Business setup

Apply for your EIN:

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. An EIN also helps you register a business entity, obtain a business loan, open a business bank account and much more. An EIN is as important for your company as a Social Security number is in your personal life.

Register your business in your state

All Secretary of States’ Websites & Business Entity Search:

State Department Business Division Business Entity Search
Alabama Secretary of State Alabama Business Services Alabama Business Entity
State of Alaska Alaska Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing Alaska Corporations Database
Arizona Secretary of State Arizona Corporation Commission Arizona eCorp Business Entity Search
Arkansas Secretary of State Arkansas Business & Commercial Services Arkansas Business Entity Search
California Secretary of State California Business Entities California Business Search
Colorado Secretary of State Colorado Business Organizations Colorado Business Database Search
Connecticut Secretary of State Connecticut Business Services Connecticut Business Inquiry Search
State of Delaware Delaware Division of Corporations Delaware Business Entity Search
District of Columbia Office of the Secretary District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) District of Columbia Business Filings Search (login required)
Florida Department of State Florida Sunbiz Florida Business Name Search
Georgia Secretary of State Georgia Corporations Division Georgia Business Search
State of Hawaii Hawaii Business Registration (BREG) Hawaii Business Entity & Documents Search
Idaho Secretary of State Idaho Business Entities Idaho Business Entity Search
Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Business Services Illinois Corporation & LLC Search
Indiana Secretary of State Indiana’s INBiz Indiana Business Search
Iowa Secretary of State Iowa Business Services Iowa Business Entities Search
Kansas Secretary of State Kansas Business Filing Center Kansas Business Entity Search Station (BESS)
Kentucky Secretary of State Kentucky Business Services Kentucky FastTrack Business Organization Search
Louisiana Secretary of State Louisiana Business Services Louisiana Business Filings Search
Maine Secretary of State Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions Maine Corporate Name Search
Maryland Secretary of State Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation Business Services Maryland Business Entity Search
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Corporations Division Massachusetts Business Entity Search
Michigan Secretary of State Michigan Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau Michigan Business Entity Search
Minnesota Secretary of State Minnesota Business Services Minnesota Search Business Filings
Mississippi Secretary of State Mississippi Business Services Division Mississippi Business Search
Missouri Secretary of State Missouri Business Services Division Missouri Business Entity Search
Montana Secretary of State Montana Business Services Division Montana Business Entities Search
Nebraska Secretary of State Nebraska Business Services Division Nebraska Corporation and Business Search
Nevada Secretary of State Nevada Commercial Recordings Division Nevada Business Search
New Hampshire Secretary of State New Hampshire Corporation Division New Hampshire QuickStart Business Search
New Jersey Department of State New Jersey Department of the Treasury New Jersey Business Entity Name Search
New Mexico Secretary of State New Mexico Corporations Bureau New Mexico Business Search
New York Department of State New York Division of Corporations New York Corporation & Business Entity Database
North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State North Carolina Corporations Division North Carolina Corporate Name Search
North Dakota Secretary of State North Dakota Business Services North Dakota Business Search
Ohio Secretary of State Ohio Business Services Ohio Business Search
Oklahoma Secretary of State Oklahoma Business Services Oklahoma Search Corporation Entities
Oregon Secretary of State Oregon Corporation Division Services Oregon Business Name Search
Pennsylvania Department of State Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations Pennsylvania Business Entity Search
Puerto Rico Departamento de Estado Puerto Rico Registro de Corporaciones y Entidades Puerto Rico Búsqueda de Corporaciones
Rhode Island Secretary of State Rhode Island Business Portal Rhode Island Corporate Database
South Carolina Secretary of State South Carolina Business Entities South Carolina Business Name Search
South Dakota Secretary of State South Dakota Business Services South Dakota Business Information Search
Tennessee Secretary of State Tennessee Business Services Tennessee Business Information Search
Texas Secretary of State Texas Corporations Section Texas Taxable Entity Search
Utah Secretary of State Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code Utah Business Name Search
Vermont Secretary of State Vermont Corporations & Business Services Vermont Business Search
Commonwealth of Virginia Virginia State Corporation Commission Virginia Business Entity Search
Washington Secretary of State Washington Corporations Division Washington Corporations Search
West Virginia Secretary of State West Virginia Business Division West Virginia Business Entity Search
Wisconsin Secretary of State Wisconsin Corporation Section of the Division of Corporate & Consumer Services Wisconsin Search Corporate Records
Wyoming Secretary of State Wyoming Business Division Wyoming Business Entity Search

Apply for your Trademark:

https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/apply

A trademark is a design, word, slogan, symbol or combination of any of those elements that helps consumers identify your products or services from those of the competition. A trademark plays a key role in building brand loyalty and a strong customer base. Therefore, prioritizing trademark protection is just as important for the solo entrepreneur as it is for the enterprise business.

Register your business with Dun and Bradstreet

https://learning.dnb.com/register

Capital Resources

Additional resources

ShopifyMany entrepreneurs don’t have a formal education, they took the leap and made it up along the way. This is why it’s important to build intentional learning into your business practices. Shopify offers free entrepreneur resources, including courses and video resources, you can use to build your skills and knowledge and reach your goals.

Small Business Administration. Get information and resources to help start your small business. You can also find SBA-guaranteed loans.

SCORESCORE helps you find a mentor so you can get free counseling and advice, in person or online. Its mentors are successful entrepreneurs looking to help other small businesses owners become stronger and more successful.

Small Business Development CentersTap into the expert advisers for free at SBDCs to help you with starting and growing your business. Contact your local SBDC for no-cost business consulting and training.

Small Business and Self-Employed Tax CenterCan’t forget about paying taxes! Stay compliant with the IRS with the latest tax news and forms for your business.

FindLaw Small Business CenterFind legal forms, get answers to legal questions, and find small business lawyers on this site.

International Franchise AssociationEntrepreneurs don’t always start a business from scratch. The International Franchise Association (IFA) helps you find franchises for sale.

SeedInvest.Find potential investors for your business using SeedInvest. You’ll discover angels who will invest in your business in exchange for equity.

Groups

    1. Shopify EntrepreneursShopify Entrepreneurs is a free Facebook group consisting of over 100,000 Shopify store owners, developers, and service providers. You can find discussions about everything from Shopify app recommendations to marketing and sales questions, as well as tips for improving your Shopify store.
    2. Entrepreneur’s Organization. The Entrepreneur’s Organization is a global support network with over 14,000 entrepreneurs and leaders. The EO offers mentorship and networking opportunities perfect for new entrepreneurs.
    3. VistageFounded in 1957, Vistage is a mentoring membership program for CEOs and business owners. It has 24,000+ members globally and offers coaching and peer advisory services to entrepreneurs.
    4. Startup GrindStartup Grind is a global community built to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. The group hosts many events that bring over 3.5 million entrepreneurs together to connect, learn, teach, build, and belong.
    5. Young Entrepreneur CouncilThis group offers support from vetted entrepreneurs aimed to help overcome challenges and grow your business. While it has tight restrictions to get into the community, it’s a good place to network and find potential business partners.
    6. International Council for Small Business (ICSB)The ICSB was the first non-profit membership program dedicated to small business growth worldwide. It brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to share insights through programs, workshops, training sessions, and more.
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