Login System 
IMPORTANT: Please note that you must now log in with your email address and not your username!
ARCHIVED
 tax_monster
I am a low speed, high drag operator
Team Member
Joined: Dec 2003  MO, USA
 Posts: 4407 Feedback: 100% (39) |
Posted: 7/25/2012 12:03:20 AM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT I have no intention of moving down there. How you guys deal with the heat and humidity is beyond me, so I would be looking for an area manager and some hard working, but non-skilled labor. The base of operations would probably be Baton Rouge. Questions: 1. Tax environment - how is it? Anyone know the top personal / business income tax rates? Sales taxes (I know they vary, but are they 4-5%, or 8-9%)? 2. Regulations - will I be bled to death with permit fees, business license fees 3. Right to work state - yes or no? 4. Cost of living - I'm assuming it's cheaper to live down there than Chicago, but can anyone give me a good idea? For example, what would a $150,000 house look like in Baton Rouge? 5. Wages - what's a good wage for a non-skilled, hard working individual? I start my people here at $11/hr with a raise at 30 days of $.50 - $1.50 depending on effort and progress. All training is on the job as we provide a specialized service. (Not going to disclose what we do) Once the show is up and running, could I get a good manager to run operations, work with the laborers, do scheduling, pick up new customers and report to me weekly for $45-65k/year + benefits? Thanks! |
|
|
LongueCarabine
Curmudgeon
Team Member
Joined: Dec 2001 LA, USA
Posts: 5933 Feedback: 100% (8) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/25/2012 2:29:40 AM
[Last Edit: 7/25/2012 2:31:55 AM by LongueCarabine]
Originally Posted By tax_monster:
I have an opportunity to expand my business (currently based in Kansas City) to the LA/MS area, bounded approximately by Monroe, LS and Jackson, MS on the north, and Lake Charles, LA and Gulfport, MS on the south. I have no intention of moving down there. How you guys deal with the heat and humidity is beyond me, so I would be looking for an area manager and some hard working, but non-skilled labor. The base of operations would probably be Baton Rouge. Questions: 1. Tax environment - how is it? Anyone know the top personal / business income tax rates? Sales taxes (I know they vary, but are they 4-5%, or 8-9%)? 2. Regulations - will I be bled to death with permit fees, business license fees 3. Right to work state - yes or no? 4. Cost of living - I'm assuming it's cheaper to live down there than Chicago, but can anyone give me a good idea? For example, what would a $150,000 house look like in Baton Rouge? 5. Wages - what's a good wage for a non-skilled, hard working individual? I start my people here at $11/hr with a raise at 30 days of $.50 - $1.50 depending on effort and progress. All training is on the job as we provide a specialized service. (Not going to disclose what we do) Once the show is up and running, could I get a good manager to run operations, work with the laborers, do scheduling, pick up new customers and report to me weekly for $45-65k/year + benefits? Thanks! I'll answer what I know. 1. In LA, income tax is 3% to 6%. Sales taxes are between 8% and 9% in most areas. State sales tax is set at 4%, parish sales taxes are usually 4% to 5%. 2. In BR, there will be a fair amount of permits, fees, etc. Not as bad as New Orleans, but not great either. Consider a suburban area around BR or Lafayette. 3. Yes, LA is a right to work state. 4. $150,000 will get you a decent, not lavish, home in BR. 5. That's not a bad starting wage. Not great, but not bad. I think there's plenty of unskilled labor who would go for it. You'll have to weed out the chaff, though. Lastly, yes, you could find someone to run the operation for that kind of money. Shouldn't be too hard. What kind of skills does that person need? LC |
|
|
tax_monster
I am a low speed, high drag operator
Team Member
Joined: Dec 2003 MO, USA
Posts: 4408 Feedback: 100% (39) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/25/2012 3:17:51 AM
[Last Edit: 7/25/2012 3:19:54 AM by tax_monster]
Originally Posted By LongueCarabine:
Lastly, yes, you could find someone to run the operation for that kind of money. Shouldn't be too hard. What kind of skills does that person need? LC Most of the skills I would need would be present in anyone capable of being in a "manager" position: - self starter - honest - reliable, no, scratch that - very reliable - good customer contact abililties - problem solver - ability to lead and manage others - ability to train and motivate employees - reasonably intelligent Extra skills I would need: - sales ability (the work I have as a possibility right now wouldn't be enough to keep a work crew going all year round) - general construction / handyman experience - able to present a professional and knowledgeable image to the customers Basically, I would want someone who has most of the attributes of an ambitious business owner, but would rather someone else handle the paperwork and rely on a steady salary + bonus pay structure, so their only choice is to be a good employee vs. a mediocre/bad business owner. ETA: The other issues you mentioned, with taxes, etc. don't seem out of line with what I deal with here. I already deal with payroll / income taxes for multiple states now, so what's the big deal with adding two more, right?  |
|
|
NoloContendere
Of Counsel
Life Member
Joined: Apr 2007 USA
Posts: 11291 Feedback: 100% (6) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/25/2012 6:13:58 AM
11$ is good for non skilled. if the company is big enough you could probably get some special tax treatment. 150K in jackson would get you a nice house, but you would have to be insane to open a business in hinds county/city of jackson. i would recommend madison/rankin county.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/25/2012 6:43:41 AM
The NE MS area is booming. The Toyota plant at Blue Springs is chugging away and some of the Tier 1 suppliers are are line now. Furniture is pretty dominant in this area also. I know this is a little further than you were thinking of, but we're doing pretty good up here. Link
|
|
|
Captain_Morgan
Question. Challenge. Evolve.
