Freelance graphic designer
Question
Business Advice Please?
At the moment I work as a graphic designer for a small printing company that does vehicle wraps, signs, business cards and stuff like that. A friend and I are planning on starting a graphic design/web design side job type thing. Each of us do some freelance work on our own already. I was talking to my boss about that and he's fine with this idea- Do you think it would be more beneficial to everyone if instead of making a new company with name/ and new client base, if we consider ourselves an addition to the company I work for now? Just advertise something like "Now offering web design services etc..". We wouldn't have to pay the owner of the company anything out of our profits; we would basically be doing our own thing during our own time. We would have a huge client base to tap into, made up of many businesses that are just starting out. Not trying to take advantage of them, just making things simpler for them. We've had several asking if we knew anyone who did websites. It seem more professional to advertise it than to wait for them to ask then say "Oh yeah, we do that" or tell them to call me later--- Or devious to advertise my company while at work.
2 months ago - 3 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
plz be aware of this "component" of biz; it seems as if the company will be CONTRACTING the job out to you. that is totally fine as long as the customer KNOWS your work is not as an employee of the company for legal -liability protection. EVERY customer has a right to know who is doing their work--if anyone is not an employee per every phase of the service, the customer has a right to know. [esp because a customer can ask the boss a question or two and he can quickly embarrass himself if he does not volunteer this relationship.]
Source(s)
college biz teacher/biz adviser
by kemperk
2 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
If I was in your position I would keep my job and continue to do your side work with your friend. If your boss recomends you for some work thats fine, but once you merge together its a new ball game. Build you own client list, portfolio, website and bank account, soon you will be out on your own and in today's economy thats a big challenge. Good Luck!
by ?- 2 months ago
You most definately want to set it up as your own, entirely separate entity. You will want to share as little as possible with your current employers as far as what you are doing and how business is going. You don't want him to see you working on your own clients while at work even if it is on your own time ( hopefully you have your won computer and software) As long as you are able to herd clients to him for printing, he will remain content. You want to keep what you are doing "out of sight out of mind" You don't realize it just yet but you are dangerously close to being able to be his direct competition. He may realize here shortly that he could have just offered these services through his company and made you do the work on your existing salary. One benefit he does get right now is...this keeps you happy, gives you some extra income. That could all change though...even if everyone has the best of intentions right now. You'll just have to use your judgements and move cautiously. I started out doing the same thing you are doing
by Doran P- 2 months ago