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

by Peri Pakroo, Catherine Caputo (Editor)

The best step-by-step guide to starting a business available!

Many people dream of running a business of their own -- but often don't know how to start. Sound familiar? This book can help.

User-friendly and loaded with tips, The Small Business Start-Up Kit shows you how to launch a business quickly, easily and with confidence. It explains in plain English how

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Entrepreneurship, Reference, Legal

349 pages, Paperback

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...