Hyannis, Cape Cod, Lodging, Vacations Hyannis, Cape Cod lodging, hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, golf

Center for Women & Enterprise

 

Start by evaluating your strenghts and weaknesses

1. Are you a self-starter?
            It will be up to you - not someone else telling you - to develop projects, organize your time and follow through on details.

2. How well do you get along with different personalitites?
            Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers, lawyers, accountants and consultants. Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor or a cranky staff person?

3. How good are you at making decisions?
            Small business owners are required to make decisions constantly, often quickly, under pressure.

4. Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business?
             Business ownership can be challenging, fun and exciting. But it's also a lot of hard work. Can you face 12-hour workdays six or seven days a week?

5. How well do you plan and organize?
              Research indicates many business failures could have been avoided through better planning. Good organization - of financials, inventory, schedules, production - can help avoid pitfalls.

 

SBDC Location in Massachusetts:
www.msbdc.org

State Office:
           Georgianna Parkin, State Director
           University of Massachusetts Amherst
           227 Isenberg School of Management
           121 Presidents Dr
           Amherst, MA 01003
           413-545-6301

Berkshire Regional Office:
             Keith Girouard, Senior Business Advisor
             75 North St., Ste. 360
             Pittsfield, MA 01201
             413-499-0933

Boston Regional Office & Minority Business Center:
            Mark Allio, Regional Director
            University of Massachusetts Boston
            College of Management, M-5-403
            100 Morrissey Blvd.
             Boston, MA 02125
             617-287-7750

Central Regional Office:
            Laurence Marsh, Regional Director
            Clark University
            950 Main Street
            Worcester, MA 01610
            508-793-7615

Northeast Regional Office:
            Margaret Somer, Regional Director
            Salem State College
            Enterprise Center
            121 Loring Ave,. Ste 310
            Salem, MA 01970
            978-542-6343

Southeast Regional Office:
            Melinda Ailes, Regional Director
            200 Pocasset Street
            Fall River, MA 02721
            508-673-9783

Western Regional Office:
            Dianne Fuller Doherty, Regional Director
            Scibelli Enterprise Center
            One Federal St., Bldg. 101R
            Springfield, MA 01105
            413-737-6712

Massachusetts Export Center:
            Paula Murphy, Director
            State Transportation Bldg.
            10 Park Plaza, Ste. 4510
            Boston, MA 02116
            617-973-8664

Hyannis, Cape Cod Businesses
Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce - Starting a Business

The Hyannis area is a great place to start a business as it’s the Town of Barnstable’s central business/commercial district.  With a population of over 40,000 and thousands of tourists visiting each year, Hyannis offers business owners a great opportunity to sell their products and services.

The following resources provide information, advice, articles and resources for starting your own business:

 

Department of Commerce
www.export.gov
Provides international trade assistance to U.S. businesses. Link to DOC divisions and resources.

Internal Revenue Services
Information on federal taxes and your responsibilities as an employer. Click here for a new page on their website with short videos/presentations are dedicated to helping your small business. In addition, please visit the Small Business Tax Workshop Video page for instructional lessons.

Small Business Administration

Provides a wealth of information on assistance for small business start ups, operating a business, and expanding a business.
www.business.gov     


The Official Business Link to the US Government. 


www.DiscoverAmerica.com

The official travel and tourism website of the United States.

Resources for Fraud Prevention


List of available resources to help with fraud isses

 
Barnstable County Government
 
A comprehensive listing of Barnstable County departments and services

Cape Cod Commission

The Cape Cod Commission is the Cape s regulatory agency for regional land use and planning related issues. Developments which meet specific guidelines may require Commission review beyond the local permit review process.
 

Cape Cod Economic Development Council

The Council provides grant opportunities for economic development programs on Cape Cod. The Council also participates in various studies and surveys on the Cape Cod economy.

Barnstable Town Site: www.town.barnstable.ma.us

Chamber Site: www.hyannis.com
 

Bourne

Town Site: www.townofbourne.com

Chamber Site: www.capecodcanalchamber.org
 

Brewster

Town Site: www.town.brewster.ma.us

Chamber Site: www.capecodtravel.com/brewster
 

Chatham

Town Site: www.town.chatham.ma.us

Chamber Site: www.chathaminfo.com
 
fo.com

Dennis

Town Site: www.town.dennis.ma.us

Chamber Site: www.dennischamber.com
 

Eastham

Chamber Site: www.easthamchamber.com
 

Falmouth

Town Site: www.town.falmouth.ma.us

Chamber Site: www.falmouthchamber.com
 

Harwich

Town Site: www.harwichcommunitycenter.com

Chamber Site: www.harwichcc.com
 

Mashpee

Town Site: ci.mashpee.ma.us

Chamber Site: www.mashpeechamber.com
 

Orleans

Town Site: www.town.orleans.ma.us

Chamber Site: www.capecod-orleans.com
 

Provincetown

Town Site: www.provincetowngov.org

Chamber Site: www.ptownchamber.com
 

Sandwich

Town Site: www.sandwichmass.org

Chamber Site: www.capecodcanalchamber.org
 

Truro

Chamber Site: www.virtualcapecod.com/chambers/truro.html
 

Wellfleet

Chamber Site: www.capecod.net/wellfleetcc
 

Yarmouth

Town Site: www.yarmouthcapecod.org

Chamber Site: www.yarmouthcapecod.com
 
  • USEAC/Boston, JFK Federal Bldg., Ste. 1826A, Boston 617-565-4305

SBA Express

                 

 
 
 
 
Learn more about becoming a member of the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce and how we can help you market and promote your business!
Click here to visit this sponsor
Click here to visit this sponsor
Click here to visit this sponsor
Click here to visit this sponsor

USChamber.com Weekly Newsletter

Sign up for the US Chamber.com Weekly Small Business e-Newsletter

Home-Based Businesses
Going to work used to mean traveling from home to a plant, store or office. Today many people do some or all their work at home. 
Garages, basements and attics are being transformed into the corporate headquarters of the newest entrepreneurs home-based business owners.

