Q. I've been circulating my business plan to colleagues, lawyers and potential investors. How do I make sure they don't steal my business idea?

A. After all the time you've spent developing your business idea, the last thing you need is for someone to steal your ideas and beat you to the market. There are many instances in which you'll want to share confidential information with another party. But the key is making sure that the other party will be bound to respect the confidential information you provide and not use the information to your detriment.

Find out more about protrecting your small business ideas at courant.com.