The Book

I wrote The Essential Business Handbook so people can get their business set up fast. There is no unnecessary information, just the what, why, and how for each step. It explains the different business types, shows how to get a Federal ID#, DBA certificate, a Seller’s Permit, and more. There are also sections on payroll, trademark registration, merchant accounts, and pricing structure. It is available on Amazon for $14.95, or as an eBook for $9.95.

Beth Andrus

I wrote The Essential Business Handbook, and write www.minibizbuzz.com to help new owners of very small businesses. Money is always an issue for new business owners, so I focus on Do-It-Yourself, and hybrid-DIY (learning the basics and hiring a virtual or temporary assistant). Because I’ve started a few businesses, I know firsthand what it takes in the beginning.

After working in corporate and cost accounting for 15 years, I decided to start my own company. In 2005 I started a graphic t-shirt business. My business degree and professional experience were helpful, but running a company takes so much more than a just a knowledge of accounting. Through trial and error, and lots of misspent money, I got the business up and running.

While working on the business, friends, and friends of friends, started asking for help in getting their companies set up. I would talk them through the process, but I realized there wasn’t a concise book that addressed the most basic steps of setting up. So I decided to write one, that anyone could follow. That led to writing the blog, because I wanted a platform to offer other information, opportunities, and support. I soon realized that what I like is the business process; what needs to be done and how it can be done for little or no money.

I sold the t-shirt business in 2009, even though it was making a modest profit, because once it was functioning, my interest faded. This allowed me to focus on new business ideas (I am currently working on an organic plant food), the book, and the blog.

This is a list of free and almost-free information.  It is organized alphabetically, by category.  Occasionally I’ll include something that costs a few hundred dollars, but only if I feel it is a real value for the money.  I add to the list frequently, so check back.  And if you know of a great resource that belongs on the list, please email me and I’ll check it out.

Branding Blogs

http://www.biggirlbranding.com/

Business Blogs (general)

http://www.minibizbuzz.com

http://www.WomeGrowBusiness.com

http://bigbrightbulb.com/

http://www.churchofthecustomer.com/

http://www.worksmartmompreneurs.com/blog/

http://escaping-mediocrity.com

http://johnnybtruant.com/

http://smallbusinessideagenerator.com/

http://entrepreneurinmaking.com/

Email/Newsletter Services

http://www.madmimi.com/

http://www.mailchimp.com/

Marketing Blogs & Sites

http://www.copyblogger.com/ (great info listed under “resources”)

http://www.thelaunchcoach.com (go to “services” for awesome free downloads)

http://www.creatingcustomerevangelists.com/testify/testify.pdf (awesome free eBook about creating customer loyalty)

Misc Information

http://theessentialbusinesshandbook.com/register/ (basic info on the different business types – Corp, LLC, etc…)

http://www.clker.com/ (totally free graphics)

http://www.dreamstime.com (really affordable stock photos and graphics)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com (start your own radio show or find shows that will help your biz grow)

http://www.fiverr. com/ (people offering all kinds of services for just $5.00 – for example video editing, tech issues, creating a banner)

Money

http://www.financiallysmitten.com

http://www.virginmoneyus.com/

http://www.sba.gov/financialassistance/borrowers/guaranteed/mlp/index.html (SBA MicroLoans – maximum $35k)

Networking Groups

http://www.theentrepreneurconnection.com

http://www.savorthesuccess.com/

http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/

http://smartypeople.com/

http://www.kerrysnetworkforwomen.com/

Organize Your Office/Life Blogs & Sites

http://www.oneorganizedbusiness.com

http://www.gothamorganizers.com/

http://www.getorganizednow.com/welcome.html

Public Speaking

http://www.coachlisab.com/resources.html (Lisa Braithwaite is an amzing speaking coach and she work via video)

PR Blogs & Sites

http://www.easyprsecrets.com/ (Get Melissa Cassera’s amazing free eBook)

http://www.publicitypros.net/?cat=111 (Ann Baker/Publicity Pros has a bunch of free downloads)

http://www.helpareporter.com/ (story/interview requests from reporters)

http://www.helpareporter.com/gb (gift bag item requests)

http://www.pitchrate.com/ (story/interview requests from reporters)

http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch/ (when you start, there is a “tip” for each section – you must close this in order to start typing your pitch. it’s a great guide and gives you a basic “elevator pitch” that you can then edit)

http://prinyourpajamas.com

http://www.publicityinsider.com/index.asp

Product-Based Businesses

http://entreprenette.com/instantly-famous (Opportunities to get your products on TV or in films)

http://entreprenette.com Cool download “10 Simple and Powerful Steps to Starting Your Own Product Line” (Sarah knows her stuff!)

Selling

http://www.e-junkie.com/ shopping cart/ buy buttons so you can sell your downloads. starts at $5/month

https://www.paypal.com/

Social Media Tools

http://www.tweepsearch.com/ (searches the bios of Twitter users)

Video Host Sites

http://www.vimeo.com/

http://www.youtube.com/

Video Conferencing/Vlogging Tools

https://payments.tokbox.com/ (video conferencing – free and “for fee” options)

http://cueprompter.com (onscreen prompter for the video interviews)

http://www.oovoo.com (split screen video chat recording)

http://jingproject.com/pro/ (captures your screen in a video format)

Website Tools/Add-0ns

http://wufoo.com/ (forms, online surveys, etc…)

http://www.jotform.com/ (forms, online surveys, etc…)

http://gickr.com/ (create an animation from pictures)

http://www.google.com/analytics/ (analyze your website traffic)

https://adwords.google.com.au/select/KeywordToolExternal (calculate the potential size of your market – get the total # of searches by search word & phrase)

“I wish I had read The Essential Business Handbook long before I started my venture. It would’ve saved me so much time in the setup process. I love how clear and to-the-point the book is! Business owners would be well-served to read it sooner than I did.”

Shermaine Davis, The Body Patisserie

“It really cuts to the nuts and bolts of starting your own business. No fancy jargon to confuse you. The best handbook I’ve read thus far! I’ll be giving it to some friends I know who wish to be entrepreneurs.”

Traci Hayner Vanover, ESB Journal

“Show this guide to any veteran business owner, and you’ll likely receive the same response I had, which was, ‘that would have been helpful when I was starting out!’”

Dr. Letitia Wright, LA Business Book Review Examiner

“This book is highly recommended for young or first time business owners… Her explanation of resale number alone makes it worth it to get your book.”

The Basics of Branding from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

Get A Business Started from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

Class 1 – Biz Types, Fed ID, Dba & Payroll from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

Class 2 – Resale #, Bank Accts, Insurance, etc… from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.

Class #3 – Websites, SEO & Manufacturing from Beth Andrus on Vimeo.