Food businesses are held to high standards for good reason: safety and trust. Regulations ensure that what you sell is safe to eat and clearly labeled. Taking time to understand which rules apply to your specific business model can save you time and money, and let you focus on what you love: sharing your food with the world.
ccc Making Food for Sale in Your Home Kitchen (Cottage Food Laws)
Many beloved food businesses began at home — think Mrs. Fields’ cookies or Marie Callender’s pies. If you’ve ever dreamed of selling your own baked goods, jams, or other homemade specialties, cottage food laws could be your first step. These rules allow you to run a small food business from your kitchen, while also setting important safeguards to protect your customers.
When you think about your small business website, what comes to mind first? Probably things like design, product photos, or whether your content is up-to-date. But there’s another crucial factor that often gets overlooked: accessibility.
The small business journey doesn’t have to be one you take alone. At Start Small Think Big, we want to support you and your entrepreneurial dreams. That’s why our non-profit is dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs across the country with the free resources, knowledge, and community they need to thrive — and we’re proud to offer it all for free.
ccc So You Want to Start a Food Business: The Regulatory Basics
Dreaming of selling your homemade cookies, having your own line of sauces, or importing specialty products? Before you dive in, it’s important to understand the rules that protect both you and your customers.
This webinar will break down the essentials in plain language. We’ll cover the role of the FDA and state regulators, and share practical tips to help you avoid common pitfalls that slow down new food entrepreneurs.
ccc Ensuring ADA Compliance & Accessibility for Small Business Websites
Join Start Small Think Big and Columbia Law School for a free webinar designed to empower small businesses in creating websites that are not only legally compliant but truly accessible to all. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is more than a set of regulations—it’s a commitment to ensuring equal access and effective communication for people with disabilities.
ccc Intellectual Property Essentials: Understanding the Basics
In this practical webinar hosted by attorneys from Alston & Bird, you’ll learn how intellectual property (IP) applies directly to your products, services, content, and brand. We'll break down the differences between trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, so you can confidently identify what protections make sense for your business right now. Plus, you'll learn how to avoid costly legal mistakes when using photos, music, content, or ideas that belong to others.
ccc Patent Basics for Small Businesses
Have a great idea but not sure how to protect it? Join Start Small Think Big and a former U.S. patent examiner and attorney for a free webinar designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs understand the fundamentals of patent protection.
This session will cover:
ccc Contracts Made Simple: A Guide for Entrepreneurs
Contracts are the backbone of any successful business. Join Start Small Think Big and attorneys from Lowenstein Sandler LLP for an engaging workshop designed to empower you with the tools and knowledge to negotiate smarter, draft better, and safeguard your business through contracts.
In this session, you’ll gain: