Starting a Business

Document Management and Data Storage Tools

Communication Tools and Resources

You need to have a way to communicate a professional image to your clients but it doesn’t have to be costly.

Could you Expect to Spend that on a Real-World Venture?

Setting realistic investment expectations for your online foray.

Principles in Business Valuations

Essential valuation infomation for SME owners considering buying or selling a business.

Start-up Guide »

Starting a business in South Africa needn't be a daunting experience. This Start-up Guide has been prepared by Entrepreneur to walk you through the process starting a business, step-by-step.

Business Plan

• How to Develop a Business Plan

Business Partnerships

• Choosing a Partner and Making the Partnership Work
• Partnership Agreements

Funding

• Bootstrapping a Business
• Giving Away Equity for Finance
• Turning to Investors for Funding
• Pitching to Investors

Naming & Registering Your Company

• Choosing the Best Name for Your Business
• Checking the Availability of a Company Name with CIPC
• Registering a Trademark
• Registering a Company

Banking

• Opening a Business Bank Account

Legal Compliance

• BEE & Small Business
• The New Companies Act
• The Consumer Protection Act

Tax Considerations

• Tax Basics for Business Owners
• Registering for VAT
• About Employee's Tax
• Filing Your Annual Tax Returns

Selecting Business Premises

• Leases and Landlords
• Zoning and Permits

Building a Website

• Registering a Domain Name
• Website Design Considerations

Hiring Staff

• Hiring Your First Employees
• Understanding Your Responsibility as an Employer
• Employment Equity

Starting a Business Advice

Start-up Guide »

Hiring Your First Employees

How to hire the first employees for your business.

• Understanding Your Responsibility as an Employer
• Understanding Employment Equity
• Checking the Availability of a Company Name with CIPC

Are You Suited to Entrepreneurship »

Why Some Start-ups Succeed and Others Fail

Harvard researchers answer 10 perplexing questions about the success and failure of startups.

• 25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
• Make Your Goals A Reality
• Have You Got What It Takes to Succeed as an Entrepreneur?

Business Ideas Directory »

• Advertising
• Arts & Crafts
• Auto & Transportation
• Beauty & Personal Care

• Business Services
• Children
• Computers
• Education & Instruction

Business Model »

Radical Business Model Innovation

Get ready to abandon outmoded thinking and embrace new, innovative models of value creation.

• Make your Competition Irrelevant
• Developing a Stable Business Model
• Differentiate from the Competition

Launch »

Document Management and Data Storage Tools

From keeping notes of meetings and writing proposals to clients, to developing a database, you need access to word processor applications.

• Communication Tools and Resources
• Could you Expect to Spend that on a Real-World Venture?
• The Office

Partnerships »

When Do you Bring in the Outside Shareholders?

Is offering equity in your business to a potential investor tantamount to selling your soul?

• Pondering a Partnership?
• Common Partnership Killers
• Do You Need a Partner in Business?

Start-up Advice »

Principles in Business Valuations

Essential valuation infomation for SME owners considering buying or selling a business.

• Business Advice Resources
• Finding Start-Up Capital
• What is the Real Need?

Types of Businesses to Start »

Doing It Yourself

So you want to be your own boss, but you can’t afford to quit your job and work for yourself full-time? There is a solution.

• Start an Online Business
• Start a New Business
• Buying a Franchise vs a Business Opportunity