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How Much Does it Cost to Start a Small Business?

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2 years ago

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The best time to determine startup expenditures is when researching a business plan.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — For aspiring entrepreneurs, the new year may seem like a great time to start a new business, but before rushing into a new venture, it’s important to plan ahead to avoid common mistakes – such as lack of cash flow and planning – two of the primary reasons businesses fail. As mentors to America’s small businesses, SCORE encourages entrepreneurs to avoid these pitfalls by taking the time to research setup costs, create a business plan and estimate your operating expenses.

Here’s a quick overview of your potential startup expenditures.

Location
Rent, permits and other expenses can vary greatly depending on the required space size and location. Generally, home-based businesses have lower initial and ongoing expenses compared to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. When calculating startup costs, remember to factor in utilities alongside rent. While rent remains constant, utility bills fluctuate throughout the year.

Business licenses and permits
The expenses associated with obtaining business licenses and permits fluctuates based on both your geographic location and the specific industry you operate within. Various types of permits are required, such as seller’s, zoning and health permits for businesses dealing with food products.

Accounting fees
While hiring an accountant may entail an upfront cost amounting to thousands of dollars, it has the potential to yield significant savings in the long run. An accountant plays an important role in establishing an effective accounting system, monitoring your financial inflows and outflows, managing payroll and preparing tax documentation.

Legal fees
Before you open, you’ll need to choose a business structure. The most common are sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs). The costs and regulations vary by state.

Marketing and advertising
Ensuring your website is fully functional at launch is crucial. The cost of development can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the complexity and required features of the site. It’s also essential to allocate funds to cover expenses for a web host.

Conduct research to determine which advertising outlets are most effective for reaching your target market, whether it’s online, print, radio, TV, email, text or various social media platforms.

Business supplies, furniture and equipment
Consider whether you’ll require office furniture or store fixtures and determine the quantity needed. Assess your technological needs, including the number of computers, printers, tablets, phones, copiers, scanners, cash registers, routers, etc., required for operations.

Some businesses may necessitate specialized equipment. Evaluate whether leasing or purchasing is the better option, but carefully review the lease terms before committing.

Inventory
If you are selling products, you’ll need to purchase inventory. You have the option to procure inventory either through wholesalers or directly from manufacturers. Regardless of your startup status, it’s prudent to establish a diversified supply chain to mitigate risks and ensure consistent access to the necessary goods.

Technology
Beyond basic technological requirements, consider whether specialized information systems or point of sale (POS) software are necessary for your operations. Additionally, assess your needs for tools related to social media management, search engine optimization (SEO) and graphic design, depending on your marketing strategy and online presence goals.

Labor
If you anticipate needing employees upon launch, it’s crucial to factor in the costs associated with wages, benefits and payroll taxes. This includes not only the salaries or hourly wages you’ll be paying your employees but also any additional benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off and other perks, as well as the corresponding payroll taxes required by law.

Insurance
Insurance plays a critical role in safeguarding your business. At a minimum, startups should secure basic insurance coverage, although costs can vary significantly based on factors such as location, industry, coverage needs and business size.

If you need assistance, a SCORE mentor can help you. “Check the financial statements of any publicly listed business in your industry,” recommends SCORE mentor John Trenary. “Although you won’t have all the average startup costs they do, this will help you see what they are spending their money on.”

Looking for more information on how to fund your startup costs? On Dec. 17 at 1 pm ET, SCORE will host a free webinar, Loans, Grants and Other Funding Options for Small Businesses. Register here to attend.

To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit SCORE.org.

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories.

Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

CONTACT:

SCORE
202-968-6428
media@score.org

Visit SCORE’s media resources to connect with expert small business interview sources and news updates.

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SOURCE SCORE

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Lubbock Plastic Surgeon Dr. Thanapoom Boonipat Leads Suturing Workshop for Texas Tech Women in STEM Premed Students

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3 minutes ago

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October 25, 2026

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Suturing workshop

LUBBOCK, Texas, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Thanapoom “Mo” Boonipat, plastic surgeon and founder of FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute in Lubbock, led a hands-on suturing workshop and career Q&A session for premed students at Texas Tech University. The event was organized by Women in STEM at Texas Tech University.

During the workshop, students practiced suturing fundamentals on suture pads using surgical instruments, with Dr. Boonipat demonstrating technique and coaching students individually. The session also included an open discussion about the path to a career in medicine, including medical school, residency training, and choosing a surgical specialty.

