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Helpful Links
| General Resources | |
| American Express Small Business Tools A wealth of resources for business owners — videos, articles, blogs, and expert advice to boost your business, sponsored by American Express | Bank of America Resource Center The Bank of America Small Business Resource Center has online workshops, tools and calculators to help you start, build and manage your business. |
| Biz Info Library Biz Info Library is a service from the entrepreneurial experts at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Edward Lowe Foundation, and the James J. Hill Reference Library. Registration is free, quick, and easy. | Small Business Resource Portal An award-winning public service initiative created to facilitate awareness, access and use of free small business help offered by America's government and nonprofit small business assistance agencies on a local, regional and national scale. |
| Stanford University Entrepreneur Resources The Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP) Entrepreneurship Corner is a free online archive of entrepreneurship resources for teaching and learning. | Boomer Entrepreneurship eZine Boomer eZine is published to give online entrepreneurs useful information to develop and/or improve their skills on the Internet. |
| Business Owners Toolkit Small Business Guide. Thousands of pages of information and tools to help you start, run, and grow your business. Starting Your Business · Planning Your Business | Business Valuation Resources This is a free resource guide to business valuation resources, industry and company information, economic data, and more. |
| Center for Business Planning Business planning, marketing planning, and marketing strategy information, advice, and software. Features online interactive business consulting, samples, software, and strategy. | Business Owner's Idea Café Business Owners Idea Cafe - Small Business ideas, resources, information. How to plan and start a business, get financing, grants, and run your business. Learn from tips, ideas, and entrepreneur. |
| Economic Development of Small Business in Charlotte A government office geared to helping the small business with functioning in Charlotte. | Checklist for Starting your Business This assessment tool is designed to help you better understand your readiness for starting a small business. |
| Getting Started as an Entrepreneur A brief introduction to the basics of starting your own technology-driven business. Written in concise, simple language, the book is a quick read that you can absorb in a couple of hours. | Biz Move: Small Business Knowledge Base We are providers of small business and government grants information, are committed to providing our visitors and customers with the most useful and reliable information and knowledge. |
| Small Business Television SBTV SBTV.com is the first television network on the web devoted 100 percent to the small business market - from business start-ups to established enterprises. | Site by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs Sample business plans, business plan software, marketing plans, business contracts, and agreements. |
| NC Live Business & Investing Resources With NC LIVE, North Carolina libraries have statewide access to a rich array of electronic information including complete articles from thousands of resources. | Wachovia Business Research As a business owner, Wachovia offers you the tools and services to help you better manage your resources, money and your employee needs. |
| Welcome Business USA Through the Welcome Business USA Website, you get practical, hands-on, how-to ideas and information that you can use starting right now. | Event Calendar Find a workshop or seminar that suits your small business needs. Most are FREE of charge or very low cost and cover all 16 counties we service. |
| Resource Navigator Start using it now to get a custom referral report for those organizations best matching your needs. Save time and get to the right person fast with this database search covering 16 counties. | Post to calendar Does your organization hold workshops, seminars or events that are Small Business related? If so please post them here on our calendar for FREE! Click here for instructions. |
| Regional Resources | |
| Monroe Economic Development Board We recruit and retain industry within the corporate limits of Monroe in order to strengthen the local economy and provide ample employment. | Charlotte Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board WDB provides policy, planning and oversight for local workforce development programs and addressing workforce issues as identified by the community. |
| Davidson County Workforce Development Board In order for businesses to grow and compete in the economy, they must have skilled, experienced workers | Centralina Workforce Development Board Career seekers need information on how to build and grow their career paths in industries that are in high demand. |
| Business Plans | |
| BPlans Free sample business plans, business plan software, business calculators, and articles on writing a business plan, starting a business, and other small business topics. | BizPlanIt BizPlanIt is a professional business plan consulting firm that provides professional business plan consulting solutions and free business plan advice. |
