If you are just starting a business or actively growing your existing small business, incorporation may be a topic on your mind. There is a lot that goes into the incorporation process, from deciding if it's something you even want to do, to taking the steps necessary to form a corporation.

I've written about incorporation before, and the feedback I've gotten is that there are still a lot of questions around the topic, especially for someone just getting started with the process. Here are a few links to small business incorporation articles that you can use as a cheat sheet as you explore if incorporation is right for you.

Let's start at the beginning with a refresher on the different forms of business. This article takes a quick look at the differences between a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an LLC and a corporation.

From limited liability to stock incentives to near immortality -- there are a lot of advantages if you incorporate your small business. This article walks you through six of the most common reasons small business owners decide to form a corporation.

Playing devil's advocate and considering the reasons not to do something should always be part of your research process. This article lists some of the reasons incorporation may be a bad move for your business, from the cost to the rigidity of the business structure.

Have you decided that incorporation is right for you? Then move on to this article and go step-by-step through the small business incorporation process.

If you have questions about incorporating your small business, please leave a comment here, or post your question in the Small Business Information Forum.

Photo (c) pepo

Most small business owners have limited budgets, so it can take a little extra time and some creativity to make the most of the resources you have available. Add a slow market or a personal crisis to the mix, and getting a handle on your small business finances can seem impossible.

But it is possible, through consistent networking, smart marketing and precise cost-cutting. Gather up your determination, creativity and never-say-quit attitude, and browse these six small business hard time strategies to help get you over the financial slump and onto a bright future.

Photo (c) linusb4

Not everyone has the time, energy, ability or desire to maintain their lawns, gardens and land surrounding their homes. This is why lawn care and maintenance can be a very lucrative small business idea. If you have a green thumb and a desire to get your hands dirty (or a team of potential employees at the ready), a lawn service may be the perfect small business idea for you.

Many landscaping businesses provide services beyond general lawn care, including landscape design/architecture, fencing and walkway installation, weeding and pest control. But you don't have to be a landscape designer to start a lawn care business, and there are a lot of reasons a lawn care business may be a good one to start:

• You can customize your service offerings to focus on what you enjoy doing.
• You can get a great workout.
• You can do as much or as little work as you want, basically whenever you want.
• You can take advantage of word-of-mouth referrals from happy customers.
• You can develop loyal customer relationships that result in ongoing scheduled work.

Some of the potential challenges of a lawn care business include:

• An initial investment in equipment that can be substantial.
• There may be periods of work slow-down if you live in a seasonal climate with a lot of rain and/or snow.
• The physical toll from hands-on work can be significant if you do everything yourself.
• You may have to pound the pavement to drum up business in the beginning.
• It can be difficult to find your perfect rate and avoid over- or under-charging.

If you enjoy yard work, then starting a lawn care business is a great example of turning a hobby into a small business that you can approach with passion. For more about starting a lawn care business:

• Starting a Landscape Business
• PLANET (Professional Landcare Network)
• American Nursery and Landscape Association

Photo (c) straymuse

Business Across Borders, a free event series provided by Inc. and DHL, kicked off this week in New York City. The event focuses on giving budding international businesses a chance to rub elbows with leaders from a number of America-based international companies and learn some of their secrets for success.

The event series continues through mid-August and will hit Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and Los Angeles. Each stop of the event includes one night of interactive events, panel discussions, extended question and answer sessions, and targeted networking. Some of the topics covered include:

• Best practices to make and save your company money overseas
• Surprising legal and logistical solutions you must know to survive abroad
• Relics you can jettison, the tools and technologies you must adopt
• The next big opportunities in international business

Participation is free, but registration is required.

For more on international business, visit DHL's Business Across Borders article library, designed to help you grow your business on a global scale.