Research Guides: Small Business
Large & General Sites
- Business.gov - Business.gov provides a definitive, one-stop source to compliance assistance resources from all Federal regulatory agencies. Businesses no longer need to navigate government hierarchy to find mission-critical, regulatory compliance information. In addition, Business.gov includes a Business Resource Library that provides links to business information and services from across Federal, state and local governments. In compliance with the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Business.gov publishes compliance assistance contacts (name, phone number and e-mail) and a list of compliance assistance resources available at Federal regulatory agencies.
- Doing Business on the Internet - Library of Congress Internet Resource Page which lists general sources for doing business on the Internet. Internet business directories, Internet service and consultants for business.
- Edward Lowe Foundation - Their mission is to champion the entrepreneurial spirit by providing information, research, and educational experiences which support small business people. They have a searchable full-text small business database which can be browsed by category or by subject.
- FindLaw Small Business Center - One of the most comprehensive legal resources on the Internet, Findlaw has expanded its offerings for small businesses. It is composed of four sections, the most useful of which is the Small Office -- Home Office (SOHO) Guidebook, which contains thousands of pages of information "on starting, financing, managing and marketing" small businesses. Other contents include a collection of downloadable checklists, model business plans, forms, and other business documents; breaking legal and business news from Reuters; and free email advice from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).
- Idea Cafe - Idea Cafe creator Francie Ward aims for a "fun approach to serious business" in this colorful small business resource site. Advice and articles on financing a business, starting a business, running a business, using new technologies, and communicating effectively with employees and clients are provided.
- Office of Women's Business Ownership - Prepared by the Small Business Administration to help women entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses.
- Sample Business Plans - Every good business starts with a plan--more specifically, a business plan. If you're thinking of starting a business, but don't know the difference between an executive summary and a start-up summary, you'll want to take the crash course this very helpful site provides. Peruse a handful of sample business plans to get a general idea of what your pitch should include, then move on to the extensive tutorial section to help craft your own. Pointers, suggestions, dos and don'ts are all included. You'll also find tutorials for marketing plans, lessons on cash v profits, and a couple dozen helpful links. A fantastic resource and a definite bookmark for the entrepreneurial minded.
- Small Business Administration - The Small Business Administration (SBA) was created to assist and protect the interests of small business, to preserve competitive enterprise, and to strengthen the economy. The SBA Web Site provides a wide variety of information of interest to not only the prospective small business owner, but to people who already are operating a small business. You can find pointers to sources of financing, business plan samples and forms, managing a small business, and business opportunities.
- Women-Owned Business - Nice overview of various web-based sources of information for and about women in business.
- Yahoo's Small Business - Nice pointers to many sites of interest to people setting up small business.
State Information
- California Business Portal - This site lists all the information needed to start a business in California. It includes information on statutorily required filings, trademarks, service marks, UCC financing statements, and Notary Public Commissions.
Local Information
- Index of Economic Activity for Humboldt County - This site contains both current and historic data on various indicators of economic activity in Humboldt, e.g., median home prices, unemployment rate, etc.
- Northcoast Small Business Development Center - This site is dedicated to helping both current and prospective small business owners learn about how to set up a business in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. For personal assistance and for quick one stop answers to your business related questions, use BizNet.
- Redwood Region Economic Development Commission - This site lists various ways to find information on how to do business in Humboldt County. Under Resources you will find a very nice listing of Business Resources for the different cities and economic development groups available in the county.