How do I start a small business?

There are two key decisions to make as you start a small business.

First is how to get started:

• by buying an existing business,
• by buying a franchise, or
• by starting a new business from scratch.

Second, if you decide to start a new business from scratch, is to decide what form of business to use:

• a sole proprietorship,
• a partnership, or
• an incorporated company.

Our page on starting a small business explains these options, as well as other key issues such as consents from third parties, licenses and registrations, and employee accounts.