Mind Your Business Column
http://www.sfgate.com/columns/mindyourbusiness/archive/
A search by keyword, such as “franchise” or “restaurant” will return a linked list of columns where that work occurs. Use “search within page” to zero in on the occurrences within a column.
Ask Alice Column http://toolkit.cch.com/advice/askalice.asp
An easy column to search, with questions grouped into categories such as “business law” and “accounting.”
Ask the Experts Column http://www.allbusiness.com/business_advice/Experts/index-2511.html
This is an extensive collection of different specialists’ archived online columns.
Are You Ready? http://sba.gov/starting_business/startup/areyouready.html
Do You Have What It Takes? http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P01_0001.asp
Extensive discussion of what’s needed to be a successful entrepreneur.
Business ideas:
Safest and Riskiest Small Businesses
(Bizstats.com) http://www.bizstats.com/sprisk2.htm
A listing of different small businesses, ranking by statistical likelihood of
turning a profit. (Click on “sources used” link for an explanation of the how
the data was calculated.)
Low Cost Startup Ideas (Entrepreneur.com) http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses
Lists business ideas in many categories; articles often have links to relevant industry associations for more information.
Information on specific business ideas:
Yahoo Directory. http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Organizations/
Try categories “Professional” and “Trade Associations.” You can use the “Search directory” box at the top of the screen, enter keywords for the industry, and select “this category” radio button.
Consultants (Allbusiness.com) http://www.allbusiness.com/business_advice/Consultants/index-28.html.
Advice on hiring consultants, a sometimes necessary expense at the start of a business and later.
Choosing Professionals to Assist You (CCH Business Owner’s Toolkit) http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P01_4100.asp.
Another short discussion on hiring consultants or professionals.
Work-at-Home Schemes (http://www.bbb.org/alerts/article.asp?ID=436)
There are a lot of scams that prey on people who want to work at home. This Better Business Bureau page tells how to spot and report scams.
Start-up Guides in print:
Business Start-Up Guides http://www.smallbizbooks.com/cgi-bin/SmallBizBooks/index.html
This page has a listing of in-print “Business Start-Up Guides” series from Entrepreneur Press.
Self-Counsel Business http://www.self-counsel.com/
A page listing titles in the “Self-Counsel Business” series from Self-Counsel Press.
Home Based Business http://www.globepequot.com
Do a search on “home business” to get a list of titles in Globe Pequot’s “Home Based Business” series of business start-up guides.
Business opportunities:
BizOppZone http://www.entrepreneur.com/bizoppzone
“Find a Business Opportunity” section has categorized listings of business opportunities and franchises.
Bizben.com http://www.bizben.com
Find California businesses for sale. You can search by keyword, location, and business type.
Bizbuysell http://www.bizbuysell.com
Not only established businesses for
sale, but also asset sales, franchise opportunities & business real estate.
Bizquest http://www.bizquest.com
A site for buying or selling a business. Includes information on franchises, business brokers, and articles and resources.
California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) http://www.cabb.org
Search for available businesses by county and industry; you can also search for business brokers.
Start-up checklists:
Checklist for Starting a Business http://toolkit.cch.com/tools/strtch_m.asp
CCH Business Owner’s Toolkit checklist for starting a business.
10 Steps to Starting a New Business http://www.startupnation.com/pages/start/10Steps.asp
Startup Nation’s 10 steps to starting a new business. Includes audio and worksheets.
Writing Your Business Plan http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P02_5001.asp
This page is the starting point for an extensive introduction to the why’s and how’s of writing a business plan.
Business Plan Basics http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html
The Small Business Administration’s main page provides a good introduction to the business plan: why you need it, how to write it, and how to put it to use.
Essential Elements of a Good Business Plan For Growing Companies http://www.sba.gov/managing/strategicplan/guide.html
Another SBA page on the business plan, but this is geared for existing businesses as a constantly revised tool for growth.
Developing a Business Plan
http://www.va-interactive.com/score/businessplan/businessplan.html
SCORE online workshop on how to build a business plan.
