Click a unit number below to view resources for that unit.
The Web sites of other organizations and agencies can answer your questions. Or you may need to write down an address or phone number so you can call or visit the organization in person.
Documents are PDF forms and letters provided by government agencies and other organizations. You may want to print them if they are particularly important for your business planning.
Library books are available for check-out from the Minneapolis Public Library. Ask a reference librarian for help if you have trouble locating them.
Resources for Unit 5
These resources can help you in planning your business:
AllPages:
Nation wide telephone directory information. Use it to look up businesses in the same category as yours to find competitors.
Nation wide telephone directory information. Use it to look up businesses in the same category as yours to find competitors.
Bolster your image with the right company name :
This article is an easy to follow guide to naming a business. It tells you what kinds of names to avoid and what kind work well.
This article is an easy to follow guide to naming a business. It tells you what kinds of names to avoid and what kind work well.
Business First Stop Shop (St. Paul):
Use this site to get information about business licensing, permits and zoning information in St. Paul.
Use this site to get information about business licensing, permits and zoning information in St. Paul.
Business First Stop Shop (St. Paul):
Use this site to get information about business licensing, permits and zoning information in St. Paul.
Use this site to get information about business licensing, permits and zoning information in St. Paul.
Business forms and documents:
This page from the Secretary of State's office is one place to find all the forms you need to register your business in Minnesota.
This page from the Secretary of State's office is one place to find all the forms you need to register your business in Minnesota.
Business forms and documents:
This page from the Secretary of State's office is one place to find all the forms you need to register your business in Minnesota.
This page from the Secretary of State's office is one place to find all the forms you need to register your business in Minnesota.
Business licensing (Minneapolis):
Find out everything you need to know about licensing your business in Minneapolis
Find out everything you need to know about licensing your business in Minneapolis
Business licensing (Minneapolis):
Find out everything you need to know about licensing your business in Minneapolis
Find out everything you need to know about licensing your business in Minneapolis
Business location and leasing:
This site provides excellent summary information on leasing versus buying space for your business.
This site provides excellent summary information on leasing versus buying space for your business.
Business Registrations:
This site from the Minnesota Secretary of State describes the different types of businesses that can be established, and tells how to file an assumed name for a new business.
This site from the Minnesota Secretary of State describes the different types of businesses that can be established, and tells how to file an assumed name for a new business.
Business Registrations:
This site from the Minnesota Secretary of State describes the different types of businesses that can be established, and tells how to file an assumed name for a new business.
This site from the Minnesota Secretary of State describes the different types of businesses that can be established, and tells how to file an assumed name for a new business.
City of Minneapolis licensed business requirements:
Here are ways to be a good business owner in Minneapolis.
Here are ways to be a good business owner in Minneapolis.
City of Minneapolis licensed business requirements:
Here are ways to be a good business owner in Minneapolis.
Here are ways to be a good business owner in Minneapolis.
Eight mistakes to avoid when naming a new business:
This article has easy to understand tips for choosing a business name.
This article has easy to understand tips for choosing a business name.
Facility profile:
What do you need in your business space? How much do you have to pay for it? Use this worksheet when you are looking at potential spaces, to make sure you ask every question you want answered.
What do you need in your business space? How much do you have to pay for it? Use this worksheet when you are looking at potential spaces, to make sure you ask every question you want answered.
Finance Start-Up:
Numerous resources to help you find loans and assistance to finance your business.
Numerous resources to help you find loans and assistance to finance your business.
Financial analysis of major projects:
This site provides several methods of analysis and takes you step by step through them.
This site provides several methods of analysis and takes you step by step through them.
Finding and renting space for your business FAQ:
A handy set of information that answers many questions about leasing business space.
A handy set of information that answers many questions about leasing business space.
Four types of business organizations:
Businesses are complicated! This document is a short guide to the main types. Keep in mind that there are legal and tax implications for you depending on what form of business you choose. If you have questions about the forms, be sure to ask an attorney for help.
Businesses are complicated! This document is a short guide to the main types. Keep in mind that there are legal and tax implications for you depending on what form of business you choose. If you have questions about the forms, be sure to ask an attorney for help.
How to find the best location:
This article describes how you can find a great location for your business and says who can help you if you need more help choosing a site.
