Academy Start Your
Business

Do you have an idea for a business you’d like to start? Are you wondering if now is the right time? The path to small business ownership can be challenging, but with a plan and the right resources, you can achieve your goals!

Starting A Business

Educate yourself to increase your chances for success.

While you probably have a great depth of knowledge and expertise in your specialty, there is a lot to running a small business that you may not yet be aware of! Some topics that small business owners may need to learn about are:

Choosing your business structure and registering your business.

Required licenses and permits.

Creating a business plan.

Securing funding.

Defining and developing your marketing.

Insurance requirements.

Legal requirements.

Ongoing financials and record keeping.

Operations issues and policies.

Human Resource requirements.

IT requirements and support.

Starting A Business

Starting A Business & Business Planning

old barber smiling in hair salon

With Ryan Silvestre, a Senior Business Consultant at the Small Business Development Center at NJCU

Learn how to start a business efficiently (even during COVID-19) and how to create a full-proof business plan that will take you from 0 to $$$

Speaker: Ryan has over 10 years of corporate finance experience & small business loan preparation.

STARTING A BUSINESS FAQs

Register Your Business

Small Business Certifications

Small business certifications help you and your business establish credibility with customers and the business community. The certifications listed below will help you get accreditation and demonstrate the value of your small business.

Small Business Enterprise Certification (SBE)

Certifies you with the state as a small business enterprise to become an eligible vendor with the State’s Small Business Set Aside Program.

Women Business Enterprise (WBE)

A woman-owned business is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by women.

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

A minority-owned business is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by minority group members. “Minority group members” are United States citizens who are Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American.

SBA8a

Did you know that the SBA has a program designed to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the federal marketplace? If you’re interested in government contracting, the 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to small businesses for which you might be eligible.

Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs from Disadvantaged Communities

Business Plan

Successful small business owners recognize that an effective business plan is vital to their growth and success. Drafting a business plan helps the owner think carefully about the marketplace, requirements, potential obstacles, their go-to-market strategy, success measurements and more. It is also a necessary fundamental if you are seeking assistance with your Business Funding.

As an integral part of the success of your small business, your business plan should also be reviewed and updated periodically throughout the year. This will give you the opportunity to hold yourself accountable, and to chart a new course if necessary.

BUSINESS PLAN FAQs

Starting A Business

Local small business advice and training.

Man using devices for online business order at bakehouse

Hard work, tenacity and faith in your business idea can take you far. But you don’t have to do it all on your own! Successful business owners know how to prioritize, delegate and ask for help when they need it.

The New Jersey Small Business Development Center is a resource you can connect with to get expert advice and attend trainings to help you better understand how to grow your business. The SBDC helps established small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs create and expand their business enterprises, to support statewide job creation, sustainable growth, and economic development and prosperity.