Small businesses have been cropping up all over in response to the high unemployment rates and the instability of the job market. It seems that Joe Public has decided to take matters involving his career into his own hands. However, it’s not as simple as waking up one morning and saying "I’m going to open a business." Each state has different requirements that have to be completed based on the type, size and manner of the business in question. Here are a few of the beginning steps that have to be considered, no matter where the business operates:

• Pick a Name. Although this step sounds easy enough, choosing an available business name in your state is not only a vital aspect of beginning a functioning business, but can be a lot more time intensive than many people expect. When you decide to open a business, keep in mind that the business name you select will be your calling card for the duration of your business. It needs to draw attention to itself and also needs to give some perspective on what your company will do. AND, it has to be available for registration within your state of business.

To verify that a business name is available, either call your state small business department or go online to do a name search for the business name you have selected. When doing this, you will have to consider what type of business you will be – Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, corporation or some variation of these. Each type of business has varying tax and liability issues applied to it, so consider carefully your positioning in the type of business you choose to create.

• Register your Business. Your state website should offer either online registration options or have a contact name in their business division to discuss registering your new business. Oftentimes, these online options offer step by step instructions for opening a business in your state. Be sure to dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s in this process to ensure that your business won’t face problems from the start.

• Start Marketing. Like the age old saying "If a tree falls in the wood and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" Just because you’ve opened your business doesn’t mean that anyone knows you exist. Using a mix of traditional and web marketing can get the word out about your new endeavor and start bringing in prospects.