How to Start a Business

2.2 Should You Join a Referral Group

If you’re building a new business, you’ve probably already heard the advice: “go join a networking group.” Maybe BNI. Maybe a local chamber. Maybe one of the chapter-based national jrbonner

2.1 How to Find Your First Client (And Avoid the Wrong Ones)

Most advice about getting your first client is some version of “build a network, do good work, ask for referrals.” That’s not wrong. It’s just not enough — and jrbonner

1.5 How to Decide if You Need to Create a Business Plan

Create a Business Plan Many small businesses feel they must create a business plan. This may or may not be true, and there is nuance in this topic to Read more

1.4 How to Register a Federal EIN

How to Register a Federal EIN Not every business will register a Federal EIN (employer identification number). When you start to consider how to obtain a Federal EIN, you Read more

1.3 Register Your Business with Secretary of State

Register Your Business: Secretary of State To register your business, if you are a sole proprietor, you may not do this step. However, if you want a business name Read more

1.2 How to Select the Legal Form of Business

Legal Form of Business Selecting your legal form of business is not as daunting as it may sound. I am not a lawyer, but I will describe how I Read more

1.1 How to Register a Business Name: Naming, Reserving, and Filing

Learning how to register a business name is one of the first real, concrete steps in starting a business — and it’s two decisions, not one. First you have jrbonner