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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)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- 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 & Equipment
- Hire & Retain Employees
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.
- article
Is Entrepreneurship For You?
- article
20 Questions Before Starting
- article
10 Steps to Starting a Business
- article
Understand Your Market
- Topic
Business Data & Statistics
Get access to data and statistics on your competitors, industry and target customer groups.
- Topic
Business Types
One of the first decisions you will make is the type of business you will open. Before making your decision, explore the opportunities that are available like a home-based or online business.
- Topic
Find a Mentor or Counselor
When starting a business, advice from SBA partner organizations such as SCORE Mentors, Small Business Development Centers and Women’s Business Centers can help you avoid common pitfalls.
- Discussion Board
Ask Questions About Starting a Business
Ask your questions in the SBA community and get advice on starting, growing and managing your business.
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Find professional business counseling, mentoring, and training from an SBA District Office or Resource Partner in your area.
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