Resources & Tools

Small Business Administration
The SBA is a government agency providing support to small businesses.

United States Census Bureau
The Census Business Builder: Small Business Edition provides information for selected kinds of businesses that cater to individual consumers, or “B-to-C” businesses.

Internal Revenue Service
The IRS agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury responsible for collection of taxes and interpretation and enforcement of the IRC.

SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership
The SBA's department of information for women starting a business.

US./Mexico Chamber of Commerce

A non-profit bilateral organization to promote trade and investment and joint ventures on both sides of the border.

International Trade Administration (ITA)

ITA aims to create prosperity by strengthening the international competitiveness of U.S. industry, promoting trade and investment, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements.

The World Bank 

A vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world.

SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
Division of the SBA providing free counseling to veterans to start, grow and succeed in business.

Veteran Entrepreneur Portal
VA OSDBU quickly connects Veteran entrepreneurs to relevant ‘best-practices’ and information.

Minority Success Stories
Free business plans and numerous informative videos.

Service Corps of Retired Executives
An organization dedicated to business leadership and mentoring.

National Council of Nonprofits
A resource and advocate for America's charitable nonprofits

Society for Nonprofits
Management support organization that provides information and resources to the nonprofit sector

USA.gov
The official web portal of the United States federal government

GRANTSPACE
Nonprofit startup resources by each state

Foundation Center
Strengthening the social sector by advancing knowledge about philanthropy

• Nonprofit Startup Resources by State

Kiva

Kiva is a nonprofit focused on expanding financial access for underserved people around the world.

Opportunity Fund

Opportunity Fund, the nation's leading nonprofit small business lender, believes small dollar loans help hard-working entrepreneurs make lasting change in their own lives and build stronger communities by growing businesses and creating jobs.

CEDF

The mission of the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) is to strengthen neighborhood economies by providing flexible financing, technical support and educational opportunities to businesses, community organizations and initiatives in communities throughout Connecticut. 

American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Career enrichment across engineering disciplines.

American Association of Retired Persons
Provides news and career information for boomers & seniors.

Encore.org
Second acts for the greater good

AARP: Small Business Ideas and Entrepreneurship
Resources for starting your own business and small business management

National Association for Female Executives
Resources via education, networking, and public advocacy empowering female executives to achieve career and personal success.

National Women's Business Council
Resources for Women Entrepreneurs from the advisory panel to the US President and Congress on economic issues important to women business owners.

Women's Business Resource Centers (SBA)
The SBA's department of information for women starting a business.

Office of Women's Business Ownership

Local Women Business Centers

American Business Women's Association
Bringing together businesswomen of diverse occupations to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.

National Association of Women Business Owners
A national professional association that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs in every type of business through networking, resources and education. 

Business and Professional Women's FoundationA foundation dedicated to conducting research and providing information solely about working women.

United States Patent & Trademark Office (uspto)

• uspto: Inventors and Entrepreneurs resources

• uspto: Office Fee Schedule

U.S. Census Bureau: American Fact Finder
Index of data provided by the US Census Bureau, including population, ethnic, divorce, economic, poverty, and migration statistics.

U.S. Census Bureau Business Builder: Small Business Edition
Determining best location for your business

17 Tools and Resources for Conducting Market Research
Hubspot provides their recommendations for market research. 

SBA: Understand Your Market
To run a successful business, you need to learn about your customers, your competitors, and your industry.

Conducting Online Market Research: Tips and Tools
How to use online market research tools, including search techniques, tips, and tools for using the Internet for researching your competition and market. 

SizeUp
SizeUp shows you how you measure up to the competition in your industry. If you are just thinking about starting up a business, SizeUp will tell you whether your projections are reasonable considering your market.

SBA: Marketing

Entrepreneur Marketing

Hubspot: Small Business Marketing Hub

NFIB: Small Business Marketing and Advertising

ThriveHive: Marketing Resources for Small Businesses

Marketing Your Small Business For Dummies: Cheat Sheet

Marketing Profs: The Most Effective Marketing Strategies for Small Business

Colloquy - The art and science of building customer value

JustSell - It's all about sales