Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Melissa Houston covers financial issues that affect women in business. Creating a business plan is a critical first step for any entrepreneur.

Just got denied a bank loan? Don't get mad. Get creative. Our panel of entrepreneurs gives seven alternative financing tips to bootstrap your business. More ...

Starting a business in the United States involves a number of different steps spanning legal considerations, market research, creating a business plan, securing funding, and developing a marketing ...