What kind of business?, Product or Service?, For whom?, Where? All good questions and what we can offer as guidance is only suggestions and more questions. But as for how to get started, some things are common to all businesses.

After you have decided the answers to all of the first few questions, based mostly on your strengths and inclination, you are ready for the? HOW?, and here we can help. I mean really help.

Lets begin with a checklist of the things that all businesses must have.

A name If you do business in your own full name "John Q Doe - Bookkeeper" you will not have to register your business name with any government agency, since all of your customer will know who is responsible for your business ?. You.
If you are going to use any other name, even the slightest variation on your own full name, you must register the name with the state. Acme - Bookkeepers, John's Bookkeeping Service, can be owned and operated by John Doe but either must be registered as a "Fictitious Name" or DBA (doing business as) so that all the people that might do business with you can know who is responsible for the business.

If you decide to incorporate your business ( see advantages of incorporation.), you must also register the corporation name and the names of the officers with the state for the same reason, so that all the people that might do business with you can know who is responsible for the business.


A Location The location has to be appropriate for your type of business. You wouldn?t repair cars in the driveway of your home, your neighbors would hate you?. Forever. Besides the county or city zoning department would probably fine you also. The county and/or city where your business will exist will want to see and approve your location for the type of business you want to operate. This is called a CO or Certificate of Occupancy saying that your type of business can occupy this location. Some types of businesses mostly services can be run from your home as long as the traffic, parking etc. don't create problems with your neighbors.