Consultant Resources

Start Up Information

You are operating your own small business if you are an Independent Consultant so you should take the time to set it up like one. Entrepreneur.com has great Start Up How-To Guides.

WorkingSolo.com has pulled together a lot of information for anyone that is ready to start their solo business.  You can register for a weekly e-mail newsletter and get great advice delivered right to you.  I suggest you search their archives and read what you missed. 

Legal Information

Remember, every state has specific laws on consulting and small businesses. Be sure to visit your state.gov website to review those laws. Visit the Department of Workforce Development for details specific to your state.

Once you establish a small business within your state, register for a Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN). You can register on-line and it costs nothing.

Don’t ignore the federal guidelines for small businesses. Visit Business.gov the official business link to the US Government.

Business.gov for the self employed.

Learn all you can about tax deductions. This site, The Consulting Mentor, has some fun articles and tips on how to save. They also offer a lot of advice in different areas of your business.

The Small Business Administration

SCORE Counselor’s to America’s Small Business

Licensing and Insurance

Certain trades require licenses and special insurance. Research what you will be required to obtain before you get your first job so that it doesn’t push back your start date. Visit your state.gov website and look up professional licensing to see if you are required to have one.

Magazines and Newspapers

Open Directory Project

 Open Directory Project at dmoz.org