Oh No! It's an Audit!

Oh No! It’s An Audit! by Diana DeAndrea-Kohn

Every day I walk out to get the mail hoping for a check. Most days it’s just more bills, but I still have hope. One day, as I quickly flipped through the mail, I noticed something I don’t usually see. It was a thick envelope from the Department of Revenue.

“Oh no!” I let out.

As I opened it, I felt the fear welling up inside me. Please don’t let this be an audit. Please don’t let this be an audit. I pulled out the letter. Sure enough, it’s an audit.

I rushed into the office to tell my bookkeeping client he was being audited. He assured me it would “be fine.” Be fine? Be fine! Does he not understand what is at risk here? I left his office and ran down to schedule my appointment with the auditor.

As I called to set the appointment I realized my client is like most business owners. There isn’t time to see the seriousness of this event. We all fear an audit, but we don’t prepare as we should. And that, in the long run, will cost.

The thick envelope was filled with instructions. The auditor had a list of everything he needed. I did everything I could to prepare. I gathered every piece of information he wanted. I had everything laid out for him. I cleared my whole day to be there to answer any questions for him. The audit went great. The damage was minimal.

Going through this, I learned some things that could help other business owners.

• Time Time Time. Take the time to gather all the information the auditor requests. The less the auditor has to hunt for the better. Respect their time. Be prepared. Have everything they need.


• Don’t delay. Schedule your appointment as soon as possible. The longer you take to have the audit the more stressed out you can become. Save yourself the stress. You already have enough to worry about.


• Save everything. Make sure you keep all receipts. I know, it’s easy to lose a receipt. They seem so unimportant. But you must realize your receipts are money. If you don’t have a receipt you can’t prove you paid sales tax. If you can’t prove it, you may be charged again. That is worth repeating. If you can’t prove you paid sales tax, you will be charged sales tax again. Your receipts are money. Would you throw your money away?


• Know your business tax regulations. I understand it’s not very exciting to run around learning tax code. But knowing it could save you thousands of dollars. Take an hour to learn what is taxable and what isn’t. What should you pay tax on verses what you shouldn’t? When do you charge tax? The Department of Revenue has booklets for different industries. It tells you all the different rules and regulations for your business. There are some weird off the wall rules out there. The average small business owner might not know every regulation. With that, some mistakes could happen. Take the time to learn your regulations.

There are many things we have to do on a day to day basis. It’s hard to keep track of each receipt and know every rule. It’s in our best interest to protect ourselves and our business. If we don’t do it, who will?

Diana DeAndrea-Kohn is a small business owner and writing in Kirkland. For writing project you can reach her at http://www.writingilluminated.com/ or her business website is http://www.businsswithflair.com/ .

You Have Started a Business - Now What?

You Have Started A Business, Now What?

As business owners, we all decide one day, “I can do this.” You no longer need your boss. Heck, your boss couldn't make it without you! You bravely make the decision to start your own business. You have been in your industry for years. You know all there is to know about your field of work.

You go out and get your business license. You get some business cards. You even get a website. You are ready!

Now what?

To be successful with your own business you have to start doing thing you never thought you would do; all the things your mom warned you about.

"Don’t talk to strangers." Yet, now you find yourself standing in the corner of a restaurant, by yourself, staring at your shoes instead of networking with other business owners. It’s hard to get the nerve to walk up and talk with someone you have never met before.

But it doesn’t have to be hard. If you go to a networking meeting ready, the conversation can flow as easy as coffee with your best friend.

You have a secret. No one knows you are nervous. Chances are they are nervous too. Put a friendly smile on your face and walk up to someone at the networking event. Find someone standing at the opposite corner of you. I guarantee they will welcome you.

Always give them a business card. If you are not comfortable just handing them your card. Ask for their card. Take that opportunity to give them your card in return. If you ask them about their business they are sure to ask about yours. Take the time to listen to them. Even if that person isn’t a potential client for you, they may know someone in the future that needs your services.

Follow up. After going to a networking event take the time to contact the people you met at the event. To be a successful business owner you must build your relationships. A quick note that says it was nice to meet you or loved hearing about your business will not be forgotten.

Remember, not talking to strangers has been ingrained in us since we were two. But to have a successful business talking to strangers becomes our biggest ally.

Submitted by Diana Kohn
Diana Kohn is a member of Koinonia Business Women. She is the owner of FLAIR. Her business is designed to help small business owners grow their business through networking.She is also available for writing projects. http://www.businesswithflair.com/

Starting Your Own Business

Starting Your Own Business, by Diana Kohn

Do you ever feel God is tapping you on the shoulder? Maybe He is pushing you in a direction you are scared to go. Eventually He starts to yell out to you.

He is calling you, do you hear Him?

It can be scary to follow the path He has laid out for you. It can be especially scary when it involves starting a business.

How do you start? Where do you start? Is there anyone to help you?
As a business owner myself I understand the mixed feelings of starting a business. It’s scary and exciting. It’s daunting and thrilling. Its great risk, yet possibly great reward. If you enter a new business with the right intentions, with the heart to help, and following God's plan the odds are in your favor.

How do you start? Make a list. Below are some of the things you may need to add to your list. List out each task you need to start your business. Each day knock one or two things from your list. As you cross things from the list new items will be added. Before you know it all your items are checked off and you are a business owner.

· Get a business license
· Get business cards
· Join a networking group
· Set up your accounting

Where do you start? Start with organization’s like Koinonia Business Women. The whole purpose of an organization like KBWomen is to help you. This group was designed to help educate women. They are here to promote you. Take advantage of all the information they have to offer.

Is there anyone to help you? There are many professionals that have owned businesses for many years. The information they have is priceless. Our business FLAIR was designed to help business owners develop the tools they need to grow. We are here to support you and your business. We will enhance the skills you already have, to help build your business. From walking into your first networking meeting to making the final sales, FLAIR will be there with you.
FLAIR will help you with:

· Networking with FLAIR
· Branding with FLAIR
· Sales with FLAIR

Education and support are key to the success of your new venture. Sit down. Make your list. Get ready to start your journey. If you are following the right path, the doors will open and the customers will walk in.

Article by Diana Kohn. Diana Kohn is a member of Koinonia Business Women. She is the co-founder of FLAIR. You can reach her at 206-353-1003 or http://www.businesswithflair.com/