Starting a business..?

How do you start a business (electrical)? We have jobs, material, and a shop, but we're trying to start the actual business. Do you need a lawyer or accountant? and how do you go about getting a tax id number? We just need a start we dont know where to start? even if anyone knows any good sites that arent hard to follow or understand..thanks!

You may want to read the article "Most Common Questions Asked When Starting a Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol45/questi... for information on getting tax number, business registration, etc.

Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful 鈥?to stay in business 鈥?you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck.

Some things you need to consider:
- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?"
- "What are my abilities?"
- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?"
- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?"

You may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch... , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:

1. Provide a benefit.
2. Determine the fit with your market.
3. Right timing is everything
4. Be ready to support your business
5. Develop a blueprint for success (your business plan)
6. Market, market, market

You may want to read the article "10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Home Business"
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/start...

I recommend that you read the following books:

- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs
- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money
- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More
- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur
- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed

As for getting professional help (lawyers, accountants), they are great but not really necessary. If you are willing to do what they can do and want to save the money especially if you have a shoestring budget, then you can do the tasks yourself. But they are very helpful in terms of allowing you to focus on what you do best, while they take care of important things for you. Read the article "How to Select the Right Professional Help for Your Business" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol83/profes... to help you choose the best outside experts to help you in your business

You may want to consider getting a mentor to help you steer your business to success. There are several places where you may be able to find a mentor:

- Government Mentoring Programs such as SBDCs, which works with community colleges and local business development councils to offer mentoring programs http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html ; or the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness/wnet_...

- Volunteer programs such as SCORE http://www.score.org which is composed of mostly retired executives and entrepreneurs

- Formal mentoring programs such as Athena Foundation http://www.athenafoundation.org/programs... , Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program http://www.helzbergmentoring.org/HEMP/ , or The Aspen Institute MicroMentor Program http://www.micromentor.org

- Professional organizations such as the National Women鈥檚 Business Council http://www.nwbc.gov/Mentoring/programs.h...

- Industry and trade associations
- Local business groups, such as the chamber of commerce
- Local chapters of business groups

got to www.sba.gov (small business admin) They have plenty of resources. Also, try a Score counselor (they are free find a local chapter on the sba site). As far as the legal side of your business, you can find everything you need as far as filing on the irs site (www.irs.gov). You can also file for a dun's and bradstreet number so you can apply for grants plus make your business even more professional, www.dnb.com. Lawyers aren't usually needed in the begining stages, and if you can't keep your books yourself, hire a CPA.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Research, research, research 鈥?this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* How to Really Start Your Own Business, Fourth Edition by David E. Gumpert
* How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide by David E. Gumpert
* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman
* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss
* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!