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 process.
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What characteristics do you need to be an entrepreneur? What does it take to startup and succeed? This guide can help you determine if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
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Explore how to use market research to find out if there is a market for your idea. To help you build a picture of market conditions and demographics, the U.S. government also provides access to free market data and statistics.
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As you get started, take advantage of free training and counseling from experienced business owners who’ve already walked in your shoes. Learn about government-sponsored mentorship programs and resources.
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Ready to get started? These 10 steps can help you plan, prepare and get your business off the ground.
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Dennis Switzer entered the radio business in 1977 when he took his first part-time job with KROE in Sheridan, Wyoming. This turned into a full-time...
Rob Thompson and Ken Riley, owners of Thompson's Sanitary Service, Inc., were named the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2006...
David Linde and Abbie Kaplan started Salon Radius with little knowledge of how to run a business and what it takes financially to weather the first...