Starting a Business – April 2025

Starting a business is no small feat, yet it remains a cornerstone of the American Dream. People everywhere dream of owning their own business, doing what they love and sharing their passion with others. In addition to offering great services and resources, several business owners shared their own insight into business and gave advice for how they can help you achieve your goals in 2025.

Panology Tech Solutions

Central to the start of any new business is technology, and Panology Tech Solutions (panologyinc.com) caters specifically to the needs of small business owners. With a steadfast commitment to empowering small businesses through state-of-the-art computers and network solutions, Panology emerges not just as a service provider but as an indispensable ally in navigating the complexities of the modern market. Panology Tech Solutions (PTS) offers a comprehensive suite of technology services, including computers, networks, and cloud solutions, specifically designed for small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Their focus is on helping businesses maximize their technology budget, providing accessible technical support and cloud services that streamline operations.

“We’ve designed our offerings with the unique needs and challenges of small businesses in mind,” said Owner Darren Lichty. “Our goal is to make technology accessible, affordable, and easy to implement, while also helping businesses find efficiencies that lead to greater success.” By educating small business owners on their options, Panology empowers them to make informed decisions that are crucial as they grow.

As businesses expand, so do the demands on their technology. Small issues can become significant problems if not addressed early on. Panology helps prevent these growing pains with their technology growth plan, which identifies potential bottlenecks before they hinder progress. “Our services don’t just support your technology today; we ensure it evolves with your business. We pinpoint and resolve deficiencies early so that your business continues to grow without suffering from technological setbacks,” Darren explains.

Panology prides itself on providing solutions that align with client needs and budgets. They ensure quality and efficiency at every step while preventing unnecessary excess, reinforcing their commitment to long-term partnerships. This dedication to building strong relationships with their clients is at the core of Panology’s mission to support the success of small businesses.

Leave the Paperwork to the Professionals

Planning ahead is important, but there are times where no amount of planning can prepare you for certain tasks. That’s when leaving important paperork to the professionals can help. At the outset of a new business, many business owners fail to recognize all of the employment related registrations and reporting needs that come along with business ownership. The amount of paperwork required for employees can be overwhelming, even if the employee is the business owner themselves. TAC Payroll (payworksllc.com) understands the needs of local business owners and new entrepreneurs, as they themselves are a locally woman-owned professional business.

PayWorks is able to assist clients with these registration processes, along with other essential reporting and tax payment obligations with the various agencies. Aside from payroll, PayWorks can also assist with Secretary of State renewals, sales and use tax registration and reporting and more.

“I believe most new business owners are surprised at how much of their time is spent doing administrative work rather than what they went into business for. I can help with payroll, bookkeeping, etc., allowing the business owner more time to focus on their Business,” said Terry Clark, Owner and Payroll Manager.

New business owners have so much on their minds that any service that can take tasks off their overfilled plates can make all the difference. PayWorks can offer a helping hand to new owners by helping them navigate bookkeeping, sales tax reporting, 1099 preparation and so much more.

Take a Strategic Approach

Starting and growing a business come with extensive responsibilities. With this in mind, it’s important that you focus on your strengths and hire the right experts to handle the parts of starting a business that are highly specialized. Luckily, the team at SP Group, PC (spgrouppc.com), is ready to be by your side during the beginning stages of your business and beyond.

One of the crucial steps in the process of starting a business is choosing an entity type, and it’s a step that often is missed by first-time business owners. You must choose whether your business is a sole proprietorship, limited-liability company, partnership or corporation.

“Starting a business can be an intimidating process to tackle on your own,” noted Austin Zimmerman, CPA with SP Group. “Don’t hesitate to reach out to trusted resources within the community for advice. Starting a business can be daunting, so take the opportunity to leverage off of the experience of experts. Sitting down with a CPA with prior expertise can save you a lot of time and money in the long run and keep you on track to accomplish your goals. We strive to alleviate some of the headaches that come with getting started, including business planning, entity selection, payroll management and bookkeeping, and financial statement preparation. Having a trusted CPA firm at your disposal will let you focus your time on the things you truly do best, instead of getting bogged down in the details.”

