SCOREMaine.org - Gateway to Business Counselling
Capitol, Mid-Coast and Kennebec Valley Regions
SMALL BUSINESS LINKS
This selection contains links found to be useful to clients of SCORE counselors. We'll add to this list as we discover more. The links are arranged by subject. Click on the subject of interest at the right hand side to view these resources.
ACCOUNTING
CPA Directory. Nationwide directory of Accountants, Bookkeepers & CPAs. CPA license verification, Information on Tax & Accounting issues.
SCORE Association. Accounting and budgeting are critical aspects of running a business. Use these templates and vast resources to assist you in these critical processes.
ADVICE & COUNSELLING
SCORE Association. E-Mail counseling, E-Mail news. Online Business Toolbox with Small Business Power Links and Learning Center.
US Business Advisor. Links to services provided by the US Government to small businesses.
Welcome Business USA. A resource center dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs who are starting or growing a small business.
Kauffman Foundation. "The Foundation of Entrepreneurship". The site provides original articles written by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.
Business Owner's Toolkit. Provides small business owners an online portfolio of tactical information, news, business forms, advice, checklists, and software
tools.
The Abilities Fund. Services are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities interested in business ownership and the organizations that serve them. Services are focused on three primary markets:
1. Entrepreneurs with disabilities.
2. Microenterprise development organizations.
3. Vocational rehabilitation agencies and other disability-related organizations.
BUZGate. A business-to-business resource portal. As a portal, BUZGate provides an online network of public and private resource providers offering information, goods and services tailored to the interests and needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
ARBITRATION
The American Arbitration Association (AAA). Provides services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve conflicts out of court. The AAA role in the dispute resolution process is to administer cases, from filing to closing. The AAA provides administrative services in the U.S., as well as abroad through its International Centre for Dispute Resolution.
BAR CODING
GS1 US. A not-for-profit standards organization that administers the Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) and develops worldwide standards for identification codes, data carriers and electronic commerce.
BUSINESS PLAN
Small Business Administration. This page on the SBA site provides "step by step" guides to writing business plans.
BPlans.com. Contains a large collection of free sample business plans. In addition, it has helpful tools and know-how for managing your business. Bplans.com includes practical advice on planning, interactive tools and a panel of experts who have answered more than 1,400 questions from people like you.
FINANCIAL
Business Statistics. A source for small business statistics. The objective is to provide instant access to business statistical information that is useful and meaningful.
Risk Management Association. The objective of this association is to assist in the identification, assessment and management of the the impacts of credit risk, operational risk and market risk on their businesses and their customers.
Bizminer. Provides detailed industry analysis to small and large businesses through its Financial Analysis Profiles, Cash low Profiles, local and national Marketing Plan Research Profiles, Local Business Summaries, State Market Indices and Business Risk Index. There is a charge for the use of this company's services.
SCORE Association. These resources will show you how to get the best financing for your business.
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). Offers a range of business programs:
1. Direct Load Opportunities.
2. Equity Capital.
3. Bonds.
4. Credit Enhancement.
FORMS
Entrepreneur.com. A tool designed to save you the time and expense of creating business documents from scratch. You can download and customize each form according to your needs, and immediately put them to work in your business.
FRANCHISING
Frannet. A large group of experts who specialize in helping people learn about the many franchise choices available and how to select the right one. FranNet will provide guidance, information and support.
SCORE Association. Download a guide to selecting a franchisor.
American Association of Franchisees and Dealers The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association dedicated to defining and promoting total quality franchising practices. Focused on market driven solutions.
FUNDING
Small Business Administration. Click on "Loans & Grants " and choose an item from the drop down menu.
National Venture Capital Association. The NVCA is a trade association that represents the U.S. venture capital industry. It is a member-based organization, which consists of venture capital firms that manage pools of risk equity capital designated to be invested in high growth companies.
USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service. Offers a variety of programs that help improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America: Financial programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. Economic development programs support loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools. Technical assistance and information is offered to help agricultural and other cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their member services. Technical assistance is provided to help communities undertake community empowerment programs.
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). Offers a range of business programs:
1. Direct Load Opportunities.
2. Equity Capital.
3. Bonds.
4. Credit Enhancement.
GOVERNMENT
SCORE Association. View a selection of links to government agencies of interest to small business owners.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING
GovCon. A sourcing site for public sector contracting. In addition, this site keeps up with the latest information in the government contracting community.
