Ed Paulson - The Complete Idiots Guide to Starting Your Own Business

Praise for Prior Editions of The Complete Idiots Guide to Starting Your Own Business

As a novice entrepreneur, The Compete Idiots Guide to Starting Your Own Business has provided me with easy-to-follow, detailed step-by-step procedures required to establish and maintain a successful small business. It was very helpful to read the experiences of other entrepreneurs as well, which enlightened me to the opportunities and pitfalls of owning my own business. Its really the only book youll need to start a small business.

Bonnie Neroda, ASID, owner, Bonnies Creations

About two years ago, I was considering purchasing an existing businessI prepared a business plan using your book as a guide [and] realized the business was not profitable and decided not to purchase it. I found out later the business was purchased by someone else, and closed down about a year later! Your book saved me $100,000! Thank you!

Jan Magree, vice president, Image Pro Services & Supplies, Inc.

I have recommended The Complete Idiots Guide to Starting Your Own Business to numerous clients who are contemplating or have already embarked on their own commercial venture. This guide serves as an outstanding introduction and subsequent desk reference that puts to rest myths and points out realities so that the new entrepreneur is aptly prepped to go forward.

Kenneth G. Daemicke, CPA, principal, Mulcahy, Pauritsch, Salvador & Co., Ltd. (mpscpa.com)

This book answers your business questions and is a great resource for anyone whos starting up their dream. The price of the book is saved on what you now wont have to spend on accounting and lawyer advice.

Frank Warner, founder and president, Electronic Script Prompting

The Complete Idiots Guide to Starting Your Own Business is a treasure trove of valuable information for the beginner to the seasoned entrepreneur. I had a business idea but no understanding of where to start, and Ed gave me that understanding. He seemed to know what questions I needed answers to. I highly recommend his guide as your new business bible.

Richard Foster, CEO, SuperF111

When I graduated from school I believe that I received about 45 minutes on the business aspects of practice. The Complete Idiots Guide to Starting Your Own Business is what is needed and wanted. At the very least, it should be used as a referral to help make those tough early decisions.

Richard C. Gelband, owner and chiropractor, Gelband Natural Health and Chiropractic

Managing the legal and financial aspects of a company is complicated. Thanks for making it easy to understand so that I can spend more time building my business.

Joe Pipal, builder

Anyone starting a business must read this book first. It is a concise, easy-to-understand guide that will save time and money. I recommend it to my business clients.

Geraldine J. Tucker, attorney and consultant, Law Office of Geraldine J. Tucker

The first day on the job of your new business should be spent reading this one-of-a-kind guide to launching your new venture. Paulsons advice provides practical, relevant strategies to the most important issues facing every small business founder.

Dan McManus, founder and president, Team Floral and McManus Group

Paulsons guide is an invaluable tool. As a small business owner it helped me with everything from accounting and knowing how to interview potential employees to being in touch with my truest motivation for being in business in the first place.

Anne Heaton, singer-songwriter, business owner (anneheaton.com)

Dedicated to the many readers, clients, and students who continue to teach me, and for whom I hope this returns the favor.

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Copyright 2012 by Ed Paulson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Purchase only authorized editions. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-61564-311-0

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2011936775

14 13 12 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the books printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the books printing. For example, a printing code of 12-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 2012.

Printed in the United States of America

Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted.

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