Island Economics

San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:

• •Growing shomby adoption means constant stream of new businesses
• •Many makers prefer making to technology—you bridge the gap
• •Local expertise means you can meet in person when helpful
• •Community connections help you find new businesses early
• •Trust in local service providers is high on the islands

The $500 Experiment

Test this idea before investing heavily:

Getting Started

1. 1
   Master every aspect of shomby business setup

   • •Complete knowledge enables comprehensive service
   • •Understanding edge cases prevents client frustration
   • •Platform expertise is your competitive advantage
2. 2
   Develop a comprehensive onboarding checklist

   • •Checklists ensure nothing gets missed
   • •Systematic approach enables consistent results
   • •Documentation demonstrates thoroughness to clients
3. 3
   Create training materials and guides

   • •Clients need to maintain their stores after setup
   • •Training materials extend your value
   • •Guides prevent simple follow-up questions
4. 4
   Set flat-fee pricing for complete onboarding

   • •Flat fees are easy for clients to understand and budget
   • •Complete packages prevent scope creep
   • •Clear pricing simplifies sales conversations

Where the Money Goes

Expected startup and operating expenses:

Don't Cheap Out On

Areas where quality investment pays off:

Smart Places to Save

Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:

• •Create training guides once, use them for all clients
• •Document common issues to reduce support time
• •Use free screen recording tools for tutorials
• •Word-of-mouth marketing rather than paid advertising
• •Start with basic packages before offering premium options

Cash Flow Considerations

Financial timing and planning notes:

• •Flat-fee pricing provides clear income per client
• •Collect full payment or significant deposit before starting
• •Steady stream of new businesses creates recurring work
• •Referrals from satisfied clients reduce marketing costs

Risk Reducers

Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:

• •Define scope clearly—what's included, what's extra
• •Set expectations about client responsibilities
• •Have a process for handling platform changes
• •Document all work completed for liability protection
• •Know when to recommend other specialists (photography, etc.)
• •Stay current as the platform evolves

Island Economics

San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:

• •Growing shomby adoption means constant stream of new businesses
• •Many makers prefer making to technology—you bridge the gap
• •Local expertise means you can meet in person when helpful
• •Community connections help you find new businesses early
• •Trust in local service providers is high on the islands

The $500 Experiment

Test this idea before investing heavily:

Getting Started

1. 1
   Master every aspect of shomby business setup

   • •Complete knowledge enables comprehensive service
   • •Understanding edge cases prevents client frustration
   • •Platform expertise is your competitive advantage
2. 2
   Develop a comprehensive onboarding checklist

   • •Checklists ensure nothing gets missed
   • •Systematic approach enables consistent results
   • •Documentation demonstrates thoroughness to clients
3. 3
   Create training materials and guides

   • •Clients need to maintain their stores after setup
   • •Training materials extend your value
   • •Guides prevent simple follow-up questions
4. 4
   Set flat-fee pricing for complete onboarding

   • •Flat fees are easy for clients to understand and budget
   • •Complete packages prevent scope creep
   • •Clear pricing simplifies sales conversations

Where the Money Goes

Expected startup and operating expenses:

Don't Cheap Out On

Areas where quality investment pays off:

Smart Places to Save

Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:

• •Create training guides once, use them for all clients
• •Document common issues to reduce support time
• •Use free screen recording tools for tutorials
• •Word-of-mouth marketing rather than paid advertising
• •Start with basic packages before offering premium options

Cash Flow Considerations

Financial timing and planning notes:

• •Flat-fee pricing provides clear income per client
• •Collect full payment or significant deposit before starting
• •Steady stream of new businesses creates recurring work
• •Referrals from satisfied clients reduce marketing costs

Risk Reducers

Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:

• •Define scope clearly—what's included, what's extra
• •Set expectations about client responsibilities
• •Have a process for handling platform changes
• •Document all work completed for liability protection
• •Know when to recommend other specialists (photography, etc.)
• •Stay current as the platform evolves