Are you thinking about starting a business of your own? Congratulations! It’s a huge step, and you’ll need to be prepared. That’s where SBA comes in: In this section, we have brought together the resources you need to get started. Whether you’re sitting down to write your business plan, wondering about your legal obligations, or researching your financing options, you’ll find the information you need right here.
Thinking About Starting
If you’re thinking about starting a small business, you should start by weighing the pros and cons, so that you can make a wise decision. The resources in this section are essentially a toolkit to guide your decision-making ...Finding a Mentor or Counselor
When you’re in the initial phases of getting your small business off the ground, you could probably use some guidance and advice from a mentor or counselor. Experts are available to assist you through local offices and for specific ...Writing a Business Plan
Now that you’ve decided that you’d like to open a small business, you should put your thoughts down on paper. This way, your business idea is expressed in a plan – a living document that outlines every critical aspect of its ...Establishing a Business
Once you decide that your small business idea is viable, you have several more key decisions to make. SBA is your partner, equipping you with the information you need. Be sure to review the information in this section carefully, because ...Preparing Your Finances
Before you head to your bank or credit union to apply for a loan, be sure that you understand your situation and your options. What are your startup costs? At what level of revenue will your business break even? And how does SBA assist new ...Loans, Grants & Funding
You have a variety of options when it comes to financing your small business. In addition to traditional loans, you may wish to explore other opportunities that range from grants and bonds to investor-based venture capital. ...Business Law & Regulations
As a small business owner, you are subject to the same regulations as large corporations. Even if you’re starting out on a small level and planning to grow, you must comply with business laws and regulations from the day you open for ...Marketing a New Business
Let’s say you have a great product, and you’re ready to fill orders. You might be missing a crucial business aspect: marketing – or telling people why they need your great product in the first place. This sect...Local Resources
Looking for small business counseling and training close to home? SBA can help! SBA provides small business counseling and training through a variety of programs and resource partners across the country. Check out the resources below to ...Forms
The process of starting and managing a business requires a lot of analysis and paperwork. SBA has just about every resource you’ll need, from business plan examples and financial forms, to tools that can help you determine the best ...
Price Check: Ever wonder if you're getting the best deal? There are quite a few apps that promise to scan barcodes and compare prices, but this one is by far the easiest I've used. You can scan a barcode, take a photo, or even just say a product's name, and Price Check will find matches at Amazon.com and any of its hundreds of partners. If the app turns up a better price, just click to buy and save.
Key Ring: Store loyalty cards often mean serious savings, especially at grocers and drugstores. But the resulting bulge in my wallet from all that plastic means I increasingly turn down offers for new ones, leaving money on the table. Enter Key Ring. It scans and stores all your loyalty cards so they're always just a tap away.
Amazon Deals: For the uninitiated, Amazon (
Grocery iQ: Every once in a while, I try to clip coupons to save a little cash, but inevitably, I never have them with me when I need them. Grocery iQ has the solution: Add coupons directly to your grocery store savings card! That way, they're applied instantly at checkout. The app does some other cool things, too: You can scan items as you run out of them to add them to a shopping list; organize your list by store and aisle; and print additional coupons directly from your phone. The selection of stores participating in the savings card portion is somewhat limited (developers promise they're adding more all the time), but if yours is included, this app is a must.
Groupon: Until recently, I didn't quite get the immense popularity of Groupon. You had to keep track of which deals you'd bought and remember to use them before they expired. That's easier said than done for this busy mom of two. But thanks to the genius combination of Groupon's instant deals with its mobile app, I'm now a Groupon groupie. Using your location, Groupon will point you to deals close by. A recent search turned up three restaurant offers within walking distance of our offices, plus a handful of salon and shopping choices.
Yard Sale Mapper: If you're a fan of garage and yard sales, this is the app for you. Pulling from Craigslist and newspaper listings, Yard Sale Mapper displays all the sales in your area by day. Simple yet indispensible for the true bargain hunter.
