In the previous lesson, you learned about planning for and using technology in your business venture. Technology is one of the most expensive investments for any small business owner; therefore, it is important to plan for and to determine the best, most cost-effective solution for the business.
This lesson identifies Internet resources that are available to help entrepreneurs with their business initiatives. These include networking resources and support organizations. At the end of this lesson, you will create a list of online resources, networking resources, and support organizations that you can use to develop and grow your business.
You have spent a considerable amount of time exploring the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Web site so far in the courses. Thousands of online resources are at your fingertips. Take a few minutes to write down some of the resources from the SBA Web site that you have found to be extremely helpful for planning your entrepreneurial venture. Think about some of the information that you still need to locate. Write down your list. It will help you as you continue through this lesson.
Recommendation: Capture your responses to the "Check Prior Knowledge" activities and other various exercises presented in this course in a journal or notebook. Since many of these activities and exercises will not be turned in to your instructor, you should capture the information in one place. By writing this information down and reviewing it, you will begin to see themes emerge that will help you as you complete the course.
Official Course Competencies
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
Key Terms
There are no key terms for this lesson.
This lesson identifies a variety of resources for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. Due to the vast possibilities available to entrepreneurs today, this list is not meant to be exhaustive. Whether you currently have a business or you are planning to start one, these resources will guide you through your entrepreneurial journey. As you explore each of these resources, know that one resource is not necessarily better than another. In addition, you should not spend your financial resources for any resource until you have done your due diligence.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Although you have seen this many times in this course, this Web site still needs to be listed as the most important Web site for a small business owner. The SBA is dedicated to providing support to small businesses across the nation. Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions, and other forms of assistance to small businesses. The SBA provides assistance primarily through access to capital (business financing), entrepreneurial development (education, information, technical assistance, and training), government contracting (Federal procurement), and advocacy (voice for small business). Use this Web site to learn about starting, managing, and growing a small business.
SCORE Association – SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. SCORE is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration. As noted on the SCORE Web site, more than 12,000 volunteers deliver services to entrepreneurs and small business owners at no charge or at a very low cost. SCORE's mission is to grow successful small businesses across America, one business at a time. They provide volunteer mentors who share their expertise across 62 industries; free confidential business counseling in person or via email; free business tools, templates, and online tips; and inexpensive or free business workshops and webinars. Be sure to explore this Web site to learn about how this organization can help you with your business.
America's Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) – America's Small Business Development Center Network is the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. The mission of the network is to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and help existing businesses remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy. Hosted by leading universities, colleges, and state economic development agencies, and funded in part through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, approximately 1,000 service centers are available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training, according to the SBDC Web site. Be sure to take some time to explore this site and its resources.
Women's Business Centers (WBCs) - Women's Business Centers represent a national network of nearly 100 educational centers designed to assist women start and grow small businesses. WBCs operate with the mission to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business. Through the management and technical assistance provided by the WBCs, entrepreneurs (especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged) are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a variety of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.
International Franchise Association (IFA) – The International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. As stated on the IFA Web site, IFA's mission is to protect, enhance, and promote franchising through government relations, public relations, and educational programs. If you are considering buying a franchise, start your search on this site.
Bplans (Business Planning Central) - Bplans contains the largest single online collection of free sample business plans. In addition, it has helpful tools and knowhow for managing your business. Bplans includes practical advice on planning, interactive tools and calculators, and a panel of experts who have answered thousands of questions from people like you. Bplans has won several awards as a valuable plain talk resource. This free resource can help entrepreneurs plan better businesses. As you begin your business planning process, visit this Web site to learn more.
BizBuySell (The Internet's Largest Business for Sale Marketplace) - BizBuySell is the Internet's most active marketplace for businesses and franchises for sale. According to their Web site, each month BizBuySell receives over 825,000 visits from individuals looking for new business opportunities and from business owners looking to sell their business or franchise. With this high volume of traffic, they provide you with the best opportunity to find or sell your business. BizBuySell has listings for everything from cheap, small home-based businesses to large established businesses and franchises for sale. If you are looking to purchase a business, be sure to visit this Web site.
The Company Corporation (Creating Company Structures – Corporations and LLCs) - The Company Corporation has made helping small business owners their top priority. Founded in 1899 by the architects of Delaware's corporate laws, The Company Corporation has more than a century of experience helping hundreds of thousands of small business owners incorporate or form an LLC, as stated on their Web site. If you need a group to assist you with your incorporation or LLC, you may want to explore this Web site.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – This agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce covers patents, trademarks, and intellectual property law and policy. If you need to file a patent or trademark related to your business, you will want to visit this Web site to learn more about the process.
American FactFinder - American FactFinder provides access to data about the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island areas. The data comes from several censuses and surveys. If you need information for your demographic analysis, be sure to visit this Web site.
U.S. Department of Commerce – U.S. Census Bureau - The mission of this organization is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. To find facts about people, business, and geography, access the Web site and put in your state.
Employment Law Information Network - This Web site offers information and advice on federal and state employment law. This includes guidebooks and sample policies for all aspects of human resources. As you begin to set up your human resource functions, be sure to visit this Web site for more information.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center –This Web site serves taxpayers who file Form 1040, Schedule C, E, F, or Form 2106, as well as small businesses with assets under $10 million. If you are unclear about taxes and related topics, be sure to visit this Web site to learn more.
Fed Stats - This Web site is dedicated to making statistics from more than 100 government agencies available to citizens everywhere. This Web site will assist you with statistics for your market research.
These 14 resources are just a small sample of the resources that are available online to help you build, manage, and grow your business. As you explore this lesson's assignment in relation to your current business or proposed business, be sure to do an Internet search using the following phrase: online resources for small business owners. You may be amazed at what you find.
In this lesson, you learned about many resources that are available to you online and in-person as you build, maintain, manage, and grow your business. Be sure to visit the Web sites and also explore any other companies that might give you help and information.
In the next lesson, you will be introduced to the concept of business planning for your new or existing venture. A business plan has many components and can be very complex. If you are seeking financial assistance for your business, you will be required to create a business plan.
Non-Graded Activities
The following activities will help you practice the concepts from this lesson. You are not required to submit them to your instructor.
Graded Assignments
The following is a required assignment for this lesson.
This work is created by the National Information Security and Geospatial Technologies Consortium (NISGTC), and except where otherwise noted, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Authoring Organization: Rio Salado College
Written by: Lori Wieters
Copyright © National Information Security, Geospatial Technologies Consortium (NISGTC)
Development was funded by the Department of Labor (DOL) Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant No. TC-22525-11-60-A-48; The National Information Security, Geospatial Technologies Consortium (NISGTC) is an entity of Collin College of Texas, Bellevue College of Washington, Bunker Hill Community College of Massachusetts, Del Mar College of Texas, Moraine Valley Community College of Illinois, Rio Salado College of Arizona, and Salt Lake Community College of Utah.
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