1
only applies to
始める
to start;to begin;to commence;to initiate;to originate
いつゴルフを始めたのですか。
When did you begin playing golf?
2
to start up (a business, society, etc.);to open (e.g. a store);to establish
私たちは姉妹３人で喫茶店を始めた。
We three sisters opened a coffee shop.
3
only applies to
始める
to start ...;to begin to ...
after the -masu stem of a verb
飲み過ぎて部屋が回り始めた。
The room started to spin after I drank too much.
Other forms
創める 【はじめる】 (rarely used kanji form)