Now to lay the groundwork

There is a lot to do before you can open the doors to your business. You need to develop a business plan, establish the business infrastructure, find out about licensing and other requirements, and set up a system for recordkeeping. The time you spend on this part of the business start-up will be amply rewarded by fewer problems in the future.

You may feel overwhelmed by all the new concepts and many decisions that need to be made. This is a good time to get professional help from one of the agencies that provide free or low-cost service to small businesses. Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, your local Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations are there to help.

This document was prepared by the San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center. Send comments to: Gillian Murphy

Acknowledgements, disclaimers, etc.