US Trademark, California Corporation and Starting a Business Question?

Question

I am planning to file a California corporation and a US trademark.

However, I'm not sure what to do and in what order. Here's my tasks and some background info:

-I am forming a direct response company for 3 very different product lines.

-I will be getting some products from China and some I will develop here in California which I will be marketing/selling. The Chinese product source is secured (it's my colleague in China).

-I must form a US trademark for the China product lines.

-I want to put all of this under a single corporation

-I haven't started the business yet (ZERO has been done)

What should I do and in what order?

I'm also wondering how long will all of this take (forming the business, corporation, and trademark)

Answer 1

Contact the Small Business Development Center for advice. Because their subsidized by the feds, they will advise you for free. Here's a link to find the office nearest you.

http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbdc/sbdclocator/SBDC_LOCATOR.html