biz start up and lawyers and CPAs

[littlehawksmom]

I am such a newbie. I know nothing about starting or running a biz.

I am starting a wholesale and retail baked goods company. I spoke to a CPA today who gave me lots to think about and more questions to get answered. This guy wants $3000-5000 to formulate a business plan. This, with some software or a template (any suggestions?) I could possibly do myself and defintately want to do so I can be organized. He also suggested getting a lawyer to help with protecting myself in the case of a liability issue (like in case I accidently drop my nose ring in the batter, etc).

Well, I would like to work about 10-15 hours a week baking, plus a day of deliveries and then all the home stuff like bookkeeping (yikes!), marketing stuff. Is this worth all the costs of hiring professionals? I mean can a very small business be worthwhile money wise? Should I invest a bunch of money initially so it goes smoothly? Or should I just muddle through on my own?

Hopefully someone has some links to free info or books or templates or blogs or personal experience or anything!

Thanks.

[kssinca]

I don't know if you have already checked out the Small Business Administration but they have a lot of information for free. http://www.sba.gov/

Unless you are planning on having investors, I don't think you need to pay someone to create your plan. There are books available at most libraries on how to create a plan and even include sample plans.

You could start out doing the bookkeeping yourself but once you get going (will you also be doing the deliveries yourself?) you may want to hire this portion out. If you have not yet read The E-Myth, I would recommend reading it.

Nolo Press books are pretty good for legal references and forms. I've seen their books available at the library.

Also, you might want to check out http://www.score.org It's free help from people who have had run businesses previously.

Good luck!!

[littlehawksmom]

Thanks a bunch.

I am kind of scared, but people do this (start businesses) and I know I can too. Baby steps.