Starting and running a small business. Ideas?

I was hired as a Graphic Designer & Webmaster by a private individual. My task was to give his business an online presence. We've since cofounded an Advertisement Agency in the Heavy Machinery/Automobile/Construction/Scrap Metal industry in loose Association with Truck Trader Magazine. We toss consignments back and forth from time to time. We're Southern California for now but we'll be setting up shop in Texas and Florida in the next year, year and a half. I plan to cash out with my million or three by that point. I'll only stick with this project longer if I can stay local and manage the SoCal Branch. I plan to retire by 24 and it's looking good.

Before this, I tried starting a company with a PC Repair Shoppe owner. That turned to ash because he lacked capital. Furthermore, he had a Felony case still in motion and couldn't apply for a Business Loan or Grant. I couldn't help him with the financial aspect because I have Student Loans up the arse and as if I could apply, I wouldn't risk my credit over a joint venture with someone I couldn't trust.

I'm going to launch a Design Studio in the near future and get back into my illustration. I scratched the surface of professional illustration in '03 as a Storyboard Artist for an Independent Film Director but I had to move on because it didn't pay. It only supplied me with equipment, which didn't make ends meet. Image Comics has a Creator Owned partnership with it's Talents so they're my prime target in '09.

This all kind of happened by accident. I just roamed around aimlessly and stumbled into my position. It wasn't glamorous by any means at any point until just recently. I have homelessness under my belt. Dreadlocks and all.

Partnerships are the way to go, I think. I don't do anything alone. The climb is half as high and the fall is half as long, worst case scenario.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Hey, dude. That's pretty obnoxious. There has to be a nicer way to tell a person that 'people like them' aren't likely to succeed.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Encephalon

Trust, you need it.

Quoted for truth. My current partner and I are amazingly compatible. About an hour ago, he came in and dropped two fifties on my desk in front of me for no obvious reason. That makes Elcee happy. His daughter also makes Elcee happy. I've never been in such a mutual position.



This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Ulysses

I'm sincerely hoping that this relationship doesn't go belly-up, because if that were to happen, your position as a partner may become untenable. Mixing business and pleasure seems a little risky bro.

She and I came to an understanding last night. I let her know not to hesitate if ever she decides that our relationship isn't in her best interest and not to worry about my feelings, because I still have a job to do. I've reached a point in my emotional maturity that no woman makes or breaks me. High Five, Ulysses.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?