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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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:

Join Start Small and Davis Polk & Wardwell for a webinar designed to demystify the world of commercial leasing for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how to navigate lease terms with confidence, understand the rights of commercial tenants, avoid common pitfalls, and negotiate smarter with landlords. Whether you're seeking your first storefront or renegotiating your current space, this session will give you the tools you need to make informed decisions and protect your business.