In doing the volunteer site for the street painting festival: http://streetpaintingfestivalinc.org , I was approached by the city Chamber of Commerce to re-vamp their site. Very cool, because it won't be a cheap one and with the holidays around the corner, it would be nice to get my wife something special. Maybe. (if I finish in time)

In the process of getting a contract down with these guys, I have to be a member of the chamber to do this work as the chamber only works with chamber members. It's their policy. So I figured cool. It's 200 bucks to join, and I'm sure I'll make that back in the final bill. I have received a whole welcome package in the mail since and it lists the benifits and it sounds like a real smart move in getting a whole lot of local exposure. Today's letter explained the upcoming monthly breakfast meeting they have down town where we'll be introduced to the other chamber members as the new kids on the block and receive my membership plaque. Sounds special. Should I wear a tie?

I also get some stickers to hang in the window of the business and a little thing to hang on the wall of the studio. During certain annual special events, our logo gets printed on promotional posters and such. Double cool. I feel official. There is a book that gets published every year and it looks like I'm going to make the print for 2005 that will list our business inside that gets mailed out to the whole friggin town. Oh, yeah and a yellow page inclusion. Triple cool.

Sounds like I may get a lot a work my way out of this and what a cool opprotunity that I totally didn't expect.

Now the hard part. I have to label this. We are a recording studio. Frank also teaches during the week guitar, bass and keyboards. I create album covers, photography, web design and hosting. Lately I am doing a lot of video production as well as DVD authoring.

I have a few questions for you guys.

1.) What would be a broad title to list the business under the chamber?

2.) Have any of you ever worked with your local chamber and what was it like?

3.) Does your business have to be officially registered?


I'll probably think of a few more in a minute, but I really would like to know what you guys think. Their office is closed yesterday and today for the holidays so I can't ask them anything until Monday. Thanks!

What I dig about Lake Worth is that they kinda remain seperate from the rest of Palm Beach and prefer to focus on art and culture as their identity when the rest of Palm Beach seems more geared tward the beaches, tourism and place for a lot of corporate headquarters.

So their like the hippy sect.

O.K. so a few things.

The Chamber and what it means. In my experience, most chambers are political machines that sometimes offer benefits besides networking with other businesses. Benefits like actual benefits (medical and dental) because they buy for a number of businesses they'll get good rates. Also training courses for employees and that typ of thing and becoming a member is always a must. Moral of the story is be realistic with your expectations, the Chamber isn't always realistic (especially with budgets) but they're motivation is always admirable. Just be careful when making committments and making sure the money is there before you start.

You guys have never names yourselves? It seems like you've been in business for a while. With the range of different things I see a "_____ _____ productions" or maybe a name with "experience" or "studios" attached. All which don't really tie you to an industry.

Registered? With the government? If not, what do you do at tax time? Businesses have overhead and expenses that the feds and the state need to be aware of. Tax id number and little stuff like that.

Hope any of this helps

register your business - edit
[Edited 11/29/04 7:58am]

1.) What would be a broad title to list the business under the chamber?
Multimedia ...
2.) Have any of you ever worked with your local chamber and what was it like?
No sorry, but i imagine there would be a bit of a pecking order, and you'd wanna be aware to not ruffle any feathers
3.) Does your business have to be officially registered?
Definately !

Hey goodluck with it all yamomma! Seems like a great oppurtunity; and a good way of establishing yourself into the local infrastructure. Check out all the in & outs of the situation before committing yourself.Do your homework & Cover your arse !
[Edited 11/29/04 8:40am]

The business is Digital Soundscapes Studios: http://digitalsoundscapesstudios.com

Tax time: Frank's income is under him, my income is under myself. So we seperate the jobs under one roof, if that makes any scense.

I'd like to file under the chamber as the studio, (which would include both me and Frank) but does the studio have to be a registered business in order to do so?

Flux?

yamomma said:[quote]

I have a few questions for you guys.

1.) What would be a broad title to list the business under the chamber?
AUDIO/VISUAL FACILITIES OFFERING CREATIVE AUDIO/VISUAL DESIGN AND EFFECTS


2.) Have any of you ever worked with your local chamber and what was it like?
THE CHAMBER CAN ACTUALLY NETWORK FOR YOU, RESULTING IN MORE BUSINESS AND REWARDS.

3.) Does your business have to be officially registered?
ANY BUSINESS OPEN FOR BUSINESS SHOULD BE A REGISTERED BUSINESS.

yamomma said:

Sorry I haven't got a simple answer to that yamomma . Local laws are so different all over. Hate to say it in this way but that's the homework part of the assignment. Ask a local business help centre.
Red or someone in the U.S. would be better qualified to steer you.

In the end both your and Frank's business situation will be a lot simpler and dynamic.
Bit of leg work but you'll get the paperwork done soon and you'll be hooting and hollering all over Town Good Luck !