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Starting or running a business as a parent
Building something of your own while raising kids takes guts, and a lot of nap-time emails. Whether you're making your side hustle official or growing a real company, Austin has free coaching, free workshops at the library, and plenty of fellow parent founders. Here are the official first steps, plus help for the two big parent questions: health insurance and childcare.
This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Talk to an attorney, CPA or a free SBDC or SCORE advisor about your business.
First 30 days
0 of 10 done
Resources
Travis County Clerk: assumed names (DBA)
For unincorporated businesses, like sole proprietors, using a business name. Entities like LLCs file assumed names with the Texas SOS instead.
All owners must sign the application in front of a notary. Re-check the fee on the application page.
Checked 2026-10-27
City of Austin Small Business Division: BizAid and coaching
Free trainings and confidential one-on-one coaching (up to 3 times a month for qualifying Austin businesses). The free BizAid Business Orientation comes first.
Checked 2026-10-27
SCORE Austin
Free volunteer business mentoring and generally free workshops. Many are held at Austin Central Library.
Checked 2026-10-27
Workforce Solutions Capital Area: child care scholarships
Help paying for childcare for eligible Travis County parents who work, train or go to school (generally 25+ hours a week for single parents, or 50 combined hours for two parents).
The general waitlist was closed as of 2026-10-27, with an estimated 12–18 month wait. Kids ages 0–3 have an open priority track (estimated 6–9 months).
Checked 2026-10-27
Local helpers you may need next
- CPAs and bookkeepers
- Small business attorneys
- Insurance brokers (health and business)
- Part-time nannies and babysitters
Categories only, not endorsements.