Set Up Your Business - in Minutes!
We have a DIY option you can use to save time and stress.We help you:
- Determine the best business structure
- File the right paperwork
- Stay compliant with the law
Prefer to work with a lawyer?Find one right now.
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed September 23, 2022
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
Starting and managing a business takes motivation and talent. It also takes research and planning. Although initial mistakes are not always fatal, it takes extra skill, discipline, and hard work to regain the advantage. Take time beforehand to explore and evaluate your business and personal goals, then use this information to build a comprehensive and thoughtful business plan that will help you reach these goals.
Developing a plan will force you to think through some important issues that you may not otherwise consider. Your plan will become a valuable tool as you set out to raise money for your business, and it will provide milestones to gauge your success.
We make business formation EASY. Learn about our DIY business formation services here.
Starting and running your own business has its rewards, particularly the satisfaction of having built something greater than yourself. But entrepreneurs typically put a tremendous amount of time and resources and rarely take extended vacations. It's important to determine whether entrepreneurship is right for you before you do anything else (see also, Do You Have What it Takes?).
Regardless of your interests, knowledge, and abilities, any new business venture must find a niche in which to operate. Then, evaluate your general idea to determine how you can bring something new or better to the table.
Once you've gotten this far, you're ready to figure out how the business will be created and operated. See FindLaw's Business Start-Up Checklist for more tips on how to get started.
Your answers will help you create a focused, well-researched business plan that will serve as a blueprint for business operations, management, and capitalization. Once you have completed your business plan, review it with a friend or business associate. When you feel comfortable with the content and structure, review and discuss it with your banker. The business plan is a flexible document that should change as your business grows.
Starting a business requires focus, dedication, and a certain amount of luck. But while attorneys may seem costly at first, getting legal help can mean the difference between a successful startup and a failed one. Contact a business and commercial law attorney in your area to get some peace of mind.
FindLaw's extensive Starting a Business section provides additional resources to help you get your venture off the ground and running, including a printable mini-guide to starting a business (PDF).
Looking to start your own business? Use FindLaw's DIY forms to get a legal business entity set up in minutes.
Was this helpful?
Contact a qualified business attorney to help you navigate the process of starting a business.
We have a DIY option you can use to save time and stress.We help you:
Prefer to work with a lawyer?Find one right now.