The Small Business Start-Up Kit: A Step-By-Step Legal Guide

by Peri H. Pakroo

Every entrepreneur needs "The Small Business Start-Up Kit."
Want to start a business? Don't know where to begin? Start here.
"The Small Business Start-Up Kit" shows you how to set up a small business in your state, quickly and efficiently clearing state and local bureaucratic hurdles along the way.
We'll show you how
choose between an LLC and other business structures
write an effective business plan
pick a winning business name and protect it
hire and manage staff
comply with legal and tax issues affecting home businesses
price, bid and bill your projects
manage finances and taxes
get your website up and running
market your business effectively, online and off
The 8th edition is completely updated, with new material on emerging business structures, such as benefit corporations, and how to raise money online through crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter.
Are you a California resident? Check out The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Entrepreneurship, Reference, Legal

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book from the NOLO series. It covers legal aspects of a small business. Here are few examples of what you will find here.

Doing a name search:
search internet, phone books, industry trade publications, chambers of commerce, state databases of corporations and LLCs and trademarks, county FBN (Fictitious Business Name) or DBA (Doing Business As) databases, Trademark Database (TESS) www.uspto.gov/trademark

Hobby business
For expenses to be deductible, you must be pursuing a legitimate profit-motivated business.
Main test is the 3-of-5 test. The business makes a profit in 3 of 5 consecutive years.
If 3-of-5 test failed, you may still prove not a hobby by activity such as advertising, business bank account, business licenses, well-maintained set of books.

Cash versus accrual accounting
Cash is simpler but accrual may be better for managing, particularly if inventory and accounts receivables and payables are involved. IRS requires accrual for some businesses. Businesses with sales less than $1 million are free to choose either.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a solid deep dive into the technical details of starting a small business, ranging from picking a name, to doing your taxes, to selecting employees. I've recently started a small business, and already I have learned so much in my first read through of this book. I wish I read it earlier, but I'm so glad I came across it. If you're serious about starting a small business, kick off by reading this.

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and informative.

[Caleb Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well structured guide to starting a small business.

[Larilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative! A great tool to get a business started

[Ratforce]

NOLO’s Small Business Start-up Kit is an excellent resource for those looking for practical business information. These are published every year, so be sure to acquire the 2012 copy for the most up to date information. NOLO books in general are good resources for people interested in running their own businesses.

[February Four · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commonsense information, well-presented. The chapters on marketing and e-business were well-presented without crossing any lines into dumbing down too much or selling snake oil! Pity the book didn't offer enough forms, but I have other sources for forms.

[Annie]

Written so it's easy to read and understand legal/tax mumbo jumbo.

[Christopher Sol Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like everything Nolo, comprehensive, well-organized, and extremely helpful.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

good reference on sole proprietor vs llc, forms to file, taxes, etc.

[Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read with tons of great suggestions. Covers all the basics nicely without going too deep.

[Danielle Ferrari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic guide to small business start up! Perfect for reference on specific topics or reading cover to cover. Lots of actionable information.

[Margot Note]

Some light Christmas Eve reading...