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Callagy-Law-Starting-Business.jpg

So I’m thinking of doing some IT work on the side for a little extra income. I’m not looking start a full time thing but not opposed to it if it takes off. I don’t know a lot about business but always willing to learn something new. I have a couple of questions and looking for any feedback on this subject.

  1. Are there any good web sites that help find the work for you in your area?

  2. I know you have to make certain amount before claiming on your taxes, but what other legal and/or professional advice do you have for starting something like this?

  3. Anything you ran into that most people don’t think about?

  4. Any good online resources for some business tips?

And anything else I’m thinking to ask?

I will be doing some googling on this but I like to go straight to the best resource I know, SpiceWorks. People who have been there, done that, and are wearing the t-shirt.

Thanks in advance!

@Spiceworks

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I remember this topic being very similarly worded about a week ago…@_@

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Just a week ago? This is actually a popular topic around here. Here’s a bit of light reading for the OP:

http://community.spiceworks.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=side+work&filter_by=all&sort_by=relevance

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None that I would use if you’re serious about this.

Remember: You’re essentially starting a side business. You MUST treat this accordingly. Odds are you’re better off in the long run by gaining industry certifications and changing jobs. More money at work, plus about the same free time at home seems a far better option to me (speaking as the guy with a full-time W2 gig AND a consulting business) than all the headaches that come with “side work”.

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  • Don’t do it. See post above. If you’re not going to go all-in, it’s not worth the pain.
  • Talk to a real lawyer about legal matters. The risk to your personal assets is both real and severe. Asking us for legal advice already shows you may be willing to half-ass things. That’s not a good start.
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Covered excessively in the search link in my first post.

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www.themiddlefingerproject.org
www.erikanapoletano.com
unstuck.life

But only if you don’t want to suck.

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Thanks for actually being helpful with the link.

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Not true at all. I already have someone I talk too and even have an LLC from a previous venture (not IT related). Mainly just wanting to hear the experience of other people in this field. I do appreciate all your comments. I’m going to look over the previous link you sent me. thanks again.

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(Operative phrase there was “may be”.)

Glad to hear you’re thinking rationally about this.

From a business side (taxes, liability, insurance, payroll, etc), an IT business is really no different than any other service-based business. The biggest thing to keep in mind is:

Nothing happens without a contract and (preferably) a deposit.

Never work with a person or business unwilling to sign a contract before you get started. EVER. If possible, speak to your lawyer about using “plain English” contracts. Nobody but other lawyers want to read Legalese. If you can put together legally binding contracts that don’t require a lawyer to understand, do it.

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A good place for information regarding side work as a business is Technibble:

You’ve already received some good advice from Bryce Katz. The folks at Technibble are a great resource for more information.

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  1. Get a lawyer - People will try to stiff you, or try to sue you, for all kinds of ridiculous reasons. You want your contracts to hold up in court, if it comes to that, and you don’t want a client with deep pockets trying to ruin your life if you screw something up. I’ve seen this happen, even when nothing was screwed up, but the client perceived it that way and made a guy’s life hell for about 18 months until they got tired.
  2. Get an accountant
  3. Get insurance - And the right kind of insurance. I know a guy who did installs for ISPs, and thought he had the right insurance, until one of their trucks got into a bad wreck. They found out the policy they had didn’t cover the equipment, so they were on the hook for a truck full of Cisco routers.

Otherwise you will risk your life savings (and then some) for that $1k in side work.