Three Months in Review

Many notable events have occurred in the past month, including Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and the three-month anniversary of Saddle Mountain Digital Marketing Services. That’s right; May 14th marked three months since I (Chase Swearingen) stepped outside my comfort zone and took the first step toward achieving my dream of eventually starting my own digital marketing company. Over the past few months, I’ve learned a lot and encountered a few challenges along the way. I’d like to share some of the lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey with you. 

1: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and guidance!  

During my internship with the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, I learned about Clatsop County’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the services they provide. So when I had the idea to get things moving for real, the first thing I did was call their office. I then had a meeting with an advisor who helped me select a business name and determine my business's legal structure. But it didn’t stop there: they’ve continued to support me to this day, answering questions as they arise and helping me run my business as effectively as possible.

2: (In many cases) It’s cheaper and just as easy to file an LLC by yourself than to have someone do it for you.  

After meeting with my SBDC advisor and determining that a Single-Member LLC was the best business structure for me, I went ahead and filed it with the Secretary of State. However, when I searched something like “file an LLC in Oregon,” I found many results for services that would file it for you. So, unsure of how complicated it would be to do it myself, I had them file it for me. The total was slightly more than the state filing fee of $100.00, which I thought was to be expected. However, after I received my final registration certificate, I noticed a few discrepancies, so I checked them with my advisor at the SBDC. He was confused why I had spent the extra money and showed me how easy it was to file one as we fixed the information on the Secretary of State’s website.

3: Be prepared to work hard before you see any results

It’s a well-known fact that without risk, there’s no reward, so I understood what I was getting into while working towards achieving my dream. It wasn’t until late last month that I acquired my first client—a local business owner who needed his website updated. Working with him, I’ve honed my business strategies, learned from my mistakes, and discovered more about my abilities and what running this digital marketing company could look like in real-life scenarios. More details will come in a future blog post. 

So there you have it: THREE things I’ve learned in my first THREE months of operation! I hope you found something useful and can take it with you, whether you’re currently running a small business or considering this somewhat risky yet rewarding venture.  

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in one of our services!

-Chase Swearingen

Owner of SMDMS