Prepare for startup Library
Small Business Financing 101: Small Business Grants
Too many people tell small business owners that they can't attain grants. But the truth is that there are quite …
Lease or Buy a Site: How to Make the Right Call for Your Small Business
Location is a factor you can’t afford to get wrong. As a new owner, you must spend time assessing your …
Every Startup Needs an Attorney. Here's Why.
An attorney can be an invaluable member of your team, especially as you work through the startup stage of your …
The Ratios You Need to Measure Your Business’s Success
How do you know when your business is succeeding? You might look at the number of sales you make. Or, …
What You Need to Know to File Your Business’s Patent and Trademark Documents
If you’ve developed a unique product or a design, you should take steps to protect it. Filing for a patent …
Small Business Financing 101: Venture Capital
When you’re looking into financing options for your small business, you may wonder whether venture capital should be part of …
Small Business Basics: Permits and Licenses
Do you need permits or licenses to run your business? You might, depending on your line of work, location, and …
How to Create a Product Prototype
Producing a product? It’s a great idea to start with a prototype. This will help you experience it and understand …
Using Authorized Signers for Your Business
As your business grows, you may need some assistance navigating the everyday tasks of operations, including signing checks, paying bills, …
The Pitch: Keys to Winning Over Investors and Others
Most small businesses rely on outside sources of funding, especially when they’re starting up or ramping up to expand their …
How to Elect Your Business’s Board of Directors
Is your business a public company? If so, it will need a board of directors that represents its shareholders’ interests. …
Small Business Basics: How to Register Your Business with State and Local Governments
After selecting your business’s name and choosing its structure, you may need to register your business with your state and …
Best Practices to Optimize Your Production Line
Want to build smarter products, realize cost savings, or remove complexities? In this article, we share some of the practices …
Incorporating Manufacturing Standards in Your Production
Manufacturing standards can help your business produce products in the most efficient, safe, and sustainable ways possible. Designed well, your …
Small Business Financing 101: How to Use Your Retirement Account to Fund Your Small Business Startup
Many small business startups rely on loans for their early capital needs. But if the idea of hefty loans and …
How to Set Up Social Media for Small Businesses
Whether you’re a local shop or an e-commerce store, establishing your business’s social media presence is vital. Now, it’s more …
Small Business Basics: Insurance
Have you thought about the types of insurance your business will need? If you haven't, take time right now to …
Location Can Be the Make-or-Break Factor for Your Business’s Success
For on-the-go businesses, such as roofing companies, concrete designers, or cleaning businesses, a facility's location is important. A central location …
Small Business Financing 101: Estimating Startup Costs
What does it cost to start a business? It varies for every company, but having a guide you can depend …
Which Path to Entrepreneurship Is Right for You?
Thinking of becoming a business owner? There’s more than one way to reach this goal. In this article, we’ll help …
Should You Outsource Your Manufacturing or Produce Your Products Onsite?
Outsource manufacturing or produce on-site? You'll need to give this question some thought as you decide how and where you’ll …
Small Business Basics: Choose a Business Structure
As you work through the steps of starting your business, you’ll need to choose a business structure. The choice you …
Small Business Basics: Attaining a Business Bank Account
Ready to spend money on your business or accept money from your customers? If so, you'll need to take on …
How to Find a Manufacturer for Your Products
If you decide to outsource production, you’ll need to find a manufacturer that can meet your timelines, standards for quality, …
How to Interview Vendors and Suppliers for Your Business
If the success of your business depends on inventory, parts, inputs, or other entities’ products, you'll vendors and suppliers who …
Tips for Forming a Partnership to Start a Business
It can be expensive to start a new business. Fortunately, there are lots of financing options that can help you …
Your Go-to Guide to Raising Capital for Your Small Business
Real estate, equipment, inventory, technologies, wages, and insurance are some of the many costs you’ll need to cover when starting …
Where to Start When Starting a Business
Thinking of starting a business? If you're like many, you may be grappling with some of these questions: How do …
Your Go-to Guide to Equip Your New Coffee Shop
Thinking of opening a coffee shop? You'll need to set up your space so your team can create delicious drinks …
How to Hold Your First Board Meeting
One of the first things you’ll need to do after incorporating your business is arrange your first board meeting. This …
Restaurant Loans and Other Ways to Raise Cash
Real estate, equipment, inventory, technologies, wages, and insurance are some of the many costs you’ll need to cover when starting …
How to Hire Employees for Your Restaurant
Will your restaurant succeed? The answer can depend on the people you bring on board. That's why it's vitally important …
Small Business Basics: How to Set Up Email Addresses for Your Small Business
Every small business needs an email address to communicate with customers, vendors, distributors, and employees. Many need multiple addresses, not …
Write a Business Plan for Your New Restaurant
When you apply for financing for your new restaurant, your lender may ask you to submit a business plan along …
Help Your Customers Find Your Restaurant
Your site is selected. Your team is in place. You've got a killer concept and a menu to match. All …
Your Go-to Guide to Equip Your Restaurant Kitchen
When you're starting a restaurant, you'll need to set up your kitchen so your team can be fast, efficient, and …
Small Business Basics: How to Attain a Mailing Address for Your Home-Based Business
Do you need a mailing address for your business? Many small business owners say yes because they see the disadvantages …
Small Business Financing 101: What Is Creditor Insurance?
When you take out a mortgage, loan, or line of credit for your small business, your lender may ask you …
Grand Opening: How to Create the Hype You Need to Make Your First Day a Success
Lots of work goes into starting a small business, and your first day is a major achievement for you as …
Small Business Financing 101: Term Loans
Loans are one of the most common sources of capital for small business startups. For your venture, you might consider …
Write a Business Plan to Finance Your Startup
When you apply for financing for your new business, your lender may ask you to submit a business plan along …
Cover Your Small Business Construction or Renovation Costs
It can be expensive to start a small business, especially one that requires a high-traffic physical location. Many business owners …
How to Hire the People Who Will Make Your Small Business a Success
Will your idea succeed? The answer can depend on the people you bring on board. That's why it's vitally important …
Small Business Financing 101: SBA Loans
SBA loans are one of the most commonly used ways to cover early-phase costs. Named after the Small Business Administration …
Small Business Financing 101: Asset-Backed Financing
There are many ways to finance a business. One that few business owners consider is asset-backed financing, an option that …
Small Business Financing 101: How Commercial Real Estate Loans Can Help You with Your #LocationGoals
Disclaimer: This article was written to help you evaluate your commercial real estate loan options. It should not be construed …
Small Business Basics: How to Attain a Tax ID Number for Your Small Business
If you're starting a small business, you may need to set up a tax ID number, also known as an …
Your Go-to Guide to Commercial Leases
If you choose to rent a storefront or commercial property, you may be required to sign and abide by a …
Small Business Financing 101: How to Save on the Equipment You Need to Start or Grow Your Small Business
When you’re starting or growing your business, you need to navigate every expense carefully to stretch your dollars. And, for …
Small Business Financing 101: Angel Investors
Angel investors are individuals or networks of people who invest in new, small, or growing businesses to provide them with …