Yeah! I did it and survived to tell the tale!!!!

What did I do? I paid my 1st quarter taxes last night (nothing like waiting for the last moment). Thank god, for electronic filing and e-checks. I have a sneaking suspicion that I might have over paid my taxes - only because my records weren't as "organized" as they should be - but I'd rather over pay then under pay - it's just more pleasant to find out that you erred in your favor. My biggest worry is that I didn't complete the forms correctly - but the silver lining to this dark cloud is that I'm sure I'll find out sooner rather than later if I made any mistakes (That is if the Department of Revenue notices).

Because I haven't had any sales in the first month of the second quarter, I'm going to use this time to organize my financial paper work - just in case I get audited. According to the fine folks from the Department of Revenue - it's not if you get audited, it's when - so I want to be prepared. Sounds pretty ominous - doesn't it?

And finally, next week I'll get a taste of what it's like to be a full time artisan/business owner. I'll be at home all next week getting ready for my next jewelry show sponsored by my Etsy Street Team: EtsyRain in Edmonds. I'm excited about this show for two reasons: 1. It's an opportunity to make more money (my checking account is looking a little anemic) and 2. I'll get to meet more members of the team - some of them I know through the groups I belong to on Flickr and Etsy, and some that I've actually met at other shows like "I Heart Rummage" and classes. I'm hoping it's fun, I'm hoping it's profitable, I'm hoping to meet lots of cool people - I'm hoping that next week is productive and I walk away with a feeling of being satisfied with what I was able to accomplish.

So, my goals for next week are:

1. Take more photos of my jewelry.

2. Post more inventory on Etsy.

3. Have more productive sessions at my jewelry bench.

4. Organize my financial paperwork.

5. Get ready for my next show.

6. Meet with my co-organizers of my Bella Faire art show in Tacoma.

7. Design and get the web-site for the Bella Faire up and running.

8. Take Bruce for a walk every day next week.

9. Set up a routine for me to follow through out the week.

10. Start a feature on my blog dedicated to the artist's who's own web-sites drive lots of traffic to my web-site (Whew! That was a mouth full!). I'm also thinking of hosting a give-away once a month - maybe.

It's good to have goals. Better if you meet them.

Taxes...

I got my business license in December. Shortly after I received my business license I got a letter from the tax man stating that I had to pay my taxes for my 4th quarter earnings of 2007 by 1/31/08. Which I did. I must say it was a lot easier than I thought it would be, pretty painless in fact. It only took me 5 minutes to complete my filing. I'm sure the fact that I didn't make any sales in December had something to do with it. I got to file my taxes via the phone. Of course, I waited until the very last day and because of that I couldn't get through to the automated system for several hours. All I would get is a busy signal. Which gave me a pause for a thought "Are there that many businesses in Washington State that didn't make a sell for the 4th quarter of their business?" I'm hoping they are business such as mine - small start up businesses who aren't depending upon the income from their business to be their sole source of support. That would be too scary to contemplate.

By the way, January started as my year ended - no sales. I hope this isn't a trend. Let me ask you a few questions: How many of you buy off the internet? If you don't, what would make you buy off the internet? What can I do to make myself stand apart from all those other jewerly artist on the internet? What if I offered a special enticement to the first 10 customers who buy off my web-site - say like "free shipping for life and 10% off each purchase and for every $100 you spend, you get a $10 credit. Would that be enough to turn you into a customer? Let me know what you think of my ideas. Heck, if you have a better idea, why don't you share it with me?

I know that out there, somewhere, is my first customer. I'm hoping that we meet soon.

The More I Learn the Less I Know:

I found this article in the EtsyRain forum. Oy vey, I've got a lot to learn. It's a good thing I haven't made any money yet. :)

Unwired: TAX PROCEDURES - Killer of Micro-Business