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Entrepreneurs Resources

Explore Tools and Insights for Your Creative Business Journey.

Start a new career, business of your own, a hobby for the new and improved you. Did you know having your own business is a part of a lifestyle? Doing what makes you happy on your own terms. Now that's a beautiful thing!

Our goal is to share effective business building resources & tools to assist you and collaborate with you in taking that next step. We have done the research for you. Saving you time and money for what's really important, You and Your Family! We look forward to sharing your products and services to our community.

Entrepreneurs

America's SBDC's a nationwide network of small business development centers providing free consulting to businesses of all type at all stages. To Learn More >

Artists

For the Outside the Box Thinkers' You have found your TRIBE!

Authors

Intellectual Property that protects original works of authorship. To learn more >

Innovators & Inventors

Get started in protecting your ideas and making it a reality. Learn more >

Your EIN Number

APPLY FOR AN EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) ONLINE - FREE! Go here to apply today.

Get Your FREE Credit Report

You're entitled to one FREE copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies.

Grants

Applying for these grants are time consuming. Not the easy to obtain, but available to you. FREE to apply. Largest Database of Government Funds.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center

Reporting & Filing a Complaint. Learn More >

Learn More About Investing

Many people just like you turn to the markets to help buy a home, send children to college, or build a retirement nest egg. To Learn More >

NONPROFIT ENTREPRENEURS

STARTUP STEPS

Nonprofit Entrepreneur

Starting a Non Profit, Foundation or 501c3 Charity can be very rewarding but very complex as well. In addition to providing your services, you must also hire, train & manage employees, maintain compliance with government regulations, understand your market and position your company to grow. Donations do not come by easily, the odds of failing and business risks are high.

WHEN STARTING UP any business, there are obviously countless things to consider: Do I need a business plan? Should I work from home or lease office space? How will I reach prospective customers? But when you're launching a social enterprise, one more quandary needs to be added to the list: Do I set up shop as a nonprofit or a for-profit? If you are a nonprofit 501c3 entrepreneur, Review the following Non Profit here are the startup steps needed to get started.

Nonprofit Startup Steps

• Select a business name

• Search for a similar domain name

• Reserve a name with the state

• Obtain a local business license if applicable

• Elect a Board of Directors and elect Officers. Directors and officers may be the same 3 people

• Incorporate as a nonprofit

• Prepare and File Articles of Incorporate

• Prepare and Adopt Bylaws

• Prepare and Obtain EIN via IRS Form SS4

• Obtain 501c3 tax exemption status

• Prepare and Maintain First Minutes of Your First Meeting of Board of Directors

• Prepare and File Form 1023 (Federal Tax Exemptions)

• Prepare and File for State Tax Exemption

• Prepare and File Initial Solicitation Registration

Nonprofit Startup Steps

On an ongoing basis, maintain your good standing, most organizations will have to do the following:

• Prepare Annual Minutes

• Prepare and File Annual Solicitation Report

• Prepare and File Statement of Information/ Annual Report

• Prepare and IRS Form 990 and STATE TAX Form

Entrepreneur after obtaining 501c3 exemption, most newly created organizations will be required to File Form 8734 with the IRS after 5 (5) years of operation.

Leaders Never Stop Learning

For the creative entrepreneurs, the idea that 'Leaders Never Stop Learning' isn't just a mantra – it's our superpower. Your art evolves, your market changes, and your business needs to adapt.

True leadership, whether you're a sculptor, author, or designer, means continuously refining your craft, understanding new tools, and expanding your mindset. It's how you stay ahead, overcome creative blocks, and turn challenges into new opportunities.

QUICK OVERVIEW:

HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR NEW SMALL BUSINESS

Get Organized and Start Your Business Today!

Register your business – Don’t overlook it; it’s not only the law, but it also affords several benefits. For instance, it will enable you to open a business bank account, write off business expenses, and help you leverage competitive pricing agreements with wholesalers. Registration involve several steps, not all of them necessary, but important to be aware of:

Register a “Doing Business As” Name - If you are operating an online store under a name other than your own, you may need to register a “Doing Business As” name, also known as a DBA, trade name or assumed name. You can do this directly with your local government. If you’re not sure whether you need to register a DBA, check with your local government office.

