Starting a Business
Resources for Starting a Business
Starting a business is an exciting journey, but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your side hustle into a full-time venture, these resources can help.
U.S. Small Business Administration - SBA
Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions, and completing a series of legal activities. The SBA provides information and tools to help you at each step.
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10 steps to start your business
Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions, and completing a series of legal activities. Read on to learn about each step.
Conduct market research
Market research will tell you if there’s an opportunity to turn your idea into a successful business. It’s a way to gather information about potential customers and businesses already operating in your area. Use that information to find a competitive advantage for your business.
Write your business plan
Your business plan is the foundation of your business. It’s a roadmap for how to structure, run, and grow your new business. You’ll use it to convince people that working with you — or investing in your company — is a smart choice.
Fund your business
Your business plan will help you figure out how much money you’ll need to start your business. If you don’t have that amount on hand, you’ll need to either raise or borrow the capital. Fortunately, there are more ways than ever to find the capital you need.
Pick your business location
Your business location is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Whether you’re setting up a brick-and-mortar business or launching an online store, the choices you make could affect your taxes, legal requirements, and revenue.
Choose a business structure
The legal structure you choose for your business will impact your business registration requirements, how much you pay in taxes, and your personal liability.
Choose your business name
It’s not easy to pick the perfect name. You’ll want one that reflects your brand and captures your spirit. You’ll also want to make sure your business name isn’t already being used by someone else.
Register your business
Once you’ve picked the perfect business name, it’s time to make it legal and protect your brand. If you’re doing business under a name different than your own, you’ll need to register with the federal government, and maybe your state government, too.
Get federal and state tax IDs
You’ll use your employer identification number (EIN) for important steps to start and grow your business, like opening a bank account and paying taxes. It’s like a social security number for your business. Some — but not all — states require you to get a tax ID as well.
Apply for licenses and permits
Keep your business running smoothly by staying legally compliant. The licenses and permits you need for your business will vary by industry, state, location, and other factors.
Open a business bank account
A small business checking account can help you handle legal, tax, and day-to-day issues. The good news is it’s easy to set one up if you have the right registrations and paperwork ready.
Now: Open shop!
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Plan to make your great idea into a great small business using SBA's data and trend resources, business plan templates and startup cost calculator.
Market research and competitive analysis
Market research helps you find customers for your business. Competitive analysis helps you make your business unique. Combine them to find a competitive advantage for your small business.
Write your business plan
Your business plan is the foundation of your business. Learn how to write a business plan quickly and efficiently with a business plan template.
Calculate your startup costs
How much money will it take to start your small business? Calculate the startup costs for your small business so you can request funding, attract investors, and estimate when you’ll turn a profit.
Establish business credit
Learn how to apply for business credit and maintain your credit history.
Fund your business
It costs money to start a business. Funding your business is one of the first — and most important — financial choices most business owners make. How you choose to fund your business could affect how you structure and run your business.
Buy an existing business or franchise
Starting a business from scratch can be challenging. Franchising or buying an existing business can simplify the initial planning process.
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Pick your business location
Your business location determines zoning laws, taxes and regulations.
Choose a business structure
Select a business structure that gives you the right balance of legal protections and benefits.
Choose your business name
Your name is part of your brand, so think about how you’ll use it to best serve your business.
Register your business
Now you’ve decided on your name, structure, and location, register your business as a distinct legal entity.
Get federal and state tax ID numbers
Set up your IDs to allow your small business to pay state and federal taxes.
Apply for licenses and permits
These depend on laws, location, and activities, and vary at the state and federal level.
Open a business bank account
Stay compliant and protected once your business is ready to accept or spend money.
Get business insurance
Protect yourself from the unexpected costs of accidents, natural disasters, and lawsuits.
Business Xpress
Business Xpress is a “One Stop Shop for Business” online portal that provides resources for starting, expanding and operating a business in Oregon or relocating a business within or to Oregon.
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Starting a business can get complicated. The Startup Toolkit breaks the process into 6 steps and provides links to resources helping entrepreneurs make educated decisions.
Videos about the Toolkit are available online here.
Step 1: Choose your name & structure
Step 2: Register your business
Step 3: Get your tax numbers
Step 4: Insurance Requirements
Step 5: Permits & Licensing
Step 6: Employer Obligations
Find more information, related services, and related agencies regarding on starting a business in Oregon on their Plan and Start pages.
