Small Business: Starting a Business

“Start me up!” ~ Rolling Stones

Startup Help
SBA Startup Planner
The Small Business Administration's startup section addresses some of the most common startup issues.

Starting a Business
Entrepreneur Magazine's startup page has links to dozens of articles on issues you need to consider.

Starting Your Biz
IdeaCafe's startup section is packed with ideas and a step-by-step guide to getting going.

Starting a Business in Canada
CanadaOne's startup section includes lots of general information about startup issues as well as info specific to Canadian businesses.

Business Structures
SBA Selecting a Legal Structure
This Small Business Administration publication covers the basic considerations of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.

Intellectual Property
ALSO SEE:
Our Reference Resources: Intellectual Property section can help you with copyright, trademark, and patent issues.

Checklists & Forms
Business Owner's Startup Checklist
Download a high-level checklist of things to consider when starting a new business. (RTF format)

Business Owner's Business Selection Checklist
Download a checklist to help you choose the business that's right for you. (RTF format)

Checklist for Starting a Business
PowerHomeBiz.com presents this checklist to consider when changing from an employee to a small business owner.

ALSO SEE:
Our Small Business Resources: Sample Documents section includes more sources of forms to help you analyze opportunities and estimate startup expenses.

Name Generator
Business Name & Tag Line Generator
Use Marcia Yudkin's guide to generate ideas for business names, tag lines, and slogans for your business.

Business Plan Guides
SBA Business Plan Page
The Small Business Administration's Business Plan section includes a plan outline and a form-based business plan workshop.

Creating an Effective Business Plan
The Amex Small Business Exchange provides this step-by-step guide through the parts of a business plan, including forms, samples, and an FAQ.

Sample Business Plans
Bplans.Com
Browse extensive business plan samples, software tools, marketing plans, and other startup information.

Business Owner's Sample Business Plans
Download 3 sample business plan templates to help you write your own plan. (RTF format)

Writing a Business Plan
Planware's guide to writing a business plan includes links to more planning materials, including software tools.