Business Resources

SCORE
SCORE - the Service Corps of Retired Executives - is a super resource for any small business owner looking for advice. Get info face-to-face from an experienced business counselor, or choose from over 750 expert counselors ready to answer your questions online or via e-mail - no appointment necessary. It's free and it's confidential. Go to score.org or call (800) 634-0245 to find the location nearest you. There are 389 SCORE chapters.To find an office near you, call the national SCORE office in Washington, DC, at (800) 634-0245, or visit www.score.org and click on "Find Local SCORE" at the home page to get the address, phone number and a map showing the location of your nearest office. www.score.org offers a wealth of other information on how to expand your business. At Score e-Subscriptions you can subscribe to two, free monthly newsletters: SCORE eNews is filled with information about business trends, market statistics and available resources. SOHO eSource features news, views and advice from small office, home office entrepreneurs.
(800) 634-0245
www.score.org

Small Business Development Centers
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are another excellent resource. The U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) administers the SBDC program to provide management assistance to small business owners. Go to www.sba.gov/sbdc for complete information including a list of locations. SBDCs offer a wide variety of information and guidance, including management and technical help. There are 57 branches, with a network of nearly 1,000 service locations. In each state there is a lead organization which sponsors the SBDC and manages the program. The lead organization coordinates services offered to small businesses through a network of subcenters located at colleges, universities, vocational schools, chambers of commerce and economic development corporations. You'll find just about everything you need to know about SBDCs at www.sba.gov/SBDC. Clicking on "Your Nearest SBDC" and then on your state will produce a list of individual centers in your area, with addresses and phone numbers. The same page offers tips on starting, financing and expanding a business, as well as links to other small business resources. Or to locate a SBDC near you, call (202) 205-6766.
(202) 205-6766
www.sba.gov/sbdc

Business Information Centers
Business Information Centers (www.sba.gov/BI/bics/index.html) - an SBA program - offer the latest computer technology, hardware and software, an extensive reference library of books and publications and current management videotapes to help entrepreneurs plan a new business or expand an existing one. You can use the BIC resources as often as you wish at no charge. Nearly 100 BICs nationwide are either operating or soon will be. Check the Web site for a complete list of BIC locations.
www.sba.gov/BI/bics/index.html

Welcome Business- Great source of information on various business topics
www.welcomebiz.com


Resources for Business Support

AssistU
AssistU (www.assistu.com) provides a pay-as-you-go option for administrative support. Online registry matches virtual assistants with client needs.
www.assistu.com

Business Support Center
Business Support Center (www.members.tripod.com/houbsc) offers administrative, clerical and marketing support to small companies and individuals through outsourcing.
www.members.tripod.com/houbsc

American Express
American Express Small Business Resource Center (www.american express.com/smallbusiness/resources) is a small business community provided by American Express with classifieds, a networking directory, an expert advice forum and a business planning library. www.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/resources Idea Café Idea Café ( www.ideacafe.com) is a small business "gathering place" with an emphasis on advice, stories and user contributions.
www.ideacafe.com

GoofyGuys.com
GoofyGuys.com is a slightly wacky Web site where experts will take on small biz computing snafus and answer your software or tech questions for free. Search a database of solutions or submit a problem for an e-mail answer; call (888) 786-3487.
(888) 786-3487
www.goofyguys.com


Resources for Web Sites & Services

Verza.com
Verza.com helps small Internet businesses improve profitability and expand marketing, while allowing them to maintain full control of their customer relationships, with no commitment and no fees. Verza's turnkey solutions are aimed specifically at small Internet merchants.
www.Verza.com

Vista.com
Vista.com started off by creating a Web site for all 176,000 small businesses in the state of Washington - just to get everyone's attention. Then they planned to do it for every small biz with one to 20 employees in America. Vista.com, based in Redmond, WA, offers formats targeted to 86 specific business categories.
www.Vista.com

Workz.com
Workz.com offers small businesses help in building a Web site, attracting customers, managing operations and more.
www.Workz.com

BizPlus.com
BizPlus.com - In addition to hosting Web sites, BizPlus offers a variety of free information to help you start or grow a business, including biz plan templates and trademark info.
www.BizPlus.com

Net Mechanic
Net Mechanic (www.netmechanic .com) can help you find and fix problems with your Web site, including browser display problems, broken links, slow-loading graphics and even misspelled words.
www.netmechanic.com

ZDNet
ZDNet has an entire section devoted to sharing best practices, tips and tricks for making your Web site a more effective business tool. Go to www.zdnet.com/enterprise and click on "E-commerce."

www.zdnet.com/enterprise
NetBusiness NetBusiness (www.techweb.com /netbiz) offers articles, case studies and products designed to help you keep your Web site on the right track.
www.techweb.com/netbiz

Builder.com
Builder.com has a special section devoted to E-Business & Strategy that includes several e-business tips and how-tos, with everything from the basics to more advanced e-business and e-commerce topics.


Resources for Minority Business

American Association of Minority Businesses American Association of Minority Businesses (www.website1.com/aamb) is a minority business association dedicated to the education of minority business owners in developing their managerial and technical skills.
www.website1.com/aamb

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (www.ushcc.com) has worked towards bringing the issues and concerns of the nation's more than one million Hispanic-owned businesses to the forefront of the national economic agenda. Through a network of 200 Hispanic business organizations, the USHCC communicates the needs and potential of Hispanic enterprise to the U.S. government and corporate America. Call (202) 842-1212.
(202) 842-1212
www.ushcc.com

National Black Business Council National Black Business Council (www.nbbc.org) - This group's mission is to be a catalyst and advocate for the creation and development of black-owned businesses serving both domestic and global markets.
www.nbbc.org

Business Counsel The New York-based National |Minority Business Counsel (www.nmbc.org) is dedicated to expanding opportunities available to small, minority and women business owners.
(212) 573-2385 or (877) ASK- NMBC.
(212) 573-2385 or (877) A
www.nmbc.org

National Black Chamber of Commerce National Black Chamber of Commerce (www.nationalbcc.org) deals with issues of economics and entrepreneurship in the African-American business community. 1350 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 825, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 466-6888.
(202) 466-6888
www.nationalbcc.org

DIV2000.com
DIV2000.com is a resource for minority/women-owned businesses. Helps link Fortune 1,000 corporations that have initiatives to purchase goods and services from minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs), with the owners of those businesses. In addition to business contact and profile information, DIV2000.com provides a business calendar of events, news, business opportunities, certification information and open forums.
www.div2000.com