This article describes how you can find a great location for your business and says who can help you if you need more help choosing a site.
Leasing office space:
This article also provides links to information on negotiating a lease and a discussion of should you rent or purchase.
This article also provides links to information on negotiating a lease and a discussion of should you rent or purchase.
Legal Corps:
This organization provides volunteer lawyers for micro-entrepreneurs. Their lawyers may be able to help you.
This organization provides volunteer lawyers for micro-entrepreneurs. Their lawyers may be able to help you.
Legal Corps:
This organization provides volunteer lawyers for micro-entrepreneurs. Their lawyers may be able to help you.
This organization provides volunteer lawyers for micro-entrepreneurs. Their lawyers may be able to help you.
Location, location, location:
This book will give you information you can use to select a location for your business. Worksheets are included.
This book will give you information you can use to select a location for your business. Worksheets are included.
Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED):
This the home page for Minneapolis' economic planning agency. Check out their Minneapolis Business Toolbox for detailed information on what the city may be able to do for you and your business. This is a good first stop for anyone interested in running a business in Minneapolis.
This the home page for Minneapolis' economic planning agency. Check out their Minneapolis Business Toolbox for detailed information on what the city may be able to do for you and your business. This is a good first stop for anyone interested in running a business in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis neighborhood profiles:
For each Minneapolis neighborhood, locate basic demographic information as well as a portrait of the area.
For each Minneapolis neighborhood, locate basic demographic information as well as a portrait of the area.
Minnesota Secretary of State's Office:
Use this site to see if a business name you want to use is already registered in Minnesota.
Use this site to see if a business name you want to use is already registered in Minnesota.
Minnesota Secretary of State's Office:
Use this site to see if a business name you want to use is already registered in Minnesota.
Use this site to see if a business name you want to use is already registered in Minnesota.
Negotiating the best commercial lease terms:
Great advice for negotiating a lease for your business space.
Great advice for negotiating a lease for your business space.
Office space: lease or buy:
A quick guide that highlights the pros and cons of leasing space versus leasing space.
A quick guide that highlights the pros and cons of leasing space versus leasing space.
Site finding help:
This is a list of small business resource centers in Minnesota that can provide assistance to businesses looking for a location or site.
This is a list of small business resource centers in Minnesota that can provide assistance to businesses looking for a location or site.
Sole proprietorship:
Here is a clear description of what a sole proprietorship is. It will help you decide if you can register your business as a sole proprietorship.
Here is a clear description of what a sole proprietorship is. It will help you decide if you can register your business as a sole proprietorship.
Start Up Costs:
This chart lists all of the costs that may be related to starting your business. Some of the costs won't apply, others will.
This chart lists all of the costs that may be related to starting your business. Some of the costs won't apply, others will.
Start Up Costs (Small Business Administration):
The U.S. Small Business Administration has many kinds of information to help entrepreneurs.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has many kinds of information to help entrepreneurs.
Start up costs and financing:
You already know it takes money to start a business, but where can you get the money from? The first step is finding out what you need.
You already know it takes money to start a business, but where can you get the money from? The first step is finding out what you need.
Start Up Costs Overview (FindLaw):
This site provides you with information about calculating start up costs for a new business.
This site provides you with information about calculating start up costs for a new business.
Start up requirements:
It takes more than money to start a business. Review this worksheet and make sure you know what you will need to get started.
It takes more than money to start a business. Review this worksheet and make sure you know what you will need to get started.
Starting a business in Minneapolis:
Great guide to starting a business in the city.
Great guide to starting a business in the city.
Starting a business in Minneapolis:
Great guide to starting a business in the city.
Great guide to starting a business in the city.
The small business start-up kit :
Great information on small business start up.
Great information on small business start up.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:
Use the Trademark site to search and see if a business or product name you'd like to use is already registered.
Use the Trademark site to search and see if a business or product name you'd like to use is already registered.
Zoning code (Minneapolis):
This is a link to zoning regulations for businesses in Minneapolis.
This is a link to zoning regulations for businesses in Minneapolis.
Zoning code (Minneapolis):
This is a link to zoning regulations for businesses in Minneapolis.
This is a link to zoning regulations for businesses in Minneapolis.