Start-Up Companies
Business Handbook

As a courtesy, we’ve gathered and compiled some basic information as a creativity builder. We hope this handbook will seed your ideas that grow your company to its full potential.

Business begins long before you open the doors. You will be an accomplished “multi-tasker” by the time you send out the press release for your grand opening event.

Starting Out On The Right Foot —
With a handful of good ideas, narrow the list down to one great idea and grow with it.

Make Sure Your Idea Is Legal —
Check the country, state and local laws, check the pattens on your ideas . . . etc. If you don’t have time or don’t know how to accomplish this research, we suggest you hire a business attorney.

Setting And Evaluating Your Goals —
The pros and cons of your part-time business.
The pros and cons of your full-time business.
Develop a business plan — this manual for your business will become a map into the future of your business.
(Many financial institutions or investors require a thorough business plan before you ideas are considered.)

It Takes Money To Make Money —
Even concepts can cost cash. Apply for a small business loan or ask your financial advisor or bank manager for suggestions on how to fund your business, what is required from you and what qualifies you. You may consider applying for a grant or seek a venture capital investor. Funding your business with credit cards, is only a temporary solution...use extreme caution.

Protection —
Inventions need protection. Reinventing the mousetrap? See a patent attorney.

Register your company name with the state, county or appropriate government office.

• Develop your logo and business support marketing
  Make sure you receive a “release” from the logo design / development company, making you the sole owner. Just because you have a paid receipt from the developer - does not mean you “own” the logo. As a matter of fact, you don’t own it unless you participated in the design AND you have a signed and dated “release” form allowing you to copyright its entirity.
• Register your domain name (www.yourcompany.com)
  Keep your web address short and sweet. When possible, try and stick with the suffix(s) .com, .net, or .us
• Get an attorney.
  Better safe than sorry. Ask them to review all documents before you sign. Choose an attorney that is easy to work with and will allow you to purchase in advance, “X” amount of hours (for legal consulting) at a set fee.
• Hire A Tax Attorney / Accountant / Bookkeeper (whichever suits your business needs).
  Ask about sole proprietorships, forming a corporation, LLC, etc. Find out which legal structure will serve you and your business best.

World Wide Web —
*Establish an on-line presence now. Your informational web page, or on-line retail store, get it up and running and tweek it long before you plan on doing business. Note: E-commerce and database driven web sites can take 3-12 months for development and deployment.

Banking —
Getting your savings and checking account set up. After you choose the type of savings and checking ask to apply for a LOC (line of credit) that is attached to your checking. This cushion-type credit is in place “just in case”. Take a black and white printout of your logo and have the bank put your logo on your checks. When ordering your business checks, don’t start with check #0001. Go for a higher number and look more established.

Who Has Your Back? —
Get insurance before you conduct business. Pick a good agent and most importantly, get great insurance. You’ll breathe easier when your coverage includes everything that you fear losing the most from each disaster that your business is susceptible to.

Location, Location, Location! —
Find a physical address. Steer clear of swamp land and make sure the local zoning ordinances at the address you choose allows your business products and services. A good deal on your lease, may mean it’s on the wrong street. If you’re just starting out in business, do not commit to a lease that is longer than 12 months or 1year.

Designing Your Business Interior —
Interior design. Home, office, suite or retail...you can accomplish a lot on a shoe string budget. Pick your colors and shop for your furniture and fixtures through sales and wholesale outlets. The impression a customer or client has putting their first step into your business, can influence if they purchase, how much they spend or if they turn around and head back out the door. *Graphics and interior signage should accent your business and direct your customers accordingly.

Signs —
*Well Lit Exterior Logo. Include store hours on your entrance door. Attract passing traffic with an interesting saying on your windows.

*Interior Signs & Graphics. Logo. Restrooms. Retail Sales Signs. Mission Statement. Wall Murals.

*Grand Opening Banner. Have a custom Grand Opening banner made with your logo on it, announcing your products and services.

Dress For Success —
*Attire that is entirely consistant. In any business clean, comfortable and uniform is professional clothing. Choose a color scheme that works with your logo and office design and require everyone that works inside of your business to coordinate with same color shoes and same color slacks. Matching shirts with your logo embroidered on the left chest, or a cover-all apron with your logo or message will create consistancy. If you provide these for your workers, you can require that they are returned when they leave their employment. Even if they return them with rips and tears, don’t fret. Getting your shirts back, can ensure that they are not wearing them for casual wear at inappropriate places outside of work.

Stocking Your Business —
Keep it clean. Don’t clutter up. Find out what sells the best before buying hundreds of the same item.

Join The Club(s) —
Search your area for organizations that could help support your business efforts. Local chamber of commerce(s). Associations. SBA’s. Send them announcements of your grand opening with invitations and / or special offers to select members.

Toot Your Own Horn —
Write a press release and fax your local newspapers and trade publications with the announcement of your grand opening. Call and ask the business editor if they would include press release in their business pages or such. Offer information, advice or expertise to be included in your release and prepare yourself to be interviewed with a professional column writer. Consider hand delivering one to your Mayor and ask him to attend. Want to draw more attention to your grand opening? For a couple of thousand dollars you can hire a retired celebrity or novel writer to attend your grand opening for a couple of hours. Give away signed shirts, books and select items to the first 100 visitors.

Entrepreneur.com Says —
(Rumors)...I’m talking buzz. The grapevine, the rumors, the whisper in your ear. those very off-the-record tidbits that you and I share over a slice of deep dish in the student lounge. It’s the outrageous occurrence that someone just saw and can’t wait to describe, and the friend-of-a-friend who just bought something incredibly cool. It’s yada, yada, yada...the “have you heard.”