THINKING OF STARTING AND GROWING 

YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

H.E.L.P.TM

HISPANIC ENTREPRENEUR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

A Public Service Initiative of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

&

The Mur Law Firm to empower aspiring Hispanic entrepreneurs

“WE ARE HERE FOR YOU”.

 

 SUCCESS IS DOING THE SIMPLE THINGS WELL. 

   STEPHEN COVEY

WHEN IT COMES TO STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER".

IMAGINE ALL THE KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES AND INFORMATION YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.

THAT’S WHAT H.E.L.P.TM DOES FOR YOU.

“EMPOWERING YOU TO SUCCEED.”

Hispanics are the fastest growing and most entrepreneurial sector   of our community, but we are the most under served when it comes to access to   information.

Our Mission is to empower the Hispanic community. 

H.E.L.P. offers guidance in starting and growing your own businesses   by offering an online resource toolbox to guide Hispanic entrepreneurs   through the maze of information needed to achieve success.

Dreams   Become Reality with H.E.L.P.

It takes more than desire and drive to succeed in business. In   today’s challenging economic environment, small business owners also need a   working knowledge of financial and personnel management, record keeping, tax   laws and legal structures; communication skills; and marketing savvy.

What’s   the right legal structure for my new business?

Each form of business structure — sole proprietorship,   partnership, limited liability company or corporation — has its own   advantages and disadvantages. Your choice depends on your specific   circumstances, and you should discuss the options with your accountant or tax   adviser. For more information, go to http://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/ which is the Florida Department of State,   Division of Corporation’s official website.

What   licenses and permits do I need?

Launching a business typically involves paperwork. Unless you   plan to go it alone -- as a sole proprietor with no employees, for example --   you will need to obtain certificates, licenses and permits in order to   legally operate. Here’s what you need to get started.

LOCAL

Check   websites or call city and county government offices in your area to determine   if you will need a local business tax receipt (formerly called “occupational   license”) and/or a zoning permit. Florida Small Business Development Centers   also have information on licensing and permitting for cities and counties   within their jurisdictions. Check www.floridasbdc.org to find a center near you.

STATE

· www.MyFlorida.com is   Florida’s official website providing links to state agencies and all types of   information for new and existing businesses.

· File   a “Fictitious Name” registration with the Florida Department of   State, Division of Corporations. Owners conducting business under a name   other than their own must file, even if the name seems very similar.   Corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and trademarked names   do not have to file. For filing fees and to register a name online, visit www.sunbiz.org.

· Obtain   a state business or professional license, if   necessary. Check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional   Regulation or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to   learn about license requirements, apply for or renew licenses, search license   records and find exam information.

· Collect   state sales tax (and county sales surtax, if applicable) for   applicable products and services and obtain a Certificate of Registration.   The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) issues certificates and monthly   payment booklets. Register online for free or file Form DR-1. If the DOR   tells you your business isn’t taxable, get it in writing.

· File   a “New Hire Reporting Form” for every newly hired and   rehired employee, full- or part-time.

· File quarterly unemployment   tax reports and make payments to the Florida Department of Revenue if you   have employees (apart from yourself). 

How do I come up with the money to start or grow my business?

The U.S. Small Business Administration can point you to a   commercial lending institution, and your local Small Business Development   Center can help you put together a loan proposal. Please visit https://www.sba.gov/.

Where do I get information on state and federal taxes?

For state tax information, contact the Florida   Department of Revenue.  For federal tax information, contact the Internal Revenue Service. 

How do I sell my products to the state?

The Florida Department of Management Services coordinates the purchase of goods and   services for state agencies. 

How do I sell my   products or services outside the U.S.?

Enterprise Florida’s International Trade and Business   Development Field Offices provide export counseling services, as well as   information about training programs, international markets, trade shows and   missions. 

Reference Databases

The following databases also provide information of interest to   entrepreneurs. 

