Small Business Resources
Federal Government Agencies/Departments
- Small Business Administration – Plethora of information relating to small business, including information relating to starting and managing a small business, applying for loans, and for applying to small business federal contracting programs (http://www.sba.gov).
- United States Patent and Trademark Office – Information relating to patents and trademarks, searchable, ability to apply online (http://www.uspto.gov).
- United States Copyright Office – Information relating to copyrights, searchable, ability to apply online (http://www.copyright.gov).
- Internal Revenue Service – Information relating to federal tax requirements, online manual and training for small business owners, up-to-date IRS forms (http://www.irs.gov).
- Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center – IRS small business section containing small business tax information, employment information (rules and requirements), forms, and news and events (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html).
- United States Department of Labor – Information relating to federal labor laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), the Service Contract Act (applicable to federal government contractors), and other human resources-related issues (http://www.dol.gov).
Popular Face-to-Face and Online Networking
- SCORE – Nonprofit organization supported by the SBA. Offers online or face-to-face mentoring of new or small businesses, hundreds of local chapters, online workshops and training relevant to succeeding as a small business, and templates and tools (http://www.score.org/).
- National Association of Small Business Contractors – Designed to restore the vitality, profitability, and community strength of small businesses (http://www.nasbc.org/).
- LinkedIn – Both basic (free) and premium (fee-based) accounts allow you to publicly post your professional profile, link it to your website, and connect with other professionals. Opportunity to join groups relevant to your business, exchange ideas and articles, and network online (http://www.linkedin.com).
Resources for Virginia Small Businesses
- Referral Vault – An online free web tool for finding business networking groups in your area (Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland), exchanging referrals and ideas, and maximizing revenue (http://www.referralvault.com/) .
- Virginia Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network – An organization of 29 local SBDCs across Virginia providing professional business counseling, training and information resources to help grow and strengthen Virginia businesses. Offers training events (http://www.virginiasbdc.org/).
- Virginia SBA – Small Business Resource Guide (pdf available at: http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/resourceguide_3155.pdf).
- Virginia State Corporations Commission – Office of the Clerk page allows for business entity and name search, on-line filing of business entity documents, renewals, fees, changes in information (http://www.scc.virginia.gov/clk/bussrch.aspx).
Legal Resources – Federal and Specific to Virginia
- Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (1996)(federal): http://www.law.upenn.edu/bll/archives/ulc/fnact99/1990s/ullca96.htm
- Uniform Partnership Act (1997)(Virginia): http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC50000000002000020000000.
- Virginia Limited Liability Company Act (Title 13.1, Chapter 12 of the Code of Virginia, VA state regulations governing limited liability companies): http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC13010000012000000000000.
- Corporations (Tile 13.1 of the Code of Virginia, encompasses VA state regulations governing the different types of corporations and limited liability companies): http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC1301000.
- Virginia Stock Corporation Act (Title 13.1, Chapter 9 of the Code of Virginia, VA state regulations governing corporations): http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC13010000009000000000000.
Other Resources
- Debt.org – Organization that provides small businesses with a range of information on a broad range of topics related to their financial-well being. Offers information on how to handle tax delays, how to make payroll, how to separate business and personal finances, and other related information (http://www.debt.org/small-business/).
- SmallBizTrends.com – Online publication containing trends, news, articles and tips. Free weekly subscription (http://www.smallbiztrends.com).
- PubkLaw – Online publication containing information relevant to government contractors such as rule changes, law changes, protests, case law, employment openings, and commercial training. Short synopses of relevant news sent via email. Paid subscriptions available (http://pubklaw.com/).
- Inc. – Online magazine offering small business resources and ideas for entrepreneurs. Browse online or paid subscriptions available (http://www.inc.com/).
- Capital LookUp – An online source for financial information and articles, small business news, and information regarding business loans and business credit cards. Includes online tool for identifying local loan opportunities (http://www.capitallookup.com).
