I own a small business and get cold-called relentlessly by web related vendors.

Starting with a specific target market is a great idea as it will make you stand out. I’d count on making hundreds of cold calls before getting anywhere.

Look for non-cold calling ways to find new clients as well.

It will get a lot easier! And this will really help focus your recruiting and interviewing skills.

Contact SCORE and get a free business mentor, go to a few of their events to meet them and pick one you click with.

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/score-business-mentoring

Look for a business incubator in your area, many local governments and colleges sponsor them.

Look for similar entrepreneurs on LinkedIn and find one or two informal mentors.

These will help you with the basics and hopefully reduce the number of rookie mistakes you will make.

Good luck!!

Try google again and send any supporting material.

This happened to me several times with job applicants and google removed them quickly

Two thoughts

Make another pass at the SHOP site (healthcare.gov). The subsidies are real and substantial if your company qualifies. IMHO, Working with other health insurance companies and brokers will be at least as complex as the SHOP site.

Contact BCBS of VA directly, BCBS of NC has a great small business plan they sell directly to owners and are easy to work with. We moved from United a few years back and it’s really great.

Also keep in mind that most Brokers represent the companies that pay them best, they’re mostly sharks that way and you’re are just bait fish to them.

It’s all VERY expensive so there’s no way around that bit!

Contact SCORE and find a mentor, or search for local small business incubator in your area!

Same, there is no legal or certification requirement to be a business broker. Lots of sketchy / dodgy players out there and not a lot of legal recourse on bad/misrepresented deals.

The broker involved in the business we purchased did as much harm as good. Good luck and update us on how it goes.

I’d avoid any sort of earn-out on the price and be very sure you’ve fully disclosed AR, AP and any backlog or pipeline. This is where bad things happen in valuations.

See if there are any business incubators in your area.

I know of several great businesses launched that way…

Everyone’s path is unique, tell him to find his own!

Can probably start with a basic quick books account, once you have some cash flow then search for a certified quickbooks accountant. There are other package options that are just as good.

Get yourself on fivrr and similar sites and start to build a clientele for content creation.

Then go to library and check out books on starting a small business. Lots of great options there.

Also contact SCORE, great mentors esp when starting with little business experience.

Check local gov/university web sites for formal business launch/incubator locations. These can work wonders!

Search LinkedIn for potential mentors (I’m working with a handful of startups in my little niche, I really enjoy it and would never ask/expect payment)

Network with other business owners. Most people who draw paychecks will never understand what you’re going to be going through.

Ive help a few folks plan when acquiring a business. And I learned a lot hard of lessons when I bought mine about 6years ago. Feel free to DM

I think with all the social media tools available you can run a small business and oversee marketing as well.

All owners wear many hats! I do sales, marketing, social media, IT, hiring, and invoicing. Also blow the leaves and fit the toilet today 😝

We’re about 1.75m with 15 employees…

Get some fiends who also own businesses!

We’ve been using Gusto for 6 years and it’s been good. Some ups and downs but generally user friendly!

Get a used version of Business Plans for Dummies off Amazon and spend a full day or two roughing out your business plan and financials.

That’s not a bad amount for start up esp if you own the real estate. You need to know your cash flow.