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Want to Start a Business or Non-Profit, But Don't Know How?

The United States is ranked by the World Bank only 55th for Ease of Starting a Business 

We feel your pain! .... Cleveland Score can help.

Start Here!

• Request free start-up mentoring at Cleveland Score
• If you prefer learning-by-reading, download Score Simple Steps to Starting a Business Workbook 
• If you prefer listening/watching, take the free Score webinar series The Startup Roadmap 
• Also, download Guide to Starting Up a Business in Ohio
• If you might not need traditional bank financing, need to first organize your ideas, or suffer from writer's block, learn about the one-page Business Model Canvas method; or view our one-page business plan webinar

Not Sure What Type of Legal Entity to Use?

• Learn how to form an Ohio LLC - Limited Liability Company: Download Guide to Starting an LLC in Ohio
  • ​​An LLC is preferred for most start-ups, including sole-proprietors and partnerships
  • ​But also see Ohio Guides for other entity types [S, C, or Non-Profit] at Ohio Secretary of State Business Guides
• See more below if you are considering a 501C3 Non-Profit
• We recommend obtaining an EIN for your business from the IRS Get one online at IRS
• Definitely consider getting Business Insurance for more protection, even though you have a legal entity
• We also suggest you find the NAICS code for your type of business; the NAICS code is requested by IRS when you file taxes and is useful for market research and financial benchmarking

Wondering about Licenses, Regulations, Trademarks?

• Not sure what kind of Ohio licenses, taxes, and regulations for your specific kind of business?
  • ​Find an Ohio checklist for over 200 types of businesses
• Wondering about protecting your Trademark or ServiceMark? Download Ohio Guide to Trademarks

Don't Forget about Taxes!

• Not sure about how to report Federal Income Tax for your business?
  •  Visit the IRS Small Business / Self-Employed Tax Center or the IRS Gig Economy Tax Center
    • Review specifics from IRS on Start Up Considerations
    • Take the IRS Virtual How-To Business Tax Webinar Series
    • See a sample 1040 Schedule C that you need to report your sole-proprietor, LLC, or Gig business federal income tax
• Wondering about Ohio Sales Taxes  and other Taxes?
  • Visit the ODT Ohio Department of Taxation Resources
  • Still confused? Call the ODT Help Center - they are expert and very helpful

Looking for Funding, Legal Help, Accounting Help?

• Looking for Funding in Northeast Ohio? See Cleveland Score Hints & Tips on Finding Funding
• Think you might need an Attorney / Legal Services? See Cleveland Score Hints & Tips on Finding Attorney Services
• How about Accountant / Accounting Services? See Cleveland Score Hints & Tips on Finding Accounting Service Providers
• Thinking of hiring employees? See the Ohio Guide to Hiring Your First Employee

Marketing: Get Your Business Online Fast & Free and/or Certified!

• Apply now for a free GoogleMyBusiness GMB profile to put your business on the map
  • ​Learn more about GMB Here
• Also see SCORE's Social Media Must Do's for Small Busineses for what to do next
  • ​Also more on Online Marketing for Small Business Owners
• If your business qualifies, consider
  • getting women-owned certification 
  • and/or minority-owned certification
  • and/or SBA HubZone certification for certain government contracting set-asides
  • also see Veterans preferences & resources

Considering a 501C3 Non-Profit?

• See the SCORE Non-Profit Planning Guide and our NP resource library
• See candid.org learning resources, including their NP Self-Assessment Tool - Is Starting a Non-Profit Right for You? [may require free registration]
• In addition to State of Ohio non-profit requirements, there are also IRS requirements to obtain Exemption status.
  • ​NOTE: an LLC entity-type will not be able to qualify for IRS 501C3 Exemption status
  • ​Check if you qualify for streamlined IRS exemption including reduced fee by using Form 1023-EZ

Have More Questions?

• Are you thinking of a Franchise?
  • See the FTC Federal Trade Commission Guidance   and the  SBA Guidance
• Learn about Copyrights at  https://www.copyright.gov/what-is-copyright/
• Are you an Inventor needing a Patent?
  • Learn about the Ohio Pro Bono Patent Assistance Program
  • You might qualify for US Patent Office fee reductions as a 'micro entity'
• Interested in competing for government contracts?
  • See SBA resources on competing for government contracts    
  • Also see the Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Center which now covers Northeast Ohio