photo credit: The photograph included in this blog post was provided by Big Ol’ Box of Stuff, LLC and is used with permission.

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Startup Story: Everything You Want In A Big Ol’ Box of Stuff

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Journalist Carrie Sheffield saw a country divided by its political parties. But instead of being satisfied with the status quo, she decided to do something about it. Carrie teamed up with celebrity Clay Aiken and founded a new digital network called&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://bold.global/">Bold Media Enterprise, Inc.</a>&nbsp;– a true bipartisan news media outlet – in November 2015. Carrie has been a news correspondent for more than a dozen years. After graduating with a journalism degree in 2005, she moved to Washington and wrote for The Hill newspaper, then for&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.politico.com/">Politico</a> when it was just a startup. She next wrote editorial pieces for The Washington Times, before achieving a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. Suffice it to say that Carrie is passionate about politics because it affects everyone’s lives. “I’m driven by a desire to help make the world a more peaceful, unified, and happy place,” says Carrie. “And that’s so much easier said than done.” In starting Bold Media Enterprises, Carrie faced many hurdles. Says Carrie, “Initially, one of the challenges we found was that it was hard to bring in outside capital to a media company because a lot of venture capitalists and financial investors are not interested in media.” But instead of giving up, Carrie transformed the challenge into an opportunity. Rather than trying to attract investors, she pursued sponsors for the business. The sponsorship model allowed Carrie to retain her own vision for the company. To keep costs down but still preserve the company’s financial integrity, Carrie hired 1-800Accountant to handle day-to-day accounting needs. “1-800Accountant has been very responsive to our needs from an accounting standpoint,” says Carrie. The outlook for Bold is bright. Bold airs three shows: Bold Politics, Bold Life, and Bold Business. The company’s focus is on growing the audience and the community for each. The company is also in conversations with a number of exciting partners for distribution and sponsorships. Carrie wants to encourage everyone to be bold. “Live your boldest life possible,” she says.<sp></sp>

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Carrie Sheffield Makes a Bold Business Statement

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Terry Rude of Fairview, Oregon decided one day to build a simple extension for his short-bed pickup truck in order to accommodate bigger loads than an ordinary pickup would allow. After receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from motorcycle enthusiasts and even the folks at Home Depot urging him to patent and market the truck bed extension, Rude knew he had a potentially booming small business on his hands. So he decided to formally establish Rud Truck Accessory, LLC in January 2015.
Rude runs Rud Truck Accessory independently, with the help of a part provider and manufacturer. He has confidence in the product he builds out of his home office. With more and more people buying pickups, there is a huge demand for something like this.
“My product can be made for any truck, so it’s going to be a hit,” he enthuses. “I think following my business plan will be what makes me successful.”
The entire process of coming up with the product, manufacturing it, and learning the administrative aspects of small business ownership has been exciting to Rude. In fact, he’s downright giddy.
“I wanted to be satisfied with the entire process of taking an idea all the way through the proto-typing, the patenting, the trademark, the name, and the website. There are so many things you have to know how to navigate legally and professionally that you can’t help but learn stuff along the way. But I’ve enjoyed that. The product is now such a small part of all of this,” he explains.
In terms of competition, Rude admits he was surprised to discover that a product like this wasn’t already a hot item on the market.
“When you go online and look at different truck accessory shops, there’s a column that lists all of the categories, and there’s nothing having to do with a truck bed extension. These accessory shop owners don’t have confidence in those products. But I’ve been so dang busy that I can’t even keep up with all of the potential business,” Rude elaborates.
Rude is quickly learning that he’d better start keeping up because everywhere he goes, his product turns heads. Now that the legalities of starting up the small business are solidified, he can go full throttle with the marketing aspects of Rud Truck Accessory. In fact, he had to create a website —&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.rudtruckgate.com/">www.rudtruckgate.com</a>&nbsp;— so he would have something to put on the business cards people were asking him to make.
<h2>Challenges of Startup Success</h2>
As with anything that is worth doing, small business ownership has been an exciting challenge for Rude.
“Every single facet has been a challenge. Working full time, raising a family, and doing this on the side has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, but I’ve done it successfully,” he confides.
<h2>Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs</h2>
For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to achieve startup success, Rude offers the following advice.
“Face each challenge as an individual step. Complete each step as it comes, because you can’t move on until you complete it. Just stay where you are until that step is completed. Don’t give up because it will eventually happen. You have to be passionate, or else don’t even go there.”
<h2>Experience as a 1-800Accountant Client</h2>
Terry Rude is a satisfied client of 1-800Accountant.
“As a client of 1-800Accountant, I’m operating within all of the legal guidelines. I’ve always worked for someone else and no one else has paid my taxes, so I never had to worry about that. And I’ve always worked within those parameters and don’t want to stray from that now. I’m looking forward to all of the savings I’m going to get.”
Image credit:&nbsp;<a class="link" href="http://www.rudtruckgate.com/">www.rudtruckgate.com</a>

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Startup Story: A Handy Product for Pickup Truck Drivers

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