Anyone know of a good website for starting your own business in Illinois?

Question

Interested in opening a sports bar, but have not had much look researching specifics. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Here are state government resources on how to start your own business in Illinois

Illinois Start up Business Guide http://business.illinois.gov/startup.cfm
Illinois Business Step by Step Guide http://business.illinois.gov/step_by_step_guides.cfm
Starting a Business in Illinois Handbook http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Entrepreneurship+and+Small+Business/IEN+Business+Information+Center/Starting+A+Business+In+Illinois+Handbook.htm
Business Startup and Management Guide http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Entrepreneurship+and+Small+Business/IEN+Business+Information+Center/Business+Startup+Guides.htm

For information on Business Registration, Permits and Licenses check out the following state government sites

Illinois Business Registration http://business.illinois.gov/registration.cfm
Illinois Business licenses http://business.illinois.gov/licenses.cfm

To learn about business taxes in Illinois check out the following

State of Illinois Business Portal: Taxes http://business.illinois.gov/taxes.cfm

If you are looking for Mentorship/Assistance in starting your small business in the state of Illinois, go to the following sites

SBA Illinois http://www.sba.gov/il/
Illinois SBDC
Aurora - Fox Valley SCORE http://www.scorefoxvalley.org
Bloomington - Central Illinois SCORE http://www.central-illinois-score.org
Champaign - E. Central Illinois SCORE http://www.eciscore.org
Chicago - Chicago SCORE http://www.chicagoscore.org
Decatur - Decatur SCORE http://www.decaturscore.org
Godfrey - SW Illinois SCORE http://www2.lc.edu/score/swis.htm
Kankakee - Kankakee Valley SCORE http://www.score-kankakee.com
Moline - Quad Cities SCORE http://www.qconline.com/business/score/
Quincy - Quincy Tri-State SCORE http://www.score-tristate.org
Rockford - Northern Illinois SCORE http://northernillinoisscore.org
Springfield - Springfield SCORE http://www.scorespi.org

Other resources worth checking out

Illinois Business Resource http://business.illinois.gov/sbr.cfm
Illinois Secretary of State http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/

As for some resources on starting a sports bar, I suggest you start by checking out some sample plans:

Sports Bar Business Plan (Bplans.com) http://www.bplans.com/spv/3262/index.cfm?affiliate=powerhomeb
Sports Bar Business Plan (Business Plan Handbook) http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/Business-Plans-Volume-06/Sports-Bar-Business-Plan.html

Answer 2

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Start and Run a Money-Making Bar by Bruce Fier
* Upstart Guide Owning & Managing Bar or Tavern by Roy S. Alonzo
* Start Your Own Bar and Tavern (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups) by Entrepreneur Press
* The Food Service Professionals Guide to Bar & Beverage Operation: Ensuring Maximum Success by Chris Parry

* How to Start a Business in Illinois: With Forms by Edwin T. Gania, Mark Warda
* How to Start a Business in Illinois by Entrepreneur Press

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!