THE  BASICS

BUSINESS PLANNING         

FINANCING                            

What business do you want to start?  
Start up Basics from SBA
Start-up Basics from Business.gov Startup Journal from WSJ  

Check your personal credit Score
Factors that shape your credit score

FREE ON-LINE COURSES
o  SCORE
o  SBA
                                                    

Business Plan Outline
Planning templates from SCORE
THE START-UP CHECK LIST
Increase Sales (Develop Marketing Message)
Demographics information by zip code from Census Bureau
Typical costs and ratios for your business
Read Sample Business Plans

Attend A SCORE Seminar and Workshop 
Send for Getting Started Packet from City Of Houston's One Stop Business Center

Financing and SBA
Micro-loans (Community Express Loans of less than $50,000)
What do the banks look for when you:
     Start a new business
     Buy an existing business
     Expand/Restructure

Government Contracting
Special Purpose Loans such as SBAExportExpress; International Trade; Export Working Capital Program       

Loans - Certified Dev Corp - Checklist; Loans - Certified Dev. Corp - Program Description; Loans - From People You Know; Loans – Raising Money

THE START-UP CHECK LIST             
How to select the correct legal structure
Assumed Name or DBA (Harris County); 
Business Legal Structure Forms(Texas) (CAUTION: If you have a partner(s), consider writing your own by-laws as default by-laws may cause you problems later)
Licenses and Permits
TAXES
Federal Taxes
Franchise Taxes
Sales and Use Taxes
For Sales Tax Exemption Certificate, visit 7011 Harwin #186; or call 713-777-1881
Determine Your Insurance Needs

Small Business Certification
Contract Surety Bonds - where to get them
Find a lawyer
Find a free lawyer for low income people
Online Legal Forms
Find a Bookkeeper (put your zip code to narrow search)
Find a CPA
Employer Responsibilities
Want to start an Export Business?
SCORE Small Biz Power Links: Check out SCORE’s listing of top small business Web sites. Small Biz Power Links brings together the best online resources to help you make intelligent decisions.

Buying A Business - Complete Guide
Buying Business – Checklist
Selling Your Business

Franchise Check List
Franchise Terms
Franchising - Complete Guide

Partnership – Considerations
Partnership Agreement Checklist

Patents – 10 Common Myths
Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights 
Trademark – Registration

Export Promotion Resources
Export Trade Leads - Governmental
Export Trade Leads - Non Governmental