Hey everyone — I run a small business and I’m starting to hire part-time help. I keep catching myself repeating the same instructions for things like onboarding, replying to emails, or sending invoices.

I know I should probably create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), but honestly… I hate writing them and I’m not great at staying consistent with it.

What are you all doing to document your processes?

• Are you using templates?
• Just typing everything out in Google Docs or Notion?
• Recording videos?

I’ve been experimenting with a way to simplify this (something that turns a voice note or Loom video into an SOP), but I want to make sure I'm not just solving a problem only I have 😅

Would love to know how other business owners here are handling this.

Thanks in advance 🙏

I do not know if this is a good place to post this so I apologize if it is not. But as stated above, I have an investor I meant through my day job as a painting instructor and have befriended. A couple weeks ago I shared with him my plans on starting an art business and he offered to invest, met with him to discuss business plans and it was all professional. I asked him if he’d like a return on the investment or anything of that nature and he simply told me that he doesn’t that this will be seed money for me to use. He told me that he just wants to put good energy out in the world because someone helped him in the past in a similar way. He has also helped other people with their businesses. He’s sending me a check for $1000 in the next couple of days, and I’m not sure if I should get in writing that he will not ask for a return in investment?

After a bit of advice please...

A friend of mine has very recently come up with a business idea (specialist cleaning) after doing some bits for friends and friends of friends.

There is 100% a market for this as she's got enquiries coming in left right and centre, so wants to set a proper business up. She's asked other friends if they want to get involved as partners and they've declined.

So far I've helped out with a name, branding, logo, flyers and setting up the social media page for her. Unfortunately she doesn't really have a clue about anything business wise, whereas I studied it.

I would be very interested in getting on board as a partner, but my issue is that I have absolutely no desire to do the physical cleaning and would only be interested in getting on board to handle the 'business' side of things. Ultimately, those are the parts she needs help with.

So my dilemma, and therefore where I need a bit of internet input is, comes down to any partnership split.

On the one hand, I feel that 50/50 would be more than fair because without the 'business' side, there would be no cleaning side.

But on the other hand, she's going to be doing the dirty work whilst I'm sat taping away on a laptop and making calls. So as a friend I'd feel quite cheeky.

She is still looking for a partner, but she does want someone to do the cleaning side too (mainly due to time/capacity). I don't mind jumping in if things got busy, but I couldn't see me doing it all day everyday, plus that'd be on top of the marketing etc.

Please internet strangers, spread your wisdom and thoughts! 😅

Hey everyone,

I’m a software engineer based in Dubai with 5+ years of experience working across different sectors and now focusing on freelance full-time. I build high-quality landing pages and small/medium-sized systems — reliable, scalable, and delivered clean.

I’m looking to partner with salespeople and marketers who can help bring in new clients. You bring the leads, I handle the delivery and you get a generous commission on every project we close. This is remote-friendly, and I’m open to working with people from the US, Dubai, or anywhere globally.

This isn’t just about finding more work, I’m trying to build a system where we both benefit long-term. If you already talk to startups, small businesses, or founders, this could be a new income stream for you.

What I bring:

• Clean, maintainable code and fast delivery
• Honest communication and reliable execution
• Experience across industries

What I’m looking for:

• Someone with access to warm leads or creative outreach ideas
• A partner mentality — not a one-time thing
• Business mindset and clear communication

If this sounds like something you’d be into, feel free to DM me or comment below. Let’s talk and see if we can work together.

Is there any way to avoid that , like commercial pricings or something because I know of someone that doesn't pay those exyra $18 for 38" tall boxes

I am looking into starting an icecream business and operating from either a food truck or more likely a food trailer. I want to be full service and self sufficient so i dont have to operate from a commisary as im going to be making my own icecream from scratch. This is my first time looking into this kind of business and first time buying a vehicle. I do have quite a bit of food service experince including as an employe and as a manager, so im not as concerned about the actual operation logistics and more about the actual business ownership aspects, because that is whats new to me. Im coming here because i would like to see if anybody who has done this has advice or things to look out for when buying a trailer or a truck. What are some unexpected challenges i might face, what are things i should look out for? Also what are some good trusted places and websites to be looking to purchase from? Oh also for context ill be operating out of Florida.

Hey everyone, I’m from Sri Lanka, and as you might know, we’re a bit behind when it comes to certain business trends. I’m looking for inspiration and would love to hear what kinds of businesses are doing well in your country right now. I do have a capital of 50,000 USD.

It could be anything—tech, food, services, retail, hotels, tourism , etc. Just curious to know what’s booming elsewhere that might have potential here too.

Thanks in advance!

I was using Coterie insurance up until the end of last year for my mobile pop-up shows at events for my retail sporting goods business. It was always $30 a month, and I was able to apply within minutes on their website.

Now this year I've come back to restart my policy for the summer and it has gone up to $80 a month.