“Every surgeon remembers the first time they held a needle driver. Giving premed students that experience early — along with honest answers about the road ahead — can make the path into medicine feel real and reachable. I was glad to spend the afternoon with such motivated students.” — Dr. Thanapoom Boonipat

“Organizations like Women in STEM do important work connecting young women with mentors and hands-on experience in fields where they are still underrepresented, including surgery. FacePlus is proud to support that effort here in our own community in Lubbock.” — Dr. Thanapoom Boonipat

Women in STEM is a Texas Tech University student organization that supports women pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Events like this connect students with practicing professionals and give them early, practical exposure to clinical skills.

Dr. Boonipat is a plastic and craniofacial surgeon. His training includes an integrated plastic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic and a craniofacial, maxillofacial, and facial aesthetics fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, following medical school at Dartmouth and undergraduate study in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins. He founded FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute in Lubbock in 2024.

About FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute:
FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute is a plastic surgery practice in Lubbock, Texas, founded by Thanapoom Boonipat, MD. The practice provides cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, including facial, breast, and body procedures, serving patients in Lubbock and across West Texas. For more information, visit facepluspsi.com.

Media Contact:
FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute
moboonipatmd@facepluspsi.com
(806) 503-2090
Lubbock, Texas

Press Release Service provided by 24-7PressRelease.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lubbock-plastic-surgeon-dr-thanapoom-boonipat-leads-suturing-workshop-for-texas-tech-women-in-stem-premed-students-302918808.html

SOURCE FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute

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Vantrue Announces Early Black Friday Sale with Up to 44% Off Select Dash Cams

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3 hours ago

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October 25, 2026

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November 1–21, 2026 | Official Website: Vantrue.com

SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vantrue, a dash cam brand dedicated to helping drivers capture the road with confidence, is launching its three-week Black Friday campaign from November 1 to November 21, 2026. The event brings together discounts of up to 44% on selected dash cams, a 100% win-rate prize wheel for subscribers, and exclusive bidding events, giving drivers multiple ways to discover and save on Vantrue products.

Every Eligible Spin Wins a Prize

The Black Friday excitement starts with Vantrue’s 100% win-rate spin wheel. Visitors can subscribe through the official website and spin for a chance to receive exciting rewards, including the latest Vantrue dash cams, special prize bundles, and other surprises. Each subscriber is eligible for one spin during the campaign.

Black Friday Deals in Two Waves

Vantrue’s Black Friday offers will roll out in two waves, featuring discounts on selected dash cams for everyday drivers, rideshare professionals, and those looking to upgrade their in-car recording setup.

Wave 1: November 1–10, 2026

Vantrue E1 Lite: 36% off — $69.99 (regular price: $109.99)
 Vantrue N2X: 36% off — $159.99 (regular price: $249.99)
 Vantrue N4S: 44% off — $199.99 (regular price: $359.99)
 

Wave 2: November 11–21, 2026

Vantrue E1 Pro S: 35% off — $129.99 (regular price: $199.99)
 Vantrue N5S: 36% off — $293.99 (regular price: $459.99)
 Vantrue N4 Pro S: 40% off — $279.99 (regular price: $469.99)
 

Exclusive Bidding Events Add More Excitement

In addition to the promotional pricing, Vantrue will host two special bidding events, offering participants another way to pursue selected dash cams at competitive prices.

BID #1: November 5–7, 2026 — Bid on featured products for a chance to secure them at a lower price.BID #2: November 12–14, 2026 — Return for another opportunity to bid on premium models.

With multiple ways to participate throughout the three-week event, Vantrue’s Black Friday campaign combines savings, interactive rewards, and special shopping opportunities in one destination.

Join Vantrue’s Black Friday Event

From November 1 through November 21, 2026, drivers can explore the latest offers, take part in the prize wheel, and join the bidding events through Vantrue’s official website.

Visit https://www.vantrue.com/ for campaign details and product offers.

About Vantrue

Founded in 2015, Vantrue is a leading global dash cam brand dedicated to providing intelligent, reliable, and user-centric driving solutions. With a focus on innovative technology, dependable performance, and user-friendly design, Vantrue develops dash cams for everyday drivers, families, and professionals on the road. Committed to helping drivers capture every journey with greater confidence and peace of mind, Vantrue continues to innovate to make every drive safer and every moment worth capturing.

Media Contact
Vantrue Media Relations
Email: support@vantrue.net
Website: https://www.vantrue.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vantrue-announces-early-black-friday-sale-with-up-to-44-off-select-dash-cams-302918196.html

SOURCE Vantrue

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LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions Introduces Field Clarity for LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) at IACP 2026

Published

6 hours ago

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October 25, 2026

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A new, modern DORS and Field Clarity, the First AI-Guided Smartphone Video Assistant, Enhances Community Experience and Helps Improve Evidence, Case Building

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LexisNexis® Coplogic™ Solutions today announced its modernized LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) community online reporting solution and the addition of DORS with Field Clarity, an AI-guided video assistant designed to improve field documentation accuracy and enable faster resolution by law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Field Clarity is designed to help community members submit reports to their local LEAs using DORS via intuitive step-by-step instructions. A hands-on experience for DORS with Field Clarity will be available for demonstration during the 2026 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference.

