Video Summary

The U.S. Government is Literally Paying People to Start Businesses in 2026

Codie Sanchez

Main takeaways
01

The U.S. had over $50 billion for small businesses last year, with ~30% unused — money founders often miss.

02

Every state runs business incentives: workforce training grants, wage reimbursements, hiring credits and capital reimbursements.

03

Quick playbook: search your state's economic development incentives, apply online, file before hiring/expanding and work with an accountant.

04

Tax moves matter: WOTC, R&D credits, S-corp payroll strategy, and QSBS can materially reduce taxes and boost returns.

05

Financing options include SBA loans with low down payments and state-backed programs that let you buy businesses without using all your cash.

Key moments
Questions answered

How do I find the state programs that will pay to train or hire my employees?

Search your state’s economic development incentives page for terms like 'workforce training credit', 'job tax credit', or 'capital investment reimbursement.' Most applications are online and take under 30 minutes; file before you hire or expand and have basic payroll/expense docs ready. Consult your accountant to check

What kinds of tax savings are available for hiring and training staff?

Programs include wage reimbursements and hiring credits such as the Working Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which can save roughly $2,400–$9,600 per eligible hire, plus state-level training reimbursement programs that return a portion of payroll or training costs.

What is QSBS and how can it reduce my taxes?

Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) lets investors exclude up to 100% of capital gains if they buy original shares of a qualifying C corporation and hold them for 5+ years, enabling potentially large, tax-free upside on small-business investments.

Can I buy a business without putting up all the cash myself?

Yes — SBA loans and some state programs enable business purchases with low down payments and favorable terms. The video gives examples of buyers using government-backed loans instead of private investor capital to retain full ownership.

What documentation is typically needed to claim workforce or training grants?

You usually need payroll records and basic expense documentation to prove hires or training costs; applications often require filing before hiring or expansion and claiming credits at tax time or via direct reimbursement.

The Untapped $50 Billion: Government Funds for Small Businesses 00:00

"Last year, the U.S. government had over $50 billion designated for small businesses, with more than 30% of it left unused."

  • There is significant funding available from the U.S. government that is geared towards supporting small businesses, yet a considerable portion of it goes unclaimed.

  • The government offers various resources, including loans, grants, and mentorship opportunities that entrepreneurs can take advantage of to help grow their businesses.

  • An example provided involves an entrepreneur who utilized workforce training funds and wage credits, essentially receiving free money to expand their team from virtually no resources.

State Business Incentives: A Hidden Goldmine 01:00

"Every state has its own version of business incentives, ready to aid you in building something worthwhile."

  • Economic development agencies across the U.S., regardless of the state's political alignment, are keen on fostering business growth and offer financial incentives for startups and expansions.

  • These incentives may come in the form of tax credits, wage reimbursements, and training grants to ease operational costs and encourage hiring.

  • Specific examples include Texas offering up to $500,000 for workforce training, Indiana giving $5,000 per full-time hire plus training credits, and various rebates available in Tennessee and New York for employee training and hiring locally.

Steps to Access Government Funds 01:52

"Search your state for economic development incentives; find programs with names like workforce training credits and apply online."

  • Entrepreneurs can initiate their funding quest by researching and identifying state-specific economic development incentives.

  • Applications for these government programs are often quick, requiring basic payroll or expense documentation to substantiate the claims made.

  • It is crucial to consult with an accountant to ensure the programs applied for are suitable and applicable to the business model being pursued.

The History of Government Support for Small Businesses 03:21

"This all started after the Great Depression when the government sought to save small businesses from extinction."

  • The concept of government support for small businesses gained traction as a response to the economic fallout of the Great Depression, where many businesses faced potential shutdown.

  • The government has since recognized that small enterprises are vital for economic stability and growth, supporting them through grants and loans to cultivate a diverse business landscape.

  • Incentives have continued to evolve, acknowledging that small businesses create the majority of jobs and play a key role in economic recovery and vitality.