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Write a Business Plan
The first step to planning a business is writing a well thought out and organized business plan. See the following available resources on how to write a business plan.
Access the Oregon Business Information Center
Access online resources from the Oregon Secretary of State for doing business in Oregon.
Am I Doing Business in Oregon?
There are certain activities that indicate you are doing business in Oregon and are responsible for meeting the state's requirements. Find out what it means to be doing business in Oregon.
Download a guide to "Start a Business"
Starting a business can be an exciting and confusing process. Many state agencies work together to form a guide to cover preparing, planning, business structure, registering, understanding tax obligations, licensing, and other requirements.
The Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI) answers frequently asked questions about employment labor laws in Oregon.
Employment Law Training & Seminars
Get information on various trainings and seminars for employers offered by the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI).
Find other resources on business insurance
Learn how to pick the type of business insurance you need.
Apply for Construction Contractors Board (CCB) Licensing
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) can help you understand the steps to get or renew a license, change your endorsements or workers compensation status, understand liability, and more.
Apply for Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) Licensing
Two licenses are required to perform landscaping work in Oregon. The Oregon Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) provides information on what is required, how to become licensed, and more.
B2B is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by SBA as part of the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program (TAP). B2B provides participants with an overview of business ownership and is open to transitioning service …
Business and Economics Development Staff Contacts
Contact the Business Retention & Expansion officer serving your county for a particular division.
Capital Assistance Program (CAP)
Learn about how the Oregon Capital Access (CAP) Program is designed for non-profit and for-profit businesses seeking funds for most business purposes.
CDFI [Coalition of Community Development of Financial Institutions]
CDFIs serve economically distressed communities by providing credit, capital and financial services that are often unavailable from mainstream financial institutions.
Contact the Office of Small Business Assistance
Contact the Office of Small Business Assistance if you're having trouble finding answers to your questions.
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View this 8-part video series that provides Step-by-step guidance for starting a business.
Livelihood NW
Thinking of starting a business? Livelihood NW offers a crash course in business basics: where to start, what to know, and what to be thinking about when starting a new business. You will learn the differences between entity types, how to register your entity, business licenses, EINs, setting up a business bank account, financing, business planning, resources, and more!
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Learn the differences between entity types, how to register your entity, business licenses, EINs, setting up a business bank account, financing, business planning, resources, and more! Click here for more details.
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Individualized Business support
Meet with an advisor to apply for this program.
Need Business support now? We encourage you to meet with a business advisor through Open Business Advising — No application needed!
Small Business Development Center - (SBDC)
The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network
SBDC Oregon has 20 regional Centers to assist small businesses with advising, classes and access to the resources they need to be successful. Each Center is backed by a statewide network of support, helping small businesses access the right assistance.
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The Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has many resources that can help small-business owners. The best step you can take to improve your odds of success is to plan properly. There are six strategies you can implement for successful business planning.
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Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (oregonsbdc.org).
SBDC Oregon offers consulting services for small business owners throughout Oregon in all stages.
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Before you take the plunge, sign up for the Going Into Business Workshop to find out what it takes to start up and successfully operate your own business in Oregon, and assess whether business ownership is the right path for you.
Find out what resources are available to you for researching, starting up, financing and managing your dream business, so that it doesn’t turn into your worst nightmare.
If you have any questions about registering, contact Cris Kelly at cris.kelly@clackamas.edu.
About the Instructor
Jeff Selby helps business owners gain credibility and attract new clients, using his unique mix of professional experience in marketing, graphic design, broadcasting, and customer relations consultation. Jeff is a combat veteran, and served in the U.S. for ten years. During his five years at the Walt Disney Company, Jeff trained fellow managers and cast members on guest relations philosophies and spent his last year as a show writer and designer with Walt Disney Imagineering. Upon moving to Oregon in 2001, Jeff worked for a BMW center as Customer Relations and Marketing Director for four years. He is a small business owner and currently works as a Deputy Director in Portland City government.
Score Portland
Resources for Your Business Success
Explore a wealth of resources designed to help your business thrive. From expert articles and guides to webinars and templates, SCORE provide the knowledge and tools to succeed.
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Explore a wealth of resources designed to help your business thrive. From expert articles and guides to webinars and templates, Score Portland provides the knowledge and tools you need to succeed.
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SCORE Portland offers free, confidential small business mentoring for startup and existing businesses in Northwest Oregon. Reach out and get paired with your expert mentor today!