If I wanted to open a small business...?

Question

what types of classes would be helpful in fullfilling this? Any good websites on the steps needed to open a small business?

Answer 1

Any business and management classes should be helpful i would of think so. There is also an article on starting a business that you may find helpful to start with.  

Answer 2

SBA offers FREE online courses on starting, managing and running a business. Check them out before you sign up for other classes

http://www.sba.gov/services/training/onl...

There's lots of resources on how to start a small business. Check first with your Secretary of State as they often have guidelines on how to start a business in your state, including all regulations and requirements

Answer 3

Before you go any further, I STRONGLY recommend you contact the Small Business Development Center (at your local community college) and talk to them; the counseling is free.  

Then sign up for the NxLevel Entrepreneurial program...  it's a 12 session course that walks you through the ins and outs of starting or growing your business, and as part of that you will write a business plan.  At the end of the class your plan will be reviewed by a lending professional, and will be critiqued, telling you the strong points of your plan AND the weak points.  

There is a cost for the NxLevel program but it’s a lot cheaper than losing your investment.

Even if you hire a professional to write your plan, you should still take the NxLevel course.  It saved me from going into a business that would have failed within a year or so, taking my investment with it.  

Business plans may be a pain in the butt to prepare, but without one, your business is doomed to failure.  To start with, you won't know what your startup costs are going to be, what kind of income to expect, what your ongoing expenses are, who your competition is, and even whether or not you can make a profit.  Without a GOOD business plan, you will not be able to get a loan to get your business off the ground.