Browse Library

Creating a Business

• The Start-Up Checklist
• Important Phone Numbers and Contact Information

• How to select the correct legal structure
• Business Legal Structure Forms (Texas) - LLC, Corporation, Limited Partnership
• Find a Lawyer
• Online Legal Forms: Nolo and Legal Zoom
• Legal issues affecting small business
• Patents and Trademark
  • Patents - 10 Common Myths
  • Trademarks - 7 Reasons to Register Your Trademarks
  • South Texas College of Law Houston Intellectual Property Clinics
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Presentation
• More Than One Owner
  • Co-Owner Legal Considerations
  • Co-Owner Agreement Legal Checklist
• Franchising
  • Buying a Franchise? Do proper due diligence!
  • Franchising - Complete Guide

• Find a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• Houston Business Development, Inc.(alternate lender)
• Houston Business Solutions Center (information on permits, licenses, etc.)
• Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (Small Business Certification, Networking)
• Small Business Development Center
• Executive Service Corps of Houston (ESCH) - (For Non-profits)
• SCORE (get help from SCORE mentors nationwide)
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Women's Business Council - Southwest - (Certification for women's business enterprise)
• Women's Business Enterpise Alliance

• Taxation as an S Corporation
• Federal Taxes
• Texas Franchise Tax
• Sales and Use Taxes

• Determine Your Insurance Needs
• Find an independent Insurance Agent

• Client: Request video mentoring set up time then click here at the appointed time.
• Mentor: Set up video mentoring

Business Plan

• Simplified Business Plan Template, 12-month Cash Flow Forecast, Startup Costs and Startup Financing
• Cash Flow Projection Model
• P&L Statements 1year, 3years
• Opening Day Balance Sheet
• Read Sample Business Plans
• Simple Steps Guides: Growing Your Business, Starting Your Business, SBA Resource Guide 
• Typical costs and ratios for your business

• Summary Marketing Plan Worksheets
• Develop Marketing Message; Examples of Unique Value Proposition
• Get Found Online - (Multiple services to help on all search engines)
• How to differentiate your business on Social Media
• Demographic Information: Census Bureau
• GHP Houston's Economy

• Financing Your Small Business or Start-Up
• SBA Resource Guide for Small Business - Houston
• Houston Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (List of financial institutions that accept SBA loan guarantees)
• SBA Loan Programs and SBA Lender Match
• What information do most banks ask for when you:
  • Start a new business
  • Buy an existing business
  • Expand/Restructure
• Certified Development Corporation Loan Program (see SBA Resource Guide for description)
• Loans From People You Know
• Loan Amortization Schedule
• Micro Lenders: Houston Business Development, Inc.(HBDI), Lift Fund, People Fund

• PTAC (Assistance on Government Contracting and Procurement Procedures
• Federal Contractor Registration (Search for federal government contracts and SAM registration)
• System of Awards Management (SAM)

• Buying a Business - Complete Guide
• Buying Business – Checklist
• Selling Your Business
• A Method for Valuing Small to Midsize Businesses
• Buying a Small to Midsize Existing Business
• Is it Time to Sell Your Business?
• Find a Business Broker National or in Texas

• Export / Import Assistance Resources
• GHP Export Resources

Emergency Preparedness

• The resources to help you develop a Disaster Preparedness plan