Starting Your Business

Here are some of the key steps to take in planning your business start up.

1. Know why you want to go into business. Before you pursue your business idea, you should know why you want to go into business and feel confident you have what it takes to succeed. Click on this link to Why do you want to go into business? in the Resource Library for a list of questions to consider. Should you be an entrepreneur? To find out if you are on the right path, take a quick test developed by Daniel Isenberg, Professor of Management Practice at Babson College.
2. Get help from the experts. Go to the Resource Navigator to conduct a personalized search for programs that help businesses in the planning and startup stage.
3. Check out start-up classes in your community. Go to the AKSourceLink calendar or talk to one of the experts you have found (see #2) for information on workshops or courses available to help you plan your business start-up.
4. Learn how to establish a business in the state of Alaska. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development has published Establishing a Business in Alaska to help businesses get started in the state.
5. Take care of business requirements. Choose the appropriate legal form for your business. Select a name for your business after checking the state guidelines then register your business name. Apply for a state business license online. Review the state regulations for small businesses to determine which might apply to your business.