ONVIA. Provides government business intelligence to companies that do business with the government. Helps companies make the right business decisions to win more government business.
HUMAN RESOURCES
SCORE Association. View these business-based resources that will point you in the right direction human resources and managing employees.
INCUBATORS
National Business Incubator Association. NBIA is an organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides information, education, advocacy and networking resources to assist early stage companies worldwide.
INSURANCE
Insurance Education Institute. The IEI mission is to improve the understanding of insurance and risk management and their role in society.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Maine International Trade Center. MITC is Maine's center for international business assistance. Formed in 1996, the Trade Center provides technical assistance and trade counseling, import and export leads, international credit reports, workshops, coordinated trade missions and trade shows and many other useful services to help Maine companies seeking to succeed in international markets. MITC offers global exposure to Maine's small and medium sized businesses.
INTERNET
HostCompare. Educational guide to web hosting.
SCORE Association. View a selection of links about the Internet and Technology which would be of interest to small business owners.
LEGAL INFORMATION
Business.Gov. A repository of legal and regulatory information for America's small businesses that is maintained by the Small Business Administration.
NOLO. This site has an extensive array of information and boilerplate legal documents for business and personal situations.
SCORE Association. View these resources and get the basics about how to ensure that your business operates on the right side of the law. Includes business licenses.
MEDIA & MAGAZINES
SCORE Association. View a selection of business magazines and media topics of interest to small business owners.
NON PROFITS
Information about Non Profits. If you are interested in using your business expertise in the non-profit arena here's some topics to look into.
Guide to Business Resources for Non Profits. Provides dozens of links covering aspects of running a Non Profit organization.
US Government. Provides comprehensive information about nonprofits.
About.com: Non Profit Charitable Organisations. A comprehensive site to learn about and create non profits.
PATENTS & TRADEMARKS
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This site has a great deal of information that allows you to search and file patents and trademarks.
US Copyright Office. This site serves the copyright community of creators and users, as well as the general public.
International Trademark Association. INTA is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to the support and advancement of trademarks and related intellectual property.
The Innovation Institute. An inventor/innovator assistance service that provides inventors, entrepreneurs and product marketing/manufacturing enterprises with an honest and objective third-party analysis of the risks and potential of their ideas, inventions and new products.
PLANNING & MANAGING
SCORE Association. . View a selection of business planning and managing topics of interest to small business owners.
Business Owner's Toolkit. Click on "Planning Your Business". This web site is from the Commerce Clearing House and contains much information about planning for a small business.
SALES & MARKETING
Sales Force. This will offer sales force automation in an online service. It will allow you to securely access, manage and share sales information with no software to buy.
FindHow. The How-To Search Engine: indexes instructions on everyday topics from "Names You Trust", i.e. corporations, governmental and educational institutions, with a special emphasis on business topics, including startup How-Tos.
SCORE Association. View a selection of small business sales and marketing topics.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Maine District of The Small Business Administration. Items of local interest and importance to small business owners.
START UP
US SBA Small Business Planner. This site will give you a step by step guide to all the factors in starting your business.
Business Owner's Toolkit. Click on "Starting Your Business". This web site is from the Commerce Clearing House and contains a discussion of the various forms of business structures, with pros and cons.
TAXES
Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center - Your Small Business Advantage. When you're running a business, you don't need to be a tax expert, too. But you do need some tax basics. IRS Small Business Advantage gives you the information you need to stay tax compliant so your business can thrive.
Internal Revenue Service. This is the Home Page for the Internal Revenue Service.
SCORE Association. A wide selection of tax related issues of interest to small business.
TECHNOLOGY
SCORE Association. Use these extensive resources to help you understand and use the best technology for your business.
VENTURE CAPITAL
National Venture Capital Association. The NVCA is a trade association that represents the U.S. venture capital industry. It is a member-based organization, which consists of venture capital firms that manage pools of risk equity capital designated to be invested in high growth companies.
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). Offers a range of business programs:
1. Direct Load Opportunities.
2. Equity Capital.
3. Bonds.
4. Credit Enhancement.
WOMEN & BUSINESS
Women's Business Center - Maine. The Maine Women Business Owners Online Directory to meet other women business owners in the State of Maine and to promote your products and services on the Internet. Also look at the national organization in advice & counselling.
Women's Business Center - National. Numerous resources aimed specifically at helping women in business.
