Where can I find information on starting a small business?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a great deal of information on starting and managing a small business. Their network of 900 Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) across the country assist small business owners with advice, market research, lending, and more.

Incorporation

The Small Business Administration has information about various business structures so you can choose the right one. Firms, like BizFilings, offer services to assist you with the process as well as their Learning Center which has a new business checklist and guides to forming a LLC, incorporation, or nonprofit.

Sample Business Plans

You can access hundreds of real world business plans via the Business Plans Handbook.

Tax and Legal Issues

Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business and the The Small Business Start-up Kit will provide a good introduction to many of the legal and tax issues facing entrepreneurs. The Internal Revenue Service has compiled a selection of resources for the small business owner.

Patents and Trademarks

The website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office allows free searching for patent and trademark information and includes many related resources. We also recommend starting with the Library Guide on Patent Searching.