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Business start-up information:
• Types of business organizations
• The top ten entrepreneurial traps/mistakes
• Take these steps before you start your business
• Business regulations

 

Helpful Websites:
• CT: Chapters and Chambers of Commerce

• CT Economic Development Commissions (download word document)

• More websites

 

Business plans:
• Case study
• Business plans outline (download word document)

• Business plans workbook (download word document)
• Business plan checklist (download word document)
• Risk management
• Excel Spreadsheets for starting your Business Plan

 

The following resource list has been reproduced and modified with permission from the San Diego SCORE® Chapter. As stated in the San Diego SCORE® Chapter Website: "We hope that you will find it useful and that it assists you in finding some answers to your questions."

Start Up:
• http://www.sba.gov and click on "starting your business". This website will give you a step by step guide to all the factors in starting your business.

• The On-Line Women's Business Center (http://www.onlinewbc.gov) is part of the SBA website and has numerous resources aimed specifically at helping women in business.

• http://www.toolkit.cch.com/BOToC.asp and click on "Starting Your Business". This website is from the Commerce Clearing House and contains a discussion of the various forms of business structures, with pros and cons.

Business Plan:
• http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html. This site gives a "step by step" guide to writing a business plan.

• http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs.html. This site has a series of sample plans for various types of businesses is available for download/viewing in Word, text, and Adobe PDF formats. Look under heading section "C" behind the Online Library/Publications buttons.

• http://www.bplans.com. This is a business planning resource that includes free samples of business plans plus other valuable information.

Loan Information:
• http://www.livecapital.com. This website represents several firms that provide financial services to small business. You are able to file an online application, providing personal information along with data on your business and your need for the loan. Assuming good credit, you can get an answer the same day for loans up to $50,000.

• http://www.companyfinance.com. On this site you have access to over 100 lending institutions, which compete to offer you the best terms. It will collect financial data from you and sort through the database to select firms most likely to be a good match for your needs. You may select to apply directly to these firms or request that they contact you.

Sales/Marketing:
• http://www.salesforce.com. This will offer sales force automation in an online service. It will allow you to securely access, manage and share sales information with no software to buy.

• http://www.bcentral.com. This is Microsoft's small business website where you can find useful information to market and manage your business.

• http://www.sba.gov/hotlist/busplan.html. This site gives you over 30 links to resources for your marketing program.

• http://www.presentationselect.com/ama/details.asp?eventid=1002. This is a link to a webcast sponsored by the American Marketing Association with advice about maximizing your website's potential.

Financial / Accounting / Computer Bookkeeping:
• SCORE® is one of the few sources of economical workshops on basic bookkeeping, QuickBooks and the accounting background you will need for your business plan. Basic bookkeeping and accounting information can also be on/from this SBA web page: http://www.onlinewbc.gov/DOCS/Finance/bkpg_acct.html.

• Small Business Resource Guide website: www.sbrg.irs.gov

 

• Small Business and Self Employed Tax Center: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

 

• Industry Page: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/industries/index.html

 

• On-Line Small Business Tax Workshop: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=200274,00.html

Patents and Trademarks:
• United States Patent and Trademark Office The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website has a great deal of information that allows you to search and file patents and trademarks. Click on the following link to learn more: http://www.uspto.gov.

General Business Information:
• Visit the Dictionary of Small Business website (http://www.small-business-dictionary.org) for help with business terms and definitions. This Web Site and the book "The Language of Small Business" are the result of many years of difficult and thorough searching for answers to everyday problems of the small business person.

Legal Information:
• http://www.business.gov is an excellent repository of legal and regulatory information for America's small businesses that is maintained by the Small Business Administration.

• http://www.nolo.com. This award-winning site has an extensive array of information and boilerplate legal documents for business and personal situations.