It's funny how things go sometimes. I just got that beautiful Pearl (well it's been a month now), and all I wanted to do was play around with it, but that's not how it worked out. Instead, all sorts of great but busy-making things have been happening, like planning a children's book, and having to suddenly seriously think about what my prices are/would be after receiving multiple random quote requests. I'm not a planner, but I'm trying to become better. I also declared myself the sole proprietor of Gamewell Press by filing a "doing business as" form. Did you know that until I filed that form Gamewell Press was an illegal alias and every time I mentioned my press, Gamewell Press, I was committing fraud? I'm pretty sure that for me at least, it's a crime on par with having a beer on the stoop or jaywalking, but the legalese on the website that explains everything made it sound like I was Al Capone. So that was kind of cool and I walked around for a few days alternately whispering "Gamewell Press" out of the side of my mouth and elbowing Glendon in the ribs to "keep it quiet, ya hear?" or referring to it as the press that dare not speak its name.
The main activity that's been sucking away all of my time and preventing me from blogging is a web design class I'm taking. The class runs for three hours twice a week (after work) for four weeks, and the last class is tomorrow. It's been really great, and I'm well on my way to building a website, but it's been a lot of work in a short period. Also after spending so much time looking at other websites and messing with Dreamweaver, the last thing I want to do is go back to the computer and blog. I'll be back fairly soon, but I wanted to give a reason for my absence and post a sneak peak of my website to be.
A very interesting post regarding business names. It turns out that here in NJ a sole proprietorship must register with the county clerk's office. It's a simple form that must be notorized but the shocker is the $50 fee you have to pay. To reimburse the county for someone putting the form in a file cabinet never to be seen again? Another government ripoff. I'd rather do without and be a fugitive from justice. But then I'm not really an official business making money; it's a hobby...
Posted by: Rich | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Rich, I hate to shock you, but in NYC the filing fee is $120 - an even bigger rip-off. I decided to take the plunge anyway because of the opportunity for tax deductions. I did have a minuscule amount of income from the press last year and it looks like I'll make a little more this year, so I thought why not make it legal and deduct all those start up costs. Since I now have three presses, I can't see anymore enormous outlays in my future; perhaps just tiny amounts of income.
Posted by: Maggie | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Interesting about the press name. Here in Australia I think you can trade under any name you want up until you start earning over $6K per annum (which isn't much I tell you). But the process of registering a business is very easy - its $75AUD for the registry of the name and obtaining an Australian Business Number (ABN) is free. The ABN is for if you want to recouperate the GST you pay on anything you buy for your business.
It's all pretty easy setting up here I think - but come tax time it can get complicated if you're making a lot of purchases for your business.
Posted by: Esz | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Well, I think you were right to do so (even at $120!!! AHHHHHHH!) Another business-friendly fee. But then since all NYC residents are rich with their six-figure incomes like Mayor Bloomberg-er, why not? Anyway, if I ever do start "officially" making money as a "business" I'll take the plunge. I do plan on doing some part-time paying work at some point and it will be better to have things "in Ordnung".
Posted by: Rich | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 05:09 PM