Palm Beach County Resource Center provides company toolshed for entrepreneurs as well as access   to full-text articles on a wide variety of business-related subjects from   business journals throughout the county.

Counseling Services

Free one-on-one counseling services are available, by   appointment, from the Palm Beach Service Corps of Retired Executives (Palm   Beach SCORE (website).

Seminars

In addition, seminars on many special business topics and issues   are presented twice a month by members of the Florida Women’s Business Center   (website). Topics include “1, 2, 3s of Starting a   Business”, “Skills to Operate a Profitable Business”, “Accelerating   Your Sales Performance”, “How to Market Your Business on the Internet”,   “Alternative to Corporate Jobs – Recession-resistant Franchises”, and   “Business Law”.

Links to Websites on Small Business Start-up and Expansion

Additional information on small business start-up may be found   on the following websites:

Business USA - website 

 This one-stop   electronic link to the information and services available from dozens of   federal government organizations that assist or regulate business includes   information on business development, financial assistance, taxes, laws and   regulations, and international trade. This site is maintained and funded   the United States Small Business Administration.

Entrepreneur - website 

The Small Business Answer   Desk, available on this site, has frequently-asked questions about   management, marketing and advertising, human resources, e-business, sales,   and franchise opportunities.

Florida   Department of State, Division of Corporations - website
  This site provides information on starting a business in Florida. It   includes information on business registrations, selecting locations, industry   reports, business, taxes, international trade, and corporate filings.

Florida   Women’s Business Center (FWBC) - website
  A list of free business seminars provided by this organization and other   available resources are in included on the FWBC website.

IRS   – Small Business and Self-Employed One Stop Resource - website
Part of the IRS   website, this web page provides information on a wide variety of business tax   topics, including topics for small business.

NAWBO-   National Association of Women Business Owners - website
  NAWBO is a professional association representing the interests of women   entrepreneurs in all types of businesses.  Information about   membership, conferences, and publications is included on this website.

SBA: Small   Business Administration - website
The SBA provides a   wealth of information to entrepreneurs needing help starting, financing, or   expanding a business. SBA programs and services are described, and local SBA   resources are included. Information on disaster assistance is also   provided.

SBA:  South   Florida District Office - website
This site provides a   start-up kit, a training calendar, financing information, laws and   regulations, and local resources for entrepreneurs starting businesses in   South Florida.

SCORE   (Service Corps of Retired Executives) - website
This site provides   guidance on small business start-up. It includes information on business   opportunities, including home-based businesses. SCORE workshop locations   are included. 

SUNBIZ: Florida   Division of Corporations Online Database - website
Sunbiz provides information on forming a corporation in the State   of Florida. Online forms and information on filing fees are   included. The site allows online searching for names of corporations,   trademarks, and fictitious names. It also provides access to articles of   incorporation, annual reports, and other documents on file.

Links to Websites on   Business Plans

SBA: Small   Business Administration - website
The SBA website   includes a section on writing business plans which includes a free online   workshop on the subject.

Community Resources

The following agencies   handle requests for basic information and referrals, and provide education   and information services.

Palm Beach SCORE   - website
 

Florida Women’s   Business Center - website
 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnazar/2013/05/28/30-terrific-tools-for-small-businesses/

10 Best Social Media Sites   for Small Business Owners

By Susan Tucker, December 2011

Are you confused and overwhelmed by social media? Face-what? Twit-who?   You-how? In this post, I’m going to lay out a few of the best social media   sites for small business owners, and why.

First off, when considering your online marketing strategy, your   website MUST come first.

Think of it as sort of a “base camp” that you will connect   to/from any number of external points.

Your website is property owned by you, whereas social media   pages are the property of someone else.

Look at social media sites as merely a vehicle to get your   message out there and drive traffic back to what you have control over.

Still, getting “social” is an important component of any   marketing plan.

Did you know… there are more than 100 thriving social media   sites online right now and more popping up every single day. It’s enough to   make a person’s head spin!

Where do you start when deciding what sites to include in your   marketing strategy?

