6 Top Tips on Starting an Outdoor Side Hustle in Georgia

Outdoorsy activities are a big deal in Georgia, but not all business concepts are viable in this state. For example: snowshoeing tours could make for a wonderful side hustle in Maine or Minnesota, but will face huge weather-related limitations down south.

The ideal business concept will be passion-driven, but also, promising based on local trends and demands. Therein lies the need for market research. This will reveal what local customers or clients will find compelling.

Market research can take many forms. When in doubt, gather a wealth of data, which can reveal whether your possible side hustle stands a chance of appealing to local consumers. You'll also learn whether you need to prepare for any otherwise unforeseen challenges.

A strategic and highly targeted research process is essential, as the details you gather should be aligned with your general business goals and plans. This means asking the right questions and seeking details from the right resources. Essentials include:

• Surveys and questionnaires. As a central form of quantitative research, surveys allow you to interact with a wide variety of potential customers or clients. Running your own survey will provide the most accurate results, but you may be able to find existing survey results that reveal the priorities of target consumers.

• Focus groups. Surveys provide broad insights from many people, but what if you want more in-depth details? This is where focus groups can prove helpful. Featuring small groups of individuals from your target market (or even one-on-one conversations), these sessions can reveal whether your intended business concept resonates. This is your chance to learn more about common pain points and to determine how your products or services can help.

• Secondary research. It's worth your while to conduct your own research but don't discount the power of existing data to provide valuable insights into your target market. Equipped with secondary research, you can discover the local market size and pinpoint potential competitors.

You've uncovered a genius concept for your side hustle and feel confident that outdoorsy individuals in your hometown will be eager to get involved. Before you proceed, however, you will want to be confident that your business name reflects your priorities and your target customers or clients. Your name can have an outsized impact on many facets of running your business, so you'll want to choose carefully.

Think of a term or description that clearly conveys what, exactly, your business offers and what makes it unique. This name needs to instantly reveal your brand and what your outdoor business is all about. It should also be easy to pronounce. If you anticipate that you will one day scale up your side hustle to form a larger business, avoid choosing something that might limit you down the road.

Also essential: checking whether your preferred business name is actually available. This is important to verify even if you've struck inspiration and found a truly unique name. The Georgia Secretary of State provides easy access to an online search tool, although this is exclusively intended for research purposes.

Once you have an idea as to which name you'd like to propose, create two backups, as you will be asked to provide a total of three possible names. These can be submitted together to expedite the process.

There are numerous ways to run a side hustle and, if you're like many passion-driven people, you will initially gravitate toward the setup that seems the easiest: sole proprietorship. There are certainly advantages to this approach, including ease of access and minimal startup fees. Unfortunately, there are also many downsides, such as minimal financial protection.

Not feeling confident that a sole proprietorship is the right approach? You should consider forming an LLC for the simple purpose of protection: as its name reveals, this setup protects your assets so that, should the worst-case scenario arise, your side hustle will have a minimal impact on your personal finances.

Don't hesitate to check with the Georgia Secretary of State to learn more about registration requirements. Keep in mind that this process includes the selection of a registered agent, who will receive service of process. If you ultimately decide to run a sole proprietorship, you can register as an individual via the state's Department of Revenue.

A business plan is non-negotiable, no matter how casual your side hustle may seem. This forms a much-needed blueprint to ensure that you make the most of every moment and every dollar. After all, if you think of your business as a side hustle, you will only have so much time and so much money to dedicate to your entrepreneurial endeavors. Your business plan, however, can help keep you on track every step of the way.

There is no one correct way to create a business plan. A lot depends on what you intend to accomplish with your side hustle. If you are hoping to secure funding to give your new business a boost, you'll want to draft a detailed plan that will bring increased confidence to potential lenders. Key elements include:

• Executive summary and company description. These sections reveal why you are starting your outdoor business and which products or services you will provide. Target consumers and their common pain points should also be detailed. Don't forget to highlight any competitive advantages that will give your side hustle a boost, such as personal experience with outdoor activities or previous leadership roles in the recreation industry.

• Market analysis. We have already provided a thorough overview of the data you need to compile via market research. Now, it's time to put that information to good use through the market analysis portion of your business plan. This is where you reveal the important trends or patterns that you've identified thus far — and how your outdoor side hustle will leverage these.

• Organization and management. Which legal structure have you selected and why? Whether you opt to run a sole proprietorship, a general partnership, or an LLC, you'll want to make this structure known within your business plan.

• Products and services. How, exactly, do you plan to share your love of the great outdoors? Perhaps you will start a recreational retail business, specializing in camping gear. Maybe you will provide services such as tours or lessons. Outline these offerings in your business plan while expanding on the basic ideas you already mentioned in your executive summary.

• Financial projections. Finances might not seem like a big deal if you have modest aspirations for your side hustle — but it's important to confirm that your business will remain viable. Clarify how you will bring in revenue and which expenses you might encounter along the way.

Every Georgia business needs an operating license. This applies to side hustles, even if you only dedicate a few hours per week to running your business. In Georgia, operating licenses are not provided at the state level, but rather, secured from the counties or municipalities in which businesses are situated.

In addition to your operating license, you may require specialized permits that align with your type of business. While you probably won't need to worry about licenses for selling food or serving alcohol, other permitting expectations must be fulfilled early on. These can vary from one city to the next, so you will need to confirm which requirements apply in your unique situation.

In Savannah, for example, tour companies must register with the Department of Mobility & Parking Services. In Atlanta, however, sightseeing tour companies seek permits from the Bureau of Tourism. If you struggle to determine which licenses or permits are necessary in your area, check with municipal government agencies or your local chamber of commerce.

Taxes are a common source of confusion among aspiring entrepreneurs, and in Georgia, these can feel especially complicated. The first step? Figuring out what, exactly, you're required to file. This will largely be determined based on the type of business structure you've selected.

If you launch an LLC or partnership that does business in Georgia, you can expect to pay a 5.75 percent business income tax. This is also essential if your LLC or partnership receives income from sources within the state of Georgia — or even owns property in Georgia.

Don't forget about sales taxes. The current state rate in Georgia rests at 4 percent, although there are significant differences between jurisdictions.

In general, you can expect to register through the Georgia Tax Center. This self-service portal provides much-needed guidance as you seek tax-specific identification numbers and handle other tax matters.

If you are passionate about outdoor recreation and eager to share that passion with your community, you could make your mark with a recreation-oriented side hustle. This is your chance to explore Georgia's business community as you see fit. Remember: there are plenty of resources available to guide you along the way, so don't hesitate to get the support you need.