NS 499

 Who do you need on your team?  Where will you obtain financing?  What other business start-up decisions need to be made?

 Don’t expect to know everything yourself!  Assess your strengths and weaknesses.  What kind of help do you need?

 Know what you need and what you don’t know  Ask questions  Advice is rarely free

Local resources:  SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)  Small Business Association (SBA)  Chamber of Commerce  Community colleges  Internet

 Record Keeping essential to document cost effectiveness of programs and/or services  Start up costs vary, depending upon nature of your business  Start small and build from there

 Personal savings  Bank loans  SBA  Gifts from relatives and friends  Credit cards  Angel investors

 What do bankers look for?  Business Plan  Who you are  Scope and purpose of your business  Current financials  Purpose of the loan  Repayment plan and terms

 Detailed record keeping essential  Develop payment requirements for clients  Accepting credit cards  Online payments: PayPal  Billing  Accepting insurance

 Importance of records  Research do-it-yourself software  Quicken for Business  Peachtree  QuickBooks Pro  Do you need a bookkeeper?

 Self employed pay Federal taxes quarterly  State tax payments vary  Research possible tax deductions

 Home office?  Rental space?  Shared arrangement?  Home visits?  Internet business options  Keep overhead as low as possible

 Malpractice  Liability—home or office  Health  Disability  Life

 Logo  Tag Line  Stationary/Letterhead  Business cards  Brochures  Educational Materials  Others?

 Scale  Calipers  Computer  Fax  Printer  Copier  Phone/Answering service  Others?

 What will your budget allow?  Time??  Money??