Here is my list. You don’t have to have a presence on every   channel. Decide which ones (2 or more) will most benefit your business and go   from there.

Ok, here goes:

1. Facebook.

Launched in February 2004 for college students, Facebook has come a long way in a short seven   years. Now with an estimated 800 million active users, it is ranked as the   most used social networking service in the world (by the number of active   monthly users).

Lucky for you, starting a business page – and tapping into the   power of Facebook – is pretty easy. Once your page is created, users ‘like’   it (opt-in to get your posts) and your news will be posted to their ‘wall.’

The Facebook interface makes it easy for your fans to ‘like’ or   share your posts and when they do, their friends (the average user has 130   friends) will see this activity, therefore putting your brand in front of an   audience you may not normally be able to access.

2. Twitter.

A micro-blogging social media site that has been around since   2004, Twitter has an estimated 300 million users world-wide. It has been   described as SMS of the internet because posts are short, sweet and   to-the-point.

Twitter is a tidal wave of information. Posts come in at 140   characters or less and can be organized via hashtags (#). Topics range from   totally practical (I often search #Boulder) to the absolutely absurd   (#gympetpeeve).

Twitter differs from Facebook in that users ‘follow’ each other.   If someone follows you, you can follow them back. Therefore it is easier to   gain a following, but the followers are not as targeted as they are on Facebook.

I have found that Twitter is an awesome way to connect with   people and/or other businesses participating in the same event. Following a   hashtag at a concert, live performance or webinar creates a richer   experience. As a business owner, you can utilize this at events your company   participates in – try it! – I’ll bet you’d be blown away by the response. 

3. YouTube.

YouTube is a video-sharing social media site   that is owned by Google. There are more than 48 hours of new video uploaded   to the site every minute. Wow! As a small business owner, using video in your   online marketing strategy – and the back-end keywords of your YouTube video   -is just as important as your other online strategies.

YouTube recently announced YouTube for schools and I predict   more ‘stations’ will be rolling out in the future. Will your specialty be   included? Maybe!

4. Google+ (Google Plus).

Google is a powerhouse; this is no surprise. Initially launched   as a search engine company in 1996, Google has continually added, updated and   created new products that will appeal to it’s 1 billion unique visitors per   month.

Google Plus was introduced in June 2011 for personal   use and in November 2011 was opened to brands. Some of the features of   Google+ include Circles, Hangouts, Messenger, Instant Upload, Hashtags and   more.

These products are definitely designed with the user in mind.   The downside – there is no way to create a vanity url for your brand page.

Even though this is Google’s fourth go at a social media site,   you cannot deny the importance of adding your brand to there, if for search   engine rankings alone.

5. LinkedIn.

Founded in 2002 and launched in 2003, LinkedIn is THE premier B2B social networking   site. LI gets two new members every second, putting it at 135 million active   users in more than 200 countries.

Traditionally viewed as the spot to put your resume and search   for a job, LinkedIn has grown into a robust networking site. From job   listings to interest groups (there are more than 870K groups) there are great   benefits to keeping your profile up-to- date. Look at it as a business after   hours event…. put on your suit, add a smile to your face and be on your best   behavior because you never know what kind of business leads you’re going to   get.

I always recommend dedicating an hour or so a week maintaining   your LI profile. Also, be sure add your company listing, and update it as   well. Use your LI company profile page as a resume for your business.

6. Pinterest.

If your products are visually appealing, then this social media   site is for you. Pinterest is a vision board-styled social photo sharing site that   was launched in 2009. The mission is to connect everyone in the world through   shared taste and the things they find interesting. Users find and create   theme-based boards, populating these ‘boards’ with a “Pin It” button. Pins   may be divided into pictures, videos, discussions, and gifts.

Users may follow anyone or any brand; users can also ‘re-pin’   your pinned items. Companies with product photos can gain a huge following   and quick.

7. Ryze.

Started in 2001, Ryze is   a social networking site for professionals – particularly entrepreneurs. It’s free to join, and there are paid   memberships are available. There are currently over 500,000 members   worldwide.

