From Freelancer to Drupal Shop: The things they forgot to tell you

Starting a Drupal shop isn't just about getting talented resources, wonderful clients and making stellar websites. Being a business owner comes with a massive amount of legal and logistic obligations that need to be addressed - but no one tells you! This session includes important "hidden" business and legal topics both prospective entrepreneurs and existing business owners must be aware of.

Hook 42 recently started a Drupal shop and grew from 2 owners to 6 employees plus multiple contractors in a 1 month window. This session will cover many topics we had to address to support such quick growth in a legal and sane manner.

  • Make THE decision
    • Going Solo vs. Team - the Pros & Cons of each.
    • Choosing your business partner(s).
    • Have a vision for the business size and culture.
    • Identifying and adapting to opportunity and growth.
  • Get Started
    • Naming your business.
    • Creating the business entity.
    • Your support system.
    • Identify risks & mitigation to your business type.
  • Make it Legal
    • Know when and how to find professional help. :)
    • Legalese for client, contractors and employees.
    • Hiring 1099s and employees.
    • Outsourcing HR.
  • Keep it Running
    • Invoicing and getting paid.
    • Accounting, budgeting and cash cushions.
    • Reoccurring obligations to your team, partner and legal folks.
    • Company management tools.
  • Leveraging the Community
    • Other Drupal CXOs.
    • Blogs, articles, and tweets, oh my!
    • Drupal user groups!
Schedule info
Status: 
Proposed
Session Info
Speaker(s): 
Aimee Degnan
Track: 
Business + Strategy
Experience level: 
Beginner

Comments

rgristroph's picture rgristroph replied on

I think this sounds like it will be a good session. I personally think many Drupal freelancers fail to appreciate how much Drupal (and other opensource tools) can allow them to "punch above their weight" and how much more ambitious they can be if they get organized and focused.

emudojo's picture emudojo replied on

Is there a way to get a copy of this for people like me that won't be able to attend ? Sounds Really interesting.

Aimee Degnan's picture Aimee Degnan replied on

I'll propose the session for the Stanford Drupal Camp in early April and if I get selected I can post the slides up after that. :-)

Geijutsuka's picture Geijutsuka replied on

I definitely want to attend this session. I've been freelancing with Drupal for a couple years and could use more than just a few pointers from the front lines.

webdrips's picture webdrips replied on

Count me in...as a solo Drupal shop with too much work coming in, I need to know all about these issues.

sarawberg's picture sarawberg replied on

+1. Sounds like a very practical topic with tons of insight.

Kristen Pol's picture Kristen Pol replied on

We have learned a ton in a very short time and it would be great to share the wisdom ;)