If you're interested in starting your own business, the SBA has a plethora of resources for you. From planning tips to financial forms, we probably have just about every resource you need.  Here is a list (and links) of to just some of the helpful resources to get you started in planning, initiating and managing a successful business. 

Tools for Writing Your Business Plan

A written guide to starting and running your business successfully is essential.  This plan will encourage loans, promote growth and provide a map for you to follow. 

• Essential Elements Of A Good Business Plan For Growing Companies
  Offers a step-by-step explanation to help write your plan.

• Writing The Business Plan
  Outlines how to write your plan.

General Financing And Accounting

All businesses require some form of financing. An integral component of starting a successful business is raising sufficient capital. There are many challenges to this process, but the resources below can give you ideas and tips for securing capital.

• Start-Up Costs
  Helps you plan for the initial expenses your business will have.

• Estimating Costs
  Gives instructions on how to anticipate initial business costs.

• Breakeven Analysis
  Aids you in figuring out a break even point for your business and when you can expect a profit.

• Equity Capital
  Covers the pros and cons of offering stock.

• What's A Surety Bond?
  Explains what a surety bond is and if it can help your business.

• Personal vs. Business Finances
  Discusses the important of knowing your personal finances and credit score before starting out on your own.

• Borrowing Money
  Details the essentials to borrowing money. 

• Fair Credit Reporting
  Provides information on where your credit report comes from and how it affects your loan prospects.

• Credit Scoring
  Explains how banks use a credit scoring system to determine their acceptance of your loan application.

• Credit Factors
  Outlines the basic elements examined in every loan application.

Buying a Business

Once the decision is made to start a business, often the next decision is either to buy an existing business or start a new venture from scratch. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options.

• Buying A Business
  Outlines crucial points to consider when buying a business.

• Determining Value
  Details the elements to examine when calculating a business's value.

• Sales Agreement
  Covers the elements that should be on the final sales agreement.

• Due Diligence
  Provides information on the legal aspects of owning a business, including zoning laws, permits and the environment.

• Closing Checklist
  Gives a checklist to help you and your attorney review the final points of the sale.

Buying a Franchise

Business franchising offers many opportunities. This form of ownership has helped many entrepreneurs get started in business and succeed.

• Franchising Overview
  Offers a general description of franchising.

• Consumer Guide To Buying A Franchise
  Details how to examine and buy an existing franchise.

• Franchising Strategy
  Covers how to research your perspective franchise and examine its possible problems.

• Associations And Forums:

  •    The American Franchisee Association (AFA) is a national trade association of franchisees and dealers with more than 7,000 members.

  •    International Franchise Association

Structuring Your Business

Many factors must be considered when choosing the best form of business ownership or structure. The choice you make can have an impact on multiple aspects of your business, including taxes, liability, ownership succession and others. 

• Forms Of Ownership

Covers the pros and cons of different types of ownership, including sole proprietorship, partnering, corporations and limited liability companies.

• Basic Structures 

Provides brief descriptions of common business ownership structures.

• Special Structures 

Outlines structures that are only available in some states.

• Business Structures

Outlines different legal structures for businesses. If one of your employees causes an accident, can an injured person sue you and take your house, car, or savings account? Are you paying more taxes than you should on your business income? These are important questions that many small business owners ignore, yet the answers depend on the business's legal structure.

Protect Your Ideas

Innovations and new product ideas are valuable assets of a business. These assets need to be protected so that your rights are not infringed upon by others.

• Product Basics
  Helps you identify your product's unique features and benefits for your advertising campaign.

• Protecting Your Ideas
  Outlines how to protect your ideas or inventions from others' infringement.

• Copyright, Patent, And Trademark FAQs
  Lists answers to commonly asked questions regarding copyrights, patents and trademarks.

• Patent And Trade Office FAQs
  Provides specific information on trademarks, service marks, certification marks and more.

• Intellectual Property FAQs
  Lists answers to commonly asked questions to help you understand if you can get a copyright or patent.

Choosing a Location

Choosing the right location for your business can be a major factor in its success or failure. A good location may allow a struggling business to survive, but a weak location could mean trouble for even a very well-run business. Make sure you know all the legal restrictions of your place of business.

• Commercial Leasing
  Covers how to get the best commercial lease for your business.

• Leasing Checklist
  Lists the essential elements that should be on your lease agreement.

• Zoning Overview
  Explains the types of zones and their specific regulations.

• Zoning Problems
  Provides information on how lawyers can help you get around zoning regulations.

• Home-Based Business FAQs
  Offers answers to common questions about home-based businesses.

• ZIP Code Locator
  Lists most ZIP codes in the country for easy identification.

Should You Buy Or Lease Your Equipment?

Sometimes leasing equipment, as opposed to buying it, can be the best option for your business. However, there are many variables that should be considered, including costs, use restrictions, legal parameters and others.

• Leasing operating equipment, such as computers, vehicles, and machinery often makes more sense than buying. While favorable leases are often good bets, unfavorable ones can easily sink an emerging venture. Doing your legal homework can help prevent bad deals, but it's always a good idea to have a lawyer look over a lease before signing it. Investigate the Buying vs. Leasing issue.

• Is your lease likely to be deemed a purchase for tax purposes by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? If so, leasing may not give you a tax advantage. If it doesn't, you may be able to deduct payments on the leased equipment. Here are some IRS Guidelines.