Engaging an accountant in the planning stages of a new business allows an entrepreneur to leverage that professional’s experience and knowledge to address both short- and long-term concerns. An accountant that serves business clients is aware of the potential pitfalls and blind spots that a new business owner may face and helps navigate the complexities of the tax code and tax planning, as well as, the day-to-day tasks of bookkeeping and payroll processing.

Your Local Chamber

If you’re new to running a business, you will want to know about The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (lcoc.com). They are Lincoln’s leading business organization, providing advocacy and connections to help businesses grow and thrive in Lincoln. Making connections and networking is vital to any business’ success. People need people, and The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce can help you find yours!

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is committed to being a five-star accredited collaborative partner in Lincoln’s success as a place of endless opportunities and work closely with their partner organizations. The chamber is a key player in the efforts to grow businesses in Lincoln. They work with lawmakers and local officials to advance important policies affecting the business community and start conversations for needed changes.

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly events to bring business leaders together and ignite collaboration. Through networking opportunities before and after work such as The HIVE and The LNK, members of the business community are given the chance to share their mission and ideas with like-minded individuals. You may ask yourself if joining the Chamber is a good idea as a growth strategy for your business, and the Chamber can assure you this is true. They are Lincoln’s leading business organization, with over 1,300 businesses with one strong voice for business advocacy and growth. They want you to be part of their organization, and they’ll go to work to help you grow your business as they advocate for a positive business climate in Lincoln.

Solid Foundations are Essential to Growth

When starting a new business, many fail to recognize that the set-up work doesn’t end on opening day. It is important to consider growth and scaling your business, even in the early stages of getting things up and running. Planning ahead is never a bad thing. Luckily, Alpha Zed Business Services (systemssuperhero.com) is there to help new business owners implement systems like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and automation, so they can streamline their productivity from day one.

According to Systems Strategist, Kim Hazelton, “People starting a business often don’t realize ALL THE THINGS that they need to keep track of and what sort of tools they’re going to need in order to make sure things (data and tasks) aren’t falling through the cracks. As they’re getting started, business owners may be tempted to think they don’t need systems in place yet, but it’s never too early. Setting a good foundation is going to make it much easier to grow.”

Automation is a rapidly growing field. With the dawn of A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) programs are cropping up at a rapid pace, claiming to help make business workflows completely hands-free. While that may sound like an exciting promise, most people have no idea where to start.It may even seem intimidating to someone who has never worked with automation processes. This is where having a partner like Alpha Zed can help guide business owners so they can embrace these new technologies rather than fear them.

Alpha Zed understands that while automation can be a game changer, especially as you’re starting out, you can’t automate chaos. They have put together a workbook “Preparing Your Business for Automation” which helps identify workflows and where smart automation can make the most difference.

With decades of administrative support and management experience under their belt, Alpha Zed Business Services can offer support in tons of areas of business organization. They specialize in process improvement, strategy, systems selection and implementation, organization, data and records management, forms design and spreadsheets. So, if you’re a new business owner, make sure to plan ahead with Alpha Zed.

People in Your Corner

Starting a business is a learning experience, a skill that needs to be honed. That’s why Cruise & Associates (cruise-associates.com) provide education programs tailored to meet your specific needs. They offer guidance on various aspects of starting a business, from entity structure planning, cash flow, business operations, employee benefits, and more. Their staff works with you to develop a custom strategy because what works for one business doesn’t always work for another. What sets their programs apart is the one-on-one training sessions, where they answer questions specific to your business.

