Please help me start my locksmith business!

[DENVERKEYMAN]

Thanks for reading this message, I am currently a sub contractor doing automotive and residential locksmithing. I own all my equipment and want to start doing my own work. Can anyone tell me what I need to do? Do I need to register with the city, do i need a business license, etc...

[cracksman]

err....

I am going to assume you live in Denver, Colorado. If you want specific advice, fill out your profile

oh, and if you haven't heard of floobing, well you will soon

after you have acclimated yourself to the sight, you will find an amazing wealth of information to help you- good luck

[digital_blue]

Hey Denver... At first I thought this was a pretty silly question to as since you didn't fill in your profile, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and make the guess you're in Denver? Or maybe just a really big John Denver fan from Atlanta?

You should check your local state legislature to determine what the law says about lockpicking tools. That might be a good start. Most places also require a business license of some sort. Sometimes even a specific locksmith's license. Call your city office to find out.

Cheers.

db

[serrurier]

Here is a few things I once told someone:

First make sure you have considered your location, this is the most important thing you need to look at. Consider your competition and see how many locksmiths there are in a certain radius and analyze your best pattern. You may be tempted by a cheap store in a remote commercial location but consider how many people will walk by.

Consider how populated will the pool of people you will serve. What will you offer is also quite important. You may be tempted to offer everything but be careful you may want to specialize in a few things but do them well and put this in your business plan for your loan. A good overview of your area on a map may help you decide everything you need and will most likely impress any financial institutions you may have to deal with.

Do not overstretch your finances at the beginning your lack of liquidity may play against you when its time to pay some suppliers. Most will give you a discount if you pay early and a small business margin of credit may be what you will need but again don't go all out at first you will burn yourself.

You will most likely do your own accounting but consider getting some advices from a pro at first he/she will be able to give you some pointer as to where you can save money for your business (it is really worth it)

Remember that your publicity will also get you customers, get a logo (make one) it will show banks and customer the professionalism of your business. Business cards are also a must, you can make them at home from your computer and you can deduct part of your computer cost etc... in your income tax (this would be known by your accountant).

I will stop now since I don't know how far you want me to go. Hope this is what you were looking for, if not let me know and if you want more just let me know what you would like.

Don't forget small business grant from the federal government (free money)......

take care

[kemicul]

[quote="digital_blue"]Hey Denver... At first I thought this was a pretty silly question to as since you didn't fill in your profile, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and make the guess you're in Denver? Or maybe just a really big John Denver fan from Atlanta?

You should check your local state legislature to determine what the law says about lockpicking tools. That might be a good start. Most places also require a business license of some sort. Sometimes even a specific locksmith's license. Call your city office to find out.

Cheers.

db[/quote]
Well no need to fill out your profile only Canadians say "cheers." Give the guy a break.

[Santos718]

Well no need to fill out your profile only Canadians say "cheers." Give the guy a break.[/quote]

WOW....that was random, and no, not only Canadians say cheers...

sheltered!

[Santos718]

Dumb quote function Never works correctly

[Chrispy]

I say cheers, and I'm a New Zealander living in Australia.