 

Getting Started
Before diving headfirst into home-based business, you must know why you are doing it. to succeed, your business must be based on something greater than a desire to be your own boss. You must plan and make improvements and adjustments along the road. 
Ask yourself these questions - and remember, there are no best or right reasons for starting a home-based business. But it is important to understand what the venture involves.
Working under the same roof where your family lives may not prove to be as easy as it seems. It's important to work in a professional environment. One suggestion is to set up a separate office in your home to create this professional environment.

Ask yourself:

  • Can I switch from home responsibilities to business work?
  • Do I have the self-discipline to maintain schedules?
  • Can I deal with isolation of working from home?
  • Am I a self-starter?

Finding Your Niche
Choosing a home business must be approached carefully.

Ask yourself:

  • Does my home have the space for a business?
  • Can I identify and describe the business I want to establish?
  • Can I identify my business product or service?
  • Is there a demand for that product or service?
  • Can I successfully run the business from home?

Legal Requirements
A home-based business is subject to many of the same laws and regulations affecting other businesses.
Some general areas include:

  • Zoning regulations. If your business operates in violation of them, you could be fined or shut down
  • Product restrictions. Certain products cannot be produced in the home. Most states outlaw home production of fireworks, drugs, poisons, explosives, sanitary or medical products and toys. Some states also prohibit home-based businesses from making food, drink or clothing.

Be sure to consult an attorney and your local, city and state departments of labor to find out which laws and regulations will affect your business. Additionally, check on registration and accounting requirements needed to open your home-based business. You may need a work certificate or license from the state. Your business name ay need to be registered with the state. A separate business telephone and bank account are good business practices. 
Also remember, if you have employees you are responsible for withholding income and social-security taxes, and for complying with minimum wage and employee health and safety laws.
If you're convinced that working from home is for you, it's time to create your business plan. The SBA and its resource partners, such as SCORE, SBDCs and WBCs can help make that process easier.

Writing a Business Plan
After you've thought about what type of business you want, the next step is to develop a business plan. Think of the business plan as a roadmap with milestones for the business. It begins as a pre-assessment tool to determine profitability and market share, then expands as an in-business assessment tool to determine success, obtain financing and determine repayment ability, among other factors. 
Creating a comprehensive business plan can be a long process, and you need good advice. The SBA and its resource partners, including Small Business Development Center, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, SCORE and Women's Business Centers, have the expertise to help you craft a winning business plan. 
In general, a good business plan contains:

Introduction:

  • Give a detailed description of the business and its goals.
  • Discuss ownership of the business and its legal structure
  • List the skills and experience you bring to the business.
  • Discuss the advantages you and your business have over competitors.

Marketing:

  • Discuss the products and services your company will offer.
  • Identify customer demand for your products and services.
  • Identify your market, its size and locations.
  • Explain how your products and services will be advertised and marketed.
  • Explain your pricing strategy.

Financial Management:

  • Develop an expected return on investment and monthly cash flow for the first year.
  • Provide projected income statements, and balance sheets for a two-year period.
  • Discuss your break-even point.
  • Explain your personal balance sheet and method of compensation.
  • Discuss who will maintain your accounting records and how they will be kept.
  • Provide "what if" statements addressing alternative approaches to potential problems.

Operations:

  • Explain how the business will be managed day-to-day.
  • Discuss hiring and personnel procedures.
  • Discuss insurance, lease or rent agreements, and issues pertinent to your business.
  • Account for the equipment necessary to produce your goods or services.
  • Account for production and delivery of products and services.

Concluding Statement
Summarize your business goals and objectives and express your commitment to the success of your business. Once you have completed your business plan, review it with a friend or business associate and professional business counselor like SCORE or SBDC representatives, SBA district office business development specialists or Veterans Business Development specialists. 
Remember, the business plan is a flexible document that should change as your business grows.


 

Proudly serving the following Cape Cod, Massachusetts towns and villages: Barnstable, Hyannis, Cotuit, Marstons Mills, Centerville, Osterville, and West Barnstable. We are close to and work in conjunction with the following Cape Cod towns and Chambers: Cape Cod, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Yarmouth
Official Website of the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce
Call:  508.775.2201  Fax:  508.775.7131  Email:  
Home  |   About  |   Hyannis/Barnstable News  |   Hyannis Area Events
Plan Your Visit  |   Things To Do  |   Business Resources  |   Buy JFK Hyannis Museum Gifts  |   Contact

Copyright © 2009 Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce
Website Design by Webfodder