Category: Updates

Breaking up or Together Forever?

I (LaMae) have probably advised you on vendors, set-ups or other miscellaneous curiosities.  I’m always happy to chat and advocate for you.

One of the things we talk about most often is how to determine vendors and whether to use a vendor with packaged services or purchase the services individually.  My answer still remains -keep them separate.  But when you consider how to make that decision, think about control, integration, and cost.  I’ll offer some examples that may help.

Credit Card Processing:  As you know, you will need a Merchant Account, a Gateway, Bank Account, and a form/cart/shopping tool.  You have the option to use an integrated service such as Stripe and quickly add your bank account and that can work great.  Or you can put things together on your own, work a bit more upfront and pay less over time.  I have selected our gateway provider and merchant processor separately and then linked them together.  Why?  So if one doesn’t work out, I can quickly find a replacement to connect in and I have not lost a minute.  If I purchase everything together, I feel a bit at the other’s mercy.  If an all-in processor turns out not to work as expected,  you have to start all over.

Domains:   Always own and keep access to your own domain — end of the story.  (I’ve spent hours and hours helping folks untangle domain ownership)

So with these examples in mind, here are my general guidelines

  • Make sure control is key — you should own what is yours and have an understanding of what an exit path may be.
  • How much work is it to change…both from figuring it out and the actual changes needed.
  • Read reviews
  • Ask an expert

And for the cost decision — that will probably become clear when you review the above items.  Technology is becoming more flexible, interchangeable, and cost-effective.

Compare apples to apples and do your homework.

Flushing Town Hall Launches

Congratulations Shawn and the Flushing Town Hall team!  What a pleasure to work with you on your site launch – thank you for putting your trust in the Dream Warrior Group.  Like many of our customers, Flushing Town Hall has proactively dived into virtual presentations and the results have been great.  So their new ARTdynamix™ version manages ‘Virtual’ Locations  and is ready to jump back to in-person or a mix going forward.

Their site contains many of ARTdynamix™ latest features (multi-lingual, accessibility) as well as customer favorites such as widgets, rentals, calendars, press releases, live streaming and deep links.  Ticketing is connected via API to AudienceView  which saves time and minimizes clicks.  You will also see the accessibility menu that must be a best practice for all organizations to serve your patrons as well as avoid potential litigation.

Here is Flushing Town Hall’s amazing mission but I recommend you check out their site to read more:

The mission of Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA) is to present multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens, New York and New York City, New York, in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve as stewards of Flushing Town Hall, restoring, managing and programming the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FCCA celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world, and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657

I Just Started a Company. What Should I Do Now?

At DWG, we support many start-up businesses with their digital marketing and online presence.  Owners often have many financial questions, so when I saw this article from our bookkeeping service, I thought it could help.  Thanks for letting us repost, Maya.  You may want to see SolvencyNow.com

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I always get asked this question, and the answer is – it depends. Let’s say you just started a company, and you are not making any money yet. First things first – do not stress. The IRS cannot take the money you have not earned. So, there is nothing to worry about, and you don’t yet have to go,  “What tax structures should I have? Should I incorporate?”

You do not have to go into that until you start earning money. Once you’re making over $100,000 in revenue and over $50,000 or $60,000 in profit, you need to consider tax structures. Just start making money. If you have something to sell, a product or service, start selling it and bringing in money.

Yes, you should track it. You should get bookkeeping software or an Excel spreadsheet to track the money in and out. You should have a bank account. A personal account will do, but use it only for business in and out. Keep it simple.

You don’t have to go get a DBA. DBA stands for “Doing Business As” and it is a legal term used if a person or company does business under another name than their own. In order to get one, you would fill out a form and send it to the Secretary of State or similar government position in your state. A DBA can be used for opening a bank account. When you need it, a DBA is easy to get; you could sign up through Legal Zoom or similar websites. Or you can ask your Bookkeeper or CPA to file for you. Otherwise, just ask your customers or your clients to write checks made out to you, (even better, have them send money online straight to your bank account.)

You don’t have to do anything more until you are making more money. But, do keep track of money coming in and what you’re spending.

My motto is: “Keep it simple”. Keep it as simple as possible until you’re making over $100,000 in revenue, at which time you will want to look at incorporating as an S Corp. That is usually the best way to go.

At the point where you are hitting the $100,000 revenue range, a good CPA will be your best friend and help you plan your tax structure in the best way to achieve your goals.

After you incorporate, you will want to get a business bank account and to set up payroll, but that comes later.

To recap, if you just started, the first thing is don’t stress the legal structures, tax structures, and IRS. Don’t worry about any of that. Build your business; do what you need to do and make some money.

Sincerely,
Maya Weinreb | Founder & CEO
813-336-1574

How can we help? E-commerce? Virtual Interaction? Questions?

Now is not the time to profit – so please know in advance that our consultations will be free and our pricing will be at sustainable rates for our team.

DWG understands how dramatically your business/life/business-life have changed in the last few weeks and perhaps, minute-by-minute.  Perhaps we can help….24/7.

Do you need online access to your business such as selling products online, updating your clients, hosting your digital messages?  DWG will brainstorm and implement promptly.  We stand ready to be your digital support whether you are a long-time client or someone with a new need.  Let’s talk.

Phone:  818.610.3316
Email:  dreambig@dreamwarrior.com
Top Software Companies in Los Angeles

LaMae and Nami

Corona / COVID 19 Web Thoughts

Clients / Friends / Humans:  First, let me take this moment to wish you health and well-being in every way.

Those of you who are our maintenance clients have already heard from us about how we can help you communicate your message.    Dream Warrior is happy to pitch-in during this chaotic and critical time.

Here are some thoughts and recommendations to consider (and we know most of you have already done this):

  • Put a pop-up or popover on your site so you patrons and customers can readily find information.
  • Designate a new and separate  advisory webpage that you can update and change as information changes.  That should be the place where everyone can go to for current information – which will help your internal team as well as clients.
    • Include the latest updates regarding programs / services
    • Include the best local and national resources for information such as WHO and CDC.
    • Put best personal care practices as a service
    • Let them clearly know what you are doing on a schedule and maintenance basis — we are cleaning in this way or here is our refund/exchange policy.
    • Update them on the best way to reach you — phone lines and emails are very busy…explain that.
  • Then pass this information and page everywhere…
    • Post on social media
    • Create a link on menu
    • Include a link in email footers (of course send an email as well)
    • Consider your PPC or retargeting campaigns – how can you adjsut them to best serve your customers.  Do you need to change your ads letting them know of cancellations?  Can you give the options to work with you during this process – alternatives to refunds?

Please call us if we can help:  818.610.3316 x1

As for us, we are keeping safe and helping the best we can.  I am off to New York this weekend to speak at the Arts Reach conference – I expect there will be plenty of seats on the plane.  I will be careful and keep you updated.

LaMae