Life Got More Complicated

Well, I got my home-based business license from the city of Pleasant Grove. Thank you very much to the city employees for getting it to me faster than I expected. But here's my hang-up: I'm going to be moving in about five weeks. (That is, unless life gets even more complicated.) So do I start up the business and commute? That kind of trashes the whole work-from-home scenario I was liking so much.

Another wrench in my plans: Pleasant Grove is now accepting proposals from recycling companies to see if curbside recycling is feasible in the city. This is great news! Curbside recycling is wonderful because the programs can handle so much more than just paper. They are easier for the customer because you don't have to bundle your recyclables--you just toss them in the blue trash can. I hope Pleasant Grove offers curbside recycling soon and I hope lots of people sign up for it. It doesn't even really mess with my business plan very much because Unpaper Route is "a recycling solution for small communities" which I had originally intended to be apartment, condo and townhome communities--places where curbside recycling isn't an option anyway.

Really, I just have to decide if I want to go ahead with this or completely move on--physically and emotionally. I'm not sure what I think. What do you think?

Think You Don't Make a Difference?

You're wrong. The average American generates 4.5 pounds of trash each day. That's a lot of garbage. And do you know how much of the average landfill is taken up by paper products? 40%. So that means that the average American sends 1.8 pounds of paper products to a landfill every day. That's 657 pounds per person every year. 657 pounds of paper products. Those are recyclable, folks. If you live in a town with curb-side recycling--use it! For those of you in Pleasant Grove, Utah, I'll come pick up your paper recyclables weekly for $5 each month. Just email me at chelsea.unpaper@gmail.com and give me your name, street address and email and I'll set you up with a pickup day.

657 pounds per person per year. Let do something about that.

If you think I'm making up those numbers, I'm not. The statistics are courtesy of The Green Gardener's Guide by Joe Lamp'l.

That Much Closer

Yesterday I turned in my home-based business license application. It will take one to two weeks for all the departments in Pleasant Grove City to sign off on it. Here's to hoping everything checks out!

It's actually a good thing I have a little more time before I can legally operate because I haven't designed any advertising yet. Somehow the all-important attracting customers bit slipped my mind. Oops. I've got a real mental block about advertising . . . does anyone have any suggestions? If I like your idea I'll give you credit and link to your blog.

So far it has cost me . . . around $150 to set everything up. The fees aren't unreasonable, but I have paid in enough that I'd follow through on the business no matter what. Fortunately for me, I'm still enamored with my idea. And the more people I talk to, the more positive feedback I get. It's possible everyone is just humoring me, but I'm really excited. I think this is going to work. Yay!

Progress!

Wow, it's been a great couple of days for me.

First of all, I met with an accountant, Ron Vigoren. I happily recommend him. He was able to answer my questions, give me information I didn't know I needed to ask about and make me feel like I could actually pull this off. It was a very empowering meeting. In case you're interested, his contact number is 801-377-2177.

Then I received written permission from my landlord to have a home-based business. Thank you! The reason it took so long to get a response was because it turns out that the HOA here has pretty specific rules about what types of businesses you can and cannot have. I appreciate her due diligence.

Next I went to the bank to set up by business checking account. Thank you, Bank of American Fork. Getting the account was easy, and I was able to get an account that meets my needs. (I was specifically concerned about a high minimum balance and fees. I love my bank.) As if great service wasn't enough, the Pleasant Grove branch has a large tub of toddler toys in the lobby. My kids happily played while I took care of business. Oh, and my daughter was thrilled about the candy selection, too.

On my list for the weekend is to buy more printer ink. My home-based business application requires a few photos and I'm all out of magenta ink.

Untapped Resources

As loyal readers know, I've been researching how to set up the taxes for this business venture. Really, all I can find is "don't mess with the IRS" and "consult a competent tax professional". Sigh. How do you select a competent tax professional? And is it horribly expensive? I was mulling over these questions as I attended the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce's Smoot Awards. It just so happens that a CPA won the Outstanding Business-Education Partnership award. "Huh," I thought "I wonder if he could explain taxes in an understandable way?" So I asked him. I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. I'm excited to figure this stuff out, proud of myself for even trying, and a little nervous about getting my thoughts organized so that I don't waste his (or my) time.

Now if I could just get my landlord's permission for that home-based business license . . . .