Small Business Resource Guide
This Resource Guide is designed to provide access to information needed to start or grow a business in Freeport and Stephenson County. It includes many links to documents and websites that will assist in answering questions for someone to open their business. The Starting a Business Resource Guide is designed to provide you with access to information and resources to make your entrepreneurial journey more successful!
Table of Contents to Guide
Introduction
- So You want to Start A Business
- About the Greater Freeport Partnership
- Contact information
- The Business Resource Guide
- The Business Start-Up Process (graphic)
Evaluate Your Idea
- Where Do I Start?
- 30 Questions
- Are you ready to start your own business?
Business Plan
- Components of a Business Plan
- Small Business Development Center
- SBA Business Plan
- SCORE Business Plan
Build Your Business
- Business Ownership
- Business Ownership Options
- Registering Your Business in Illinois
- State of Illinois Registration
- Illinois Department of Professional Regulations
- Stephenson County
- City of Freeport and other municipalities
- Federal Tax Identification Number
- State of Illinois Tax Number
- Sales Tax
- Developing a Startup Support Team
- Financing Your Business
- Your personal credit
- Possible Business Financing Resources
- Local Business Financing Resources
- Possible Site-Specific Financing Resources
- Business Insurance
- Lawyers
- Accountants
- Real Estate and Leasing
- Utility Contact Information
Grow Your Business
- Assembling Your Team
- Hiring Employees
- Writing a Job Description
- Writing an Employee Manual
- State of Illinois Unemployment
- Workers Compensation
- Insurance
- Minimum Wage Laws
- Sales and Marketing
- Plan for Growth
Appendices and Attachments
Appendix A: Resources
Appendix B: Employment Posters
Appendix C: Feasibility Checklist
Key Industries
Calendar Feed
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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Impressions May 23, 2023 Yep, I’m bringing you another message talking about the power of visual representation. Think about the way you make decisions about what to buy, menu items to order, or places to visit simply based on how things look in the photos. It makes a BIG difference! As you look around your business, neighborhood or venue, the visual appearance of your […]
You Get Out What You Put In May 17, 2023 There is a phrase that I hear frequently from members, prospective members, and chamber executives around the state: “You get out of it what you put into it.” The “it” refers to membership in an organization such as the Greater Freeport Partnership, and that the value of your membership increases the more involved and active you get in the organizations’ […]