A weekly look at Wyoming business questions from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center, part of WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.
By Margie E. Rowell, WSBDC regional director
"Where do I purchase state and federal forms to start my business?" John, Jackson
How many times do new business owners come to me after paying for state and federal forms to start their businesses -- mainly the fill-in blank, federal and state forms?
These entrepreneurs want to make sure they are in compliance and doing everything necessary to correctly start their businesses. They search the Internet and find sites that charge for state and federal "free forms." Sounds like an oxymoron charging for "free forms."
So what should the fledgling business owner do? How do you know which forms are needed and where to find them? If you are like me, I find it easier and more beneficial to have a knowledgeable person to explain something rather than spending time interpreting information I haven't a clue about.
So where do you find that expert and how much is that going to add to start-up costs? The answer is www.WyomingEntrepreneur.biz (Wyoming Small Business Development Center) where business assistance is free and confidential. WSBDC counselors offer a variety of expertise from business planning, e-commerce strategies, doing business with the government and even explaining which forms to file and how to obtain them for free.
To learn more about starting and growing a business, visit the Web site at www.wyen.biz and obtain a local number for a representative.
A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments is available at http://www.wyomingentrepreneur.typepad.com/blog/.
The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, e-mail wsbdc@uwyo.edu or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY 82071-3922.
Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009