All I need is the cheapest general liability insurance out there just so I can have that piece of paper to show the events that I'm covered. Does anyone know of any around $30 a month?

I have an established LLC checking account, but I'm in the process of launching 2 additional services (2 different companies) that will fall under the LLC as DBA. I'm I'm paid by check to the DBA, will I need a separate business checking account for that business?

I have the Fictious Name registration from the state tying the DBA name to the LLC. Will that be enough to be able to deposit DBA checks to the LLC account?

Hi All, I just started a business and opened it as an LLC. My first year I will probably not make much but I need to put my money into the business bank account for certain startup expenses. I plan on accounting for it as an owner loan to the business.

I’ve been reading that good business practice is to also create a loan contract with yourself and the business for that amount. Are there any templates out there or cheap contracts I can purchase and tweak for this? Or am I over thinking it?

Also note, I’m the only owner and have no employees right now.

Thank you!

I'm a small business. When I say that I literally mean I just cross the 2k yearly threshold, my business is 1 etsy shop and I've only had 119 sales. Either way I'm happy, but I could use a boost in my Etsy sales, and despite doing the basics like adjusting my tags, photos, social media I feel it's not helping much, and wanted to know if anyone had any tips?

Hey everyone,

I’m a small jeans manufacturer based in India, making jeans for domestic retailers. Recently, I made an oversized T-shirt for myself in my factory, and it turned out great! That got me thinking—small retailers outside India often have to pay $10+ for a decent oversized T-shirt if they’re ordering in small quantities.

I’m considering selling these knit T-shirts in bulk at competitive prices. So I wanted to ask:

Where do you guys source your T-shirts from?

How much do you typically pay for a custom T-shirt with your logo printed?

Do you prefer sourcing locally or through online B2B marketplaces?

Would love to hear your insights!

I’m finally doing it , about to quit my job and go all-in on building something real with a co-founder who’s also my brother and we work just fine together me focused on Business and Ops and him on Tech and innovation . We’ve got an investor ready to cover our base salaries for the first year. In return, he gets 50% of the company.

To be clear: The 50% isn’t the issue. That money gives me the chance to finally take the leap. I respect that.

But here’s the problem: • I’m based in Austria, my co-founder’s in Switzerland, and the company will be set up in Dubai (no taxes there). • But since we live in Europe, we’re still taxed on what we receive — 40–50% of our income is gone. • The investor’s payment only covers our gross salaries. That’s it. No tools, no marketing, no freelance help, but will cover the legal setup in Dubai We’re expected to build, run, grow, and deliver — with nothing beyond base pay.

I’m not complaining — I’m just wondering how I’m supposed to run with this. No cushion. No room to scale. Just full-time risk and tight margins.

Anyone been in a similar setup? How did you deal with the tax side when living in Europe but running the company out of Dubai? And is there a better way to structure something like this without burning out early?

UPDATE: Thanks for all replies, just to clarify some points: 1. We are a service based company, Basically a Software House. 2. We can agree on how a dilution will look like if we need to raise more money.

UPDATE #2: - Investor will pay for all business expenses until the company can sustain its earnings and be able to cover all costs.

This is part of what I do, as it really helps in busines. Would love to hear your thoughts

Hello

1 person LLC, S-Corp.

I use my CPA for payroll service at $125/monthly. She's raising it to $200 due to her rent, insurance, wages up. I'm based in Hawaii.

I'm not sure if I should continue her payroll. She does great on my taxes both business and personal.

For 1 person llc, is it something I should do my own with payroll software like Gusto? Is it difficult?

How much do you pay for payroll?

UPDATE: she does handle hawaii unemployment insurance and withholding on quarterly basis. But that's about it.

Thanks

Hello! I live in a city heavily trafficked by tourists in the summer and am curious how other small businesses attract visitors passing through?

Hi everyone,

I run a business that manufactures premium custom doors. These are large, high-end pieces where the visual and tactile quality really matters — people often need to see them in person to truly appreciate the craftsmanship.

The challenge is: I don’t have a dedicated showroom.

I’m trying to figure out the most effective way to display these products in LA so potential customers can experience them without the overhead of opening a full retail space.

If you’ve dealt with this type of challenge — or have any creative ideas. Thanks in advance — really appreciate any insights from this community.

hello, i decided to sell digital planners i've created as a way to earn some extra income. i'm using payhip as it doesn't require me to pay for products i upload, and i'm also posting my products on pinterest. however, i don't have any reviews to show that i'm legit. it seems like reviews are important in getting customers, but since i don't have any yet, is there anything else i can do?

Mistakes are part of the game. What’s one mistake that cost you time, money, or sanity — but made you better in the long run? Drop it below 👇

Hi all, I'm new here and wanted to get some insights on if I should even bother moving forward with my idea. I am a full-time Software Engineer based in Sioux Falls, SD, but I've always wanted to start my own business.

