Thinking of Starting Your Own Business

but not sure of the steps you need to take?

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University offers a FREE, on-demand seminar called Starting Your Business in Illinois that will answer your questions. This program provides an overview for starting a small business in Illinois and includes the nuts and bolts of getting started from business planning to business structures, licenses and permits, financing, and lots more. In addition to this workshop, the Illinois SBDC offers no-cost advising to ensure your business gets started right!

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome!

    • [WATCH] Introduction Video
  • 2

    Module 1: Your Business Idea

    • [WATCH] Your Business Idea

    • [DOWNLOAD] Customer Survey

    • [DOWNLOAD] Feasibility Checklist

    • [DOWNLOAD] Idea Description

    • [DOWNLOAD] Mission

    • [DOWNLOAD] Risk Analysis

    • [DOWNLOAD] Starting Checklist

    • [DOWNLOAD] Storytelling

    • [DOWNLOAD] Vision
  • 3

    Module 2: Choosing the Right Legal Structure

    • [WATCH] Choosing the Right Legal Structure

    • [DOWNLOAD] Company Legal Structure

    • [DOWNLOAD] A Guide for Organizing Domestic Corporations

    • [DOWNLOAD] A Guide for Organizing Domestic Limited Liabilities Companies

    • [DOWNLOAD] Ownership Distribution

    • [DOWNLOAD] Partnership Agreement
  • 4

    Module 3: Names and Registration

    • [WATCH] Names and Registration

    • [DOWNLOAD] Brand Description

    • [DOWNLOAD] IP Protection

    • [DOWNLOAD] Trademark Protection
  • 5

    Module 4: Licenses and Permits

    • [WATCH] Licenses and Permits

    • [DOWNLOAD] Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

    • [DOWNLOAD] Regulatory Compliance

  • 6

    Module 5: Financing

    • [WATCH] Financing

    • [DOWNLOAD] Business Plan Template

    • [DOWNLOAD] Credit Agreement

    • [DOWNLOAD] Financing Options

    • [DOWNLOAD] Lender Information

    • [DOWNLOAD] SBA Personal Financial Statement
  • 7

    Module 6: Employees and Independent Contractors

    • [WATCH] Employees and Independent Contractors

    • [DOWNLOAD] Checklist When Hiring Employees

    • [DOWNLOAD] Employee Profile

    • [DOWNLOAD] Independent Contractor Questionnaire - Claimant

    • [DOWNLOAD] Independent Contractor Questionnaire - Employee

    • [DOWNLOAD] Job Description

    • [DOWNLOAD] Organizational Structure

    • [DOWNLOAD] Staff Cost/Benefit
  • 8

    Module 7: Taxes and Record Keeping

    • [WATCH] Taxes and Record Keeping

    • [DOWNLOAD] Informational Links
  • 9

    Bonuses

    • [TO-DO] Join the Private Facebook Group

    • [READ] How the Q&A Calls Work

    • [TO-DO] Register for Q&A Calls