a business begins long before you fill out an application for business
financing—and addressing these issues can help you secure that
financing.
Write a detailed business plan
You wouldn’t start building a house without a blueprint; you shouldn’t start your company without a business plan
Business
plans typically map out the course of the business for 3-5 years, and
are reviewed and revised regularly as the business moves forward
There are many books and online resources that can help with writing a formal business plan; the Small Business Administration website layer is a good place to start
Set up your professional support system
Find an accountant who specializes in your type and size of business
Depending on your business, you may also need to engage the services of an attorney
Having
the right professionals in place from the start accomplishes 2 major
goals: They'll have a complete understanding of your business from day
one, and your time will be freed up to run your business
Handle those administrative details
Your business will need an employer identification number (EIN); the IRS website layer can help you with that
You'll
need to register your business name, which is typically done at the
administrative town or city where you live; your local chamber of
commerce can help with specifics
You’ll need to determine the
legal structure of your business (sole proprietorship, partnership,
Limited Liability Company (LLC), corporation, S corporation, nonprofit
or cooperative); this is where your accountant and lawyer can help
Now you can start thinking about financing
Bank of America doesn't have programs specifically for startups; our business financing requires you to be in business for at least 2 years
Your
business plan is important to your financing: Many financial
institutions who provide startup financing will want to see your plan as
part of your application
You'll need that EIN for your
financing application—and having an accountant and/or attorney alongside
you throughout the application process is a smart idea