The “Entrepreneurship Guide for Rome & Floyd County, Georgia” is designed to be a helpful one-stop resource for starting a new business in Floyd County.  This comprehensive eighty-page guide includes everything from marketing tips to financing tools to utilities information.  The Guide also features several worksheets to help small business owners think strategically and anticipate future needs.  For ease of access to specific information, the Entrepreneurship Guide has been divided into several small booklets.

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Introduction: What is entrepreneurship? Take the “Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?” quiz to find out if you have what it takes.

Getting Started: Is your business idea feasible?  Learn tips for conducting effective market & demographic research before you open the doors of your new business.  Do you have a long-term vision in mind?  This section also features a valuable one-year business start-up checklist and a business plan outline.

Financing Information: Need money for your small business?  This section will help you project start-up costs and then explore your options.  You will also find helpful tips on how to apply for a loan, including common mistakes to avoid.

Marketing & Trade Information: A Chamber membership truly offers the best value for your small business marketing dollars.  In addition to Chamber opportunities, find tips for doing business online, contracting with the government, and pursuing international trade.

Legal Information: Intimidated by all the legal mumbo-jumbo involved with starting a business?  This section explains everything step-by-step.  Find the best legal structure for your business, register your trade name, and learn about licensing.  Also, find information on local, state, and federal taxes.

Choosing a Location:  You’ve always heard it: “Location, Location, Location!”  Find tips for choosing a retail or manufacturing site.  Learn about alternative locations, including the Business Expansion Center.  Learn where to go in town for building inspections, zoning & planning, the historic district, downtown development, and all of your utilities.

Workforce Issues:  Where will you find your employees?  Here you will find helpful hints for hiring and termination, as well as labor & safety information, insurance options, and drug-free workplace resources.

Resources: The handy “Entrepreneur Street Map” included in this section shows exactly where a small business owner needs to go downtown in order to get a business started.  A complete list of state-issued licenses is included as well.

Click Here to View the Entrepreneurship Guide