Starting a Business
- Thinking About Starting a Business?
- Is Entrepreneurship For You?
- 20 Questions Before Starting
- 10 Steps to Starting a Business
- Understand Your Market
- Business Data & Statistics
- Business Types
- Nonprofit Organization
- Green Businesses
- Startups & High Growth Businesses
- Home-Based Businesses
- Online Businesses
- Franchise Businesses
- Buying Existing Businesses
- Self Employed & Independent Contractors
- Women-Owned Businesses
- Veteran-Owned Businesses
- Minority-Owned Businesses
- People with Disabilities
- Young Entrepreneurs
- Find a Mentor or Counselor
- Ask Questions About Starting a Business
- Create Your Business Plan
- Choose Your Business Structure
- Choose & Register Your Business
- Obtain Business Licenses & Permits
- Learn About Business Law & Regulations
- Advertising & Marketing Law
- Employment & Labor Law
- Finance Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Online Business Law
- Privacy Law
- Environmental Regulations
- Regulation of Financial Contracts
- Workplace Safety & Health Law
- Foreign Workers & Employee Eligibility
- Contact a Government Agency
- Federal Compliance Contacts and Resources
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- Department of State (DOS)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Department of the Interior (DOI)
- Department of the Treasury
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Export-Import Bank of the United States
- Federal Communications Commission
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Federal Housing Finance Agency
- Federal Maritime Commission
- Federal Reserve Board
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- General Services Administration (GSA)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Small Business Administration
- Social Security Administration
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Assistance with Regulatory Compliance
- Economic Development Agencies
- Federal Compliance Contacts and Resources
- Finance Your Business
- Explore Loans, Grants & Funding
- Filing & Paying Taxes
- Choose Your Location and Equipment
- Hire & Retain Employees
Starting a Business
Are you thinking about starting a business of your own? Explore the topics below to learn the aspects of starting a business, plus find information you need to succeed.
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Thinking About Starting a Business?
Starting a business is an exciting proposition, but it’s also an incredibly challenging undertaking. The resources in this section will help you learn about what it takes to start a business.
- Topic
Create Your Business Plan
A business plan is an essential roadmap for business success. This living document generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to grow revenues.
- Topic
Choose Your Business Structure
The business structure you choose will have legal and tax implications. Learn about the different types of business structures and find the one best suited for your business.
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Choose & Register Your Business
Choosing and registering your business name is a key step to legally operating your business and potentially obtaining financial aid from the government. The guides below can help you get started.
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Obtain Business Licenses & Permits
To run your business legally, there are certain federal and state licenses and permits you will need to obtain. These resources will help you understand the requirements for your small business.
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Learn About Business Law & Regulations
As a small business owner, you are subject to the same laws and regulations as large corporations. These resources can help you understand which laws and regulations apply to your business.
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Finance Your Business
Improve your odds of business success by understanding your financing needs as well as the options that are available to help you start, manage and grow your business.
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Explore Loans, Grants & Funding
You have a variety of options when it comes to financing your small business. Explore your opportunities that range from traditional loans to grants and bonds.
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Filing & Paying Taxes
Find out if your business needs to obtain a tax ID and what the benefits and requirements are.
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Choose Your Location and Equipment
These resources can help ensure your small business is compliant with leasing terms and zoning ordinances. It also provides information about buying or leasing equipment or buying government surplus.
- Topic
Hire & Retain Employees
Ready to hire employees for your business? Learn about employment and labor laws to make sure your business is in compliance.
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