Templates for Your Business http://www.score.org/template_gallery.html
You’ll find business plan templates for both start-up and established businesses on this page, along with many other useful templates provided by SCORE.
Free Sample Business Plans http://www.bplans.com/sp/businessplans.cfm
Offers access to viewing over 60 free sample business plans, with around 500 customizable versions available for a fee.
Business Plans Handbook http://www.gale.com/servlet/BrowseSeriesServlet?region=9&imprint=000&titleCode=BPH&edition
This is a wide-ranging collection of business plans; you can browse the contents online. Business Plans Handbook is available in print and as an e-book.
Beige Book http://www.minneapolisfed.org/bb/
This is a searchable archive of economic reports published by the Federal Reserve Bank. Gives broad economic picture by industrial sector.
Dun & Bradstreet – Zapdata http://www.zapdata.com
Free registration is required, but in return you have access to industry reports with market size statistics and market analysis by state, metro area and specialty.
Getting Financing for Your Business http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P10_0500.asp
The Small Business Guide, a section of the Business Owner’s Toolkit website, offers a well-organized overview of small business financing.
Quick Pick Chart for Financing Sources http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P10_1200.asp
A great self-education tool about the numerous financing options recommended at different stages of business development.
Equity Financing http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P10_2100.asp
This page links to explanations of various forms of equity financing: it also cover the important issue of how business form affects equity financing options.
Government Financing Programs http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P10_4000.asp
This page explains the various government financing options available. Includes an update on recent changes in SBA loan programs.
Finance & Accounting (Allbusiness.com) http://www.allbusiness.com/business_advice/FinanceAccounting/index-32.html
See sections on “Venture capital & angel investing” and “loans.”
Ewing Kauffman Foundation: Finance & Accounting http://eventuring.org
Under the Finance & Accounting link, articles, blog posts, and tools for entrepreneurs seeking funding.
Traditional Funding Sources (Realsmallbusiness.com) http://realsmallbusiness.com/money/funding/articles/open_funding_traditional/index.html
A brief rundown of various small business funding options, along with Q&A and a video on obtaining funding.
California Local Offices (SBA) http://www.sba.gov/ca/
Use this clickable map of California SBA offices to get to your regional SBA office, then click on the “Financing” link in the left toolbar. This will link you to lists and links for the various SBA approved financing partners in your region.
General websites for marketing and sales
Sales and Marketing (Allbusiness.com) http://www.allbusiness.com/business_advice/SalesMarketing/index-26.html
This page offers hundreds of articles grouped under specific headings such as “branding,” “internet marketing,” “sales management and staffing,” and “market research.”
Marketing Your Product (CCH Business Owner’s Toolkit) http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P03_0101.asp
This site contains all original content, covering market research and analysis, product development, pricing, and more.
Sales & Marketing (Entrepreneur.com) http://www.entrepreneur.com/salesandmarketing/0,6989,,00.html
Under sections titled “Marketing,” “Advertising,” “Sales,” and “P.R.” you can find copious articles and advice from experts and consultants in marketing and sales.
Eventuring.org http://www.eventuring.org
Under “Explore Topics” list, you’ll find blog posts from marketing consultants and articles written by the staff of the nonprofit Kauffman Foundation.
Sales & Marketing (Realsmallbusiness.com) http://realsmallbusiness.com/sales/index.html
Don’t let the deceptively simple and spare look of this page fool you; there is quite a bit of information here. Unique elements of this web site is its integration of video clips, and an expert Q&A section where you can submit questions for possible inclusion in the web site.
Understanding Marketing (SBA) http://sba.gov/managing/marketing/market.html
The SBA’s pages on marketing and customer service are succinct, with short discussions and bullet lists of ideas. Follow the “specific training” links for narrated slide presentations on topics such as branding, target markets, advertising, promotion, email marketing, and more.
SCORE Learning Center – Reading Room http://www.score.org/readingroom.html#TOP
This SCORE page is a collection of articles organized by topic. The sections of interest here are “Marketing & Public Relations” and “Sales & Customer Service.”
