Thinking About Starting
If you’re thinking about starting a small business, you should start by weighing the pros and cons, so that you can make a wise decision. The resources in this section are essentially a toolkit to guide your decision-making process.
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What characteristics do you need to be an entrepreneur? What does it take to startup and succeed? This guide can help you determine if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
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Explore how to use market research to find out if there is a market for your idea. To help you build a picture of market conditions and demographics, the U.S. government also provides access to free market data and statistics.
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As you get started, take advantage of free training and counseling from experienced business owners who’ve already walked in your shoes. Learn about government-sponsored mentorship programs and resources.
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Ready to get started? These 10 steps can help you plan, prepare and get your business off the ground.
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Kevin Peeples’ business is more than just a convenience store, it’s a “C” store – and a Sea store – with a...
Byron Bjorklund, owner of Custom Catering by Short Stop based in St.Cloud, Minn., has been named the Minnesota Small Business Person of the Year by...
Jean Hawks has had to overcome a lot of challenges throughout her business career, but it hasn’t affected the outlook she has on life. Hawks...