How Small Business Support works, and who it is for

Many newcomers end up working for themselves — not because they always planned to, but because it is often the fastest way to a stable income. You find a first customer, do good work, get a second one, and before long you are a business. The question is whether you are a business that is set up correctly or a business that is going to get a letter from the state in six months. Small Business Support is where we help with the first one.

Who the program is for

It is for anyone starting — or seriously thinking about starting — a one-person business. Often this is someone who has finished a trade workshop and is about to take on their first paying jobs. Sometimes it is someone who was already running a business in their home country and now has to figure out how it works here. Sometimes it is someone with a first customer tomorrow who does not know what to charge.

People at any stage are welcome. "I don't know if this is a good idea" is a fine place to start, and so is "I just got my first job and I have no idea what to do."

What we actually help with

A small business has about six moving parts in its first year. We help with all of them, starting with the most urgent:

Registering the business

For a one-person operation, there are usually two options: register as a sole proprietor, or form an LLC. Each has tradeoffs — cost, paperwork, liability protection, how taxes work. We walk through which is right for your situation, how to actually file the paperwork with the state, and how to get an EIN from the IRS. This is usually a one-afternoon job, done correctly once.

Licensing and insurance

Some trades require a state or local license to work legally. Some don't but still require a business license from the city. Insurance works similarly — some jobs require it by law, some by the customer, and some by common sense. We help you figure out which ones apply to your trade and your city, how to get them, and how to find an affordable policy. Doing this before the first job is a lot cheaper than doing it after a problem.

Setting rates

This is where a lot of new businesses lose money without realizing it. The hourly rate that looks like "a lot of money per hour" is often less than minimum wage once you take out gas, materials, insurance, taxes, equipment, and the hours you spend scheduling and chasing payment. We work through the real math with you and set a rate that leaves money at the end of the month.

Basic bookkeeping

You don't need accounting software and you don't need an MBA. You do need to know, every month, what came in, what went out, what belongs to the business and what belongs to the household. We help you set up a simple system — usually a spreadsheet or a free app and a business bank account — that is enough to file taxes correctly at the end of the year and to know whether the business is actually making money.

Finding customers

We help you get the first few jobs without spending money on advertising that doesn't pay back. Local listings, word of mouth, simple online profiles, and the specific channels that work in your trade and your area. The goal is a steady flow of customers that comes mostly from referrals — that is how a one-person business becomes sustainable.

Taxes, quietly

Self-employment taxes work differently than being on payroll, and the surprise comes in April if nobody warned you. We'll walk you through what to set aside each month and point you to a tax preparer who understands small businesses.

How a session works

A first session is about 60 to 90 minutes. We take a careful look at where you are now — trade, location, where the first customers will come from, what documents you have — and work out what the next three steps are. Follow-up sessions work through those steps with you, one at a time.

The advisors are volunteer small business owners, accountants, and the occasional insurance agent or paralegal. We don't take a share of the business and we don't sell anything. The business is yours.

What it costs

Nothing from us. State registration fees, business license fees, and insurance premiums are paid by the business owner. The amounts depend on your state, your city, and your trade — we'll show you exactly what to expect before you commit.

How to get started

Email info@bsusa.org or write through our contact page and tell us a little about what you are thinking of starting. We'll set up a first meeting with a business advisor whose background fits.

You can also read more on the Small Business Support page.