"Most founders overlook tax credits, which are actually designed for them to mitigate risks and incentivize growth."

  • Tax credits can significantly benefit entrepreneurs by providing financial relief for various business expenses, such as hiring and equipment purchases.

  • The Working Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) incentivizes hiring individuals from qualifying groups, potentially yielding savings from $2,400 to $9,600.

  • Proper documentation allows for immediate write-offs for equipment and renovations, converting costs that would usually affect cash flow into tax-efficient maneuvers.

Utilizing a Newsletter to Build an Audience 07:59

"A simple newsletter can be your bridge to significant earnings by sharing ideas with the world."

  • Entrepreneurs can leverage newsletters as a means to grow their audience without the need for extensive technical skills.

  • Utilizing platforms like Beehive enables individuals to communicate ideas and link up with advertisers, creating a potential revenue stream.

  • It's essential for business owners to own their platforms, particularly in environments where trust in alternative funding sources may be limited.

Effective Startups Through Newsletters 08:35

"If you're looking for a lean way to start that can actually scale and make you money, you got to check out Beehive."

  • Codie Sanchez emphasizes the potential of newsletters as a future business model, urging viewers to utilize Beehive, a platform for newsletter creation and management.

  • She believes that starting a newsletter could help transform knowledge into a cash-flowing asset, referencing Warren Buffett’s success with investor letters.

  • By using the code cody30, new users can receive a 30% discount on their first three months with Beehive.

Understanding Tax Advantages for Entrepreneurs 09:15

"Most founders quietly tip 15.3% to the IRS every year just because their entire entity is set up wrong."

  • Sanchez highlights how many entrepreneurs inadvertently pay high self-employment taxes due to improper business entity structures, often resulting in substantial financial loss.

  • For instance, a solo LLC earning $500K could lose about $76,500 straight in self-employment tax.

  • By switching to an S Corporation and paying themselves a reasonable salary while taking the rest as distributions, they can significantly lower their tax liability.

Strategic Tax Planning as a Wealth-Building Tool 10:54

"The rich don't just make more money; they play the tax system like a chessboard."

  • Codie illustrates that wealthy individuals leverage the tax code to maximize their earnings, utilizing strategies like R&D credits and Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) to reduce taxable income.

  • Large companies like Google and Microsoft capitalize on R&D tax benefits to offset their expenses, showcasing how strategic spending can lead to substantial tax breaks.

  • Codie encourages viewers to consult with tax professionals to implement these strategies, urging them not to give money away unnecessarily to the government.

Financing Business Purchases Effectively 12:20

"You don't have to take on all the debt yourself."

  • Sanchez presents several financing options for purchasing a business, such as securing loans through the SBA with low down payment requirements or state programs that incentivize business purchases.

  • She stresses the importance of borrowing like a business owner, comparing high-interest consumer loans with competitively priced SBA loans.

  • The video suggests that with the right resources, individuals can achieve significant business milestones using government-backed financial opportunities.

Learning from Real Operators at Main Street Millionaire Live 14:00

"It's not a motivational conference. This is real operators doing deals to buy businesses and showing you step by step how to do it."

  • Codie promotes a live event where participants can observe real-life business transactions and glean practical knowledge from successful operators.

  • Attendees are encouraged to learn from various professionals who have transitioned into business ownership, sharing their experiences of closing multi-million dollar deals.

  • This approach provides educational insights beyond what is typically available in online content, allowing participants to witness detailed deal structuring firsthand.

Leveraging Business Education Deductions 14:30

"Do you know you get a tax write-off for business education if you own a business?"

  • Sanchez discusses the benefits of claiming business education deductions, which allow entrepreneurs to write off expenses related to professional development activities like consulting.

  • She shares her experience of utilizing this deduction to enhance her business strategy, enabling her to invest in growth while minimizing tax liability.

  • Codie invites viewers to consider this opportunity to potentially double their profits while gaining valuable insights from industry experts.