Starting a business in Missouri: Top resources

 

Owning and operating a small business can be a tremendously fulfilling and rewarding way of life, but it is not always an easy one. A great deal of thought and research should go into making a decision that will affect you and your family for a long time to come.

Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs are not adequately prepared to go into business. While they have the motivation, desire and talent, they may not take the time to properly investigate and research their business idea before starting. Adequate preparation increases the chance for long-term success.

The Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers are committed to helping prospective business owners locate the tools they need to grow and prosper. This section will help business owners navigate a path through a variety of state and federal programs and services, as well as financial, licensing and workforce resources.

A great place to start is by reviewing the following guides and resources:

Starting a New Business in Missouri book

Starting a New Business in Missouri
Starting a New Business in Missouri (en Espanol)

Evaluating Your Business Idea

Examine your business idea and determine your potential for success before you spend time and money developing a business plan. Honest answers to this feasibility study will identify areas of strength and concern and provide insight into your market, competitors, start-up costs, sales and financing to help you make an educated decision about moving forward. Provides tables to determine the financial requirements for both the start-up stage and the operating stage for three years. Also a basic guide to develop a business plan.

Evaluating Your Business Idea

Doing Business in Missouri

The Doing Business in Missouri series is designed to provide information to new or existing business owners on many vital areas of business planning and running a business.

The Basics
Provides information to new or existing business owners on the skills needed to operate a small business and some common reasons small businesses fail


The Business Plan
How to put a business plan, the written expression of a business idea and projections on markets, together


Legal Formation
Information selecting the proper business structure with a discussion of legalities and tax consideration


Taxes
How to understand and meet the legal requirements of taxes imposed on businesses in Missouri


Hiring Employees
Overview of what's involved in hiring and paying employees


Financing Your Business
Provides information on how to obtain financial assistance.


About these materials
Acknowledgements, disclaimers and a guide to icons used in the Start-Up Kit materials.

Licenses and registration checklist

Confused about the governmental requirements for a business? This checklist will help with:

* guiding you to the offices for filing a fictitious name,
* registering for an LLC or corporation,
* obtaining a business license,
* obtaining a sales tax number
* obtaining a Federal Employer Identification number.

Licenses and Registration Checklist

Business profiles

Each business brief focuses on an industry where small businesses account for much of the activity and is designed to help in business planning, especially at start-up.

Industry Specific Business Guides

Additional resources

Start-up Resource Library
Start-up Training
Online Workshops
Counseling Assistance
Missouri Business Portal