| If you are planning on setting up a business one of the | | | | you get can be priceless. If more than one counselor is |
| first best steps you can take is to contact your | | | | required they can bring in a mix of talent to help you |
| Secretary of State (SOS) by phone or by going to | | | | solve your problems covering management, marketing, |
| their website to request a business start up package | | | | finance, accounting, marketing and more. Most |
| related to the business you are planning to start. The | | | | business owners could not afford to hire these |
| depth of information provided by the (SOS) varies | | | | professionals, all of whom are successful retired |
| from state to state but at a minimum they will be able | | | | executives who volunteer their services. |
| to guide you to the appropriate agencies to help you | | | | The SBA, while beneficial, tends to be a typical |
| comply with local and state authorities. Many SOS | | | | governmental bureaucratic establishment that has little |
| have business start up packages specifically tailored to | | | | or no value to very small businesses or startup |
| your business industry and provides a checklist of | | | | operations outside of free information. Most SBA loans |
| information you will need to complete such as vendor | | | | require financial documentation only ongoing existing |
| licenses (for tax collection), special permits (like | | | | businesses can provide. If you are seeking investment |
| construction/building permits). Many times the SOS will | | | | capital you can pretty much forget the SBA although |
| provide addresses and phone numbers to key | | | | there a a variety of loans that can be structured |
| organizations you may need to contact. This is a quick | | | | through (SBDC) Small Business Development |
| way to get an overview of the tasks you will need to | | | | Corporations, which provide a spectrum of local small |
| perform and this can help in the preparation of | | | | business community loans and, in some cases, grants. |
| business planning. | | | | You can ask the SOS about these organizations for |
| You can also access the SBA and SCORE | | | | more information or you can get the information at our |
| organizations for a TON of helpful information you will | | | | website links, which are all free. Don't forget to contact |
| need to consider for your business. SCORE stands for | | | | your local colleges and universities as well--many times |
| Service Corp of Retired Executives and is a free | | | | the business sections of these schools can offer a |
| service to entrepreneurs who need professional | | | | TON of help and students can work on your project |
| guidance with start up, business operations or any | | | | for class credits. Ask the college for guidance. |
| other relevant need by providing one on one | | | | To your success! |
| consultation by retired executives specialized in your | | | | Copyright © 2006 James W. |
| business. SCORE is a great organization and the help | | | | |