Entrepreneurship Guide
(Click section to download PDF)

Introduction 1-6
Getting Started 7-24
Financing Information 25-27
Marketing & Trade Information 28-35
Legal Information 36-48
Choosing A Location 49-63
Workforce Issues 64-72
Resources 73-81
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WELCOME, NEW ENTREPRENEURS 2
ENTREPRENEUR SUCCESS STORY 3
WHAT IS AN ENTREPRENEUR? 4
EXERCISE ONE: Is Entrepreneurship For You? 4-6

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO START A BUSINESS? 7
EXERCISE TWO: Is Your Business Idea A Good One? 8
DETERMINING FEASIBILITY WITH DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH 9-10
EXERCISE THREE: Who Will Buy Your Product or Service? 11-12
CHECKLIST FOR ENTREPRENEURS 13-16
WRITING AN EFFECTIVE BUSINESS PLAN 17-23
FINANCING INFORMATION 24

HOW TO APPLY FOR A LOAN 25-26
EXERCISE FOUR: How Much Cash Will You Need to Start? 27

CHAMBER MARKETING ASSISTANCE 28
DOING BUSINESS ONLINE 29-31
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING 32-33
GEORGIA TECH PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE CENTER 34
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 35

LEGAL ASPECTS OF STARTING A BUSINESS 36
CHOOSING A LEGAL STRUCTURE 37-38
TRADENAME REGISTRATION 39
TRADEMARK & SERVICE MARK 39
LOCAL LICENSING & PERMITS 40
HEALTH PERMITS 41
STATE LICENSING & PERMITS 42
FEDERAL LICENSING & PERMITS 42
PATENTS & INVENTIONS 43
LOCAL TAXES 44
STATE TAXES 44-45
FEDERAL TAXES 46-47
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCATION 48

CHOOSING A RETAIL SITE 49
CHOOSING A MANUFACTURING SITE 50-51
ALTERNATIVES TO CONVENTIONAL FACILITIES 52
BUSINESS EXPANSION CENTER 53-55
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION 56
ZONING & PLANNING 57
SPECIAL CASES: HISTORIC DISTRICTS 58
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 59
UTILITIES & TELECOM SERVICES 60-63

WORKFORCE ISSUES 64
WHERE TO FIND YOUR LABOR FORCE 65-65
APPLICATION, HIRING, & TERMINATION PRACTICES 67-68
INSURANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS 69-70
LABOR & SAFETY REGULATIONS 71
DRUG FREE WORKPLACE 72

RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 73
ENTREPRENEUR STREET MAP 74
RESOURCE DIRECTORY 75-76
APPENDIX I: STATE ISSUED LICENSES 77-79
APPENDIX II: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 80-81