The
ABC’s of Starting a Business |
Dear
Entrepreneur,
Congratulations on your decision to open
a new business. Your Chamber of Commerce wants to support
and help your business succeed in any way we can. We have put
together this booklet to help get you started. The ABC’s
of Starting a Business booklet
is a guide intended to serve as a roadmap for the entrepreneur.
We at the Valdosta Chamber of Commerce understand the amount
of information you will need to start your own business can
be tremendous. The ABC’s is here to help. See the S.E.E.D.S.
Center for additional resources. |
| What is an Entrepreneur |
• Someone who organizes and maintains
a business venture
• Someone
who takes on the risk and does what he/she must in order to make
a profit
• Someone who can coordinate the resources available to
meet a need |
| Before you go any further determine
your entrepreneur potential by taking the entrepreneur challenge. |
| Take the Entrepreneur
Test - Click Here |
Do You Have What
It Takes to Start a Business? Click here to find out... |
| To
Read the entire Booklet Online Click on the link below: |
| Click
to view the entire online booklet in printable PDF format. The
Online Booklet includes topics discussed and also the topics
below. You may also pick up a Booklet at your S.E.E.D.S. Center.
|
 You
need Adobe
Reader to view PDF's, you may download it by clicking here. |
| To download the ABC's of Starting
a Business in Lowndes, Berrien, Brook and Cook, County Click Here. |
|
| Additional
Topics Included in the Online Booklet: |
| Determining Cash
Needed to Start a Business. |
| I. Legal Aspects of Starting a Business. |
II. Licensing
A. Business License
B. Zoning
C. Building Construction/ Renovation/ Occupancy
D. Health Permits
E. Trade Name Registration
F. Federal Licensing
G. State Licensing
|
III. Tax Information
A. Sales and Use Taxes
B. Federal Excise Taxes
C. State Excise Taxes
D. Federal Income Taxes
E. Estimates State Income Taxes
F. Employer Taxes
G. Federal Tax Identification Numbers |
IV. Starting Utility Services
A. Establishing Water, Sewer, and Garbage Service
B. Establishing Gas Service
C. Establishing Electric Service
D. Establishing Telephone Service
|
V. Labor and Safety Regulation Information
A. Educating Yourself on Labor/
Safety Issues
B. OSHA
C. Employer Tax Responsibilities
D. Application, Hiring, and Termination Process
E. Where to Find Your Labor Source |
| VI. Financing Information |
VII. Business Service Providers
A. Downtown Valdosta
B. Agribusiness
C. International Trade
D. Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center
E. Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
F. Georgia Tech’s Economic Development Institute
G. The Georgia Entrepreneur & Small Business
Coordinating Network
H. E-Commerce
I. Minority Financial Assistance |
| VIII. One Year Plan for Entrepreneurs |
| IX. Resource Directory |
| X. Glossary of Terms |
| Appendix |
|
