Starting a Small Business

There are a lot of details to take care of when setting yourself up to be in business. It can seem overwhelming at first, but if you tackle each task methodically, you'll soon be able to focus on doing business. The following list breaks down the necessary and recommended steps for starting a small business in Haines. We suggest printing this page and using it as a checklist.

NOTE: items with a * are mandatory. The rest of the steps are highly recommended.

1. Create a Business Plan
   Not only a good idea, but if you are seeking funding, you will need a solid business plan.

2. Decide on the legal form of your business*
   Go to the Business Planning page for information about self-proprietorships, LLCs, Corporations, etc. or read up on How to Determine the Legal Structure of Your Business.

3. Register your business name with the state*
   Go to Alaska state names register to conduct a name search (to ensure that the name you have chosen is not already in use by another company).

4. Obtain an Alaska business license*
   Go to the the Alaska Business License Application page to download the necessary form

5. Obtain a Haines Borough business license*
   Click here to download a printable version of the application form or pick up a copy from the Borough office in Haines

6. Obtain any other license or permit you might need for your type of business
   Check out our Licenses, Permits, and Insurance page for help.

7. Open a bank account for your business*
   See the Business Financing page for a list of all Alaska financial institutions.

8. Obtain financing
   If you need a loan, check out our Business Financing page for the necessary steps and helpful resources.

9. Obtain insurance
   Decide what kind of insurance to purchase by looking over the options on the Licenses, Permits, and Insurance page.

10. Hone basic business skills
    This site contains links to resources on Accounting, Taxes, and Marketing. The Training section is expanding all the time.

11. Consult with other local business people who are willing to give advice or assistance
    Our mentors page lists local business people who have volunteered to assist you.

12. Sign up with the hainesbiz discussion forum and contribute your ideas and experiences (and learn from those who have gone before you.)

13. Join the Haines Chamber of Commerce

14. Consult the Ongoing Activities page for your daily, monthly, quarterly and annual obligations.

General Resources

• Establishing a Business in Alaska is a complete business start-up guide courtesy of the State of Alaska (PDF publication)

  The U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Startup Kit is a complete business start-up tutorial.

• Starting Your Small Business is a huge grab-bag of resources for starting and growing your small business.

• Quicken has put together an outstanding site dedicated to starting and running a small business. It contains sample business plans, financial forms, how to incorporate online...absolutely worth a look.

• Jane Applegate is one of the nation's most well-known authors about small business. She has answered dozens of people's questions about how to make their companies more successful. Use the topics on this page to help you find the issue that most closely affects you and your business.