oh and these will be usefull maybe if they aren't covered in the other thread.

http://www.sba.gov and http://www.sba.gov/financing/

it doesn't take much to have your company start as a corp or s corp, about 1100 or so probably for a normal bylaws, charter, registration with state through a laywer, and you can limit your liability that way, but those decisions require you know more about the business you are going to start.
as mentioned starting out it is overkill for most people.
oh yeah, and be prepared to sign away any free time probably.
import export buy sell describes a lot of businesses if you are still looking for business opportunities.
consider where something can be purchased (or made) in quanitity for cheap and sold individually for markup with healthy demand.
give us more info and I'm sure there's plenty of helpful people to throw out ideas.
[edit] and here too =P
http://www.sba.gov/starting/getting.html

 

See the "Finally renovated my store" thread in here. I think it's on page two.
Partnerships are like marriages. Too much to prearrange and think of. Nothing should be assumed. Put everything in writing. Don't be shy about who does what and when. If you have to have a partner, have a prearranged way out or back door.
If you start up your own busniess, be prepared to live there, eat, sleep and sh** the business. Long days. No free lunches.

It's like playing poker. If you can't stay in you have to fold or have cash or collateral to cover your bets. Same goes for your partner if you have one. Have it in writing that if he or she can't stay in the game, they have to fold. Have a prearranged buy out agreement and be sure to note what would trigger the need for a buy out. Better yet. Do it yourself with no partners. I repeat. Partnership is a bad idea. If you want to keep your friends and family, keep them seperate from the business and don't expect something for nothing. Always pay people for what they contribute.

 

Here are the business types, rather than a sole proprietorship look into an LLC. Note that at the bottom of the page there is a link for Partnership Checklist.BUSINESS ORGANIZATION TYPES