I'm trying to research starting my own business.
Where is the best (free) place to find out about licenses, tax stuff, real estate, and stuff I may not be thinking of.

My mom is an accountant, and my dad commercial real estate, so I have some bases covered.

Anyone started their own business? Did you run into major unplanned problems?
Thanks

9/26/2007 10:52:34 AM

I'd suggest reading

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting Your Own Business

Those books have always been well worth my time. The books for Dummies series probably has one too.

9/26/2007 11:18:34 AM

when we started our biz, most of the stuff was pretty straightforward..

what type of business are you thinking about? (ie, service, shop, retail/reseller, etc)

9/26/2007 11:21:18 AM

The City of Raleigh website has a list of everything you need to do:
http://tinyurl.com/329gs7

[Edited on September 26, 2007 at 1:18 PM. Reason : Long ass url stretching the page; updated tinyurl.]

9/26/2007 1:17:27 PM

Nolo Press is a good place for books on starting your own business. http://www.nolo.com/

They have a lot of info online for free and they publish a lot of books. Some of the books can be found used on Amazon for cheaper than they sell on their website. (For example, "A Crash Course in Business Basics" book is $17 on their site and $7 from an Amazon Marketplace vendor.)

-- Dave

9/26/2007 3:01:42 PM

I have started a business and run a few. What type of business are you starting? Most new businesses wouldn't need to purchase real estate.. The best advice I can give you is not to get bogged down and distracted by the details like taxes, make sure you are focusing most of your energy on whatever it is that will bring you customers and revenue. PM me for specific advice.

9/26/2007 6:24:20 PM

Quote :

"not to get bogged down and distracted by the details like taxes"

Yeah, and then worry about the IRS knocking on your door.

[Edited on September 26, 2007 at 6:56 PM. Reason : -]

9/26/2007 6:55:53 PM

^ no, get a fucking tax accountant to do that.

9/26/2007 9:26:34 PM

what kind of business?

the number one question that comes before all that stuff is "how much cash do i have?"

9/27/2007 5:08:04 PM

I'm looking into opening my own car and stereo shop.
This shop would do the basic car stuff, but also custom body work, engine work, and high end stereo.

It covers service, shop, and retail.

To answer the number one question, I have a private backer funding half of my project.

[Edited on September 28, 2007 at 8:47 PM. Reason : thanks for the info so far.]

9/28/2007 8:47:11 PM

50% equity - is that including working capital or is it more for inventory, upfit, etc...

so with car and stereo - is that used cars and stereo equipment or car accessories in general

9/29/2007 11:30:33 PM

First up:

U.S. Small Business Administration
1375 Peachtree St. NE, Rm. 500
Atlanta, Georgia 30367-8102
Phone: (404)347-4999
Fax: (404)347-2355

Serves Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and
Tennessee.

University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill
Central Carolina Regional Small
Business Development Center
608 Airport Rd., Ste. B
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Phone: (919)962-0389
Fax: (919)962-3291
Dan Parks, Dir.

North Carolina State University
Capital Region
SBDC
MCI Small Business Resource Center
800 1/2 S. Salisbury St.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Phone: (919)715-0520
Fax: (919)715-0518
Gary Palin, Director

SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES (SCORE)
SCORE Office (Raleigh)
Century Post Office Bldg., Ste. 306
PO Box 406
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
Phone: (919)856-4739

Here's a full business plan and glossary of terms that should fit almost exactly what you want to do. Trust me, this is an INVALUABLE resource while you learn the ropes yourself.

http://www.snotmonkey.com/files/AutomotiveAccessories-BusinessPlan.pdf
http://www.snotmonkey.com/files/Glossary.pdf

It covers car audio and light modifications as well.

[Edited on September 30, 2007 at 10:23 AM. Reason : .]

9/30/2007 10:08:35 AM

Thanks for the info.
This is helping a lot.

9/30/2007 10:20:03 PM