New Business Start Up

Resources

• Checklist for Starting a Small Business

  A step by step list to guide you through your business start up.

• Business Plan Outline

  This outline provides essential items to include in your business plan. Remember, your plan is your own!

• Interactive Business Plan Template

  Provided by the SBA, this template is designed to help you build a business plan. Review and complete each section of the template. At the end of the program you will be able to generate and save a formatted business plan which can later be further modified or presented as a final product. Completing this plan is a first step to building a successful business.

• Sample Business Plans

  Need a business plan but not sure where to start? Get inspired with our collection of free sample business plans, all in a format accepted by SBA lenders and available in their entirety online.

• Business Entities/Legal Structure Options

  In choosing a legal structure for your business, a number of considerations may affect your decision. It is important to be familiar with the details of each business entity. Contact an attorney and/or an accountant to ensure you chose the business legal structure that is right for you!

• Choosing a Business Name

  You can file your business name with a local county clerk's office or the Bureau of Commercial Services, Corporation Division. You should be careful when selecting your business name to avoid infringing on names filed by other businesses. You can check your business name at the State of Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Growth.

• Apply for an EIN Number with the IRS

  This Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your permanent number and can be used immediately for most of your business needs, including opening a bank account, applying for business licenses, and filing a tax return by mail. However, no matter how you apply (phone, fax, mail, or online), it will take up to two weeks before your EIN becomes part of the IRS' permanent records. You must wait until this occurs before you can file an electronic return, make an electronic payment, or pass an IRS Taxpayer Identification Number matching program. Now you can apply for an EIN number online!