| Dynamic Business Plan You have a wish to start a business - you want to be an entrepreneur. Here you find the business plan tools. | SCORE StartUP Business Plan Template (PDF) SCORE's counselors developed templates to help you develop your Start-Up Business Plan |
| SCORE Established Business Business Plan Template(PDF) SCORE's counselors developed templates to help you develop a Business Plan for an Established Business | Why Business Plans Don't Get Fund (PDF) Your business plan is very often the first impression potential investors get about your venture. But even if you have a great product, team, and customers, it could also be the last impression the investor gets if you make any of these avoidable mistakes. |
| Buying/Selling A Business | |
| Business For Sale Marketplace BizBuySell is the Internet's most active marketplace for businesses and franchises for sale. Each month BizBuySell receives over 700000 visits from individuals looking for new business opportunities | Business Nation Info & ideas on how to start a small business and a portal for the small business owner. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Terms & Conditions of Business Nation.com - Business Nation® is a registered. |
| Empire Business Brokers EMPIRE Business Brokers is an international network of Business Brokers that are dedicated professionally to the sale and purchase of ongoing businesses | |
| Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Legal Requirements | |
| LICENSES - PERMITS - LEGAL FORMATION A step by step guide to getting your license, permits and legal information for your small business. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (Employer Account Number EIN) Tax information for the small business. |
| Business ServiCenter (NC state licensing & permits) Start Your Business in North Carolina. Turn to our Business ServiCenter for information about doing business in the State of North Carolina. North Carolina is an excellent place to start a business. | NC Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (Beverage Permits) Provides uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state. |
| NC Department of Revenue (tax information) Whether you're just starting a new business, or you've been in business for a while, this section will help you find the tax information you need. | NC Department of Labor (labor laws & statistics) The department serves the needs of the workplace through a variety of programs aimed at making the employees of North Carolina safe. |
| US Patent & Trademark Office (obtain patents & file trademarks) The USPTO mission is to ensure that the intellectual property system contributes to a strong global economy, encourages investment in innovation, and fosters entrepreneurial spirit. | Secretary of State (register your business) The Corporations Division is responsible for the examination, custody and maintenance of the legal documents filed by more than 400,000 corporations, limited partnerships and limited liability companies. |
| Office of the Tax Collector (Business Tax Information) General Business Tax Questions and Answers | Zoning Administration (zoning & sign permits) The Zoning of a property is a designation that specifies how a piece of property can be used within a city. |
| Corporation Forms | |
| Business Corporations | Business Entity Forms |
| Nonprofit Corporation | Limited Liability Companies (LLC) |
| Limited Partnerships | Limited Liability Partnerships |
| Annual Report Forms | Professional Corporations |
| Professional LLCs | |
| Credit Reporting Agencies | |
| Equifax Equifax compiles credit reporting data from many sources and creates a credit file that reflects your personal credit history including your FICO® score. | Experian Why is it important to check and monitor your Experian credit report regularly? It is a good idea to know what is included in your credit report before you apply for a loan. |
| TransUnion View your credit report and credit score online at TransUnion.com. You can also dispute an item in your credit report online; learn how to improve your credit score. | |
| ELearning Modules Free | |
| Rocket Fuel for your Biz Home business plans - on-line course for entrepreneurs and those considering self-employment as a career option. | i10 Innovation What do you need to learn? Harnessing innovation and creativity in your business can put you streets ahead of the competition. |
| Interactive Guide: Toward Starting Your Own Business SBDC has a free online course that will help you determine whether business ownership is for you. | How to Find Start-Up Funding How to Find Start-Up Funding, like all Trump University learning products emphasizes real-world knowledge and is presented in an engaging interactive environment. |
| How to Write a Business Plan Learn How to Write a Business Plan that Will Help you Find Investors or Take Your Business Idea to the Market with a Free Online Business Plan Course | Kauffman Foundation The Kauffman Foundation runs this site, which features hundreds of how-to articles for entrepreneurs and data for policymakers. |
| Small Business School View online videos and read transcripts of presentations on financing, hiring, exits and more. | |
| Franchises | |
| American Association of Franchise Dealers The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. | Entrepreneurs Source The nation's premiere source for franchise opportunity and franchising information. Local agent |
