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