With over 38,000 small businesses calling Austin home, it is a given that our city is small business friendly. The Small Business Development Program is a great place to start your exploration process.

How do I know if starting a business is the right thing for me?

Passion and preparation are key indicators of your personal success. It is very important to do something that is right for your skills, talent and temperament. After all, you will nurture it 24x7, much like an infant. How do family and friends feel about the commitment you are contemplating?

What type of preparation should I do?

Preparation is more than finding a clever name or a vacant location for lease. For starters, we recommend attending BizAid Business Orientation, a no-cost information session hosted by the Small Business Development Program each week.  In BizAid, you will hear about free business coaching services to help write a business plan, develop a marketing plan, assess your credit worthiness, and apply for a business loan. There are also low-cost classes available to expose you to marketing, financial basics, accounting basics, human resources, and social media skills that can help a small business owner be more successful.