| Franchise Update Publication Franchise Update is an online representation of Franchise Update Magazine. Offering exclusive content for Franchisor. | International Franchise Association The International Franchise Association is your main source of franchise information and resources to research, grow, or join your favorite franchise |
| FranNet Find a franchise for sale or a business opportunity with the help of your FranNet local franchising expert. | |
| Funding | |
| SBA Programs U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns. | Grants Grants (grants-in-aid) are non-proprietary financial support for research and research-related activities in a particular subject area or field. |
| Commercial Banks A commercial bank is a type of financial intermediary and a type of bank. | Credit Unions A credit union is a cooperative financial institution that is owned and controlled by its members. |
| Micro Lenders Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to the unemployed, to poor entrepreneurs and to others living in poverty that is not considered bankable. | Angel Investors An angel investor is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for ownership equity. |
| Venture Capitalist Venture capital is a type of private equity capital typically provided by professional, institutionally-backed outside investors to new, growth businesses. | Business Finance Free business finance search engine of over 4000 sources for small business loans. |
| Market Research, Demographics, & Statistics | |
| BizStats Industry specific financial and tax information on over 12 million US businesses, including free online benchmarking. | Industry Research Desk Tools and a method for researching industries, specific companies and manufacturing processes. |
| Development Alliance The Internet's premier source of corporate real estate and economic development information. A worldwide service of Conway Data, Inc. since 1983. | Easi Demographics Trusted Industry Leader for Demographic Estimates & Forecasts, Demographic Software and Mapping, Demographic eBooks, Custom Data Development. |
| FedStats FedStats provides easy access to statistics and information produced by more than 100 US Federal Government agencies. | North Carolina State Data Center The Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) is likely to have easy access to the statistical information you need. |
| Hospitality Trends (Restaurant Industry Research) Hospitality Industry Trends by Hospitality Trends. | U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for North Carolina Frequently requested statistics for North Carolina. |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. | Market Research Association The Management Association helps members operate more efficiently and productively through improved employer-employee relations |
| Restaurant Industry Research Economic and statistical information about the US restaurant industry, including sales, employment, reports for sale, articles about trends, and more. | North Carolina Occupational Trends Occupational employment projections for North Carolina and thirty-five sub-state areas are presented in these reports. |
| FirstGov Information and resources on economics, crime, occupations, trade data and much more. | Research Info The web's most comprehensive site for free market research and marketing research resources. |
| PR Newswire PR Newswire is the global leader in innovative communications and marketing services, enabling organizations to connect and engage with their target audiences worldwide. | NC Demographics and Statistical Data Sources The Government and Heritage Library is your source for population, housing, business and government statistics about North Carolina |
| Market Research Perform Your Market Analysis w/ Demographic Data, Maps & Reports! | SDBCnet SBDCNET serves as a resource providing timely, relevant research, web-based information. |
| Thomas Register ThomasNet, is the most comprehensive resource for finding information on suppliers of industrial products and services in North America. | ZapData Dun & Bradstreet Find new customers and sales leads with access to company information on 14 million businesses at D &B Sales & Marketing Solutions. |
| Hoover's Online An authority for in-depth business and company news and information | Nielsen Snapshots of consumer trends in different markets. |
| Reference USA ReferenceUSA is the leading provider in business and consumer research! | |
| Non-Profit Resources | |
| Duke Nonprofit Program The goal of the Program is to ensure that these vital services continue to grow in scope and quality. | Federal Grant Resources SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses |
| North Carolina Center for Nonprofits Serves, promotes, and represents the nonprofit sector. Includes information about programs, members, news, and employment opportunities. | Government Grants Provides a unified site for interaction between grant applicants and the US Federal agencies that manage grant funds. |
| Foundation Center Directory of private philanthropic and grant making foundations on the Internet. | |
| Partner Organizations | |
| Charlotte Chamber The Charlotte Chamber is a not-for-profit organization owned and operated by business leaders who care about our community. | Community Anchors, Inc. Community Anchors is a nonprofit organization working to support the growth of small businesses in economically disadvantaged communities. |
