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National & State Business Resources

Small Business Resources

There are many resources available to assist business owners in yielding success. Below is a list of national and local resources that offer guidance and support for small businesses and promote entrepreneurship.

 

Click through the links to visit each site!

Government Resources

These resources from the federal government and quasi-governmental organizations offer guidance to small businesses on the national level.

Association of Women Business Centers The Association of Women Business Centers (AWBC) works to secure economic justice and entrepreneurial opportunities for women by supporting and sustaining a national network of more than 100 Women’s Business Centers (WBC). WBCs help women succeed in business by providing training, mentoring, business development, and financing opportunities to over 150,000 women entrepreneurs each year.
Minority Business Development Agency The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises. MBDA invests in a national network of MBDA Business Centers, Specialty Centers, and Grantees. MBDA programs offer customized business development and industry-focused services to provide greater access to capital, contracts and markets.
SCORE SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. With the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964.
Small Business Development Centers Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide business-related assistance and knowledge to entrepreneurs to help them start, run, and grow their businesses. They are created through partnerships between the SBA and local universities, and are available in all states and U.S. territories.
The U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
Veteran Business Outreach Centers The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).
USPTO Office of Innovation Outreach The Office of Innovation Outreach (OIO) develops awareness and outreach programs and training for inventors, organizations, and universities. The OIO is located in the Office of the Chief Communications Officer of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and supports the mission of the agency by providing relevant intellectual property (IP), innovation, and invention resources to independent inventors, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and underrepresented or underserved populations. The OIO creates annual programming and works with partners from other federal agencies, organizations, and universities to help everyone better understand, secure, and utilize IP.
USPTO Inventors Assistance Center The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent assistance and information to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners and primary examiners who are available to answer questions and to help you make filing a patent application simple and efficient.
Trademark Assistance Center The Trademark Assistance Center (TAC) is the main support center for all customers, from first-time filers to legal professionals and experienced trademark applicants. We can answer your questions on a variety of trademark topics.

National Small Business Organizations

These originations support small businesses throughout the country.

Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) The Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE) is a national organization that gives a voice to the business interests of Asian American and Pacific Islanders. It seeks to improve the economic, political, and social well-being of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) by encouraging the growth of existing AAPI entrepreneurs, advocating for AAPI businesses in Washington, D.C., fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs, and promoting the need for wider AAPI leadership in corporate America.
Build Up Local Build Up Local will be the one stop shop for communities of color (Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American) to learn about resources and programs made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Our goal is to help close the racial wealth gap through inclusive infrastructure contracting opportunities.
Disability:IN Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Its network of over 220 corporations expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. Disability:IN's central office and 27 Affiliates serve as the collective voice to effect change for people with disabilities in business.
HelloAlice Hello Alice is a free platform serving more than one million small business owners across the United States. Committed to equitable access to capital for women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and entrepreneurs with disabilities, Hello Alice offers funding, education, tools, and curated opportunities. Working with enterprise business services, ecosystem partners, affiliates, and government agencies, Hello Alice provides its growing community with everything they need to grow their businesses.
Main Street America The National Main Street Center was established as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 as a way to address the myriad issues facing older and historic downtowns during that time. Working with a nationwide network of coordinating programs and local communities, Main Street has helped over 2,000 communities across the country bring economic vitality back downtown, while celebrating their historic character, and bringing communities together.
National Association for the Self-Employed The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), a non-profit organization, is the nation's leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of over 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States, representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries; and with chapters across the country. With far-reaching clout and impact, NAWBO is a one-stop resource, propelling women business owners into greater economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide.
National Federation of Independent Businesses National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since its founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today.
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for the LGBT business community. NGLCC is the exclusive third-party certifying body for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) companies. Over 1/3 of Fortune 500 companies recognize this certification and partner with NGLCC to create fully LGBT-inclusive supply-chains. The LGBT business owners in NGLCC represents over $1.7 trillion in economic impact, creates jobs, and innovates business solutions nationwide.
National Small Business Association The National Small Business Association (NSBA) is a staunchly nonpartisan organization with 65,000 members in every state and every industry in the U.S. NSBA is proud to be the nation’s first small-business advocacy organization. NSBA boasts decades of small-business advocacy expertise, from its long-serving leadership to our knowledgeable and well-connected government affairs team.
National Urban League The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality, and social justice. The Urban League collaborates at the national and local levels with community leaders, policymakers, and corporate partners to elevate the standards of living for African Americans and other historically underserved groups. With 90 affiliates serving 300 communities in 37 states and the District of Columbia, the Urban League spearheads the development of social programs and authoritative public policy research, and advocates for policies and services that close the equality gap.
NextGen Chamber of Commerce (NextGen) The NextGen Chamber of Commerce is America’s first business organization supporting our emerging entrepreneurs and business owners under the age of 40. NextGen wants to turn the tide in favor of millenials and support the generation that has been tasked with carrying America’s economy through the 21st century. Data proves that if given the opportunity, the vast number of Americans under 40 want to start businesses. NextGen wants to promote an inclusive economy that enables them to do so.
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Founded in 1972, the National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc.® (NMSDC®) is the longest-operating business growth engine for the broadest group of systematically excluded communities of color (Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American), and our impact goes far beyond supply chain. It’s about upward mobility for the emerging majority of Americans, an equal shot at participating in the American experiment of free-market capitalism and entrepreneurship. Our work is about correcting the unequal access to wealth-building opportunities.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) is an influential voice and advocate for entrepreneurs and small business owners. SBE Council focus on advancing policies and initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship and small business growth. Its strength and effectiveness are powered by SBE Council members and supporters. Our network of supporters, including entrepreneurs and small business owners, state and local business organizations, corporate partners, and associations work with us to strengthen the environment for entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, and quality job creation. The SBE Council educates elected officials, policymakers, business leaders, and the public about key policies that enable business start-up and growth.
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) actively promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of more than 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses that, combined, contribute over $700 billion to the American economy every year. It also advocates on behalf of 260 major American corporations and serves as the umbrella organization for more than 250 local chambers and business associations nationwide.
US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) provides committed, visionary leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. Through the creation of resources and initiatives, USBC supports African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing Black enterprises.
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) WIPP is a national nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs—strengthening their impact on our nation’s public policy, creating economic opportunities, and forging alliances with other business organizations.

