Start Your Business – Central Virginia Small Business Development Center

Getting Started

If you are a first time entrepreneur or doing it again…
planning is paramount

Our twice monthly ‘Starting Your Business’ 2-hour class prepares entrepreneurs and offers startup assistance. Links to municipal resources to get ready are below. We would be honored to take you through the business planning process to help eliminate surprises and help you connect to the best resources available in Central Virginia’s business ecosystem.

Topics covered include:

is entrepreneurship for you
deciding on a legal entity structure
basic accounting and tax issues
steps you need to take for permits and licensing
steps to develop a business plan and
basics of product, process and people to make your business work.

Start with our Planning Your Startup Checklist

Putting it all Together

The four primary categories to consider for business success are:

• the product or business CONCEPT

• engaging your CUSTOMERS to transact and everything that goes into sales

• the OPERATIONS that support the transactions, and

• the ORGANIZATION‘s people and legal structures that support all of the above.

We will help you find the business development and management process that works best for you, as well as help with setting up recordkeeping!

Coursework options to extend your knowledge

Starting a Business Class

CIC workshop 16 week Entrepreneurship Workshop

Founder’s Series 5 week training (can lead to an Entrepreneurship Certificate)

Business License Links by Locality:

Counties in our region that do NOT require a business license:

Fluvanna County
Louisa County
Madison County
Rappahannock County

Explore Start-Up Resources

We are happy to work with you through your start-up planning. We’ve also provided a host of resources to get you started.

Take 'How to Start a Business' Class (monthly on our Events page)

Join Community Investment Collaborative's Entrepreneurship Cohort

Attend ICAP to Build Your Customer-centric Business Plan

Meet with a SCORE mentor and check out their resources

Learn about writing a Business Plan (30 minute course through SBA)

Explore Legal Requirements for Small Business (30 min. SBA course)

How to Start for Young Entrepreneurs (30 minute SBA course)

An Introduction to Financing Options (30 min. SBA course)

Explore Sales and Customer Engagement (30 min. SBA course)

Watch our Online Marketing for Retailers program

Watch our Online Marketing for Service Businesses