If you have ever aspired to start your own small business, you may find that some of the websites listed below can help you get started.

The office of the Indiana Secretary of State has put together a great resource called the "An Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting a Business in Indiana," which is a must-read for the beginning business owner. http://www.in.gov/sos/business/corps/guide.html

To put your business ideas on paper, so you can effectively communicate them to your banker, accountant, attorney, and potential investors or partners, you should write a business plan. For tips on how to do this, visit the Small Business Administration's website at: http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/write...

Think you have a great name for your new business venture? Before you get too far along, though, you may want to see if the name is already registered with the State of Indiana. You can make sure it hasn't already been applied for by checking another area of the Indiana Secretary of State's website at: https://secure.in.gov/sos/bus_service/online_corps/default.asp

If you start your business as a separate legal entity, such as a corporation or a limited liability company, the Secretary of State has standardized forms to accomplish this: http://www.in.gov/sos/business/forms.html

To obtain the federal identification number you will need to do business, you may fill out the application online, which can be found at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=...

[A WORD OF CAUTION: If you are unsure of the advantages and implications of forming these entities and their tax consequences, you should consult an accountant, attorney, or financial advisor before taking matters into your own hands. Looking at these forms, however, may prompt some good questions to ask them though.]