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- Starting a Business
- Start Your Business: Step 1
Step 1: Start Your Business
- Is Entrepreneurship For You?
- Who is Your Target Market?
- Would You Like a Mentor?
- Do You Need Financial Support?
- Contacts
If you’re thinking about starting a small business, you should start by weighing the pros and cons, so that you can make a wise decision. The resources in this section are your tool box:
What does it take to start-up and succeed?
This guide can help you determine if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Further small business training and counseling services are available for small businesses and our local CO.STARTERS program can introduce you to key players who will help you make your dream a reality.
Explore how to use market research to find out if your idea will be successful.
Pasco County Libraries provides a list of electronic databases including demographic and competitive intelligence information.
In addition, the U.S. government provides access to free market data and statistics to help build a picture of the market conditions related to your business.
Find local support from other business professionals through our SMARTstart Pasco Business Incubator and Enterprise Network programs.
Additional mentor and counselor programs are available throughout the US.
If your small business is in Pasco County, but you don't qualify for traditional bank loans, check out our Pasco EDC Microloan Program.
Are you the owner of a commercial property that could use some improvements? For capital improvements, exterior property beautification and building improvements, you may qualify for the Redevelopment Loan Program through the Pasco County Office of Economic Growth.
Last, but not least, visit the Small Business Administration and learn about the myths behind the "Free Money" ads and the truth behind government grants for small businesses.
These are just a few of the many organizations nearby who can help you in your endeavors
SMARTstart Small Business Programs