“Cruise & Associates can also provide bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll services. Our bookkeepers ensure your employees get paid, payroll taxes are filed, and payroll reports are submitted to the appropriate agencies,” said Robert F. Cruise, President of Cruise & Associates. “We handle accounts payable and receivable, create invoices, and send out statements. This allows business owners to focus on running their business, not worrying about payroll or taxes. If you don’t need full-service support, we also offer QuickBooks consulting to ensure your financial data is correctly entered.”

Finances are at the core of every business and often present the biggest challenges. Estimating income is not as easy as it seems, as many business owners tend to overestimate income and underestimate expenses. It’s better to take a conservative approach, ensuring you have enough cash to start up. Many say it takes three years for a business to turn a profit. Having a solid business plan is essential, as it helps keep your business on track and guides its success.

“A professional can ensure all startup steps are handled correctly. People know employees need to be paid, but they may not know how to file payroll taxes or reports,” Robert explains. “Setting up a separate checking account for the business is another often overlooked detail. This is where an accountant can help ensure everything is set up properly, both for tax purposes and legal protection.”

Cruise & Associates thrives on knowing your business is successful because of what they taught you. They aim to provide education that benefits you throughout your business journey.
“Cruise & Associates doesn’t just want to help you start your business. We want to educate you to be a better business owner. We realize that your needs will evolve as your business grows,” Robert said. “We’ll be there every step of the way to offer guidance and help make your business succeed.”

This is Your Sign

New businesses cannot overlook the importance of signage! How will anyone know you’ve arrived unless you announce it as visibly as possible. A well designed sign telling the public that you’re ready to provide them with your goods and services can make a huge impact. Regardless of where you are at in your new business planning, Sign Pro (signprolincoln.com) of Lincoln has something to offer.

“We offer a wide variety of products for the different stages of getting a business going,” said Owner Julie Shald. “In the early stages, we can offer temporary signage such as ‘Coming Soon’ banners, yard signs, and window signs. When your opening date is closer, we can give you options for building signage, both interior and exterior. If your business is mobile or has delivery or service vehicles, we can produce unique and effective vehicle graphics to meet any need and budget.”

Once you have the business up and running, Sign Pro can continue to help you with signage for special events, sales, or promotions. They encourage you to keep them in mind over the years as your business grows to help you keep your signage and graphics looking great.

Commercial Real Estate Expertise in All Areas

It’s wise to call a professional for help when searching for commercial space for your new business because real estate agents can help locate the best options available on the market and by comparing properties, they can ensure they are being leased at a fair rate. Greenleaf Commercial Real Estate (greenleafcommercial.com) takes their market research very seriously and releases the Greenleaf Market Report semi-annually to announce trends in vacancy rates, absorption rates, asking rents, building permits and notable transactions.

“When searching for commercial space for a startup company, there are many things you need to consider,” explained Sales Associate Adam Lowney. “First you will want to determine the location for you new business. Will your company be leasing or purchasing space? It is important for a startup to completely understand their occupancy costs.”

It’s common for entrepreneurs to underestimate the amount of start-up capital required for rent, build-out equipment and operating expenses. Greenleaf can help entrepreneurs to understand their expected real estate expenses and create a realistic budget.

“Site selection and proper lease drafting and the two most important components for any start-up business in relation to its new space,” said Lowney. “Greenleaf provides expertise in these areas, as well as lease versus purchase analysis, negotiating leases and making sure our client understands the costs associated with the lease.”

Venturing into the realm of entrepreneurship is a bold and promising endeavor that embodies innovation, determination and resilience. It’s not a journey for the weak and those who succeed should be proud of their accomplishment. Those just starting out should prepare to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, embrace risks and always remember why they started this journey in the first place. By nurturing creativity, adaptability and a relentless pursuit of excellence aspiring entrepreneurs can navigate the dynamic landscape of business, ultimately transforming visions into reality and driving positive change in the world. Don’t be afraid to take advice from those who gave advice above. Most importantly, as you embark on this entrepreneurial voyage, forge ahead with passion purpose and a steadfast commitment to success.