Choose a Business Structure – Many small businesses operate as sole proprietorships, meaning there is no legal difference between your business and you, as an individual. You’ll also file your business taxes on your personal income tax. No formal action is needed to form a sole proprietorship. Often, online marketplace business owners file for incorporation or become an LLC to help separate their business and personal finances and gain legal protection as a business entity. Consult a lawyer or legal expert to help you determine the pros and cons of incorporation and how to register.

Obtain Licenses and Permits – These are a necessary part of doing business and are required by your state and local government. Even online and home-based businesses cannot operate legally without them. Use SBA’s License and Permit tool to find out what’s required.

Get a Sales Tax ID or Permit – You’ll need a sales tax ID in order to collect and pay sales tax. The law about collecting sales tax online can be confusing and is explained here. Many online marketplaces offer tools to help you calculate sales tax, but as of now, it’s your responsibility to pay it. In order to collect sales tax, your state may require you to obtain a sales tax permit. You can find SBA’s links to state tax resources here.

Get a Federal Tax ID: Cost: FREE!– If you have employees or are structured as a partnership, corporation or other types of organization, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. It’s the business equivalent of a social security number. You can apply for an EIN from the IRS online.

While these are some of the main legal steps you’ll need to follow, there are other important considerations, including:

• Pay estimated taxes

• Maintain good records so you can maximize your tax deductions

• Separate your personal and business finances – Open a business bank account(this will help you facilitate PayPal transactions) and apply for a business credit card

• Engage the experts – Consult a tax specialist or accountant. They don’t have to be on retainer, but can provide great advice as you get started in business. Local resources including Small Business Development Centers, and Women’s Business Centers, offer free training and counseling to small business owners.

Highly Recommended for Creative Entrepreneurs

Predict the Future by Creating It

You Didn’t Come This Far to Stop

While our website offers valuable resources, imagine having a comprehensive guide at your fingertips. Our book, "Mind Your Creative Business, by Yolani Malee" expands significantly on what you see here, providing a much richer and more detailed roadmap for your creative journey. It's the ultimate companion for our members!

Networking in Business

Let's Collaborate and Work Together!

Online and Offline Networking

Business networking is a marketing method by which business opportunities are created through networks of like-minded business people. Many business people contend business networking is a more cost-effective method of generating new business than advertising or public relations efforts. This is because business networking is a low-cost activity that involves more personal commitment than company money.

Make Your Business Networking More Effective By Forming Business Relationships!

• Online Business Networking

• Face-to-Face Business Networking

• General Business Networking

• Business Networking in The ICT Dom

Our Goal Is To Treat You, The Way We Want To Be Treated!

We understand the challenges of starting and growing your own company. It can be a bit overwhelming at times. However, to make the process easier for you, we have done most of the research, gathered the most beneficial and effective resources and tools available to assist you.

Continue to invest in yourself, family and your own business. No matter how hard it gets or how long it takes. It will all be worth it in the long run.

From one entrepreneur to another. The moment you decide to work for yourself. You are not only starting and building a business. You are now in school. There are a lot of things you will learn along the way in your new journey.

Don't be too hard on yourself, no one has all of the answers for the creative entrepreneur. Why? Simply put, all businesses does not operate the same. What works for one, may not work for the other. There will be trial and error. Mistakes will be made, but you learn from it. Can we say, schooled? Lesson learned. What is the lesson? Learning from your mistakes. Take another approach and keep it moving!

Creative Thinkers

Growth, Passion, and the Art of Self-Care:

You pour your heart into your craft, but true leadership means protecting that passion. 'Leaders Never Stop Learning' applies to self-care and business boundaries too. Learning how to manage your energy, delegate effectively, or even step away to refuel is just as crucial as learning a new marketing strategy. It's about learning what you need to sustain your creative fire, not just the technical skills.

Sustaining Your Evolving Creative Fire:

As outside-the-box thinkers, our learning paths often aren't linear. 'Leaders Never Stop Learning' means embracing unconventional education, experimenting with new ideas, and learning from 'failures' that others might not understand. It's about being a student of your unique process and the ever-changing creative landscape.