[sport69]

Is connecticut small business friendly can a upholstery and curtain making business survive and thrive there?

[NewJeffCT]

It depends - survive, yes. Thrive? Might be difficult, unless you can find a niche/specialty.

However, the governor seems to like giving away cash to businesses, so it can't hurt to try him, or the office of economic development (if that's what it is called?)

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by sport69

Is connecticut small business friendly?

No. The state and/or town will nibble you to death with delays, permit purgatory, and feeds.

(That was the experience of an acquaintance of mine who attempted it.)

[hartford_renter]

Originally Posted by sport69

Is connecticut small business friendly can a upholstery and curtain making business survive and thrive there?

No

[Sigequinox]

CT is less small business friendly. This can be measured in terms of laws, regulations/permitting, taxing, zoning, cost of property, health care costs etc.

However, in your line of work, I think a consumer base with large amount of discretionary income in more important. If you opened up your business near the Louisiana Bayou where people hand pick craw fish for dinner, you will have friendlier laws, but no target demographic.

There is also the sad fact that your line of work is a "lost art" in the day and age of "throw away" products from the gigantic corporate industry--Bobs, Ashley, overstock.com etc. Most people buy an entire living room furniture set for 2k. WHen they need a new one in 10 years, they just buy another one rather than spending the same amount to have it reupholstered and custom.

What will be most important for your business, IMO, is high end/custom consumer market. And unfortunately, the highest concentration of such will probably be in the unfriendly tri-state.

***I am NOT a business owner, NOT in the upholstery business, and am NOT a business/market consultant. If you are taking this idea seriously at all, please look to a professional and not a web forum.


Best of luck!

[Sigequinox]

Mlassoff, a member here, is a business owner. IIRRC, it's not his first business either. While he is in a completely different industry, he may be able to give you the skinny on what hurdles you will need to overcome to jump into entrepreneurship (contacting town/state, obtaining business ID, zoning, the types of lawyers you will need, realtors if any, etc etc).

Also, others may want to know how well positioned you are to take a large risk. Are you 23 and have your whole life to recoup losses if this fails, or is this your retirement savings? The fact that over 50% of small business' fail in the first 5 years is something that needs to be taken into consideration. If this is for financial stability, there are less risky places to put your money than into a SB.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/smallb...whybusfail.htm

[sport69]

Originally Posted by Sigequinox

CT is less small business friendly. This can be measured in terms of laws, regulations/permitting, taxing, zoning, cost of property, health care costs etc.

However, in your line of work, I think a consumer base with large amount of discretionary income in more important. If you opened up your business near the Louisiana Bayou where people hand pick craw fish for dinner, you will have friendlier laws, but no target demographic.

There is also the sad fact that your line of work is a "lost art" in the day and age of "throw away" products from the gigantic corporate industry--Bobs, Ashley, overstock.com etc. Most people buy an entire living room furniture set for 2k. WHen they need a new one in 10 years, they just buy another one rather than spending the same amount to have it reupholstered and custom.

What will be most important for your business, IMO, is high end/custom consumer market. And unfortunately, the highest concentration of such will probably be in the unfriendly tri-state.

***I am NOT a business owner, NOT in the upholstery business, and am NOT a business/market consultant. If you are taking this idea seriously at all, please look to a professional and not a web forum.


Best of luck!

City data gives us the opportunity to inquire exchange info and enlighten us. It does not hurt to ask as you never know who's reading. And one should never rely on one source to get info from. Lol

[Sigequinox]

Originally Posted by sport69

City data gives us the opportunity to inquire exchange info and enlighten us. It does not hurt to ask as you never know who's reading. And one should never rely on one source to get info from. Lol

Absolutely. lol. I probe for info on here as well simply because of the variety of people and knowledge on this or any large site. If your just looking for ideas than there is no harm.

[mlassoff]

There is no business permit required to operate most businesses here. I can't imagine an upholstery business requires any type of licensing or permits that you'd have to wait on. If you are in a business that puts the public at some type of risk, have serious safety concerns related to the type of business (etc) this would apply. All I had to do was register with the Secretary of State.

The secretary of state has a great tool here which will guide you through the steps: Commercial Recording Division

Much of what's there is required of all businesses (tax formation, etc) and is not unique to Connecticut.

If you are seeking capitol start with DECD (DECD: Small Business Express Program).

I have owned businesses here and in Texas and one thing is true no matter where you start a business-- It's much more about you than state government. If you can execute, market and manage you'll likely have a good outcome. If you can't, you shouldn't start a business anywhere.

I could certainly see someone who is talented in your line of work doing well in my part of the state.

Good luck.

[BPt111]

Less business friendly.