Team Member
Joined: Jan 2009 LA, USA
Posts: 2572 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/25/2012 11:30:06 AM
I'd say the wages you would offer are pretty good for the kind of employee you need. In BR especially, you'll have your pick of employees; there's plenty of competition right now, but the economy is still good.
$150k will get you an ok house in BR city limits in a middle class neighborhood (I bought mine for $140k seven years ago, and I love the area I'm in). If exact location isn't critical, you'd find more value for your money in Prairieville or other suburb. |
|
|
tax_monster
I am a low speed, high drag operator
Team Member
Joined: Dec 2003 MO, USA
Posts: 4409 Feedback: 100% (39) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/25/2012 3:29:23 PM
Originally Posted By Captain_Morgan:
I'd say the wages you would offer are pretty good for the kind of employee you need. In BR especially, you'll have your pick of employees; there's plenty of competition right now, but the economy is still good. $150k will get you an ok house in BR city limits in a middle class neighborhood (I bought mine for $140k seven years ago, and I love the area I'm in). If exact location isn't critical, you'd find more value for your money in Prairieville or other suburb. I'm not exactly looking for a house down there, but I figure a guy making $45-65k could comfortably afford a $150k house. I know that in San Francisco that MIGHT get you a 6x12ft Tuff Shed, so I wanted to make sure that paying that salary would allow someone to find a decent place in the Baton Rouge area. Based on my customer's locations, I think I'd have to base around BR and travel a loop to the corners mentioned in my first post. I figure the labor guys could top out at $13-14/hour. Is that a decent wage in this area for no education or prior skills required people? I all really need are guys that work hard, take instruction and are willing to learn on the job and do things right. I can teach the skills, I just need the right attitude. |
|
|
tax_monster
I am a low speed, high drag operator
Team Member
Joined: Dec 2003 MO, USA
Posts: 4410 Feedback: 100% (39) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/25/2012 3:31:55 PM
[Last Edit: 7/25/2012 3:51:22 PM by tax_monster]
Originally Posted By NoloContendere:
11$ is good for non skilled. if the company is big enough you could probably get some special tax treatment. 150K in jackson would get you a nice house, but you would have to be insane to open a business in hinds county/city of jackson. i would recommend madison/rankin county. I don't know - is 3 employees for that area big?
What's wrong with Jackson? Is it infested with big city thinkers, like KC and St. Louis? ETA: Nolo - I probably need a registered agent down there. What's your fee? Can I pay in mud bugs?  |
|
|
Captain_Morgan
Question. Challenge. Evolve.
Team Member
Joined: Jan 2009 LA, USA
Posts: 2580 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/25/2012 11:09:31 PM
Originally Posted By tax_monster: I figure the labor guys could top out at $13-14/hour. Is that a decent wage in this area for no education or prior skills required people? I all really need are guys that work hard, take instruction and are willing to learn on the job and do things right. I can teach the skills, I just need the right attitude. That is a very decent wage for non-skilled, inexperienced. I think you'll find that you would have a good pick of potential employees with that criteria. Of course, you'll get plenty of riff raff applying for those positions as well; we have lots around here. |
|
|
NoloContendere
Of Counsel
Life Member
Joined: Apr 2007 USA
Posts: 11298 Feedback: 100% (6) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/26/2012 9:18:31 AM
Originally Posted By tax_monster:
Originally Posted By NoloContendere:
11$ is good for non skilled. if the company is big enough you could probably get some special tax treatment. 150K in jackson would get you a nice house, but you would have to be insane to open a business in hinds county/city of jackson. i would recommend madison/rankin county. I don't know - is 3 employees for that area big?
What's wrong with Jackson? Is it infested with big city thinkers, like KC and St. Louis? ETA: Nolo - I probably need a registered agent down there. What's your fee? Can I pay in mud bugs? Jackson is infested with crime and has very high taxes on everything. Also, the city council leaves much to be desired. Unfortunately I'm not registered agent for anyone. ;) |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/26/2012 1:19:10 PM
OP, pm me. Know the target territory and general market on labor/business.
|
|
|
|
Captain_Morgan
Question. Challenge. Evolve.
Team Member
Joined: Jan 2009 LA, USA
Posts: 2590 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 7/26/2012 4:00:50 PM
Originally Posted By conman: OP, pm me. Know the target territory and general market on labor/business.  Not sure you should listen to someone named conman.....
 |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/26/2012 5:28:39 PM
Ha! Started as an abbreviation of a former title and makes for an interesting screen name.
|
|
|
ARCHIVED
