| Small Business Information Center - your | | | | throughout the United States, Puerto |
| Information Gateway | | | | Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam. |
| Starting up a small business is really a | | | | There are many SBA programs and services |
| testing time for any entrepreneur; one | | | | which support your small business. You |
| has to undergo a lot of stress full with | | | | can also get SBA-backed loans and find |
| so much to do in so less a time. The | | | | government contracting opportunities. |
| initial phase before starting up a | | | | SBA also provides disaster assistance |
| business is also characterized by | | | | and training programs to help your |
| toiling under pressure to find out what | | | | business succeed. |
| is right and what is wrong. | | | | There are around 25 million strong small |
| The major issue of concern before | | | | businesses providing strength to |
| starting up any small business is the | | | | America's economy. Despite their immense |
| availability of right resources. Do you | | | | contribution to the economy, small |
| have the right kind of guidance? Do you | | | | businesses are heavily burdened by the |
| have enough small business information? | | | | costs of government regulation and |
| What is the source of your information? | | | | excessive paperwork. |
| Internet is one of the best resources | | | | Office of Advocacy within the U.S Small |
| for searching for small business | | | | Business Administration helps to reduce |
| information. You can also get some | | | | the burdens that federal policies impose |
| practical information on 'how to start | | | | on small firms and maximize the benefits |
| your home business' and can also search | | | | small businesses receive from the |
| for some small business opportunities | | | | government. It encourages policies that |
| that suit your taste and budget. | | | | support the development and growth of |
| However, the best thing would be to | | | | American small business.sba.gov/services |
| visit a small business information | | | | index |
| center. You can also find out about the | | | | Small Business Development Centers |
| addresses of some government based small | | | | The Offices of Small Business |
| business information centers and | | | | Development Centers (SBDC) provide |
| administrations. | | | | variety of services to prospective and |
| There are many local Business | | | | existing small business owners. You can |
| Information Centers which provide the | | | | get one-stop assistance, guidance and |
| small business owners and the | | | | information at its easily accessible |
| prospective entrepreneurs with important | | | | branch locations. As a cooperative |
| information. The small business centers | | | | effort of the private sector, the |
| also provide contacts for state | | | | educational community and federal, state |
| regulatory requirements for people | | | | and local governments the main aim of |
| wanting to start up small businesses. | | | | this center to strengthen the network of |
| The primary objective of any small | | | | training and counseling services. |
| business information center is to | | | | Women's Business Center |
| facilitate sustainable small business | | | | Women's Business Centers (WBCs) |
| development. You also find information | | | | represent a national network of more |
| about licenses and permits you need to | | | | than 100 educational resource |
| obtain and maintain in order to run your | | | | centersdesigned to assist women start |
| business smoothly. | | | | and grow small businesses. WBCs operate |
| Small business information you need | | | | with the mission to level the playing |
| before starting up a business: | | | | fieldfor women entrepreneurs, who still |
| • Information for obtaining the | | | | face unique obstacles in the world of |
| necessary licenses and permits | | | | business. |
| • Availability of different financing | | | | Online Women's Business Center |
| options for your short term or long term | | | | The Office of Women's Business Ownership |
| goals | | | | (OWBO) assists women in setting up small |
| • Information on some copyright and | | | | businesses. The assistance is provided |
| trademark issues. | | | | irrespective of their social or |
| • Information on how you can get some | | | | financial disadvantage, race, ethnicity |
| guidance from external sources. | | | | or business background. OWBO and the |
| Some of the organizations that can help | | | | Online Women's Business Center are |
| you to set up small businesses are the | | | | integral components of Entrepreneurial |
| following: | | | | Development's network of training and |
| Small Business Administration (SBA) | | | | counseling services.sba.gov/services |
| The U.S. Small Business Administration | | | | lawsandregulations/advocacy/index |
| (SBA) is an independent agency of the | | | | Whenever you decide to setup a small |
| federal government to aid, counsel, | | | | business visit the sites described above |
| assist and protect the interests of | | | | to get hold of some authentic |
| small business owners. The SBA helps | | | | information. You can also find addresses |
| Americans start, build and grow | | | | of some local business information and |
| businesses. Through an extensive network | | | | development centers where you can go and |
| of field offices and partnerships with | | | | discuss various issues related to your |
| public and private organizations, SBA | | | | business. |
| delivers its services to people | | | | |