Start up Resources
Starting a New Business
Business Start Up
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SBA Small Business Readiness Assessment Tool – Fast questionnaire that helps you decipher whether or not you are prepared to start a business. Also gives suggestions for next steps.
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Doing Business in Washington General information for a new business in Washington
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Start a Business: 50 Things You'll Need to Do - Step-by-step guide on how to start a business with many helpful links.
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Nolo's Ten Tips for New Small Businesses – Clear suggestions on how to keep a small business working when just beginning.
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AllBusiness.com – Articles, information, forms, and podcasts on topics such as starting a business, human resources, and technology.
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Microsoft Startup Center – Step-by-step aid in creating a business, with information on technology, government regulations, and website creation.
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vetbiz.gov -Dept. of Veterans Affairs has formed the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE), which is exclusively dedicated to assisting veterans in starting and growing businesses.
Business Planning
- Determine your business structure (ownership type) – Information on different business types, for example, the difference between a company owned by a sole proprietor and a corporation.
- Choose your business name – Resources that can help you ensure that the name you want is not already taken.
- Create your business structure – Information on how to register your business online.
- Get licenses and environmental permits – Resources on how to ensure your business gets licensed properly.
- Next steps – Listing on what to do after your business has been licensed.
- SBA 8(a) Business Development – A self-assessment tool designed to help you decide whether the 8(a) program would be a good fit for your business.
- Starting a Business Internal Revenue Service – Information on taxes for new business owners
- Washington State Department of Licensing – Information about and resources for obtaining business licenses in Washington State.
Washington State has set up the following five steps to get you started:
Financial Planning
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Financing Your Biz Budget Calculator
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Tax Year IRS Tax Year Explanation
Home Based Business
Legal Assistance
- Nolo's Ten Tips for New Small Businesses
- Municipal Research and Service Center City and County Regulations
- Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Washington State Regulations
Business Plans
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Business Plans Submitted to the MOOT Competition
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BizPlanIt Virtual Business Plan
Business Licenses
- Washington State
- Bothell
- Brier
- Edmonds
- Kenmore
- King County (unincorporated)
- Lynnwood
- Mill Creek
- Monroe
- Mountlake Terrace
- Mukilteo
- Shoreline
- Snohomish County (unincorporated)
- Woodinville
- Woodway
Business Planning and Managing
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BizToolkit (Sample business plans and financial calculators)
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BUZGate (Free and low-cost business planning, funding, marketing, and more)
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Center for Business Planning (Resources and strategy evaluation)
- The Idea Cafe (Problem-solving for small business owners)
- My Own Business (Online course for entrepreneurs)
- MyStrategicPlan.com (Business strategies, plans, mission statements, and more)
- Startupventuretoolbox (Tools and assistance to organize ventures)
Minority and Women
- The Entrepreneurship Center
- Minority Business Entrepreneur Magazine
- Center for Women's Business Research
- National Association of Women Business Owners
- The National Black Chamber of Commerce
- United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- United States Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce




