Contact your local Washington SBDC advisor!

Congratulations! If you've completed the first four steps, you know:

• whether you have the personal, business, and lifestyle requirements to begin a small business endeavor,
• your idea has been thoroughly examined and refined,
• there are customers for your product or service, and
• generally, you can make the finances work.

With this information, you are on your way to putting together your Business Plan, an important cornerstone of starting a business. But there are still many more questions to answer and choices to make.

At this point we recommend you make an appointment with one of our knowledgeable business advisors. They can review your information, answer your questions, and point you in the right direction to complete the additional steps needed to start your business. And all this is confidential and no cost to you! Contact the Washington SBDC office nearest you to set up your appointment.

Additional Steps

Some of the additional questions you will need to answer are:

• What legal structure will you have?
• What insurance coverage will be needed?
• What accounting system will you use?
• What equipment and supplies will you need?
• What will you name your business?
• Where will your business be located?
• How will you market your business?
• What permits and licenses do you need?
• Should you rent or lease?
• What do you need to set up an office?
• Should you have a home-based business?
• Have you applied for your state employer ID number and your federal identification number?
• Have you obtained a business license?
• Have you checked zoning and other land use ordinances?
• Have you established a bank account?
• Where will you find qualified employees?
• How much will you pay your employees and yourself?
• How will you price your product?

If you still want more information, we've provided several links to more comprehensive information on starting a business.

• Small Business Administration
• Business Owner's Toolkit

Insight ~ Solutions ~ Success

                     

The Washington SBDC is a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington State University and other Washington Institutions of higher education and economic development organizations. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the SBA

© 2005-2008 by Washington Small Business Development Center