Marketing and Sales (Startupnation.com) http://startupnation.com/pages/topics/MarketingSales.asp
This site requires (free) registration to access most of the content. The site is tied to a nationally syndicated radio program of the same name, and carries podcasts and archived shows that you can access online. You can also register for free seminars on various topics.
Market research, product development and pricing
Generating New Product Ideas http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P03_4008.asp
A discussion on CCH Business Owner’s Toolkit of several ways to continually create new products.
Pricing Right http://realsmallbusiness.com/sales/pricing/index.html
Several articles on setting prices and bidding.
Ask SCORE: Select a SCORE counselor by expertise http://emc.dev.score.org/index.cgi?partner=ASKSCORE&action=skills
Find a SCORE counselor with the expertise you need, and get answers for free.
Pricing Your Product http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P03_5200.asp
The CCH Business Owner’s Toolkit discussion of pricing is a very complete overview of the various elements that must be factored in when making pricing decisions.
SCORE online workshop: Pricing
products and services
http://www.va-interactive.com/score/pricing/pricing.html
A multimedia tutorial on pricing, from the “Business Toolbox” section of the SCORE website. Includes worksheets. A useful tool for library users who prefer learning from various media.
Promotion, advertising, and customer service
SCORE Learning Center – Reading Room http://www.score.org/readingroom.html#TOP
See the section of articles on “Marketing & Public Relations.”
SCORE online workshop: Promoting your business
http://www.va-interactive.com/score/promotingbusiness/promotingbusiness.html
A multimedia tutorial on pricing, from the “Business Toolbox” section of the SCORE website. Includes worksheets. A useful tool for library users who prefer learning from various media.
California Business Portal – Chambers of Commerce in California
http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/ibrp/chamber_alpha.htm
This site allows you to find Chambers of Commerce for the whole state from an alphabetical list. Check the “events” section of various cities’ sites; that’s where you’ll often find member networking events listed.
Total Quality Management http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P03_9000.asp
How to build reliable customer service and customer and employee feedback systems.
Customer Service (SBA) http://sba.gov/managing/marketing/customer.html
A short discussion by the SBA about the key points of customer service.
Sales and Distribution
Choosing Distribution Methods http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P03_6000.asp
Several pages devoted to the costs and details of various distribution channels.
TSNN.com Trade Show Lookup http://tsnn.com
A website that allows you to find trade shows by industry, date, and location.
Sales (Entrepreneur.com) http://www.entrepreneur.com/salesandmarketing/sales/0,6992,,00.html
Includes topics such as Sales 101, Prospecting, Cold-calling, Sales presentations, and Managing a sales force
How to work a trade show (Entrepreneur.com) http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,316517,00.html
Tips on how to make the most of trade shows to network, sell, and gather information.
E-commerce-guide.com http://e-commerce-guide.com
This site has an FAQ for e-commerce, copious articles and links to discussions of problems within e-commerce, and a forum for people building and managing their own e-commerce websites.
SBDCnet’s E-commerce Guide http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/SBIC/e-com.htm
This page offers links to several articles and tutorials about getting started in e-commerce.
Legal Issues
Trademark and intellectual property protection
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – Trademarks page http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
This is a great place to educate yourself about trademarks and search the “TESS” (Trademark Electronic Search System”) database.
Nolo.com http://nolo.com
Offers free information on legal topics related to business such as ownership structures, contracts, and employment law. Under these topics you’ll find FAQs, articles, step-by-step guides, etc.
California Business Search http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/list.html
Enter a company name to see if it’s registered as a California corporation, LLC or Limited Partnership.
Searchsystems.net http://searchsystems.net
Allows you to search government records around the country. You can use this to search corporation names in different states, among many other uses.
Thomasnet.com http://thomasnet.com
Searchable directory of manufacturers. Useful in common law trademark searches.
