Checklist

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

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

Employees & 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

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