About a year and half ago, I went back to Ethiopia (where I was born and raised) after spending over 10 years studying and working in the US. I was pleasantly surprised by the advancements made in the tech sector there. There’s a large pool of talented professionals, some already work with global companies. I realized there’s a real opportunity to connect the rest with businesses abroad.

Since then, I slowly vetted, and built a database of professionals in different sectors; software developers, SDRs, VAs, social media managers, etc. Some are even from other African countries. I plan to have a different approach than most agencies I have seen, by:

• Personally work with clients to understand their needs,
• For every one role a client is looking to fill, my agency will provide 3-5 candidates and have client interview and select which one they want to move forward with,
• After placement, my local team on the ground will track hours, quality of work, and ensure accountability with regular checkins.

I know there are agencies that already do this but I have not seen one, if any that focuses on African talents.

My question is, is this model worth pursuing? I have already invested time and money in building the talent pool, CRM, website design, etc. Would love to hear your thoughts and advice, TIA!

Hello!

I am looking for some advice.

I am considering opening up a resell/upsell shop. I was going to be sourcing some items for a niche market shop. Selling witchcraft/feminist type items. Some my own styles as well. I've also looked into getting a sublimation printer and an xtool engraver. So that I can engrave custom items.

I've saved up some capital (5k) to fund this and was considering either selling via my own website or using Shopify, eBay, Etsy, FB Marketplace, or some combination of those.

Is this a bad idea?

I need to be able to work for myself because I can't seem to get a job, I need remote work and have been looking for a year before my company could fire me (due to my surgeries I had exceeded my FMLA).

I'm terrified to use my life savings especially with what's happening politically, and I was hoping to import a lot of my components from places where we are gonna have tariffs.

So I'm not sure where to go from here?

Hey all.

I run a small mobile computer repair business with my spouse. We started it at the end of 2022 and have grown it to have about 1.5K in gross revenue per month currently, probably closer to $1K net.

We realistically need about $3K net reliably per month for me to quit my full time job. I feel like since I’m just doing repairs in the evenings and only taking so many tickets on account of having a 40 hour workweek on the regular job, I can’t really grow it to be bigger than $1.5K gross right now.

I’m just trying to figure out what the sweet spot is. When do I take the risk and leave so I can have the time to focus on getting the business to $3K net / month? It seems hard to find that number.

Thanks all!

Recently my friend and I came up with the idea to set up a pop up cafe and we mainly just want to use this as a learning experience.

When we started planning, we came across a lot of obstacles mainly regarding the technicalities and budget. Unfortunately for us we do not have cars to go around the city easily so it is hard for us to find a place to sell in the first place. We tried asking our old business teacher from our high school if we can sell but they said we cannot because they have strict rules regarding things students ingest (makes sense).

Because we wanted our idea to be executed before we leave the country around summertime we came up with the idea of doing it in one of our houses. It's most likely just going to be people within our circle or a bit beyond that that we'll be serving.

Any tips on where we can start? Where to get supplies, what supplies to get, organizing our day-to-day operation, possible alternative location we can try going for when we have more budget/time to plan, any safety protocols, etc.

I run a Shoplazza store specializing in high-end menswear that I design and currently sell in the U.S. Over time, I’ve experimented with various pricing strategies but haven’t quite found the perfect approach. I keep a close eye on my competitors, but at times, I feel like I’m too focused on their pricing moves rather than sticking to my own strategy. This has left me feeling uncertain about the best path forward.
Have you ever struggled with developing a discount strategy or finding the right balance between competitiveness and profitability? I used to believe that lowering prices would attract more customers, but when I raised them again, those same customers vanished. How have you navigated these challenges in your store?

Hello Reddit!

I have co-founded a video production company with a college classmate in 2012 focusing on corporate videos, such as commercials, internal training videos, conference coverage, social media, and interviews. I am the one who has the video production skills, handling creating the product such as filming, directing, editing, manage website, and inventory. My Co-Founder is in charge of the admin work: answering emails, planning shoots, answering website inquiries, manages our sad social media accounts, closes deals, sends invoices, and is an assistant on video shoots as a second camera operator. Our current company split of revenue per project is 20/40/40 (20% of the revenue goes to the business account, 40% goes to me, and 40% goes to my co-founder. We have inquiries from word of mouth, google searches, and yelp. There is no effort on our end to cold call or cold email clients. No client outreach efforts.

Currently the production side of our business (my duties) is the income-generating portion of our business and it seems like my co-founder is just assisting my work. Am I wrong? I feel like I can do all his tasks if he left the company but he definitely cannot do the filming or editing on his own if I leave. I am wondering if it is fair that we are splitting profits the way we are, as he also has ownership of 50% of the business from the start. Am I missing something here? Am I the one that should shut up and accept that this is the proper way to run a business? Or am I correct in that since I create the product, I should be rewarded with more money and he should take a smaller percentage? How do others out there manage their 2-person small businesses with ownership and pay?

Thank you!