Find valuable information to help
new businesses get started.
Getting Started
Passion, commitment, a sparkling new idea - these you have. Adequate startup capital, access to best practices and trusted advisors, and most importantly, customers - these may still be a challenge.
As a new business owner or a seasoned one looking to expand into new markets, you may be overwhelmed by your "to-do" list and find it difficult to focus on the tasks necessary to effectively establish and protect your business.
To make this important process as easy as possible, Perquest, an innovative provider
of online workforce management solutions, has created this
Business Planning Guide and Resources.
We’ve identified critical tasks and accompanying resources so your business gets established - and you get prepared for long-term success. While your new business faces a multitude of daily challenges and your time is limited, you do have the advantage of being agile, flexible, customer-centric, and more apt to develop and respond to innovation. We hope you find this guide useful and your vision for your business becomes reality.
This page includes links to governmental and non-governmental web sites.
Links may change or be broken over time as information is updated and forms change. We do our best to keep these links current.
Related Links
Small Business Association
United States Small Business Association (SBA) is an online resource developed to act as an independent agency of the federal government. It protects the interests of small businesses by providing legal and regulatory information.
Name Your Business
If you will be doing business with a business name different than your legal name, you need to file for a fictitious name with your county. If you incorporate your business and do business under your corporate name, this regulation does not apply.
Keep in mind when you are considering business names the availability of a web domain name that is the same as or similar to your business name, especially in the event you intend to conduct a significant amount of business online, or intend to use the web for advertising purposes. You need to separately register your domain name.
Secure Business Funding
There are plenty of costs associated with starting a business. Often, the revenues associated with the business lag behind by many months. It is important to secure startup funds prior to starting your business. The amount of funding required can vary by the type of business, but there are a number of traditional and niche lending services that can help. Often startup funds don’t come from traditional lending services, and instead come from personal savings or loans from friends or family.
Identify Key Advisors
In the early development of your new business, it is vital to develop relationships with a team of advisors from the financial services, accounting, tax and legal professions, who can provide assistance and advice.
Establish a Business Bank
Your business account should be separate from any personal accounts. Take the time to shop local, regional or national providers for a bank with the services that best suit your needs.
Obtain Licenses and Permits
Often there are a number of licenses and permits required to do business. The number and types vary depending on the type of business and where you live. There are often local, county and state requirements. It is critical to understand the licensing and permitting processes and rules to ensure you operate within the law.
Protect Your Ideas
If you have created a unique product that is either completely new, or a great improvement to an existing product, then you may want to consider having the product patented. Patents ensure others do not have the ability to make or sell your invention in the U.S. Another thing to consider is a trademark. Trademarks are not for products. Instead, they brand names for products that are used to help differentiate your product and prevent others from using your brand name on another product. Copyrights protect authors, artists and musicians from having their work used without permission.
Retain Your Records
Good records will help you monitor the progress of your business, prepare financial statements, identify sources of receipts, keep track of deductible expenses, prepare your tax returns and support items reported on tax returns. You must keep all of your records as long as they may be needed; however, the IRS recommends you keep all records of employment taxes for at least four years. For information on record retention, consult your tax advisor.
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