Form of ownership
California Business Portal http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/business.htm
Under “Business Entities” are links on various forms of business ownership. Short summaries, FAQs, and forms and fees for each ownership form.
Government regulations
California Business Laws & Regulations http://my.ca.gov (click “Business” in the left panel.)
Click on “Permits and Licenses” to find information on any business permits or business, professional, or vocational licenses required to do business in California.
CalGOLD http://www.calgold.ca.gov/
Search this site to find out what permits are needed for a given type of business in California.
Miscellaneous legal questions
California Law (Legislative Counsel of California) http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
This searchable page on the California codes, for your users who want to search the laws themselves.
Business Laws (Business.gov) http://www.business.gov/topics/business_laws/
Business.gov calls itself “the official business link to the U.S. government,” and this section provides links to federal, state, and local business law sites.
Protecting Your Assets http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P12_0000.asp
Covers topics related to limiting liability, setting up business structure, and insurance.
Accounting and Taxes
Managing Your Business Finances http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P06_0100.asp
Covers bookkeeping, credit, collections, cash flow, and more.
Controlling Your Taxes http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P07_0005.asp
Covers payroll tax, federal income tax, sales tax, and state tax essentials.
Finance & Accounting (Allbusiness.com) http://www.allbusiness.com/business_advice/FinanceAccounting/index-32.html
Articles and advice on taxes, bookkeeping, payroll, collections, financial reporting and more.
SBA Tax Pages http://sba.gov/managing/taxes/payroll.html
Tax section of the SBA site.
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers http://www.aipb.com
Look at the “Accounting, Bookkeeping and Tax Links” section. Site contains links to numerous useful resources: free tax calculators, accounting templates, accounting software evaluations, and more.
Ask A CPA (California Society of Certified Public Accountants) http://www.calcpa.org/consumers/ask/
Scroll down to the “Business” section to find the “Ask A CPA” Q&A section about accounting and taxes. This site also provides a searchable directory of member CPA’s.
Small Business & Self-Employed One-Stop Resource http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
The IRS’s main page for tax information for businesses.
Business & Property Taxes in California (California State Board of Equalization) http://www.boe.ca.gov/index.htm
Learn about sales tax regulations, taxes owed upon buying or selling a business, special taxes such as excise taxes, and environmental fees that affect California businesses.
Franchise Tax Board FAQ http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/faq/index.html
The California State Franchise Tax Board collects not only the state personal income tax, but also corporate taxes. The “Business Entitities” section of this FAQ has information on taxes owed according the form of business ownership.
People Who Work For You http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P05_0000.asp
The CCH section on employees covers a comprehensive range of employee related questions, from how to hire, to how to fire.
Hiring Employees (Realsmallbusiness.com) http://realsmallbusiness.com/management/hiring/index.html
Articles on creating an effective job description, little-known hiring resources, classifying contract workers, new hire paperwork, what you can't ask in a job interview, and similar topics.
EDD Employers/Small Business page http://www.edd.ca.gov/employer.htm
From the website: “The EDD can help your business find skilled workers, stay competitive, and make informed decisions. We offer a full array of job placement services, up-to-date information on the labor market and emerging occupations, tax and hiring incentives, and more.”
Healthcare Coverage Guide http://www.healthcarecoverageguide.org
California Healthcare Foundation’s website provides an unbiased source of information for small business owners interested in providing health insurance for their employees.
Benefits for Your Employees http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P05_4250.asp
Covers health, retirement, disability, workers compensation and more.
Consumersearch.com http://consumersearch.com
This site surveys the best consumer (and business consumer) product reviews from various sources, including Consumer Reports, Consumer Digest, Best Buys for Business, and various websites. An excellent source for consumer information.
Technology (Allbusiness.com)
http://www.allbusiness.com/business_advice/InternetTechnology/index-34.html
Brief discussions and advice about security, hardware and software, networking, and other nuts and bolts technology issues faces by businesses. There’s also an “Ask the Experts” section on technology.
