Starting a Business: How to Become an Entrepreneur
Starting a business can be extremely exciting, challenging and fulfilling. The Web sites below will help you weigh the sense of ownership and accomplishment associated with entrepreneurship against the long hours and potential stress. These resources will also help you start your business and provide the necessary information to keep it running smoothly. Finally, this guide can connect you with the entrepreneurial community.
Expand All Guide SectionsEntrepreneurial Self-Assessments
Have you ever had a great idea for a business, but weren’t sure if you should or could take the steps to implement it? The first part of this section can help you decide whether you’ve got what it takes to start your own business, while the second part can aid you in choosing what kind of business to start.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Certainly, online self-assessments are not foolproof. After all, there are many varieties of entrepreneurial personalities out there. If the sites indicate that you’re not the entrepreneur type, don’t give up. Use the sites as guides, not mandates.
- Maybe your business idea is on a particularly small scale: you’re interested in becoming a freelancer. The findingDulcinea Freelance Web Guide can help you find work, file taxes or manage your clients.
Dulcinea's Picks
To help you decide whether to start a business …
Business Owner’s Toolkit
has a “Small Business Guide” that includes a section on “Starting Your Business.” Visit each section to find a general overview that links to more specific articles. For example, “Do You Have What It Takes?” should help you make up your mind whether to start a business.
The U.S. Small Business Association
provides an article called “Is Entrepreneurship For You?” This short introduction points out if your skills and personality are those of an entrepreneur. Once you've made up your mind to establish a business, use the "Small Business Readiness Assessment Tool" to get started.
To decide what kind of business to start …
Entrepreneur.com
offers the article "Choosing a Product or Service to Sell," that asks you 29 questions about your potential new business, including "Would you sell…[the product] to your mother, your best friend, your next-door neighbor?" and "Do you personally like the customers who'll be buying this product or service?"
CNNMoney.com
has an article, "5 ways to start a company (without quitting your day job)," that presents five real-life examples of employees who have used their know-how, connections or salaries from their jobs to start companies of their own.
Starting the Business
Now that you’ve decided entrepreneurship is for you, it’s time to start your own business. The sites in this section will hopefully make that monumental task slightly less daunting, and explain how to get started, as well as how to manage your business’ finances and legal affairs.
Dulcinea's Insight
- One way to start a business with a bit less risk (albeit with more restrictions) is to open a store that’s part of a franchise. If you have a particular franchise in mind, check the company Web site to get more information about opening a store of your own.
- The sites listed below serve entrepreneurs in general so they may not have information specific to your industry. Try searching online for resources specific to your industry of choice. Online trade publications or niche communities can provide some great advice (and potential contacts or a customer base) for your new business.
- Online banking is an easy (and convenient) way to keep track of your business expenses. The site Wesabe.com allows you to track your spending across all of your online accounts; you’ll also find spending, saving and goal-attaining advice from other Wesabe community members.
- Chances are, an entrepreneur will have to be a good manager as well. The findingDulcinea Management Web Guide can provide a great deal of information on that topic.
Dulcinea's Picks
To start the business …
Work.com’s
article, "Guide to Resources for Starting a Business," provides a good overview of what you'll need to start your business. Explore more of the site’s extensive archive of “how-to guides” from small business experts for information such as hiring and managing your first employees as well as more specific issues like how to buy display mannequins.
StartupNation
aims to be the only place you'll need to go for startup information, providing articles, various learning tools, an online community and access to vendors. Browse the site by "Topics" to jump to resources appropriate to your level of startup development. The "Step-by-Step Advice" menu accesses such guides as "10 Steps to Open for Business" and "11 Steps to Create a Successful Website."
The U.S. Small Business Administration
has quite a few resources for the startup entrepreneur. Find links to help you plan and manage your business, from the business plan to your exit strategy; links to the information you need to apply for government financial assistance to help you start or run your business; and even links to the SBA partner organizations in your region of the country.
Entrepreneur.com
has a “Getting Financing” section that guides you through different sources of funding for your new business, including self-financing, venture capital investors, borrowing from family or friends and more.
For financial and legal information …
Business Owner’s Toolkit
provides a number of resources to help you manage your business finances. Take a look at the “Cash Flow Budget Worksheet,” the “Sample Collection Letters,” or any of the employee pay and benefits articles to help you deal with issues such as overtime and employee medical benefits.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
is by far the most reliable place to get information about the tax implications of your new business. Visit the “Starting a Business” section to find tax tips as well as advice on business structure and choosing an accounting method. Subscribe to the IRS weekly e-mail newsletter for small business owners to learn about the latest tax and financial developments.
Nolo
provides trusted legal information to business owners and consumers. Look for legal advice associated with financing your business, obtaining licenses and permits, and even naming your business.
Connecting With the Entrepreneur Community
You’re certainly not alone in your business endeavors. There’s a large community of entrepreneurs out there, and if you network with them, they may be able to help you develop your business. Use these great Web resources to find other entrepreneurs and make useful contacts for advice, for partnership or just for camaraderie.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Many online communities of entrepreneurs include businesspeople from all sorts of industries; even if you’re not selling the same item or dealing with the same clientele, you’ll still be able to get valuable advice from other new business owners.
- For additional networking resources, see the findingDulcinea Career Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For professional networking sites …
StartupNation
has an online community where you can use your StartupNation profile to find "buddies" on the site who might serve as potential industry connections. Take a look at the forums where you and other entrepreneurs can ask advice of one another and even post job openings.
LinkedIn
is a networking site that allows you to set up a profile, then connect with past and present colleagues and former classmates, or search for other people in your industry.
Ziggs
lets you create a profile and add links to sites with your professional information and examples of your work; it’s a great place to add a link to your new business Web site. Make some new friends by having a cup of coffee delivered to your business associates through Ziggs, or save time by simply clicking an icon to pay clients or vendors using PayPal.
For entrepreneur conferences, trade shows and events …
TSNN.com (Trade Show News Network)
makes it easy for you to find industry trade shows. Search for events by name, industry, location or all three. Also look for product/service providers in your area or profession, or find venues where you could hold an event or trade show.
AllConferences.com
has a fairly comprehensive list of upcoming industry conferences and events around the world. Search by industry or keyword on the homepage, or use the advanced search feature to search by specific event name, country, city, date, business category or keyword.
For entrepreneur blogs …
The Entrepreneurial Mind
is a frequently updated blog written by Jeff Cornwall, Director of the Belmont University Center for Entrepreneurship. Read the blog to explore issues affecting the business and entrepreneurial communities, including the task of hiring executives for the business, as well as handling problem employees.
Small Business Trends
is edited by Anita Campbell, the CEO of Small Business Trends LLC, an information and media company. Find current events and issues that may affect entrepreneurs in an easy-to-understand format. Campbell writes some of the entries herself, and compiles other articles for the blog.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