More than 1000 organizations host networks on Ryze. According to   their website, networks on Ryze let existing organizations and communities   plus new ones use Ryze’s technology to connect their members with each other.

As of this posting, Ryze is not accepting new members. How   intriguing!

8. Talkbiznow

Talkbiznow is a web-based business community that   provides business services for small businesses and professionals. In   addition to the basic functionality of creating a profile and connecting with   others, users can manage a calendar, store files (up to 50MG of free space!),   host webinars, manage all other social media sites with Social One and lots   more.

The company’s mission is to simplify the essential business   services and seamlessly integrate and deliver them through the internet for   Free. Making it possible for businesses of all sizes to network, collaborate   and essentially expand their services in avenues they might not have explored   before.

Talkbiznow could be a great site to help get the social media   newbie moving in the right direction. Sign up is easy, and the profile   build and management is user-friendly. I especially like the free   collaboration and desktop services: file sharing, web conferencing and voice   conferencing.

9. Affluence

This is a social media site for the (you guessed it) affluent.   In fact, you must prove your worth before you can even join, so I can’t tell   you much about it, other than it’s intriguing.

Affluence is a private social network where   accomplished individuals connect, share information, and engage in meaningful   conversations. Members also enjoy exclusive, high-quality content and feature   advice from industry experts on subjects such as art, technology, and travel.

So, if you fall in the income range of a “verifiable minimum   household net worth of $1 million (US) or annual household income of   $200,000,” then this most certainly could be the spot for you!

10.  Quora.

Now that LinkedIn has disabled their popular Answers   feature, Quora is a   great place for small business owners to be. For details, visit this recent   post.

So, there you have it. My top 10 list of best social media sites   for small businesses.

Source: https://get-susan.com/services/10-best-social-media-sites-for-small-business-owners/ 

1. Do a self-inventory.

Not everyone has what it takes to start a company. That’s not to   say that your idea is not brilliant, but are you ready for all the chores   that come with it, like cold calling prospects and invoicing them until you're paid when you start   getting clients? It just means that you may not have the personality traits   to handle launching a company of your own.

Before investing any time or resources, evaluate yourself and   see if you have some the typical traits of an entrepreneur. Are you   motivated, able to adapt and confident? Are you resilient?

2. Develop an idea.

Don’t just start a business because something is in vogue and   you think commercializing it will make money. Develop a business concept that   you're passionate about related to something that you have experience with.   From there, come up with a product or service that you believe can enhance   the people’s lives.

3. Test the plausibility.

Once you’ve settled on an idea, figure out how you can make it   become a reality. Is the product or service something that people want or   need? Can you make a profit selling it? Does the product work?

4. Write a business plan.

A solid business plan will guide you going forward, even if your   plan is to be just a solopreneur or freelancer. It’s also needed for presenting your idea to   potential investors. Your business plan should include a mission statement, a   company summary, an executive summary, a service or product offerings, a   description of a target market, financial projections and the cost of the   operation. Learn about how to write a business plan at SBA.gov

5. Identify your market.

Even though you may have detected some interest in your   business, you need to do more homework. Assess the market, targeting the   customers most likely to make a purchase. Perform a competitive assessment.

6. Determine the costs.

Do additional research and find out the standard cost factors   within this industry. Not only will this help you manage your business more   effectively, investors will want to know this.

7. Establish a budget.

Once you determine how much money you’ll have to work with,   figure out how much it will take to develop your product or service and   create a marketing plan.

8. Find the right investors.

You’re going to need some sort of funding to start off, whether   from your savings, credit cards, loans, grants or venture capitalists. Find   an investor who shares your passion, someone you believe you can work with.

9. Listen to investors.

Whether you like it, investors do have a say in your company.   And you need to listen to their advice or suggestion. But that doesn’t mean   you have to do what they tell you.