Tech (Entrepreneur.com)
http://www.entrepreneur.com/tech/0,6856,,00.html
Contains archived columns titled “Tech Made Simple,” “Buyer’s Guide,” and “Digital Edge,” along with other columns and quick technology information from various sources.
Search Engine Watch http://searchenginewatch.com/webmasters
How search engines find and rank web pages. Covers both the technical background, and tips for how to get a better ranking and more visibility for web pages.
Managing Your Business – Technology (SBA)
http://sba.gov/managing/technology/understandinter.html
This starting point leads to articles and how to information on e-commerce, online advertising, and other aspects of small business technology, including online training.
Building a website http://www.va-interactive.com/score/buildwebsite/buildwebsite.html
SCORE online workshop on building a website.
Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Social Accountability International (SAI) http://www.sa-intl.org/
SAI is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering ethical treatment of workers on a worldwide basis.
Fair Trade Federation http://www.fairtradefederation.org
An organization of producers, wholesalers, and retailers of “fair trade” goods (meeting criteria including living wages, environmental sustainability, and support of local or grassroots economies.)
Fair Labor Association http://www.fairlabor.org/
A nonprofit devoted to fair labor conditions and adherence to international labor standards.
SBA on Business Ethics http://sba.gov/managing/leadership/ethics.html
Under the management and leadership section of the SBA site, this is a discussion of business ethics and how to develop an ethics policy for your company.
Women and Minority Business
SBA’s Women page http://www.sba.gov/managing/special/women.html
SBA site for women owned business, with links to support programs, training, opportunities, and networks.
SBA’s Minority page http://www.sba.gov/managing/special/minorities.html
The SBA site for minority business focuses on government contracting opportunities.
SCORE’s Women Entrepreneurs page: http://www.score.org/women.html
Offers statistics, resource lists, and success stories related to women business owners.
SCORE’s Minority Entrepreneurs page: http://www.score.org/minorty.html
Offers statistics, resource lists, and success stories related to minority business owners.
SCORE Help for Veteran, National Guard & Reservists: http://www.score.org/veteran.html
Includes information on loans, training, and business counseling geared to veterans.
Doing Business with the Government
Business Opportunities (SBA) http://sba.gov/businessop/index.html
Deals with opportunities for doing business with the federal government.
How to Do Business with the State of California http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/sell2state/default.htm
This official state site tells what the State buys and how to sell it to them.
Win Government Contracts http://toolkit.cch.com/text/P09_0000.asp
A step-by-step introduction to winning government contracts, from the CCH Business Owner’s Toolkit.
Disaster Planning and Recovery
SBA Field Operations Center – West http://www.sba.gov/disasterarea4/
The SBA’s “Field Operations Office” in Sacramento administers a low-interest,
long-term Disaster Loan Program for all the Western states. This is the site to
go to for disaster recovery assistance.
Disaster Planning http://www.calcpa.org/consumers/ask/SB+disaster.htm#planning
On the Ask a CPA page of the California Society of CPAs, this site links to some good discussions of disaster planning and recovery.
Services to Small Business
Small Business Information Store (San Jose Public Library)
http://www.sjlibrary.org/gateways/business/smallbiz/index.htm
SJPL offers a central web access point for small business on this site.
Marketing and Data subject page (San Jose Public Library)
http://www.sjlibrary.org/gateways/business/smallbiz/startup/marketing.htm
Example of an online subject page integrating websites, databases, books and other media.
Reference Help – Ask a Librarian (San Jose Public Library)
http://www.sjlibrary.org/services/reference/
Example of a page that offers library users multiple channels for using library reference services.
Contra Costa County Library
http://www.contra-costa.lib.ca.us/business/index.html
Contra Costa County Library’s page offers business training information under the “Education” tab. Business Calendar links to trainings held in the library, and Local Opportunities links to classes and training available at the local community colleges, SBDC, and so on.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
http://www.rencenter.org/home.htm
Example of an entrepreneur training program. These kinds of programs usually can be found through your local SBA or SBDC, and offer a good opportunity for outreach and networking.