SMALL BUSINESS HOTLINE — 1-866-997-7270

The Small Business Hotline is one of our newest member services – a toll free number. The hotline is a referral service intended to help our Small Business members respond to the challenges that threaten the survival or growth of their business.

The hotline will accept any business-related questions from any Business Council member that considers him or herself a small business. To give you an idea of the type of questions that may arise, here are a few:

Where can I find regulations on New York’s fair business practices?
Who can I call about the state’s decision to remove my land from the EDZ?
Am I required to place a public notification in filing an LLC?
Can you help me contact someone at the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board about a lapse in my Workers’ Comp?

Benefits to our members

The hotline saves time - One telephone call can replace considerable time on the telephone “fishing” for the right place to find the answer.
Access to a broader range of resources - Not only do our members have access to internal Business Council expertise, but we can also direct them to the information and resources available from state and local agencies and our CANYS members.
In-depth knowledge - State issues are often complex. The Business Council's legislative staff has extensive knowledge in some of the most challenging issues that small businesses face in the state today.

How can people reach the Small Business Hotline?

The hotline is a members-only referral service available by calling
1-866-997-7270.

For more information, contact Anna DeLisle at 518.465-7511, ext. 233.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

“I am planning to start my own business. How do I determine how much 'start-up ' money I need?”

Initial capital requirements should be part of your business plan. A good plan will detail your goals, market and marketing strategy. It should include financial projections: start-up costs, operating expenses, income, cash flow, initial losses and eventual profits. Work closely with your accountant when developing this plan.

Many experts recommend sufficient capital and/or access to credit to cover all start-up expenses and at least 12 months of operating expenses. Insufficient start-up capital is one of the most frequent causes of business failure.

For an overview of what is needed to start a business in New York State, visit the New York State Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform to download a brochure titled “Starting a Business” which that provides helpful information and resources.

Before you start a business, we strongly recommend that you speak to your attorney and or, an accountant. You will also want to visit your local chamber of commerce, since chambers are usually the best resource available for helping to establish a business within the local community. To find your local chamber, visit our web site.