| Service Corps of Retired Executives The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle. | Small Business Center Network The SBCN offers a very wide range of programs and services for existing and prospective business owners. |
| CPCC Business & Industry Training Solutions CPCC has provided training to workforces at AT&T, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, Family Dollar, First Charter, and WorkFlow One to name a few. | Small Business Technology and Development Center Provides knowledge, education and resources that enable existing businesses, emerging entrepreneurs and local/state leaders to innovate and succeed. |
| Popular Business Publications | |
| Newsweek Business Technology news and analysis, blogs, commentary, photos, video and graphics from Newsweek. | Wall Street Journal WSJ online coverage of breaking news and current headlines from the US and around the world. |
| Inc. Small business resources for the entrepreneur, home based business, advice and ideas for starting a business, writing a business plan, management, etc. | Business Week SmallBiz Get information for small business startups and entrepreneurs. Find helpful resources about small business management, financing, marketing & technology. |
| Entrepreneur Online and print small business publication. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. | Fortune Small Business FSB scoured the country for towns that combine a great business environment with alluring leisure offerings. |
| Charlotte Business Journal View Daily Local Business News, Resources & more in Charlotte North Carolina. | Small Business Advancement National Center The nation’s entrepreneurship researchers contribute to this trove of scholarly articles on small-business issues. |
| Sales | |
| Free Sales Forms From price quotes to commission summaries, these forms will help you perform your sales functions better. | The 10 Laws of Sales Success Follow these rules, and selling will become one of the easiest tasks you'll undertake. |
| 50 Ways and Places Insights and tips, you and your team can drop years of research and discovery time from your efforts and focus on selling. | Just Sell The web's resource for sales leaders. Free tips, motivation, training and development |
| Social Media | |
| Facebook Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. | JumpUp Community Get answers to your Intuit Product questions from experts and users. Help others with their questions |
| Linked In LinkedIn is a networking tool that helps you discover inside connections. | Startup Space A free Social Network for Entrepreneurs & Business Owners. |
| Starting Your Business | |
| Start Up Checklist A list of things that will help you to be successful in your business start up. | Research & Demographics The internet can help you obtain excellent local, state and federal data and research to help you. |
| Business Plan Templates A business plan is a written outline of the aspects of your business. | Structuring Your Business This is a business structure and comparison chart that will help you through choosing your legal structure. |
| Financing Your Business Most business owners finance their first business through the use of personal savings or by borrowing from friends. | Marketing Your Business Focus on what the customer wants is essential to successful marketing efforts. |
| Licenses and Permits A step by step guide to getting your license, permits and legal information for your small business. | Trademarks and Patents Trademarks can be registered at both the federal and state levels. |
| Insurance The purpose of insurance is to transfer a risk that you can afford to cover a risk you cannot afford. For example, insure his or her personal residence from damage by fire? | Business.gov Business.gov provides information and resources that help small businesses comply with federal, state and local business laws and government regulations. |
| Access Ecommerce Internet-illiterate entrepreneurs can learn almost every-thing they need to start an e-commerce business here | Statistical Abstract of the U.S. The U.S. Census Bureau’s comprehensive and authoritative rundown of statistics on America’s economy and society. |
| Tax Center | |
| Internal Revenue Service (Employer Account Number EIN) Provides tax information and forms for US businesses. | NC Department of Labor (labor laws & statistics) We strive to make North Carolina a safe and healthy place to live and work. |
| IRS Tax Calendar 2009 Calendar for Small Businesses | |
| Woman & Business | |
| BizWoman Bizwomen is a growing and emerging online community for women business executives. | NAWBO Support and information for women business owners. |
| Ladies Who Launch Blogs, success stories, how-tos and more, all targeting women entrepreneurs. | The Forum for Woman Entrepreneurs & Executives Entrepreneurial organization for women founding and building high-growth technology and life science companies. |
| Women's Business Centers Business Dev. Advocacy, Banking, CFO, CIO, Disaster Assistance, Entrepreneurial Dev. Financial Assistance, Freedom of Information, etc. | World Association of Woman Entrepreneurs (FLEM) FCEM is the pioneer association uniting women business owners from the world over. |
