Good books on starting/running a small business

[Klynne]

In the next year or so I want to start up a photography business, for real (I've been doing work for the past 3 years, mostly unpaid). I've been scared to take the next step - I guess I've let the fear of the "what ifs" and responsibility of running a business stop me. So, I want to start doing my research and learning about running a small business. It's time to conquer by educating myself. :)

Any one know of any particularly good books on the subject? Or books you found insightful/helpful with regaurds to your start up.  

Thanks!   

[Galatea]

Never found any good books.  Contact local SBDC - they have cheap intro seminars.

[bluedaisy]

The Handmade Marketplace was a really good book....it won't be exactly applicable because it focuses on starting a small craft business but she does talk about things like registering a business, paying taxes, advertising on the internet, blogging, etc.  so some of it might be useful, but a lot of it probably wouldn't apply

[ASusan]

I just learned that there are state workers who will help you (for free) do what is necessary to set up a small business in your state. At least, we have them in our state. We have one for a 5-7 county area, and she is booked with appointmnets for about a 6-week time (so if you call today, you can talk with her in early April). She can show you how to write a business plan, how to do a 3-year profit-loss statement/projection, things about the state laws...all these are things you'll need if you want a business loan, for example. But, they are good things to do even if you won't be applying for a loan. YOu might see if you have one in your area.

http://www.ohiomeansbusiness.com/build-your-business/start-your-business-in-ohio/entrepreneurship-and-small-business.php

http://www.development.ohio.gov/1ststop/onestop/index.cfm

http://business.ohio.gov/starting/