Envisioning, Establishing, Executing and Expanding Your Small Business
Welcome! This page provides resources for small business owners -- from the fledgling entrepreneur needing startup advice to the busy CEO hungry for growth strategies.
Below, we chart the evolution of a small business in four stages: envisioning, establishing, executing and expanding. For each stage, we provide specific, helpful tips from federal, state and local agencies.
We hope you will find these resources useful as you navigate your way to small business success. Happy entrepreneuring!
ENVISIONING YOUR BUSINESS
So you want to start your own business? Whether it’s baking gourmet cupcakes or selling widgets to the military, do some soul-searching and planning before taking another step:
Do You Have What it Takes?
- Is Enterpreneurship for You? – SBA
- 6 Essential Elements for Starting a Business - NFIB
- Considering Starting a Business in Virginia – VBOS
- Starting Up Assessment Tool - SBA
- 20 Questions Before Starting a Business - SBA
- Entrepreneurship: An Alternate Career Choice - SCORE
Write a Business Plan
ESTABLISHING YOUR BUSINESS
OK, so you were born to be an entrepreneur. What's more, you even have a bona-fide business plan. Here's how to embark on your new venture:
Seek Out Mentors, Training
- Steps to Finding a Mentor - SBA
- How Can SCORE Help Me? - SCORE
- One-on-One Counseling - VDBA
- Department of Minority Business Enterprise
-
One-on-One Counseling - HRPTAC
Technology Help - Hampton Roads Technology Incubator System
Choose a Business Structure
- Business Structures - IRS
- Business Structures and Tax Implications - SBA
- Determine Your Legal Structure - SCORE
- Incorporating Your Business - SBA
- The Importance of Business Structure - SCORE
- Business Basics and Structure - NFIB
Obtain Financing
- Preparing Your Finances - SBA
- Virginia Small Business Financing Authority
- Financing Your Business - SCORE
- How to Start a Business with Little or No Money - NFIB
- Loans, Grants and Funding - SBA
- Financing a Business - VDBA
Pick a Location
- Tips for Choosing a Business Location - SBA
- Location, Location, Location - SCORE
- Creating an Office Where You Can Work - SCORE
- Obtaining a Lease - SCORE
- Leasing Commercial Space - SBA
- Selecting the Right Location - NFIB
Forms and Paperwork
- Business Registration - VBOS
- Small Business Forms - SBA
- Do You Need an Employer ID Number? - IRS
- Business Registration Guide - Virginia SCC
- Small Business Forms and Publications - IRS
- Register Your "DBA" Name - SBA
- License and Permit Index - VDBA
- Obtaining Business Licenses and Permits - SBA
EXECUTING YOUR BUSINESS
The shingle is hung. The customers are lining up. You're in business! So ... now what? Here's some help for the day-to-day running of your company:
General Management Issues
- Running a Business in Virginia - VBOS
- Leading Your Company - SBA
- Running a Business - SBA
- Managing Your Business - SCORE
- Running a Business in Virginia - VDBA
- Operating a Business - IRS
Taxes
- Business Taxes - IRS
- Top 10 Tax Tips for Small Businesses - SCORE
- General Tax Information for Businesses - Va. Dept. of Taxation
- Tax Help for Small Businesses - NFIB
- Virginia Department of Taxation
- Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop
Employees
- Businesses with Employees - IRS
- Virginia Employers Handbook - Virginia Employment Commission
- Managing Employees - SBA
- Human Resources - SCORE
- Staffing and Workplace Issues - NFIB
Legal
- Lawyer Referral Service - Virignia State Bar
- Business Law and Regulations - SBA
- Small Business Legal Issues - NFIB
- 5 Tips for Avoiding Legal Problems - SCORE
Technology
- Using Technology - SBA
- Small Business Technology: Articles and Advice - Entrepreneur
- Technology for Your Business - SCORE
- Hampton Roads Technology Council
- Office Solutions and Technology - NFIB
EXPANDING YOUR BUSINESS
Things are humming along, and you're ready to take your business to the next level. Kick it up a notch with these helpful links about growing your business:
General Growth Strategies
- Growing Your Business - SBA
- Expanding a Business Within Virginia - VBOS
- Growing Your Business - SCORE
- Gateway to Growing Your Business - NFIB
- 5 Warning Signs That You're Expanding Too Quickly - NFIB
Government Procurement
- Contracting Opportunities - SBA
- Government Contracting - SCORE
- How PTAP Can Help You - HRPTAC
- Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Program
Marketing
- Developing a Marketing Plan - SBA
- Marketing Your Business - SCORE
- Marketing and Advertising Strategies for Small Businesses - NFIB
MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
Veterans, Minority and Women Business Owners
- SBA Help for Veteran-Owned Businesses
- SCORE Veteran Entrepreneurs
- Minority Business Development Center
- Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise
- SBA Women's Business Centers
Membership Associations
- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
- National Small Business Association
- National Association of Women Business Owners
- American Business Women’s Association
- National Association for Female Executives
Publications