Free Information for New Business Owners

OK. So youre ready to start your own business...be your own boss...or are you? If you still have questions, below is a list of places offering free information that can assist you. Consult phone books and web sites for local information. Remember to ask about any mailing lists, classes they offer, or additional contacts that would be helpful for you to add to this list. Enjoy this list as a guide as you "plant the seeds" for your new venture and enjoy the networking opportunities.

1. Federal Agencies

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Web site www.sba.gov
Toll Free: (800)U-ASK-SBA.
Request any free information and an order form for other publications.
Web site also has templates and sample Business Plans.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Web site www.irs.treas.gov/prod/bus_info/sm_bus
Toll Free: (800) 829 - 3676.
Business Kit Publication # 454 includes an Employee Tax ID Form.
STEP (Small Business Tax Education Program) Publication # 1057, contains information on Business Tax Classes given in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam.
Tell them what type of corporation you are thinking of becoming, how many employees, etc., so that they can send you other free, helpful publications.
Census Department Consumer
Web site www.census.gov
Call Customer Service at (301) 457 - 4100.
Your source for social, demographic and economic information.
Consumer Information Center
Web site: www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Toll free (888) 878 - 3256.
Order a Consumers Resource Handbook.
View their Small Business brochures on line.
2. State Agencies

Attorney Generals Office US, National Organization site: www.naag.org/about/ag1.cfm
Secretary of State and State Department of Revenue.
Small Business Technology Development Center: www.businessfinance.com/business-information.asp
Rural Business Development Center.
Service Corps of Retired Executives SCORE http://www.score.org/, 800/634-0245
Cooperative Extension Service Offices.
3. County

Business Development Offices.
Small Business Incubators National site: www.nbia.org
Colleges for Small Business Centers, Continuing Education Classes, Business Seminars, Meetings.
4. City/Town

Chamber of Commerce (search using your city and county name).
Professional Groups - check phone books, too.
Develop a relationship with a Banker.
Interview CPAs Use this "Tips for Hiring a CPA" as a guide. www.coachmaria.com/articles/cpa.html
Locate a Lawyer and start to develop a relationship.
Check local newspapers for organizations to join or volunteer to be a speaker.
5. The Internet

Search the WEB using a variety of search engines or directories such as:
http://yahoo.com/ ~~ www.excite.com/
www.google.com/ ~~ www.altavista.com/
www.lycos.com/ ~~
Use the WEB to search for former colleagues and others to let them know about your business. www.switchboard.com, www.infospace.com, www.four11.com, www.classmates.com, are a few sites with phone and e-mail directories.
Join an e-mail list, newsgroup or business newsletters www.topica.com/, http://yahoogroups.com, www.smartgroups.com
6. Bookstores

Bookstores give you a variety of great ideas.
Search the web for bookstores. www.amazon.com/, www.bn.com/ are just two of many online bookstores.
7. Libraries

Many libraries have at least one free computer for patrons to use.
Ask the Librarians for information or advice.
Tell them about your business. Remember, people ask them for advice, too!
Check bulletin boards for information. Theyre a great place to put your business card or brochure.
8. Friends

If you do not tell the people you know youre looking for information or referrals, then theyll never know.... ya know!!!
9. Family Members

Let everyone in your family know youre starting a business... and watch all the free advice come in!
10. Other Business Owners

Contact other business owners that you know. Do I hear lunch anyone?
Ask for advice, referrals, and their business cards.
Start a referral book of local business owners.
Dont forget to contact owners who do the same work as you, but who work in a different state/region/county. After all, since they arent the competition , they maybe more willing share their secrets of success with you!!
For encouragement, to keep focused, to bounce ideas off of, etc., hire a coach! Request a free 30-minute interview/consultation session here!

© 2000-2002 Maria Marsala, Business and Life Coach-Consultant www.coachmaria.com

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