This book will take you step-by-step through the process of setting up a new business. You'll learn about corporate structures, sales & marketing, e-commerce, hiring staff, commercial property, legal & financial matters, tax and more. Learn how to: Choose a…
Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business takes the fear of the unknown out of starting your new business and provides a treasure chest of information that will help you be successful from the very start. First-time entrepreneurs face a daunting challenge in identifying all of the issues that must be addressed and mastered when starting a new business. If any item slips through the cracks, or is handled improperly, it could bring a new company crashing to the ground. Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business helps you meet that challenge by walking you through all of the important aspects of successfully launching your own business.
When you finish reading this book, not alone will you know the step-by-step process needed to turn your business idea and vision into a successful reality, but you’ll also have a wealth of practical knowledge about corporate structures, business & marketing plans, e-commerce, hiring staff & external advisors, finding commercial property, sales & marketing, legal & financial matters, tax and much more.
Features:
– Comprehensive overview of all major aspects of starting a new business
– Covers every stage of the process, from writing your business plan to marketing and
selling your new product
– Plain English descriptions of complex subject matters
– Real-world case study showing you how things play out in an actual new business
environment
Chapter 1 – The Start-up Landscape
Chapter 2: A Hard Look in the Mirror
‘Potentially’ Good Reasons to Start a Business
Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur
Knowing What to Expect
Chapter 3: What’s My Line?
Brainstorming
Narrowing the Field
Market Research: Confirming Your Idea
Chapter 4: Drawing a Blueprint for Success
The Importance of a Business Plan
Getting Started: Vision, Mission, and Values Statements
What Every Business Plan Should Include
Executive Summary
Description of the Business
The Business Environment
The Marketing Plan
The Operations Plan
The Management Team
The Financial Plan & Projections
Chapter 5: Making it Legal
Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
Corporation
Limited Liability Company
Chapter 6: Let’s Get Incorporated
When to Incorporate
Where to Incorporate
Choosing and Reserving a Name
Preparing and Filing a Certificate of Incorporation
Preparing and Adopting Corporate Bylaws
Appointing the Board of Directors and Holding the Initial Meeting
Issuing Shares
Founders Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements and Share Vesting
Securities Law Compliance
Annual Reports and Franchise Taxes
Qualifications to Do Business
Chapter 7: Build or Buy?
Pros and Cons of Buying a Business
Deciding What Business to Buy
Determining How Much to Pay
Multiple of Historical Earnings Method
Discounted Future Earnings or Cash Flow Methods
Balance Sheet Methods
Rules of Thumb and Comparables Methods
Making an Offer
Conducting Due Diligence
Structuring the Acquisition
How to Buy a Company’s Shares
How to Buy the Assets of a Business
Chapter 8: Priming the Pump
How Much Cash Do I Need?
Should I Raise Money?
Who Should I Raise Money From?
How Much Money Should I Raise and When?
What Ownership Interest Should I Give to Equity Investors?
Chapter 9: Pulling a Team Together
Management Team
Board of Directors
Chapter 10: Staffing Up
Recruiting an Employee
Hiring an Employee
Employee Benefits
Employee Stock Option Plans
Hiring an Independent Contractor
Hiring a Consultant
Chapter 11: A Commercial Lease on Life
Choosing the Right Location
Property Lease
Lease Term and Renewal Options
Rent and Rent Increases
Tenant Improvements and Incentives
Personal Guarantee
Sublease
Termination
Broker
Lawyer
Chapter 12: Hitting the Target Market
Market Research and Analysis
Setting Marketing Goals
Branding
Determining the Marketing Mix
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
Internet Marketing
Budget and Analytics
Chapter 13: Site Specifics
Domain Names
Buying and Selling a Domain Name
Domain Names and Trademarks
Websites
Website Design and Development
Buying a Website
E-commerce
Chapter 14: Closing the Deal
The ‘Me, Myself, and I’ Method of Start-up Sales
Building a Sales Force
Distribution
Chapter 15: Intangible Value
Patents
Trademarks
How to Register a Trademark
Enforcement of Trademarks
Maximizing Value: Sale or License of a Trademark
Copyrights
Persons Who Can Claim a Copyright
Works Protected by a Copyright/Exclusive Rights under a Copyright
Notice of Copyright
Duration of Copyright Protection
Copyright Registration
Transfer of a Copyright
Trade Secrets
Assignment of Intellectual Property to the Business
Chapter 16: By the Numbers
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Financial Management System
Financial Statements and Reports
Balance Sheet
Income Statement
Cash Flow Statement
Preparing a Budget
Accounting Software
Chapter 17: Taxing Situations
Federal Income Taxes
Paying Estimated Taxes
Federal Employment Taxes
State Taxes
Note about Tax Deductions
Chapter 18: Legal Matters
Business Licenses and Permits
Employment and Labor Law
Workplace Safety and Health Law
Advertising and Marketing Law
Consumer and Employee Privacy
Environmental Regulations
Antitrust Law
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