Find a Small Business Administration office The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA.gov. There you will find a wealth of information about starting a small business and they usually have a mentor program in which active or retired businessmen will provide guidance.

Waivers are not much protection for a business, at most they might discourage a few minor claims, but the second someone with a serious injury goes to a lawyer, you'll be SOL. In this sue happy society, I wouldn't loan my neighbor a hammer without liability insurance.