As I am still in start-up mode myself I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the resources I have come across in the last few months plus what I have learned along the way about the business of being creative. Plenty of books have been written on starting a business and there are many resources available out there to help you get off the ground.
The Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center is an excellent start if you are new to writing business plans and need someone to keep you motivated as well. They offer free courses and mentorship.
Nolo publishes many helpful books on the subject of small business. I can recommend The Small Business Start-up Kit for California. For architects and designers, Keith Granet’s The Business of Design is a great resource and Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business focuses on getting started as a freelancer and is aimed at illustrators, photographers, graphic designers, and more.
For some inspiration check out Design Sponge Biz Ladies, Kern and Burn One Hundred Days of Design Entrepreneurship, or the Graphic Design Blender.
For information on federal taxes, the IRS has information on starting a business and for California State taxes go to the State of California Franchise Tax Board.
The California State Board of Equalization publishes specific sales and use tax guides for some creative industries:
Graphic Design, Printing & Publishing
Interior Designers & Decorators
Photographers
There is a lot of great, inexpensive and easy to use accounting software out there, especially if you decide to use cloud based software. If you need help picking what is right for you or getting it set up, please contact us for a free consultation.
We can also assist you with customizing your Chart of Accounts or creating a budget and cash flow for your first year in business.
Good luck getting started!
Image credit: Jeff Sheldon
