How to Start a Business

There are few things as exciting as starting your own business, but is Arizona the place to do it?

Fast Company has previously ranked Arizona #1 in the nation for entrepreneurial activity.(1) Our state ranks fifth for projected job growth according to Kiplinger.(2) In a study recently conducted by a labor-analytics firm Emsi, Maricopa County was recently ranked the top county in the country for attracting and retaining workers.(3) And Chief Executive included Arizona on its Top 10 States for Business list.(4)

• Creating a business plan (i.e., how do you make money?)
• Protecting your personal assets by forming a company
• Selecting the right form of entity and creating a company Start-up funding

• What it means to have partners and how to bring them in
• Basic agreements every new business should have
• Developing and protecting your brand
• Building your advisory team

Brian J. Burt is a Partner with Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., and serves as Chair of the firm’s Emerging Business Group. He was named to the 2015-2021 Best Lawyers in America® lists, the Arizona’s Finest Lawyers list, and the 2012-2013 Southwest Rising Stars lists by Southwest Super Lawyers®. Brian is a Harvard-educated business lawyer advising entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies in all stages of development from formation to liquidity. His complete bio can be found at: https://www.swlaw.com/people/brian_burt

(1) https://www.fastcompany.com/3007772/united-states-innovation-ranking-states-and-district-innovation [back]

(2) https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/t019-s010-states-with-the-fastest-rates-of-job-growth- 2020/index.html [back]

(3) https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/jobs/2020/12/09/emsi-ranks-maricopa-county-no-1-us- attracting-retaining-jobs/3856667001/ [back]

(4) https://chiefexecutive.net/2020-best-worst-for-states-business/