Karaoke Forums

Thank you Athena for letting me know there is still one thing left up to the host to decide, besides of course getting into and out of the business. So really I can look at it anyway it is either a hobby that turned into a business, or a business that I still think of as a hobby. The local authorities here don't even consider it enough of a business to require a license. As for insurance I have an umbrella policy that is good for 10 million dollars that should cover any claims made against me, in 19 years that has been zero. At two hundred a year it is a cheap policy.

It is not about how I define a hobbyist Lone Ranger.....

It is how the KJ's look at themselves.

Some see themselves as a business from the very start even if they only run 1 show a month (they get insured, pay taxes, buy licences , file at least a DBA , take all tax write offs ect) and don't make a penny of profit for a very long time.

Others wait as long as possible considering it a hobby and don't do all the some or all of the things listed above.

Legally anyone who provides karaoke is supposed to follow the same rules. But having been in this industry we are both aware that it doesn't work that way.

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

My point Athena different parts of the country have different requirements, it is possible to run a business like and business and not have the same cost involved. You have to pay for a business license, one is not required here. As far as taxes and insurance we are both on the same page, every host situation is different. Just like Florida is different from California.

and if you prefer to do business with nothing but liability insurance that is your decision Lone Ranger....as much as I hate paying for our insurance I have been glad to have more coverage a couple of times over almost 20 years. We would have been screwed if all we had was our umbrella policy.....replacing a van load of equipment/discs that was totaled during a car accident and another time when lightning hit the venue and fried all our hardware (also unless a business is specified most umbrella policies wont cover business related claims...much like auto insurance)

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

Yes you are correct...even in my area some cities require an additional licence (on top of those required for state and counties) We do not all have the same requirements or regulations.

Each person who runs karaoke shows in public/for payment or benefit is LEGALLY REQUIRED to know and comply with the rules and/or requirements in their area or face the consequences of not doing so.

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

I stand corrected.

I am hired by the bar, they are my customer. I consider everyone IN the bar as my customer as well since it falls in the walls of my customer - since many of them are only there because of me.

_________________
LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

The way I like to think of it is the person hiring the service is my customer, the people at the show are my patrons since they are supporting my enterprise.

Replacing equipment has never been a concern, I just replaced when necessary, I was more concerned with personal liability, and yes my policy does cover my business, or is it my hobby?

Lone Ranger, not really sure Cali you are but I have friends in Hemet and they were required to have a business licence....just asked them http://www.cityofhemet.org/index.aspx?NID=32

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

Depends on what the business is Athena and where it is transacted.

well they were KJ's and worked in Hemet...no working any longer however but had to buy licences for the years they did...per them. I seemed to remember you saying you were somewhere in that general area of Cali but even other towns may have different rules.

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

Actually Thunder said I was in that general area I never said I was directly.

Then I stand corrected...I did not search for the thread and remembered wrong...I thought you had said that...I am sorry for my mistake

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

I didn't mean to confuse you Athena I do work in California, California is a big diverse place, and I run a mobile KJ/DJ service no fixed locations, it fits in more with the California lifestyle. I work all over and I am not limited to one area. That is why my card reads "Have Karaoke Will Travel" with the knight chess piece logo. You remember "Paladin" don't you, maybe not that was before your time.

Thanks for digging up this old thread cue it proves the point that over a month has passed and the new auditing system for CB, DTE product is still not up and running. I didn't post on this thread because Gretchen didn't want anything negative on this subject, so I thought I should put my question on my own thread. Just out of respect for her. No one has posted on this thread since July 21st, until you did on August 23rd. Everyone was interested in the renewal of CB auditing especially and no word at all. What happened?