SBA’s Business Gateway Program announced
today the launch of a new Web initiative – http://Community.Business.gov – the first
government-sponsored online community built specifically for small businesses. The objective of the Business.gov Community supports
the White House’s mission to create a transparent and connected democracy, and aims
to provide small business owners, bloggers, and the government with a place to discuss
and share information about starting and running a successful business. An extension of Business.gov, the Business.gov Community
combines
discussion forums, blogs, an idea exchange, and more, and offers advanced tools
for navigating the labyrinth of government resources, policies, laws, and
opportunities that impact the small business owner.
Over the next few months, the Business.gov Community
will expand
to include additional features and resources that address specific user
interests and provide access to the wider pool of government and Business.gov partner resources available
to the small business owner. (Source:
U.S. Small Business Administration, March 2009)
The Women's Business Center of California (WBCC) is a non-profit,
501(c)(3) organization committed to assisting entrepreneurs starting,
expanding, or enhancing small businesses in San Diego County. Its
vision is to educate, mentor, and cultivate entrepreneurial women and
men of socially, ethnically, and economically diverse backgrounds by
providing access to information and resources and the support necessary
to create and sustain businesses.
The WBCC hosts roundtable discussions, informational seminars,
hands-on workshops; provides individual advising, support by mentoring,
empowerment through education; offers networking, special events, and
comprehensive programs. The WBCC offers free resources, tools, and
information on various topics available online.
SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business", is America's premier
source of free small business advice for entrepreneurs. SCORE is a
volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the
success of small business.
SCORE counselors provide free and confidential business counseling
to both prospective entrepreneurs and existing small business owners
throughout San Diego County. They also conduct a variety of low-cost
workshops that address many of the essential techniques necessary for
establishing and managing a successful business.
SCORE San Diego is part of a national association which serves as a
resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and
expertise as business counselors.
To obtain SCORE's business-plan templates and samples of plans and financial statements, click here.
Contact Information: 550 West C Street, Suite 550, San Diego, CA 92101, Phone: 619.557.7272, Fax: 619.557.2638
The Office of Small Business Development Centers provides management
assistance to current and prospective small business owners. SBDCs
offer one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by
providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and
easily accessible branch locations. The program is a cooperative effort
of the private sector, the educational community and federal, state and
local governments and is an integral component of Entrepreneurial
Development's network of training and counseling services.
To view the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) District Office training calendar, click here. For information on how to develop a business plan, click here.
The Water Authority is dedicated to increasing small business
opportunities. It offers a small business skills training program
designed to help small businesses succeed in bidding, securing, and
performing on Water Authority contracts. Their specialized training
focuses on essential skills necessary for doing business in the public
contracting arena. For additional information, call 888-20-SCOOP or go
to www.sdcwa.org/scooptraining.html
