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PLAN

Entrepreneurship 101 

Learn about entrepreneurship
Take an entrepreneurial readiness survey
Schedule a no-cost consultation with SBDC
Review FAQ for entrepreneurs

Business Service Providers

Learn about key business support organizations
Discover government resources for small businesses
Identify your needs and useful resources

Under-Resourced Entrepreneurs

Discover government resources for under-resourced businesses and entrepreneurs
Identify useful resources for your business

Networking & Mentorship

Learn about food-related networking opportunities
Discover local business chambers, associations, and boards of trade
Identify business and civic networking opportunities
Find a mentor

Business Registration & Taxes

Understand options for structuring your business
Choose a business name
Register your business
Set up and pay federal, state, and local taxes

Business Planning 101

Learn about importance of a business plan
Identify resources for developing a business plan
Sign up for a no-cost consultation with SBDC
Create a business plan

Following the Law

Identify legal assistance to help your business
Obtain a Vendor's License from the State of Ohio
Understand all local, state, and federal food safety regulations
Identify additional local, state, and federal regulations that apply to your business

Marketing & Sales

Learn about the importance of marketing
Improve your sales and marketing knowledge
Identify helpful marketing and sales resources
Create a marketing plan that includes specific strategies

Business & Financial Literacy

Improve your knowledge about business and financial terms
Identify helpful business and financial literacy resources
Create financial projections for your business plan
Identify a financial institution for business banking services

Financing a Business

Identify how much money you need and how you will spend it
Learn about different approaches to accessing capital
Try SBA’s Lender Match

Access to Capital - Loans

Learn about loans and how they can be used
Identify lenders that may be helpful for your business

Access to Capital - Equity & Ownership

Learn about equity financing
Identify equity financing options that may be helpful for your business

Development Finance Toolbox

Learn about different types of development financing
Identify development financing options that may be helpful for your business

LAUNCH

Location & Compliance

Learn about different potential locations for your business
Understand regulatory compliance requirements for different business locations
Identify resources to help with your decision
Choose a business location

Professional Services

Learn about the types of professional services available for your business
Identify legal assistance options for your business
Find a training that will benefit you as a business owner

Employess & Human Resources

Review federal, state, and local employment regulations
Learn about human resources
Learn about how to find new employees

Food System Resources

Explore resources for specific types of food businesses
Identify resources that may be helpful for your business

GROW

Financing for Growth

Identify how much money you need and how you will spend it
Learn about different approaches to accessing capital
Try SBA’s Lender Match

Access to Capital - Loans

Learn about loans and how they can be used
Identify lenders that may be helpful for your business

Access to Capital - Equity & Ownership

Learn about equity financing
Identify equity financing options that may be helpful for your business

Development Finance Toolbox

Learn about the different types of development financing
Identify development financing options that may be helpful for your business

Government Contracts

Learn about contracting with local, state, and federal governments
Identify resources to assist your business in becoming a public vendor

Food Waste & Green Business Practices

Learn about food waste prevention and donation
Explore opportunities for energy efficiency
Identify environmentally sustainable business practices for your business

Business Transition

Understand the options for buying a business
Learn about how to transfer or close a business
Explore the details of mergers & acquisitions