How you make your profit is not the real issue. In some states, opening an online business is as simple as finding a location (your bedroom counts) and filing a business name (also called a DBA,... (more)

Generally, ideas cannot be protected. While confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements can take you some of the way, they are not always airtight. Also, depending on how such an agreement is... (more)

Having one entity own part of another has, as you noted, its pros and cons. On the plus side, you get an extra layer of liability protection. In addition, there may be tax advantages to having this... (more)

Depending on the nature of your idea, you don't necessarily have to build a prototype in order to obtain a patent on your invention. In some situations, for example, in demonstrating your... (more)

This is not an area where you should go it alone. In short, you are selling securities, broadly defined as a form of "ownership investment." Securities are highly regulated, both at the... (more)

Technically, no. There is no law or authority that says you have to have a business plan before you starting. But most people do because it's smart to know what you're doing before you... (more)

Especially in today's tough market, you need to pay attention to the dollars side of the business. Start up financing is virtually nonexistent, so you'll need to define a "reasonable"... (more)

I was on Fox News recently and got quite a laugh when I said that I spelled sexy, "M. O. N. E. Y." That may have been what you meant, and I hope so. If by sexy you meant what is the... (more)

 Here are a few tactics you may wish to consider: 1. If you don't already have one, create a small lunch menu. A Thai restaurant in my town did this, and, even though it is s semiformal,... (more)

I think grants are mostly myth, where we see somebody pitching about "free government money" and what he really means is "buy my product." There are grants offered by... (more)

No one can tell you whether it's time to quit based on your email alone. From what you say here, staying with the business could be the worst possible decision, and leaving it could be the worst... (more)

The answer is yes. Every year, tens of thousands of startups find investors to invest in their companies. To interest investors, startups need to be the kind of startup that makes for a good... (more)

Your question is a tough one because most serious professional investors won't steal your idea, but they won't sign nondisclosure forms, either. But it still is a problem sometimes, and... (more)

Different states may have different options, but major carriers usually won't write a policy for an enterprise with fewer than five full-time, eligible employees. Here are two alternatives to... (more)

The answer to your question really depends on your specific situation and how much research and preparation you have already done to determine the viability of the venture. If you simply just have... (more)

You may want to explore the viability of partnering with an angel investor or an investment group such as a venture-capital firm. These types of investors can offer industry expertise and a strong... (more)

Whether you need an occupational license depends on the nature of the work you'll be doing from home. If you're providing general office services, such as bookkeeping, graphic design or virtual... (more)

One of the problems that can arise with subcontractors is not screening them carefully beforehand. From your description, you have another layer of complication: While you... (more)

If you are an owner of a business and are not happy about the way it's being run, you have several options: - Offer to buy out the other owners so that you can stay on board. - Make an offer... (more)

Depending on the rules of your local county clerk, UPS stores can suffice as a place to receive mail, provided they'll accept service of process on your behalf (that includes official notices from... (more)