I hired my first teacher today. Wow! I’ve seen this day coming for a while, but never thought it would come so soon. Classes are going great! In fact, they’re so great that I’m going to let her teach a few of them so I can focus a bit more on StartAPreschool.com
She’s an awesome person and will be a great preschool teacher. I’ve got great ideas on how to teach letter writing, while she has some wonderful ideas on how to enhance the discovery centers and free play time.
So here’s to taking the next step in the business world! Now I am officially an employer. And now I get to pay for it too! Medicare, social security, unemployment taxes and worker’s comp, I’m ready for ya! Who else wants their hand in the money jar?
YOUR TURN!
What tips do you have for me about how to be a great employer?
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Make sure she knows every task or “hat” that she is required to do very well.
Well here it goes. I do not do this very often but I think you could use some of what I know. I have been in business for over 20 years and the biggest pain is all of the TAX entities. You MUST file everything on time and correctly. Even if you owe nothing, some forms can not be filed late. For example I have a form now that was filed late and I did not owe any money. Now I owe a $900.00 penalty (still trying to find out why). And I pay someone to help keep it all in order. It would be wise for you to take a business tax filing class with the Small Business Administration in your area if you have one. Get ready to start paying monthly and quarterly tax payments. A wise old business man (My Dad) once told me if you can’t. pay your bills make sure you pay the tax man. He will lock down everything and you will go broke. A resent business associate of mine just went from having money in the bank to being locked out of it in one day (he did not know how to work with them). They’re not that bad if you know how to work with them. Knowledge is GOLD. Get educated, the TAX man is a silent partner and he demands to be treated right. Keep copies of everything including notes of phone conversations with the tax man, get names and control numbers. Just a side note: I generated over $250,000 in cash flow last year and the year before in one business. I paid allot of taxes. I hope this helps.
It is exciting and some time frightening. But looking at the way you put things together I’m sure it will be mainly just fun.
Congratulations Joy! I’m sure you’ll make an excellent employer. The only advice I have is to check in on a regular basis and share ideas with each other. Oh, and don’t micro-manage… it will defeat the purpose of hiring someone in the first place if you try to manage every little thing she does. Good luck!
Joy Good for you but becareful with payroll taxes I would see if you
can sub contract people instead then you use a 1099 and don’t have to have payroll. Payroll taxes will kill you or they can.
I am talking from experience I did payroll for a long time for a business
and when I first started my daycare I went group I also added payroll,
well let me tell you qtr. taxes and payroll taxes this is no joke one wk
with my group daycare license I pay my workers, bought daycare food and I ended up with 80.00 to my pay for me only 80.00 that is a bunch of bull I thought so I went back to family daycare where it is just me to pay.
I will not do payroll again only sub contracting and 1099’s a lot easier and a lot more money in your pocket! I would talk to your accountant
you would save money by doing 1099
Hope that helps! Good luck!
Congratulations! I’m very interested in what you’re doing for my wife and daughter who are both elementary school teachers. They are both being beat up by the system and are both too talented and care too much to give up teaching. My advice as an employer is to write (or purchase) an operations manual created for preschool teachers and have all employees read and sign that they agree to the policies. Also, look into one of the national payroll systems. Most will handle all of the paperwork and even taxes for you at a reasonable rate. Good luck!
Congratulations Joy! You’ve definitely achieved a milestone that’s worth celebrating. I would advise you to ask her to help you write manuals on how to do various tasks as she gets proficient at them. You could approve and tweak them once she’s done. This way hiring employee number won’t be much of a problem and the fine standard you’ve established at your Preshool will be maintained.
All the best!
Well… First impression counts, so first day is the most important day which is your debut with the kids. Make sure she makes it fun so the kids will love the new teacher and make them want to come back is the key to your success.
I would make up an official job description. Cross-train her on all of your daily routines and non-restrictive paperwork. This way, if you every have an emergency or need to take a few hours off to go to your children’s school, doctor, etc. she can keep everything going. You’ve earned the help! Good Luck~
Hi Joy, I would suggest you imagine yourself taking a month long vacation and not having to worry about leaving your business behind because your wonderful employee(s) and/or outsourcers can handle everything while you’re gone. Keep the end in mind and it will keep you focused on what’s important. Otherwise, I’ve found that it’s very easy to feel *more* overworked after you hire people.
Good luck on your continued success! -Tracy
Congrats!
Julie
There will be problems. So REWARD her for telling you about them. It’s better to celebrate her telling you about a problem and being able to resolve it quickly rather than her feel like she’s going to get in trouble if she brings it up so she tries to not mention it and let’s it get worse.
^ Learned that from Eben Pagan
Thanks so much everyone! I’ve loved reading your comments and advice! She’s a great teacher already and I look forward to training her well so I can step aside. 🙂
Talk to you soon,
Joy
Hi Joy! Hi New Teacher!
Congratulations to you both and the lucky kids, too! Joy, you have such a great site and new blog! I hope the new teacher teaches how precious animals are and how to learn to be loving and nice. 😀
Joy you are stepping aside??? What are you going to do? Best wishes to Everybody!!! 😀
Hi Joy,
I agree with Brenda. You should look into hiring her as an independent contractor. You will save A LOT of money. In a business we previously owned, we used independent contractors. All an independent contractor needs is a business license, have a business card, and fill out a W-9. So, have her go purchase the $10 business license and she can pay her taxes. You might even be able to pay her a little more as an independent contractor since you will save 15-18% having her as an independent contractor.
Good Luck!
Hi Joy,
I am a internet business owner. I hired my first part-time employee as “contract” but later found out she was really an employee!! My banker recommended that I use a professional (their employee check service)and I love it! The bank calls me once a month to find out the hours of each of my part time empoyees and the professionals do the rest – pay taxes, file reports, and pay my employees. Two of my team members have their checks automatically deposited into their bank accounts – it makes me feel like a big business when I am just a stay at home mom with a home based business!
It costs a little bit more, but to grow your business, you need to use your talents and gifts and outsourse what you can, so you can spend time where it matters!
Great job and good luck.
I am a MC student just like you.
Cathy
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