Business Planning

When you have a business idea, the hardest part is getting it off the ground. Starting a small business - home business, or otherwise - takes sound business and financial planning. Finding a name, marketing, technology, loans, sales strategy are only the basics; add in obtaining the right permits, knowing the zoning laws in your state and more can lead to headaches you didn't expect. Business has changed, especially if it's an internet business. What are the new rules about sales tax, intellectual property, direct marketing with email, and more. Read on to make your new business start up and run smoothly.

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Business Planning Articles
Business Formation
-  Sole Proprietorship-  Where To Incorporate Your Business
-  Partnerships-  S-Corporations
-  Partnerships and Joint Ventures-  Nonprofit Corporations
-  Limited Liability Partnership-  Closely Held Corporations
-  Limited Partnership-  Professional Corporations and Associations
-  Corporations: The Basics-  Incorporating an Existing Business
-  Corporate Organization and Start-Up Costs-  Limited Liability Company
 
Starting Out
-  Small Businesses: Start-up & Organizational Costs-  Home Businesses
-  Legal Issues & Starting or Buying a Small Business-  Getting Your Home Business Off to a Legal Start
-  Starting a Small Business and Your Business Plan-  Home-based Businesses
-  Starting a Farming or Ranching Business-  Succeed in International Business
-  Agriculture Law-  Taking Your Small Business International
-  Starting a Retail Business-  E Commerce
-  Buying a Retail Business-  Adopting a Privacy Policy for Your Small Business
-  Starting Manufacturing and Industrial Businesses-  Tax Issues and Your Small Business
-  Starting or Buying Closely Held Businesses-  Contracts
-  Antitrust for Small Businesses-  Buying a Business: The Purchase Agreement
 
Naming Your Business
-  Business Names and Registration Requirements-  Domain Names and Your Online Business Identity
-  Conducting Business under Fictitious Names (D/B/A)-  Domain Name Registration
-  Getting a Domain Name for Your Small Business
 
Financing a Business
-  Financing A Business-  Investing Directly in a Business
-  Financing a Small Business with Loans-  Investing in Someone Else's Business
-  Financing a Small Business with Savings-  The Process of Buying or Selling a Small Business
-  Venture Capital-  Salvaging a Troubled Business
-  Securities
 
Intellectual Property
-  Small Business and Copyright Ownership-  Small Business and Patents
-  Trademarks, Service Marks and Small Business
 
Leases and Leasing
-  Commercial Leases-  Equipment Financing and Leasing
-  Leasing Fixtures and Your Small Business-  Leasing Equipment for Your Small Business
 
Licensing, Permits and Zoning
-  Licenses, Permits and Home-based Businesses-  Licenses and Permits for Manufacturing Businesses
-  Licenses and Permits for Retail Businesses-  Licensing and Permits - Independent Contractors
-  Licensing and Permits: General Services-  Licensing and Regulations
-  Manufacturing Regulation and Small Businesses-  Zoning Planning & Land Use
 
Business Planning FAQs
-  Banking & Finance FAQs-  FAQ - Business Enterprises
 
Business Legal Forms
Get Started with the Top Ten Business Legal Forms
-  Real Estate Lease - Quick Form by State-  Confidentiality Agreement by State
-  Nondisclosure Agreement by State-  Release of Liability by State
-  Corporate Bylaws by State-  Business Legal Forms
-  Employment Agreement by State-  Employment Verification Letter by State
-  Non-Compete Agreement by State-  Security Deposit Refund Letter by State
-  Employee Warning Letter by State
 
Access the Entire Library of
-  Business Legal Forms
 
Lawyers.comsm Virtual Community
Legal Forums
-  Business Organizations-  Business Tax Issues
-  Business - General-  Start Up Issues
-  Banking & Finance
 
Chats
-  Chat Listing
 
Hiring a Business Lawyer
-  Business: Selecting a Good Lawyer-  Business: Meeting with a Lawyer
-  Business: Preparing to Meet with a Lawyer
 
Related Resources on Lawyers.comsm
-  Buying Selling Businesses-  Franchises Franchising
-  Intellectual Property-  Small Business Law
-  State Business Information Websites
 
Web Resources
-  Small Business Administration-  Department of Labor Compliance Laws
-  State Workers' Compensation Laws-  State Labor Laws
-  eLaws-  State Labor Offices
 

Ask a Lawyer - Business Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Can Owners Put Liens On Assets of Their Own Business?

My father and I started a salon using equity loans taken out on our homes. There is about $40,000 in equipment. Can either one of us place a lien on the equipment for this amount?

Selling a Business Without Continuing Liability?

I own a business and am really wanting to sell. It's too much time away from my family, so the sooner the better. Interested party wanting to buy, but want to pay 20,000 down and 10,000 in 6 months and 8,000 in 3 months after. They can't put business in their name until January, and I still owe on my loan for more than the downpayment. Can this work? I don't want any responsibility after papers are signed and everything out of my name.

How Do I Collect on a Promissory Note?

I ventured in a business deal with a gentleman in 2008. He since closed his office because he had a stroke. I have a promissory note signed by him. The note expires 12-31-09. I understand that he is ill and unable to work right now, but I also know that he owns his house, he put the house in a trust and that he is the trustee of the trust. My question is do I meet with him to sign another promissory note. Or go after his house?

Watch Out for Liability on Long Term Lease Obligations!

I had a restaurant for 3 months in business and went out of business in 3 months. Could not sell for 6 months, finally sold. Now, after one year of selling, the landlord sends a summons for not making a payment from the time I closed my restaurant. Suing me and my wife and all the previous owners. I'm shocked and horrified. Please help.

Is a Seller Bound to the Price Listed for the Business in an Advertisement?

I am selling my business and have 3 people that want it. I listed the price for $65,000 [with a free online listing service]. One man told me in the beginning that he absolutely wanted to buy it. I told him at that time that I had others interested. Is it legal for me to ask them to submit a bid and take the highest or do I have to honor the listed price?


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