Business start-up help: Trademarks, patents, and web-hosting.

[IlliniHerpEnthusiast]

Hello,

My name is Thomas and I'm a college student graduating come December 2011. I am developing my own reptile related business that revolves around the hobby. The goal of my business is to provide for a self-sustaining collection of phenomenal reptiles. I plan to bring great ideas to the reptile industry and launch ball python husbandry into the next era.

I have already purchased a domain and created what I want my trademark to be. I'd love to learn where all you breeders/ business professionals go to get trademarks and legal stuff done.

I cannot emphasize the amount of ambition and excitement I have for my company. However, this business will not be my primary occupation. My highest priority is to launch my business right before I graduate and let it grow and build a reputation before returning to graduate school within a few years. Then I will know much more about management and have more resources to invest into my dream.

I am greatly appreciative for any advice and cannot wait to absorb knowledge and taste some wisdom.

To clarify:
1. Information on how and where to get a trademark processed.
2. Best companies for web-hosting.
3. Patents in a nut-shell.
4. Any advice you'd like to share.

Thanks

Sincerely,

Thomas R.

1.0 Normal (Monty)

[Kateesaurus]

I'm sorry I don't have much advice for you but I assume from your screen name that you go to U of I. I do also and my roommates are software and hardware engineers respectively. They are currently starting a business as well (not in reptiles) and may be willing to help. Let me know. Also its always nice to know someone else nearby who is into herps too.

[psychophobia]

i dont have any advise for u but i always help other people to design their website,logo n give idea for them that wanna start a business.if u have any problem or need my help,please pm me.

[monk90222]

I used LegalZoom.com to form my LLC.
I use GoDaddy to host my website.

My advice....Make sure you are prepared to do the work necessary to maintain and grow a reptile business. Hatching snakes is a great feeling, but it only happens once a year....the rest of the year it's all about cleaning up snake crap and cleaning rodent bedding.....

[OhhWatALoser]

2. Best companies for web-hosting.
3. Patents in a nut-shell.

2. go daddy has been good to me.

3. what are you patenting? snakes are naturally occurring, you can't patent them.

[koloo921]

I used LegalZoom.com to form my LLC.
I use GoDaddy to host my website.

My advice....Make sure you are prepared to do the work necessary to maintain and grow a reptile business. Hatching snakes is a great feeling, but it only happens once a year....the rest of the year it's all about cleaning up snake crap and cleaning rodent bedding.....

I second that!! LOL My friday night date is a radio and a bunch of rats with dirty cages in my basement.

It won't get old if you have a true love for the hobby!!!!!

I attend school for website design. I run my own server and don't have to pay a monthly hosting fee. It is easy to do if you have a computer that can handle the work load. (It will only work with a DSL or Broadband connection) It took me 5 years of research to figure out how to do it for free They don't teach you that kinda stuff in college. Pm me if you want some details. The only thing that I pay for is my website domain. I get that through GoDaddy!

I'm still in the designing stages for my snake site, but here is my dog one.

http://www.dailybulldogs.com

Good Luck!

[IlliniHerpEnthusiast]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the wonderful advice. I have the domain through GoDaddy.com and I my sister-in-law is going to help me with the web-hosting. I just wanted to trademark my business logo and consider a patent for an invention (not a snake). Keep the great responses coming.

Thanks

Thomas R.