Starting a Business
- Thinking About Starting a Business?
- Is Entrepreneurship For You?
- 20 Questions Before Starting
- 10 Steps to Starting a Business
- Understand Your Market
- Business Data & Statistics
- Business Types
- Nonprofit Organization
- Green Businesses
- Startups & High Growth Businesses
- Home-Based Businesses
- Online Businesses
- Franchise Businesses
- Buying Existing Businesses
- Self Employed & Independent Contractors
- Women-Owned Businesses
- Veteran-Owned Businesses
- Minority-Owned Businesses
- People with Disabilities
- Young Entrepreneurs
- Find a Mentor or Counselor
- Ask Questions About Starting a Business
- Create Your Business Plan
- Choose Your Business Structure
- Choose & Register Your Business
- Obtain Business Licenses & Permits
- Learn About Business Law & Regulations
- Advertising & Marketing Law
- Employment & Labor Law
- Finance Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Online Business Law
- Privacy Law
- Environmental Regulations
- Regulation of Financial Contracts
- Workplace Safety & Health Law
- Foreign Workers & Employee Eligibility
- Contact a Government Agency
- Federal Compliance Contacts and Resources
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Labor (DOL)
- Department of State (DOS)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Department of the Interior (DOI)
- Department of the Treasury
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Export-Import Bank of the United States
- Federal Communications Commission
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Federal Housing Finance Agency
- Federal Maritime Commission
- Federal Reserve Board
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- General Services Administration (GSA)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Small Business Administration
- Social Security Administration
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Assistance with Regulatory Compliance
- Economic Development Agencies
- Federal Compliance Contacts and Resources
- Finance Your Business
- Explore Loans, Grants & Funding
- Filing & Paying Taxes
- Choose Your Location & Equipment
- Hire & Retain Employees
Thinking About Starting a Business?
Starting a business is an exciting proposition, but it’s also an incredibly challenging undertaking. The resources in this section will help you learn about what it takes to start a business.
- article
Is Entrepreneurship For You?
- article
20 Questions Before Starting
- article
10 Steps to Starting a Business
- article
Understand Your Market
- Topic
Business Data & Statistics
Get access to data and statistics on your competitors, industry and target customer groups.
- Topic
Business Types
One of the first decisions you will make is the type of business you will open. Before making your decision, explore the opportunities that are available like a home-based or online business.
- Topic
Find a Mentor or Counselor
When starting a business, advice from SBA partner organizations such as SCORE Mentors, Small Business Development Centers and Women’s Business Centers can help you avoid common pitfalls.
- Discussion Board
Ask Questions About Starting a Business
Ask your questions in the SBA community and get advice on starting, growing and managing your business.
Get the Info That Matters Most to You With SBA Direct
Find information on:
(Select your topics)
Get Local Assistance Right in Your Area
Find professional business counseling, mentoring, and training from an SBA District Office or Resource Partner in your area.
FIND RESOURCES