Customer Reviews

Small Business Start-Up Kit for California

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my first book review, because this is the first book I've purchased where I've truly felt moved to tell people how excellent it is. If you are starting up a small business in California, this book is invaluable. It tells you where to find all of the information you'll need to start up your business, in easy to understand terms. Also includes a CD-ROM with lots of forms. All of her advice is really helpful and I find myself going back to the book all the time. Just knowing it's there makes me feel better!

She includes URLs to web sites with information - and even tells you what other books to get on a subject she doesn't cover too in-depth. And all the information you need is easy to find.

5 stars!

Well worth the price! It answered every question I had -- and answered a lot of questions I hadn't even thought about. Really easy to understand and set up in a smart way - going through the steps you would when creating a business. The section on "hobby or business" is the best explanation I ever read about that stuff. Much better than going to a lawyer and has lots of first person battle stories. Even if you've got a Cal business going -- this book is still cool!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Everything you need to know about starting a small business in California is in here. What legal structure to choose, which agencies you need to deal with, what forms you need and where to get them, web addresses, phone numbers, and all the details.

It also has a wealth of information on running a business, including information on accounting, taxation, and employees. It's well organized and easy to read.

The only gaps are in some of the details on forming LLCs and corporations. The reader is referred to other Nolo books for the gritty details. If you're forming a partnership or sole proprietorship -- probably the most common types for "cottage industry" -- the book is reasonably complete.

This book is easy to read and follow. It has a complete list of things you need to do to set up your own business and some good advices. Highly recommended!

If you are thinking of starting your own business in California, especially if you have never done it before, you will find that this book is worth its weight in gold.

This resource takes the complication out of starting a business, contacting the right agencies and doing things legally. It cuts through a lot of confusion, has an encouraging tone and presents what you need to know in a very logical and easy to understand format.

I often recommend this book to my small business clients and find it to be a useful general reference. It also points to many other good resources and is a good value for such a comprehensive book.

If you get this book, there is no reason to ever purchase another book about business startup again. This is my new "go to" book for starting a business! Having previously purchased various business-startup books in the past, I would consider this book to be the Bible! Simply giving you a list of the table of contents would be enough to tell you how comprehensive this book is, but I'll try to give this review a little more life than that. I will tell you, however, that this book covers everything from forming a business idea, to picking a name and a location, drafting a business plan, acquiring funding, and opening your doors. Above all else, it gives you all the information you'll need to run your business properly and profitably, and keeping yourself out of tax and legal trouble!

If you plan to start a business in California any time soon, I would recommend read the book thoroughly through at least Chapter 6. After that, much of the book can be used as a reference as new questions arise.

In the back of the book are some government forms (also found on the CD) that are perforated so you can tear them out and use them.

The CD did not have as many sample worksheets as I would have liked, but it covers most of the important stuff. You also get free updates from their website whenever there are changes to laws, forms, etc., that might affect you.

The CD contains the following items:

15 blank government forms:
-LLC Tax Voucher
-California Resale Certificate
-California Seller's Permit Application
-Swap Meets, Flea Markets, or Special Events Certification
-Publications order form
-Organization of California Close Corporations form
-"Election to have a tax year other than a required tax year" form
-Entity Classification Election form
-Fictitious Business Name Statement
-Application for Employer Identification Number
-Instruction for Application for EIN
-Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Taxes and Withholding
-LLC Articles of Organization form
-Registered Limited Liability Partnership Registration form
-Certificate of Limited Partnership application

2 Sample business agreements:
-Sample Buy/Sell Agreement Provisions
-Sample Partnership Agreement

5 Sample Worksheets
-Billable Rate Worksheet
-Break-Even Analysis Worksheet
-Cash Flow Projection Worksheet
-Profit/Loss Projection Worksheet
-Product warranty tracking datasheet

I have used Nolo Press as a trusted source for years and I will continue to in the future. The Small business Start-up kit is another example while I like Nolo Press. If you have flip flopping about starting a business because there are many questions you need answered then buy this book and will gain the knowledge on what it takes to get started with a business in California.

The book provides the instruction in all areas, which includes the forms for getting started. The forms are in the book and on the included in the CD. The book assists you with your business plan. Your business plan will need to be solid in order to get a loan from a bank.

The covers the taxes, the local government rules for running a business even when you are running the business online or out of your home. It covers bookkeepingm marketing, and doing contracts

I highly recommend this book even if you are on the fence of starting a business or you are fearful of running our own busness.

Often times books like these are overly general to the point of uselessness. They will provide you with all the options but stop short of giving you the advice needed to make the right decision. "Consult with your local agency/tax advisor/legal counsel/rabbi to decide which is right for you...." I hate this. Why are they so afraid of editorializing! This book is refreshingly different. It is full of useful information and practical advice designed to actually help you get your company started. When the author does come across a topic that is beyond the scope of the book he recommends a particular website or book that can offer further insight. The information is timely, it's structured in an organized and sensible fashion, and there's just the right amount of repetition. I highly recommend this book for anyone starting a small business in California.

This book saved me a lot of money by allowing me to form my own one-owner California corporation. I liked the fact that it explained why it wasn't recommending certain things so that you could decide whether it was worth it to you or not.

The only area that I felt it could have explained things more thoroughly was that while it explained how to issue initial shares, it didn't explain at all how to issue any subsequent shares (e.g., in case your corporation was about to run out of money and you (the owner) wanted to buy more shares to inject more capital). It just said to consult a lawyer. So I had to inject more capital via a loan instead. If it's that complicated, then perhaps the author should warn people to slightly overcapitalize the corporation initially.

This is an outstanding, well-structured book. The different types of businesses are addressed in detail to help you choose the path that's right for your situation. The book concisely covers the steps which need to be addressed when starting a California-based business. Strategies for success, financial responsibilities and other legal obligations are clearly defined within the detailed explanations which fill this book from cover to cover. It's a reliable reference that's an easy and enjoyable read.