10. Set up a great support system.

You’re going to be investing a lot of time and resources into   your new business venture. Be certain that your family is on board. They must   be aware that this process will be challenging financially and emotionally.

11. Determine the legal structure.

Settle on which form of ownership is best for you: a sole   proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an   S corporation, a nonprofit or a cooperative. Find out more at SBA.gov. 

12. Select a business name.

Decide on a name that best suits your business. Then check to   see if the domain name is available online, as well as if it’s free to use in   your county, state and in the country.

13. Register your business   name.

If your proposed business name is available, register it with the county clerk, have it   trademarked at the state and federal levels and secure a domain name.

14. Take advantage of free resources.

Numerous free resources can offer advice, training and   assistance. SBA.gov is a great place to look at to find   local resources.

15. Determine tax obligations.

Now it’s time to wrestle with the tax obligations. In the United   States, four basic types of business taxes arise: income, self-employment,   taxes for employees and excise taxes.

16. Secure permits and licenses.

According to research, you’ll have to pick up a federal employment identification   number (unless the   company is a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company without   employees.) Apply for state licenses. Pick up a local tax registration   certificate. File for local permits, if required, such as a conditional use   permit or zoning variance.

17. Buy insurance.

Make sure that you arrange for the proper insurance for your   business. This will vary according to the type of business. If you’re working   from home be sure that your homeowner’s insurance covers theft or damage to   business assets, as well as liability for any business-related injuries.

18. Set up the books.

Figure out if you’re using a cash or accrual system, determine   the fiscal year for the business and set up a recordkeeping system.

19. Choose a business location.

Select a location that best fits the needs of your business, one   that offers an opportunity for growth, the right level of competition and   proximity to suppliers. It should also be accessible to customers.

20. Don’t worry about an office.

If you’re not making any revenue, then don't concern yourself   with an office or warehouse just yet.

21. A patent can wait.

Patents can cost thousands of dollars. Wait to pursue this route until you have a   few customers paying the bills. A patent is   less useful if you can't enforce it or have the money to see it through.

22. Be flexible.

Chances are that your original idea will have to be modified. Being able to pivot and adapt to create what customers want will determine if   your business will fail or succeed.

23. Share your ideas with friends and family.

Your nearest and dearest will most likely be the most honest   with you about your business. Don’t hesitate to seek their advice and   suggestions.

24. Ignore the naysayers.

At the same time, there’s a difference between constructive   criticism and someone's quick jab projecting that your business will fail.   Follow the example of French Internet mogul Xavier Niel and ignore them. 

25. Don’t become angry.

If your idea is rejected by customers or investors, don't just   succumb to anger. Find out what they didn’t like, make adjustments and go   back to them when you’ve made the changes. There's the possibility that the   timing was wrong as well.

26. Deliver the product or service fast.

Your business is a work in progress and if you launch your   product or service quickly, you will be able to build a community of   customers who can provide valuable feedback that can help you improve the   offerings. In the words of LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, "If you're not embarrassed by your   first product release, you've released too late

27. Offer new products or services.

If you already have customers, be sure to hold on to them by   providing new products or services.

28. Be patient.

Always keep in mind that success won’t happen overnight. It’s   going to take some time before you make a profit.

29. Over deliver at first.

Once you land a new client, be sure to go above and beyond the   call of duty for at least the first month. You’ll have this customer hooked   from then on.

30. Blog all the time.

Don’t be ashamed to share both your triumphs and struggles.   Customers will enjoy your honesty.

31. Avoid fights with partners.

If you have disagreements with partners, then sever ties as soon   as possible. In-house bickering will prevent you from focusing on growing the   business.

32. Don’t worry about dilution.

So an investor has required a stake in the company. Recognize   the fact that eventually at one point or another you'll have to give up some   control of the business. Accept it and move on.

33. Hire a copywriter.

Unless you’re an excellent writer, hire a copywriter to compose   emails for highly targeted customers. A copywriter will also prove handy for   press releases and other pieces to spread brand awareness or provide business   updates.

