• Feature Article "How To Overcome The Business Plan Blues" by Phil Holland, founder of My Own Business, Inc.
  
  
• Going Local On Search Engines.
  
  
• "Golf Anyone?" by Jorge Bueno, President, Latimar Advertising Agency.

Preparing a business plan is an essential step for any prudent entrepreneur to take, regardless of the size of the business. But this step is too often skipped for a couple of reasons. First, it is easier to act than to think and preparing a business plan requires a great deal of thought. Too often entrepreneurs forge ahead (‘My Way!”) without having the benefit of evaluation of their business plans by experts who could save them a great deal of wear and tear. Another reason to skip a written business plan is that most start-ups don’t have a clue as to the reasons for preparing a plan nor knowledge of a format to put it together.

The value of a plan is to create a written document that evaluates all aspects of the economic viability of a venture including a description and analysis of the prospects. The plan will be useful in a number of ways. First and foremost, it will define and focus your objective using appropriate information and analysis. Also, you can use it as a selling tool with your lenders, investors and banks and even landlords. The plan can be used to solicit opinions and advice from successful people in your intended field of business who will most always give you invaluable advice.

Preparing a plan can be made easy provided you have access to a simple format which is applicable to any business and which can be completed by filling in the blanks. Such a format is available in session 2 of our website titled The Business Plan which contains absolutely free sample business plans (one for a product business and one for a service business) together with a business plan template that can be filled as a Word document. This basic format provides for a systematic assessment of all the factors critical to your business purpose and goals. Don’t skip this essential planning tool!

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Golf Anyone?

Jorge Bueno, President, Latimar Advertising Agency

• Internet Resource Guide – We have added the Small Internet Resource Guide to our online certificate course. The guide contains a special directory of over 250 links to some of the best information we could find relating to Small Business.
  
  
• Video Clips – We have added new video clips to our certificate course containing valuable business advice from business professionals. .
  
  
• New Sessions – We have completed two new sessions on International Trade and Permits, Licenses and business names which we hope to introduce very soon.
  
  
• New Enhancements – Enhancements are continually being made to all sessions to keep each session up to date and full of valuable information.
  
  

I hate to ask, but I have no idea of where else to go. I was wondering if you can tell me, if you need a license or permit to run your own company? I would like to start my own... and could not find any information or know where to look to find out, about my question(s). If I do need a license or permit to open and run my own company then can you please tell me, how to go about getting one? I will appreciate any information you can give me.

Thank you,
Jerry

The best place to start is your local city hall or courthouse. See the city clerk, who should be able to tell you where to go. You can also phone the city or county clerk’s office with questions, or look in your local phone book under municipal government offices. Try a search online for “Your City city hall” on Google or Yahoo local searches to find the website for your local city hall.

Most states require that you get a DBA (Doing Business As). Sole proprietors and general partnerships operating their businesses under fictitious and or assumed names may need to apply for a DBA certificate in their county where the business is physically located. You will not be able to enforce any contracts you sign under your business name unless the name legally belongs to you. Another important point is that without registering your DBA other businesses will not know that you exist and may take the name.

We also would like to recommend you consult with a lawyer. While some of the issues regarding licenses, permits, and business names can be handled alone, some matters (including establishing your business and brand names) may require the help of a lawyer. So before you start, it’s a good idea to line up a lawyer whose practice is focused on business. Your investment in legal fees now can help you avoid later much bigger problems latter on.


Links to other great resources:


SBA Hotlist
www.sba.gov/hotlist/license.html

U.S. Patents and Trademark Office
www.uspto.gov

8 Mistakes To Avoid When Naming Your Business
www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,320682,00.html

Sellers Permits
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html

EIN Number
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html

- Thomas Mix, Executive Director of My Own Business, Inc.