The Entrepreneur

Facebook OPEN Big Break for Small Business Contest Official Rules NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Facebook OPEN Big Break for Small Business Contest (the "Contest") starts on June 19, 2012 at 9:00AM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on July 15, 2012 at 11:59PM ET ("Contest Entry Period") . ELIGIBILITY: Contest is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, who are of legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (and at least 18) and who are owners of a for-profit small business with $10 million in annual revenue or less. Please note: Owners of small business that sell or promote any of the following are not eligible to enter or win: pharmaceuticals, drugs, drug paraphernalia, pornography or sexual aids, diet aids, gambling, liquor, tobacco or firearms/weapons. In addition, any small business that has been featured in any American Express OPEN advertising in the twelve (12) months prior to the st...

By:  Nellie Akalp  |  AllBusiness.com  |   Contact Filed In:   Legal   and   Finance We’ve rolled into 2012 and for entrepreneurs, the new year offers a great opportunity to start a new venture and turn your vision into reality.   If 2012 will be the year you begin your business, there are a few things you've got to keep in mind in order to make your business official. And the sooner you address the legal matters, the better.  To help you sort through the legal ins and outs of starting a business, here are some of the top questions new entrepreneurs ask: Do I need to incorporate my business?   Many small businesses consider themselves too small to worry about incorporation.  However, whether you're a self-employed PR consultant or wedding planner, incorporating or forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) can be a smart idea. Here's why: Liability protection:  The LLC and the Corporation (C ...

n facebook Share on twitter UPDATES REGARDING CCR/SAM The General Services Administration (GSA) is moving the implementation date of the System for Award Management (SAM) from May 29, 2012 to the end of July 2012. The additional sixty days will allow federal agencies to continue preparing their staff, give agencies and commercial system providers even more time to test their data transfer connections, and will ensure SAM contains the critical, documented capabilities users need from the system. This first phase of SAM will include the capabilities of Central Contractor Registration (CCR)/Federal Agency Registration (FedReg), Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS). In preparation for the launch, GSA conducted extensive testing internally and in coordination with federal agencies using the data from these systems in their own contracting, grants, finance, and other departments. The testing was v...

If you are a veteran or service-disabled veteran, SBA has resources to help you start and grow your small business. From creating a business plan to finding your first customer, we're here to help you succeed. Starting a Business Writing a Business Plan Registering a Business Licenses & Permits Laws & Regulations Preparing Business Taxes Growing a Business Hiring Employees Employee Benefits Employee Incentives Marketing a Business Business Exporting Financing a Business Estimating Startup Costs Financing Basics Preparing for Financing Mentoring & Training Find a Business Mentor Online Training Find Local Resources Returning to Your Business Getting Veterans Back to Business Guide Selling to the Government Government Contracting Resources Veterans' Guide to Winning Federal Contracts GSA Contracting Guidance SBA Resources for Veterans Financing for Veteran-Owned Businesses: Patriot Express Pil...