Howtostart.biz
Guides, stories, and playbooks on how to start and grow a business.
Browse by topic
- Business Ideas 179 Step-by-step guides to starting specific businesses.
- Ideas & Validation 14 Find, validate, and choose what to build.
- Legal & Setup 12 LLCs, EINs, licenses, and registering your business.
- Funding & Money 20 Startup costs, loans, grants, and bootstrapping.
- Taxes & Bookkeeping 8 Self-employment taxes, write-offs, and keeping books.
- Marketing & Customers 17 Getting your first and next customers.
- Online & E-commerce 15 Selling online, dropshipping, and digital products.
- Freelancing & Services 8 Going pro: pricing, clients, and agencies.
- By Situation 5 Starting out as a student, parent, by state, and more.
Latest guides
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11 AI Side Hustles That Actually Make Money in 2026 (With Real Earnings)
AI side hustles that actually make money in 2026: 11 vetted ideas with the exact tools, realistic earnings, startup costs, skill needed, and...
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Best Free Business Bank Accounts for Startups (No Minimum, No Monthly Fees) 2026
The best business bank account for startups with no money: no minimum deposit, no monthly fee, and what to know before you trust a neobank with your...
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23 Side Hustles You Can Start While Working Full-Time (Ranked by Hours/Week)
The best side hustles you can start while working full time, ranked by hours per week to your first dollar, startup cost, and energy load. No quitting...
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Bookkeeping for Beginners: A Dead-Simple System for Solo Business Owners
Business bookkeeping for beginners, made simple: open a separate account, track income and expenses in one sheet mapped to Schedule C, and close the...
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Do You Need a Business License to Sell Online? (Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, Handmade)
Do you need a business license to sell online? A platform-by-platform answer for Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, and handmade sellers, plus the real triggers...
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Do You Need an EIN as a Sole Proprietor? (When It's Required vs Just Smart)
Do I need an EIN for a sole proprietorship? Usually no, you can use your SSN. But here's when it's legally required, when it's just smart, and how to...
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Do You Need an LLC to Start a Business? An Honest Decision Guide (Sole Prop vs LLC)
Do you need an LLC to start a business? Usually no. Here is an honest 6-question decision tree, real costs, and when forming an LLC actually pays off.
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Do You Need a Seller's Permit to Sell Online? (Etsy, Shopify & Marketplaces Explained)
Do you need a seller's permit to sell online? Yes, in most states, even on Etsy or Amazon. Here's the marketplace facilitator catch and a 5-minute...
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Do You Need Business Insurance as a Sole Proprietor? (What's Actually Worth It)
Do I need business insurance as a sole proprietor? Rarely required by law, but it often matters more for you. Here's what coverage is worth it and...
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Do You Need Business Insurance? What New Small Businesses Actually Need (and Can Skip)
Do I need business insurance for a small business? A plain-English guide to what's required, the 3 core policies, real monthly costs, and what you can...
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Freelancer to Agency: The Exact Roadmap to Make Your First Hire and Stop Trading Time for Money
The freelance to agency roadmap: when to hire, subcontractor vs VA vs employee, delegation margin math, an SOP starter, a re-pricing model, and a...
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How Crowdfunding Works for Small Businesses: Kickstarter vs Indiegogo vs Equity (2026)
How crowdfunding works for a small business: the 4 types, real fees, success rates, a what-you-net calculator, and a 30-day pre-launch plan to...