DCSIMG
STARTUP GUIDES & BUSINESS PLANS
Basic tools and information for the serious entrepreneur looking to start up.
  • Getting Your Business Up & Running -- Business on Main -- © Inti St. Clair/Digital Vision/Getty ImagesGetting Your Business Up & Running

    Use these SBA and MS Office tools to help you navigate the basics that have long-term implications for your business: Picking a Business Location, Naming a Business, Selecting a Business Structure and Obtaining Business Licenses & Permits.

  • Funding Your New Business -- Business on Main -- © BananaStock/SuperStockFunding Your New Business

    Are you a new business owner concerned about securing financing?  These SBA and MS Office tools help calculate your projected startup expenses and search for available business loans and grants that are a good fit for your business.

  • First Steps to Starting a Business -- Business on Main -- © Tom Grill/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty ImagesFirst Steps to Starting a Business

    Starting up may seem daunting, but these resources SBA and IRS resources can help: Is Entrepreneurship for You?, How to Start a Small Business, Starting a Business 101, Checklist for Starting a Business, and a Glossary of Business Terms.

  • Business Training & Guidance -- Business on Main -- © Thomas Northcut/Digital Vision/Getty ImagesBusiness Training & Guidance

    These SBA and SCORE free resources are for aspiring and existing owners who are looking for support and advice.  They include free online classes and training resources from the SBA, as well as business mentoring services from SCORE.

  • Business on Main: 28 Days to Start Up -- Business on Main -- © Exactostock/SuperStock Business on Main: 28 Days to Start Up

    This Business on Main series gives you 28 steps — one per day for four weeks — to help you up and running. It includes tips on choosing the right business, doing research and planning, setting up a business and finally, selling your product.

  • SBA: Guide to Buying & Franchising -- Business on Main -- © Image Source/SuperStock SBA: Guide to Buying & Franchising

    For some entrepreneurs, starting from scratch isn’t the best route — but that doesn’t mean buying an existing business or franchising are any easier.  These guides from the SBA help you navigate the common pitfalls of buying and/or franchising.

  • Creating Effective Business Plans -- Business on Main -- © MediaMagnet/SuperStockCreating Effective Business Plans

    A business plan is essential in the early stages of your business.  It is often an investor’s first impression of a business and helps founders focus their goals. These SBA and MS Office tools help you write and format an effective business plan.