34. Prepare for meetings.

When preparing for a meeting with a client, read up on   everything that’s available, steeping yourself in information about the   industry, that firm's employees and its competition.

35. Don’t fear the competition.

Don’t bad-mouth the competition when talking to investors or   customers. There’s no need to become an object of pity. In fact, talking in   this manner might even point customers to a competitor who may offer a   product or service that you don’t. Remember, when competition exists, there’s   a market for your business. Use that knowledge as inspiration to outperform a   rival.

36. Benefit from word-of-mouth.

Nothing beats some good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing.   Let friends, family members and influencers in your field spread the word   about your product or service.

37. Network.

Don’t be afraid to get out there and show your face to the   public, whether at a conference or just being out and about with friend on a   Friday night. But try to stay local because travel can dwindle your budget.

38. Provide outstanding customer service.

Interacting with people is a big part of the job. Your business   may gain new customers because you made them feel important. For example,   Zappos wasn’t the first online store to sell shoes, but the company perfected   its customer-service department and won over shoppers.

39. Be sure your website functions.

Potential customers want to know as much about your business as   possible and they should be able to quickly access that kind of information   on your website.

40. Don’t be overly concerned by the economy.

Some of the best businesses have launched during a recession. In   fact, half of the Fortune 500 companies listed in 2009 were founded during   such times, according to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

41. Make sure clients pay their bills.

Always be certain to receive payment for your products or   services. Instead of being taken advantage of establish a time frame for   payment. It also wouldn’t hurt to accept credit cards and have an online   payment system set up.

42. Find the right employees.

Hire the right people for the job. Even though it's your   business, you won't be skilled at every task, which is why you need qualified   people to complete the work.

43. Assign responsibilities.

Delegate attainable tasks to employees. This is all about   effective management.

44. Know that honesty is the best policy.

If any issues with employees emerge, be sure that they are   addressed. No one enjoys being talked about behind their back.

45. Remember that opposites attract.

Hire people with skills and personalities that are the opposite   to yours. They’ll challenge you and will bring different skills and talents   to the business that you don't.

46. Say goodbye to your social life.

You’re going to spend a lot of time devoted to the business.   Even if you plan a night out, you may leave early because a lightbulb just   went off. Hopefully those closest in your life will understand.

47. Recognize that you'll be the final person   to be paid.

As the CEO, you’re the last to collect a check. That’s just how   it works until there’s adequate revenue.

48. Arrive at a useful definition of success.

Just because your business hasn’t made you a millionaire (yet)   doesn’t mean that your enterprise is a failure. If you’re able to make some   sort of profit doing something that you’re passionate about, isn’t that a   success story?

49. Realize when it's time to move on.

Failure is inevitable. If things aren’t working out and you’ve   done all you can, then put aside your pride and close up shop. Something like   this is not easy to accept. But it’s for the best.

50. Don’t just rely on the advice of others.

Despite my offering up all of these tips for you, perhaps the   most important piece of advice is something learned the hard way: While many   people may offer a startup assistance, recognize that in the end you’re the   person running the show and the one responsible for the company's success and   failure. If you understand what worked and what didn’t, you’ll burnish the   skills and knowledge to run your business.

SOURCE: http://www.entreprenuer.com/article/235903

You have a great public library system   here in your own back yard in palm beach county with a wealth information   just waiting for you.

Print Sources – Books, Magazines, Newsletters, Newspapers

Print resources include numerous current books on many topics   including the following:

• Advertising and marketing a product or service
• Analyzing an industry
• Buying an existing business
• Demographics
• Franchise opportunities
• Getting started in small business
• Legal, tax, and insurance aspects of starting a small business,
• Managing a business
• Obtaining financing
• Starting specific types of small businesses
• Writing business plans

IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL   QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:

ARLEN M. CASTILLO

H.E.L.P.- Program Director

The Mur Law Firm, P.A.

arlen@murlaw.com 

WE ARE   HERE TO H.E.L.P. YOU SUCCEED!