I am interested in starting my own business and was wondering if there
were companies or individuals that write the business plan for you, of
course with my input...Along these lines are there people out there
that will help you patent or copyright inventions and ideas?  I have
found some big money patent lawyers but I am talking about small
businesses that get you going from start to finish for the little guy
like me...

Great question!

For starters, there are 398 freelance business plan writers on
eLance.com!  I suggest you check out there website:
http://www.elance.com/c/search/main/advancedSearch.pl?fpCatName=10189&rid=HYJH

If you don't find any freelancers writers you like, here are some
companies that offer business plan writing services:

BizPlan.com
http://bizplan.com/index.html

Strategic Solutions, Inc.
http://www.1freespace.com/biz/strategics/busplan.html

The Servant Group
http://www.servant-group.com/smallbiz.html

MyBusinessAnalyst.com
http://mybusinessanalyst.com/our_services.htm#Customized%20Business%20Plan

BizPlanIt.com
http://www.bizplanit.com/consulting/summaryplan.htm

Also, here is a list of books that you may find interesting.  I
suggest getting them from the library before purchasing them.
http://www.idiotbooks.com/idiotdummybooksentrepreneurship.html

I came across a number of business plan software programs as well.  I
don't really recommend them, I'm sure a professional would be much
better.  If you're interested in them, just post a clarification
request and I'll give you a list.

Though I did not have the time to do it myself, you may want to try
ProfessionaLink.com to find a firm (for both business plans and
patents).  Their free service sounds promising.
http://www.professionalink.com/content/purchasing.asp

As for patent and invention consultants, it was harder to find
companies that specialize in inexpensive patent applications.  The
minimum price seems to be around $2,000 and that's rare.  Most
attorney's don't publish their fees.  Here are a couple companies
though:

PatentApplications.net
http://www.patentapplications.net/

Neustel Law Offices
http://www.patent-ideas.com/

This article from Entrepreneur.com may also interest you:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,277106,00.html

In fact, the entire Entrepreneur.com patent section will probably be
of use to you, so I'll post it too:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_Node/0,4507,666,00.html

Thanks for the question and if you require more information regarding
my answer, don't hesitate to ask for clarification.  And if you find
this answer satisfactory, please feel free to rate it. Thank you!
           
xemion-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by xemion-ga on 19 Jun 2002 21:51 PDT

I forgot my search strategy :-(  Here it is:

Overture.com
business plan
patent

Google.com
"small business" "business plan" consulting
"small business" patent consulting invention
"small business" "patent consulting"

Thanks again!

xemion-ga

Great work!  Thank you for your help!!!