State and Local Resources

These resources offer guidance to small businesses on the state level. If you have questions regarding state and local regulations, training courses, or taxes, consider consulting the websites below.

State and Territory Business Resources Visit USA.GOV to find state and local resources, for your business. You can use the search function to find information about regulations, resources and financing opportunities.
Economic Development Directory The Economic Development Directory is a directory of the websites of important economic development agencies. With this resource, business owners can learn about what is being done to keep employers in their communities and how new employers are being attracted. This group includes state, county, and local government people, business people, and economic development professionals.
National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) is the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges. The association represents 340+ community and technical colleges and 2,000 faculty, staff, administrators, and presidents who serve more than three million students.

Media Sites

These magazines offer insightful information, tips, best practices, and articles on small business.

Forbes Forbes is an American business magazine. Published eight times a year, it features original articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics.
Black Enterprise Black Enterprise is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, Black Enterprise has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers.
SmallBizDaily SmallBizDaily is powered by three people with a passion for entrepreneurship. SmallBizDaily combines decades of experience reading and writing about entrepreneurship with new experience as startup entrepreneurs to share a unique take on the world of small business.
Entrepreneur Entrepreneur is an American magazine and website that carries news stories about entrepreneurship, small business management, and business. The magazine was first published in 1977.
The Hispanic Network HISPANIC Network Magazine provides the latest and most important news spanning every industry, business and profession. This includes up-to-date statistics on workforce diversity, B2B trends, noteworthy conferences, business opportunities and role model spotlights. HISPANIC Network Magazine strives to create an environment for Hispanics to acquire business knowledge and unlock career opportunities.
Inc. Inc. is an American business media property founded in 1979 and based in New York City. It publishes six print issues annually, as well as daily online articles and videos. Inc. also produces several live and virtual events yearly.
Small Business Trends Small Business Trends is an award-winning hub of more than two million entrepreneurs, business owners, influencers, and experts. The site features over 20,000 pages of content. It reviews tech products, cover small business news, and interview movers and shakers. Small Business Trends spotlights other small businesses and startups. The core focus is practical content with targeted tips, trends, and answers to your toughest questions.
The Balance Small Business The Balance Small Business makes launching and managing your own business easy. It is home to experts who provide clear, practical advice on entrepreneurship and management. Whether you’re just starting up or you want to take your company to the next level, its 20-year-strong library of more than 7,000 pieces of content will answer your questions and turn your business dreams into reality.
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