“Agencies generally look to strategic partners like us not just for technology, but also for relief, reinforcement, and credibility across three tightly connected challenges: public expectation, workforce strain and digital evidence overload,” said Jason LaRue, associate vice president, LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions. “Our modernized LexisNexis Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) helps agencies improve officer safety along with community member experiences. Field Clarity strengthens video evidence quality and digital evidence management to reduce friction and alleviate strain on a challenged workforce.”

Key Highlights
Integrated into LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS), Field Clarity is the first AI-Guided video assistant for community member online reporting that:

Transforms data capture from passive intake into intelligent, guided capture to help create more positive officer and civilian mobile-first experiencesDrives more accurate field documentation, evidence and case building to help with faster resolution and enhanced public safetyBenefits civilians submitting reports with intuitive, step-by-step instructions, almost like having a digital assistant with them in real timeBenefits officers by bringing video, photos and scanned data together for a clearer picture of an event without the need to track down additional details

How the DORS with Field Clarity Solution Works
DORS allows each law enforcement agency to collect information directly from civilians on more than 200 incident types based on the needs of their community. DORS and Field Clarity make the filing of an online report experience easier by guiding users intuitively through each step of the process on their smartphone device, similar to having a personal digital assistant. Instead of asking a driver, for example, to fill out forms and guess what’s needed, the Field Clarity conversational interface prompts them to scan their driver’s license, capture a VIN or record a short walkaround video explaining what happened during the incident, all while capturing the data necessary to complete the report.

For civilians, being able to easily film on-scene evidence means less confusion and need for reentries or follow-up by the sworn officer responsible for approving reports. For officers, the benefits include cleaner, more complete accident reports and less time spent requesting and gathering additional details. With reports fed directly into the agency’s Record Management System (RMS), law enforcement also benefits from more efficient workflows and stronger documented cases for their investigators. DORS is used by nearly 600 agencies in North America, saving agencies approximately 900,000 personnel hours and $90 million annually*

“Trust in law enforcement is built one interaction at a time. Every opportunity for a community member to engage with their police department matters, including something as routine as filing a report,” said Sarah E. Connolly, co-founder of Guardian Communications, FBI-LEEDA instructor and retired Baltimore Police lieutenant and PIO. “When technology makes that process easier, improves the quality of information collected and supports a more responsive agency, it has the potential to do more than improve efficiency. It can help strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions delivers solutions and capabilities that can create a clearer line of sight from the field to law enforcement leadership, strengthening the connection between daily operations, workforce support, data management and community trust. DORS with Field Clarity is available through LexisNexis® Command Center, a single access point to the LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions data and analytics solutions suite, including LexisNexis®  BuyCrash®, LexisNexis® eCrash and LexisNexis® eCitation solutions. Coplogic Solutions also offers Unified Performance Dashboards for crash and citation mapping and illustrated visualizations, which connect field data with contextual insight in a single, coherent view – so law enforcement leaders can better understand and more confidently explain to their communities not just what is happening in near-real time, but also why. 

To speak with Coplogic law enforcement experts about LexisNexis Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) with Field Clarity and experience the solution firsthand, visit LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions at IACP Booth #941, October 24 – 27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. To learn more, check out this video: LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS).

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions
LexisNexis® Risk Solutions provides customers with information-based analytics and decision tools that combine public and industry-specific content with advanced technology and algorithms to assist them in evaluating and predicting risk and enhancing operational efficiency. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, the company has offices throughout the world, serves customers in more than 190 countries and territories and is part of RELX. For more information, please visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

About LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions
LexisNexis® Coplogic™ Solutions is committed to meeting law enforcement agencies where they are on the road to saving more lives and helping take them where they want to be by delivering an innovative full suite of data sophistication solutions to create workflow efficiencies while delivering world-class crash and citation data and analytics visualizations through advanced technology. Our proven solutions, developed by and specifically for law enforcement, can help agencies operate more effectively, increase services to their communities and improve traffic and overall public safety through electronic, mobile-first authoring capabilities, web-based eCommerce solutions, analytics and more. For more information, please visit risk.lexisnexis.com/Coplogic.

Media Contacts: 
Chaz Abbott
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
chaz.abbott@lexisnexisrisk.com
+1 949.922.1167

*Based on a 2025 LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions internal study

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lexisnexis-coplogic-solutions-introduces-field-clarity-for-lexisnexis-desk-officer-reporting-system-dors-at-iacp-2026-302918694.html

SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions

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