Starting/Maintaining Business | Questions & Answers | Links
Business Tools Home PageFrequently Asked Questions
1. How do
I get a small business grant or loan?
According to Business.gov:
The Federal government does not provide
grants for starting a business. Generally, Federal grants are only available to
non-profits, state and local governments and larger businesses engaged in
government-sponsored scientific research. Some small business grants can be
obtained from non-profit organizations and a few state government agencies for
specific types of businesses.
However, federal, state and local government
agencies provide loan guaranty programs that make it easier for small businesses
to obtain start-up and expansion loans from commercial lenders.
Click
here for a tool to help find a
broad range of possible financial assistance programs for your business.
Click
here
for a tool that provides
information on small business loans and how to apply for them.
2. How do
I write a business plan?
This link provides information on this
process:
www.business.gov/start/business-plan.html
3. How do
I obtain a business license?
This link provides information on obtaining a business license:
www.business.gov/register/licenses-and-permits4. What
is the best way to get info on employment laws?
This link provides information on employment laws:
www.business.gov/business-law/employment
5. How do
I bid on government contracts?
Federal and state government agencies award millions of dollars in contracts
to small businesses every year. Contracting with government is a great way
to expand your business. To become a government contractor you need to
complete a few simple steps. Visit the following resources to help you
understand how to register as a contractor and how to big on government
contracts:
How
to register as a federal contractor:
www.business.gov/expand/government-contracting/register.html
How
to bid on federal government contracts:
www.business.gov/expand/government-contracting/opportunities
State and government contracting opportunities:
http://business.gov/expand/government-contracting/opportunities/state-opportunities.html
The
Government Contracting Guide, provided by business.gov, can be found by
clicking
here.
6. How do
I find statistics and market research data?
This link provides information on data:
http://business.gov/expand/business-data
7.
How do I determine if my product/service will sell? Do I need
to hire someone else to do my market research?
There is no easy answer to
this question. Generally speaking, there are many low-cost or free resources
that can assist you in your market research. For example, many public libraries
have Info-Connect services that can provide valuable information. The Department
of Commerce has census data available. You can certainly conduct their own
market surveys -- both written and verbal (by telephone or mail). You must
understand your competition (their strengths and weaknesses and how their
business stacks up); you must understand what your business's "added value" is
-- what positively distinguishes your product or service from your
competition's. You may conduct your own informal focus groups to determine if
there is a demand for your product or service and/or contact the association(s)
under which your product or service falls for information on markets (many
associations have departments that collect market data on an ongoing basis). You
may even choose to hire an outside market research firm, but in many cases, this
is not necessary.“ (Sba.gov)
8.
What business licenses does a
small business need?
According to smallbusiness.findlaw.com, "Doing business as" (DBA)
registration (usually filed at the county level), city and/or county
business license, fire department permit, health department license, and
liquor, wine, and beer licenses.
9. How do
I register a business name in the state of South Carolina?
The
rules and regulations surrounding the process of registering a company name
can be found and explained here.
www.scbos.com/FAQS/faqs_sos/default.htm
10. How do
I register to pay taxes?
The
IRS can answer any questions concerning taxes.
www.irs.gov/businesses/small
11.
Where is the best place to go for local legislative needs?
These websites provide information
on legislative needs:
www.sccounties.org/legislation/policy-development.aspx
www.andersoncountysc.org
www.scstatehouse.gov
12.
What is the best resource for exchanging ideas and similar questions with fellow
business owners?
Follow this link to exchange ideas:
www.smallbiztrends.com
13. Where can I check the
status of bills affecting my area?
Either of these links can give you the status of bills:
http://acpass.andersoncountysc.org/index.htm
www.andersoncountysc.org
14. What is important about a Target Market?
You want to focus in on
one specific market because only a portion of the population is likely to
purchase your products or service. This saves you from wasting time and money.
Sba.gov
features a FAQ section that covers a variety of topics within small business
development that can be found here:
http://web.sba.gov/faqs
"Business.gov helps
small businesses understand their legal requirements, and locate government
services supporting the nation's small business community."
Information concerning
various aspects of starting a business such as "how to get a business license"
and "how to register new hires" may be found and explained here.
www.business.gov/states/south-carolina
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