Starting a Business
Have you dreamed of being your own boss for many years, but don't know where to start? Do you ask questions like “How do I turn my good idea into a successful business?” “What kind of forms and licenses do I need?” “Where can I find financing?” “Where is the best place to open my business?” “What is a business plan and how do I prepare one?”
Turn Your Dream Into a Successful Business
For over twenty years, the California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) have provided consulting and training throughout the State designed to teach prospective and new entrepreneurs the basics of starting and successfully operating their own businesses. With the help of the California SBDCs your dream can become a reality.
SBDC Clients Succeed
The best way to prevent business failure is to plan your business properly from the start. The SBDCs have the knowledge and experience you need to make your dream work. In 2006, 2,994 new businesses were started in California with assistance from the SBDCs. Studies have shown that 80% of SBDC assisted firms are still in business 8 years after their start-up date. Businesses started with SBDC assistance survive longer and grow faster than the average firm.
The First Step
All of the California SBDCs offer First Step workshops to help entrepreneurs start their own business. These workshops assist entrepreneurs in starting down the path to successful business ownership – evaluating business ideas, developing a business plan, and exploring financing options.
The first step to starting a successful new venture is to attend an SBDC First Step workshop where you will learn:
Starting a business workshops are offered at low or no cost on a regular basis across the state - check the calendar for a workshop near you or try the Online Tutorial for Starting a Business to get started now.
The Next Step
The next step to growing your new business is to take advantage of the SBDCs’ one-on-one consulting and information services. After completing a First Step workshop, you will be able to meet confidentially with an SBDC consultant at no cost. Your consultant can help you with all of the issues you learned about in your start-up workshop, tailoring their advice to your business idea and needs in mind.
Find Your Local SBDC. Ready to begin the process of starting your own business? Find the Small Business Development Center nearest to you and also checkout the on-line training website.
Trademarks, Trade Names, Patents and Copyrights
State Trademark and Service Mark Information
Learn about the difference between a trademark, a service mark, and a trade name. Find out how to register your trademark or service mark.
Federal Patent and Trademark Information
Link to the U.S. Patent and Trademark web site to learn how to file for a patent or trademark. Find out how to electronically file the necessary forms. Search the patent and trademark databases.
This site offers tools developed by the Small Business Development Centers, including DVDs, workbooks, books, journals and software, that cover every facet of inventing from prototyping and financing to all facets of intellectual property, to invention marketing, manufacturing and licensing.
Federal Copyright Information
Obtain general information, records, publications, legislation and other information about copyrights and the Copyright Office.
California Association for Local Economic Development
CALED is the premier statewide professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members’ ability to achieve excellence in delivering economic development services to their communities and business clients. CALED’s membership consists of public and private organizations and individuals involved in economic development: the business of creating and retaining jobs.
Finding Your Passion
How Do You Find Your Passion and How Do You Pursue It?
Instead of thinking about the passion free yourself to think of a portfolio of passions. Marry this portfolio with the opportunities in front of you. Think of it as a quest towards which you are moving in the right direction.
The Role of a Consultant vs. the Role of a Virtual CEO
Consultants are not in the position of obtaining the level of intimacy with a company that builds confidence in decision making. Strategy consulting exists because senior management wants their strategy to be accepted by a board of directors.
All 22 lectures are available here, along with a lecture on The Challenges of Building a Company.
To find out if CCSBDC consulting can help you call or email us, or fill out a request for services. There is no cost to you. What will it cost you not to get all the help you could?