Starting a small business, or running a small business, can be confusing and exciting at the same time. Fortunately you don’t have to reinvent the wheel in order to have a business. Instead, you can use these resources to learn from experts so that you avoid making the same mistakes as others have in the past.
* Small Business Administration – The SBA works with local partners to help you understand more about running a business in a profitable way. You can apply for loans via the SBA. You can also find out about exporting, importing, veterans benefits and more to help you start your own business.
Link – https://www.sba.gov/
* SCORE – Most areas in the USA have a SCORE office, including the USA territories. Via SCORE you can find a mentor, take workshops, attend webinars and more – all focused on helping you build your business smarter and better. You can also find the SCORE website via the small business administration site.
Link – http://www.score.org/
* SBA Women Owned Business – You can get information about starting a business as a woman from this section from the SBA website. But, due to the fire hydrant quantity of information, it’s important to point this out in case you need this info. You can learn about creating a business plan and more.
Link – https://www.sba.gov/starting-business/how-start-business/business-types/women-owned-businesses
* Small Business Majority – This is a lobbying organization that seeks to provide representation for truly small businesses in the USA. Mom-and-pops and home businesses are often under-represented and they seek to change that. They’ve been around for ten years and are a good resource.
Link – https://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/
* Women’s Business Centers – If you have one of these in your local area then you’re in luck. They offer classes (you could even teach a class) on things like building a website, choosing the type of business you want, and help with business plans.
Link – https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/wbc
* Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center – This is an IRS website for Americans wishing to start a business in the USA. They have a lot of important information in an organized format so that you can ensure that you’re following the right path.
Link – https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed
* Canada Business Network – This is a government-run website that helps business owners in Canada navigate through the rules, laws and regulations that they’ll need to comply with to be a small business owner in Canada.
Link – http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/
* Canada Revenue Agency – This is a government website that gives loads of information about starting a small business in Canada. They even have a great checklist for new small businesses that you should definitely check out if you’re interested in starting a business in Canada.
Links:
Canada Revenue Agency – http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/selfemployed/
Checklist – http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/sm/chcklst-eng.html
Starting a small business can be very profitable, but it’s important to get started on the right foot. These top resources for your entrepreneurial needs will help you do just that. You can learn how to make a business plan, attend inexpensive and even free webinars and more to help you run things right, and have a very profitable small business that you enjoy running.