Start your business with confidence, not confusion.
Negocio Seguro is a free educational platform from Chingón Legacy that helps Indiana entrepreneurs understand how small businesses are organized, licensed, and launched — in plain language, in English and Spanish.
Educational tool only. Not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify all requirements with the appropriate government agency.
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1
Clarify your business idea
Who you serve · What you sell
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2
Research the market
Competitors · Real pricing
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3
Choose a structure
Sole prop · LLC · EIN
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4
Identify permits
State · County · City
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5
Set up bookkeeping
Revenue vs profit
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6
Brand the basics
Name · Voice · Visuals
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7
Launch and learn
First sales · Feedback
This is a guide — not advice. Negocio Seguro is an independent educational resource created by Chingón Legacy. Information is for educational purposes only and is not legal, accounting, tax, financial, or professional business advice. Requirements may change and may vary by city, county, state, industry, or circumstance. Always do your own research, verify with official agencies, and consult licensed professionals when appropriate. For personal assistance from Chingón Legacy, use the form at the bottom of the page.
This website is a guide. Your situation deserves personal attention.
Everything you'll read here is educational — collected from public Indiana, county, federal, and SBA resources to give you a clear starting point. We are not attorneys, CPAs, or licensed advisors. Please do your own research and verify any requirement directly with the agency that issues it. When you're ready for a real person from Chingón Legacy to help you in your own language, scroll to the form at the bottom of this page — we'll get back to you.
Three things to remember
- 1This is a starting point, not the final answer.
- 2Always verify with the actual agency before you act.
- 3For personal help, the contact form is real — a person reads every message.
Built for first-time founders
Plain-language learning, mobile-first design, and bilingual support — so paperwork stops feeling like a wall.
Bilingual by design
Every module, glossary, and worksheet works in English and Spanish.
Plain-language education
No jargon. Every concept comes with a beginner example.
Indiana-aware
Pathways reference Indiana, county, and city-level considerations.
You're not alone
Workshops, mentorship referrals, and educational navigation support from Chingón Legacy.
Module 1
The startup roadmap
A 7-step educational walkthrough. Check off each step to track your learning progress (saved locally on your device).
🎉 You've completed the Negocio Seguro startup roadmap.
You now understand more about starting a business than most first-time founders ever learn.
Connect with Chingón LegacyEducational only. Steps describe general concepts; your specific situation may require additional or different actions.
Module 2
LLC & EIN, explained simply
Two terms that confuse almost every new entrepreneur. Here's what they actually mean — and what they don't.
Plain definition
An LLC is a legal structure. An EIN is a tax ID number. You can have one without the other — and many small businesses operate without either, at first.
Common myth
"You need an LLC to start." Not necessarily. Many businesses begin as sole proprietorships. The right choice depends on liability, taxes, partners, and goals — talk to a licensed professional.
What is an LLC, in one paragraph?
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a business structure registered with a state. Its main purpose is to separate your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits in many situations. It is created by filing paperwork with the state (in Indiana, with the Secretary of State) and requires periodic upkeep — in Indiana, a Business Entity Report is filed every two years. An LLC is not a tax classification by itself — by default a single-member LLC is taxed like a sole proprietor.
What is an EIN, in one paragraph?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a free federal tax ID issued by the IRS. It identifies a business for tax purposes. You may need one to hire employees, open a business bank account at some banks, or file certain tax forms. It is requested directly from the IRS — no third-party service is required.
Do I have to have either to start?
Not always. Many people start as sole proprietors using their own name and Social Security Number for taxes. Whether you should form an LLC or get an EIN depends on liability exposure, how you want to be taxed, whether you have partners, and your industry. This is a decision worth discussing with a licensed attorney or CPA.
What an LLC is NOT
- Not automatic protection from every lawsuit.
- Not a substitute for required licenses or permits.
- Not a tax shelter by itself.
- Not required to open most personal bank accounts.
Negocio Seguro does not provide filing services. We provide educational explanations only.
Module 3
Choose your business pathway
Each pathway opens an educational overview of common considerations for that type of business in Indiana.
Considerations listed are educational examples. Specific requirements depend on your location, services, and circumstances.
Interactive Tool
Permit awareness explorer
Tell us about your business and we'll surface common permits, registrations, and inspections that may apply. Always verify with official agencies.
Fill out the form to see common permits and registrations that may apply.
Indiana County Directory
All 92 Indiana counties
Indiana law sets the framework — your county usually enforces it. Click the helper links to search each county's health department, building/zoning office, and recorder. Use this directory alongside the Permit Explorer above.
How to use this directory. Each helper link runs a Google search for that county's office. We use search links so you always reach the current, official page — county websites and URLs change. After you find the page, save it as your verified source. Educational only — always confirm requirements directly with the office.
Module 4
Money basics for new owners
Pricing, profit, bookkeeping, invoices, and taxes — explained without the jargon. Try the interactive pricing calculator on the right.
- $Revenue vs profit. Revenue is money in. Profit is what's left after costs. They are not the same.
- 📒Bookkeeping. Track every dollar that enters or leaves the business. A simple spreadsheet works.
- 🧾Invoices. Clear invoices help you get paid on time. Templates included in Downloads.
- 🏦Separate accounts. A dedicated business bank account makes bookkeeping and taxes much easier.
Educational only — not financial or tax advice. Consult a licensed professional for your specific situation.
Simple pricing calculator
InteractiveTotal cost
$20.00
Suggested price
$33.33
Profit per unit
$13.33
Formula shown: price = cost ÷ (1 − margin). Simplified educational model — real pricing also depends on market, demand, taxes, and overhead.
Quick check
Which statement is correct?
Free templates
Download what you need
Beginner-friendly worksheets, generated right in your browser — no signup required.
Educational references
Sources & educational references
Always go directly to official sources. These are starting points; agencies update their pages, so verify what you read.
Linking to a resource does not imply endorsement or partnership. Information compiled from publicly available educational materials.
About
You're not alone while building your business.
Chingón Legacy is an Indiana nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship, economic mobility, education, and community empowerment. Negocio Seguro is one of our community-led educational tools, built for first-time founders, immigrant business owners, side-hustle creators, and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs who deserve clear, dignified information.
What we do
- Entrepreneurship education
- Educational navigation assistance
- Workshops & mentorship referrals
- Connections to trusted professionals
What we don't do
- Provide legal advice
- Provide CPA or tax filing services
- File LLCs or EINs for you
- Guarantee regulatory compliance
Get personal assistance from Chingón Legacy
This website is a guide — for your specific situation, send us a message. A real person from our team will get back to you.
Submit opens your email app addressed to info@chingonlegacy.org with your message pre-filled. Or email us directly any time.