Top Ten List of Free Resource Information for New Business Owners

OK. So you're ready to start your own business...be your own boss...or are you? Below is anlist of places offering free information that will assist you on your path to starting anbusiness. Consult phone books and web sites for local information. Remember to ask aboutnany mailing lists, classes they offer or for additional contacts that would be helpful fornyou to add to this list. Enjoy this list as a guide as you "plant the seeds" fornyour new venture and enjoy the networking opportunities. 1. Federal AgenciesnnnnU.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Web site www.sba.gov Toll Free: (800)U-ASK-SBA. Request any free information and an order form for other publications. Web site also has sample Business Plans.nnnnInternal Revenue Service (IRS) Web site www.irs.ustreas.gov Toll Free: (800) 829n- 3676. Business Kit Publication # 454 includes an Employee Tax ID Form. STEP (Small Business Tax Education Program) Publication # 1057, will contain informationno Business Tax Classes given in all 50 states, PR and Guam. Tell them what type ofncorporation you are thinking of becoming, how many employees, etc., so that they can sendnyou other free helpful publications.nnnnCensus Department Consumer Web site www.census.gov or call Customer Service atn(301) 457 - 4100. Your source for social, demographic and economic information. nn Consumer Information Center Web site www.pueblo.gsa.gov Toll free (888) 878 - 3256. Order a Consumer's Resource Handbook. View their Small Business brochures on line. Government Sponsored Electronic Commerce Resource Centers, www.ecrc.ctc.com/index.htm 2. State Agencies Atto ey General's Office US, National Organization site is www.naag.org/aglinks.htm Secretary of State and State Department of Revenue Small Business Technology Development Center www.businessfinance.com/sbdc.asp Rural Business Development Center. Service Corps of Retired Executives SCORE www.score.org 800/634-0245. Cooperative Extension Service Offices. 3. Countynn Business Development Offices Small Business Incubators National site is www.nbia.org Colleges for Small Business Centers, Continuing Ed Classes, Business Seminars, Meetings. 4. City/Town Chamber of Commerce (search using your city and county name). Professional Groups - check phone books too. Your Banker, CPA and Lawyer. Local newspapers for organizations to join or volunteer to be a Speaker. 5. The Internet Search the WEB using a variety of search engines or directories such as: www.yahoo.comwww.av.com www.excite.comwww.hotbot.com www.infoseek.comwww.lycos.com www.dogpile.com Use the WEB to search for former colleagues and others to let them know about you business www.switchboard.com, www.infospace.com, www.four11.comnare a few sites with phone and e-mail directories. Join an e-mail list, newsgroup or business newsletters www.liszt.com, 6. Bookstoresnn Visiting Bookstores can give you a variety of great ideas You can also search the web for bookstores. www.amazon.comnand www.ba esandnoble.com and are just two ofnthe on-line bookstores. 7. Libraries Many libraries have at least one free computer for patrons use. Ask the Librarians for information or advice. Tell them about your business. Remember, people ask them for advice too! Check bulletin boards for information or to place your business card or brochure on it. 8. Friendsnn If you do not tell the people know you're looking for information or referrals, thennthey'll never know.... ya know!!! 9. Family Members Let everyone in your family know you're starting a business... and watch all the freenadvice come in! 10. Other Business Owners Contact other business owners that you know. Do I hear lunch anyone? Ask for advise, referrals, and their business cards. Start a referral book of local business owners. Don't forget to contact owners who do the same work as you do but who work in a differentnstate/region/county. After all, they might be more apt to share their secrets of successnwith you!! For encouragement, to keep focused, to bounce ideas off of, etc. etc. hire a coach! Initial consultations are usually free! www.coachmaria.com www.coachu.comn nn nn