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Resources For The Entrepreneur | |
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The following are on-line resources from general business support to specific sourcing resources to fashion trends. If you have your own favorite site, feel free to share the link with us! General Industry Specific Buzgate Business Utility Zone Gateway - Whether you are a Small Business, Nonprofit, or Community Member, BUZGate connects you to the right resources at the right time. Site contains many links to economic development organizations, business assistance programs, and financial resources. Internal Revenue Service Small Business and Self-Employed Community Website. Site offers on-line forms, tax law changes, tips for specific industries, and contact links. My Own Business is a non-profit organization providing free training to help people start and operate successful businesses. The training stresses how to avoid commonly made but avoidable mistakes and is intended to help start-ups as well as established businesses. Site includes developing a business plan, tips on how to borrow money, and many other small business strategies. US Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration, established in 1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, in addition to a venture capital portfolio of $13 billion, SBA is the nation's largest single financial backer of small businesses. Site includes a variety of links, information on starting and financing a business, and their many other programs. Service Corps of Retired Executives The SCORE Association is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE is dedicated to aiding in the formation, growth, and success of small businesses nationwide. Site includes links to local SCORE chapters, information on workshops, and client profiles. Women's Business Center The Women's Business Center is a collaborative organization designed to encourage and support women in all phases of enterprise development. We provide access to educational programs, financing alternatives, technical assistance, advocacy and a network of mentors, peer advisors and business and professional consultants. By encouraging women in their business ventures, WBC fosters economic development. Site offers a calendar of activities, resources & links, and membership information. US Census All the information on the US census you'd want to know. BPlans.com Sample plans, tools, articles, Business Plan Guide, and calculators. Calculators: Cash flow, starting costs, break-even analysis and more. US Small Business Administration - Startup Basics Business Plan Basics, Writing the Plan, Using the Plan, Sample Business Plans, SBA Startup Basics. By American Express Provides a breakdown of the business plan, instructions for creation, and tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Also, toolboxes with samples, worksheets, and glossaries that will clarify and walk you through the process. Resources for Entrepreneurs Freeadvice.com Offers a forum to post legal questions and sort for information on legal issues. ideacafe.com Offers small business resources and ideas. Links to forums to discuss business ideas with other entrepreneurs. Inc. Magazine Inc. Magazine's on-line version includes business planning tools and useful articles for and about small business. sbaer.uca.edu Offers information on topics such as family business, international business, legal issues, industry profiles, business marketing and planning, demographics, and more. New England Food Entrepreneurs on line support for food related businesses in New England. Information available by state. New Hampshire MicroCredit-NH is a program and registered trademark of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, a New Hampshire non-profit corporation. First started by the Loan Fund in 1996, MicroCredit-NH provides self-employed and small business entrepreneurs with access to business training, loans up to $10,000, and networking opportunities. NH Stories is dedicated to differentiate New Hampshire's products and services in the marketplace and promote the people, products, and services of New Hampshire. Links to member sites and on-line retail. New Hampshire Made Specialty Products & NH Stories. NH Small Business Development Center "to contribute to New Hampshire's economic vitality by providing its businesses and communities with the tools they need to reach their goals." Site provides business plan, cash flow statements, and marketing plan samples. Maine Women, Work, and Community is committed to improving the economic lives of Maine women and their families. They work with women "where they are" and provide them with support, guidance, and the tools they need to take the next steps toward a more promising future. They provide training, advocacy and assistance in workforce development, microenterprise development, asset development and leadership development. Vermont The Vermont Women's Business Center Assisting women throughout Vermont who are starting or growing their businesses by providing resources, training, and networking opportunities for women state-wide to achieve business success, including: one-on-one business assistance, classes and workshops, networking events and business lending library National Resources Arts and Crafts Aid to Artisans, Inc. 331 Wethersfield Ave. Hartford, CT 06114 860-974-3344 Aid to Artisans, a nonprofit organization, offers practical assistance to artisans world-wide, working in partnerships to foster artistic traditions, cultural vitality and community well-being. American Craft Council 72 Spring Street New York, NY 10019-4019 212-272-0630 National, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft. The Council supports the field through a bimonthly magazine American Craft, annual retail and wholesale shows, and a special library on contemporary craft, education grants, workshops, seminars and other services to the public. Americans for the Arts 1000 Vermont Ave., N.W. 12th Floor Washington, DC 20005 202-371-2830 National membership organization for groups and individuals dedicated to advancing the arts and culture in communities across the United States. Founded by the American Council for the Arts (ACA), representing a broad network of arts supporters, patrons and business leaders, and the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies (NALAA), the country's largest alliance of community arts organizations, Americans for the Arts strives to make the arts more accessible to every adult and child in America. The Arts and Craft Society An online community dedicated to the Philosophy and Spirit of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Putting Your Craft Business Online Provides information about Buying and Selling Crafts, business development, purchasing and online selling. The National Endowment for the Arts - Folk and Traditional Arts 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20506 Provides funding and support for folk art and crafts people. National Assembly of State Arts Agencies 1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20005 Membership organization of the nation's state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Each of the 50 states and six jurisdictional governments has created an arts agency to support excellence in and access to the arts. Search this site for the agency nearest you. Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) Box 838 Montpelier, VT 05601 802-229-2306 CERF provides immediate support to craftspeople suffering career-threatening emergencies such as fire, theft, natural disaster and illness. Arts and Crafts - General Information About.com lots of information and links for the retail industry About.com lots of tips about trade shows and more Magazine Resources The Crafts Report P.O. Box 1992 Wilmington, DE 19899-1992 800-777-7098 Business magazine for the crafts professional. Published monthly, TCR provides information on: marketing, growing your craft business, time management, studio safety, retail relationships, artist/retailer profiles, industry news and more. www.craftsreport.com/resources/medium.html is a link to medium-specific organizations. American Style Magazine The Rosen Group, Inc. In 1995 The Rosen Group published the first issue of AmericanStyle magazine. The mission of the publication is to help inform craft enthusiasts and collectors about the significance of handcrafted objects of art. AmericanStyle magazine was launched to provide art lovers with valuable tips on décor, design and lighting ideas for everything from art glass to collectible teapots.The Rosen Group provides marketing opportunities to help artists achieve success. Under 'Publications' you will find helpful resources available in print and links to popular craft art web sites. Giftware News Color Trends Color Trends General color trends Store Design A good article to read when designing your store Display and Design Ideas (retail store display) Point of Purchase - lots of information and links for retail industry Research Population Reference Bureau - worldwide Plunkett Research - List of Resources every retail association you ever wanted to find business.com - list of professional associations and helpful resources Trade Show and Craft Fairs - Exhibition Opportunities George Little Management LLC/Urban Expositions 10 Bank St. White Plains, NY 10606 914-421-3285 As the largest organizer of trade shows for consumer goods in the United States, George Little Management serves industries as diverse as textiles and hospitality. Best known for the highly successful series of gift shows on which the Company was founded. Buyers Market of American Craft The Rosen Group, Inc. The Buyers Market of American Craft (BMAC), held twice a year at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia, offers the world's largest venue for artists to meet qualified buyers. This show provides a professional setting for the development of wholesale contacts and to generate new business for both buyers and sellers of American craft art. Craft Fairs by City, State and Region searchable database back to top ^ |
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