The first step to starting any business is deciding what it is that you want to sell.  If you are an artist or crafter, this is easy.  Just chose to sell whatever it is you create.  Look around your home and take inventory of the things you have made for yourself.  Chances are other people would like them too, and most are more than willing to pay someone else to make them!  Now, as long as you can produce more of the same, you have your products!

Jem's Tip:  Often, it is more profitable to produce one item, or one type of item than to attempt to carry a vast array of different articles.  Choose your most impressive product, and concentrate on making it the best, most unique, highest quality of it's kind on the market.  As you become more skilled and efficient in your chosen area, the value of your products will increase, and so will your profits.  Choose wisely, don't try to take on too much, and remember that you can always add to your line in the future!

If you plan to offer a service rather than a product, choose one that is in-demand, but that you are capable of managing.  Shop your potential competition for what is "in" or "hot" at the moment.  It is helpful to go with something you are proficient or at least experienced in.

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One of the most important decisions to be made when starting a business is what name to give your company.  It must reflect who you are, what service or product you provide, and should be easy for your target customers to remember.  The right name can boost you to the top, while the wrong one can keep you from ever realizing your dream.

Begin with a list of possiblities, then pare it down using these guidelines: remark those that are difficult to pronounce, or just do not sound right; remove any that do not convey your company's objectives; finally, if your market is non-English speaking, get rid of those that have an undesirable meaning in other languages. There are also legal issues to address.  A check of trademarked and copyrighted names should be made to be sure your idea has not already been taken.  This is especially important if you plan to incorporate and/or use your business name as your website's address.
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Although a basic idea cannot be copyrighted, it's unique execution can be.
What can be protected?
(U.S. Copyright Office webite)
What is not protected?
(U.S. Copyright Office webite)
Who can claim copyright?
(U.S. Copyright Office webite)
Copyright protection goes into effect automatically, without any notice or form of registration, as soon as a work is created.  The life of copyright on work created for the first time on or after January 1, 1978 is the author's lifetime plus 50 years.  Copyright placed on work should include the following information:

1.  The symbol © (the letter in a circle), or the word "Copyright" or the abbreviation "Copr."; and

2.  The year of first publication of the work; and

3.  The name of the owner of the copyright, or a recognized abbreviation of the name, or some other generally-known alternate designation of the owner.
Example:  Copyright, 1999, ClassiCraft

Registration Procedures
(U.S. Copyright Office webite)
Advantages of Registration
(U.S. Copyright Office webite)

U.S. Copyright Office
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington, DC 20559-6000

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