NW Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC)

Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) Start-up Assessment Tool

Return to: FHSU KSBDC, 600 Park Street, Hays KS 67601, or email to: [email protected]

Name: Business Name: All Owners Names: This assessment tool, Request for Counseling and the Statement of Understanding forms must be received before a meeting will be scheduled unless KSBDC has made special arrangement with you. All of the items and questions must be answered or noted N/A if not applicable. All information provided to the FHSU KSBDC will remain confidential. Lack of information or completeness will cause a delay in your scheduling or limit your extent of assistance. Failure to make your scheduled meeting may result in your loss of services from KSBDC.

How can KSBDC help you? Describe in detail what assistance you are seeking:

What are your expectations from KSBDC?

1. Will this be a For-Profit business? [ ] Yes [ ] No (if no, note that we’re limited in the assistance that we can provide.)

2. Have you been or are currently working with any organizations? [ ] Yes (list them) [ ] No ______

3. How did you hear about us (KSBDC)? [ ] word of mouth [ ] training class [ ] lender [ ] SBA [ ] phone book [ ] website/internet [ ] Chamber [ ] Economic Developer [ ] Other ______

4. Why do you want to start a business (circle item letter of all that apply to you)? a) I have experience in my industry, have a venture idea and feel that I can work for myself. How many years of industry experience? ______b) I have a specific venture idea but no business industry experience. c) I have an idea that I'm exploring. d) I'm out of work or unhappy with my job and want to start a business. e) I’ve invented something and would like to build a business on it.

4. How will owning and operating a business help you achieve your personal goals (describe)?______

5. What is your current occupation?______

6. Have you ever owned a business before? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, how many years? ______7. Have you ever managed a business before? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, how many years? ______

8. Have you taken start-up or business classes? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, where? ______Visit ksbdc.ecenterdirect.com or www.fhsu.edu/ksbdc to see upcoming classes.

9. What type of business do you want to start (describe the main products or services you will offer)? a._Retail ______b.__Service. ______c.______Who lesale ______d._Construction/contracting ______e._Manufacturing ______f.______Othe r/Invention. ______

10. Describe your business concept in 25 words or less. ______

11. Do you plan to purchase an existing business or start a new business? [ ] New [ ] Purchase

12. When is your planned start date? (month, year)? ______

13. Have you registered the name of your business? [ ] Yes [ ] No

14. Do you have questions regarding licensing or requirements? [ ] Yes [ ] No

15. Will you conduct business online? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, what percentage of total sales is estimated for online sales ______%.

16. Will the business be home-based? [ ] Yes [ ] No If No, have you found a location for your business? [ ] Yes [ ] No

17. Which legal structure are you considering for the business (choose only one)? a) Sole proprietorship b) Partnership c) Corporation d) Limited liability partnership (LLC) e) Unsure at the present time Why have you chosen this form of organization? ______

18. Do you have a written business plan? [ ] Yes [ ] No

19. Do you plan to do any contract work with government agencies? [ ] Yes [ ] No

20. Do you plan to export? [ ] Yes [ ] No

21. Do you have an accountant? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, who?______22. Do you have a lawyer? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes who?______

23. Will you need to hire employees for your business? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, how many are planned in the first year (estimate) __ Fulltime ___ Part-time

24. How much money do you estimate your business will need? $ ______

25.Where will the money come from (please estimate amount by category, total should equal #24)?

Owner capital investment (you should have at least 20%) Cash/Savings $ ______Investors $ ______Money from Home Equity $ ______Friends, relatives $ ______Money from retirement accounts $ ______Other $ ______

Financing/Debt Bank Loan(s) $ ______

26. Have you visited with a lender? [ ] Yes (who, what was said) [ ] No If yes, who ______

27. a.) What personal collateral do you have (list estimated equity value for each)? Vehicle(s) $______Stock $______Real Estate $______Cash Value-life insurance $______Cash/Savings/CD’s $______Retirement $______Other $______b.) Do you have someone that will cosign or provide collateral? [ ] Yes [ ] No

28. How is your personal credit history? (if marginal or poor state why) [ ] Excellent [ ] Good [ ] Satisfactory [ ] Marginal [ ] Poor ______

29. What is your credit score? (guess if you don’t know) ______

30. Do you have a recent copy of your credit history report (within the last year)? [ ] Yes [ ] No

31. Have you ever filed bankruptcy? [ ] Yes [ ] No If, yes, when/why ______

32. Have you ever defaulted on a student loan? [ ] Yes [ ] No

33. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? [ ] Yes [ ] No

34. a) Did you file tax returns last year? [ ] Yes [ ] No

b) Do you currently have any judgments or unpaid taxes? [ ] Yes [ ] No (if no, explain) ______

35. What record system do you plan to use? ______

36. Please estimate your first year gross sale $ ______37. Please estimate you first year net profit. $ ______

38. Name your 3 strongest competitors?

1.______2.______3.______

39. Have you identified your target market? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, describe your main (primary) customers as much as you can.______

40. Describe how you’ve determined there is a market for the business? ______

41. KSBDC provides management support in many areas. By using the following grid you can assist the KSBDC counseling and training support to you. Discuss these and other areas with KSBDC

d d e e e Describe Need g t t d n n e a a l W W w

o g g n n n i i K l n e e i t s a a r n u u T q o e C d A Breakeven analysis Business operations Business Plan Computer basics EIN, Bus. ID # Financial Plan Financial Statements Industry Comparison/Health Checkup Management Area: Marketing Plan Marketing, Promotion Planner Personnel Pricing Quickbooks Classes Recordkeeping, Accounting Registration/ Licenses Research Sales Tax Permit Website building P:\SBDC\SBDC STAFF\Forms, all\Client_Contact forms\Assessment forms\Required assessment tools_forms