SCORE San Luis Obispo is making available multiple resources to you that provide guidance in establishing and growing a business.  Much is free, web-based information.  Some are free, print-based books and booklets.  A few are books that can be purchased or checked out of your local library.  

If you have any questions about this information, e-mail us or call us at (805) 547-0779.

Start Up:

• Small Business Administration and click on "starting your business". This web site will give you a step by step guide to all the factors in starting your business.

• The On-Line Women's Business Center is part of the SBA web site and has numerous resources aimed specifically at helping women in business.

• Business Know-How has plenty of no charge ideas, tools and information for small businesses

• Business Owner's Tooolkit and click on "Starting Your Business". This web site is from the Commerce Clearing House and contains a discussion of the various forms of business structures, with pros and cons.

Business Plan:

• www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html
  
  This site gives a "step by step" guide to writing a business plan.

• www.sba.gov/library/pubs.html
  
  This site has a series of sample plans for various types of businesses is available for download/viewing in Word, text, and Adobe PDF formats. Look under heading section "C" behind the Online Library/Publications buttons.

• www.bplans.com
  
  This is a business planning resource that includes free samples of business plans plus other valuable information.

Loan Information:

• www.livecapital.com
  
  This web site represents several firms that provide financial services to small business. You are able to file an online application, providing personal information along with data on your business and your need for the loan. Assuming good credit, you can get an answer the same day for loans up to $50,000.

• www.companyfinance.com
  
  On this site you have access to over 100 lending institutions, which compete to offer you the best terms. It will collect financial data from you and sort through the database to select firms most likely to be a good match for your needs. You may select to apply directly to these firms or request that they contact you.

Sales/Marketing:

• www.salesforce.com
  
  This will offer sales force automation in an online service. It will allow you to securely access, manage and share sales information with no software to buy.

• www.bcentral.com
  
  This is Microsoft's small business web site where you can find useful information to market and manage your business.

• www.blackgold.org/
  
  San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries on-line card catalog has extensive resources on marketing, including demographics, Lifestyle Market Analysis, Household spending, etc. You can alos check in at the information counter for your specific need.

• www.sba.gov/hotlist/busplan.html
  
  This site gives you over 30 links to resources for your marketing program.

Financial / Accounting / Computer / Bookkeeping:

• There are quite a few small business accounting software packages available on the market.  Take a look at this Google search.

• The Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM for 2005 is an interactive CD containing all the business tax forms, instructions and publications to successfully manage a business. In addition, the CD provides a wide variety of web links to various government agencies, business associations and IRS organizations. The improved subscription option feature provides an opportunity to join the SB/SE Mail List and receive valuable information that impacts small business owners. To request a copy of this CD online, visit the SB/SE Website:

Licenses and Permits:

• County and City Business Forms. For the necessary business forms for the various cities in San Luis Obispo County, please visit the Emerging Business Center by clicking here.  To obtain the forms, licenses and permits for the city you are in, please access the city you want when you go here.

• San Luis Obispo County Fictitious Business Name Search. Click here to see if a fictitious business name is available.

• For assistance with regional, County, State and Federal permits, please visit the Cal Gold web site www.calgold.ca.gov/

• California Business Search. Click on the following link to get information on California businesses. kepler.ss.ca.gov/list.html.

Patents and Trademarks:

• United States Patent and Trademark Office The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office web site has a great deal of information that allows you to search and file patents and trademarks. Click on the following link to learn more: www.uspto.gov

• San Luis Obispo Public Library (995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo). The library has access to a patent and trademark database that allows you to search patents and trademarks.

General Business Information:

• The Mission Community Services Corporation Business Information Center (BIC) at 3566 S. Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, has many reference volumes on the shelf covering all aspects of starting & running a small business. Useful demographic information and computer aided assistance on writing business plans, selling, creating business agreement are among the many subjects covered at this facility. They are available for your use, free of charge.
  
  In addition, there are many pages of this information on the SBA Web site www.sba.gov/library/pubs.html.

• Visit the Dictionary of Small Business web site for help with business terms and definitions. This Web Site and the book "The Language of Small Business" are the result of many years of difficult and thorough searching for answers to everyday problems of the small business person.

State of California Business Portal:

• This web site, has an entire section on "Starting a Business" has a step by step approach to starting a business plus a large number of links to other relevant web sites.

State of California Tax Information Center:

• This web site, www.taxes.ca.gov, has answers to your questions about tax reporting, office locations, taxpayer rights, special circumstances, nonprofit organizations and much more. It provides quick access to your most commonly used individual and business tax forms. It also provides important dates, filing requirements, and helpful information on tax issues to help you and your business succeed.

Legal Information:

• The San Luis Obispo County Bar Association sponsors a non-profit legal referral service - Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS).  This service can make a referral to a licensed, insured attorney experienced in the area of law related to many types of legal problems.

• www.BusinessLaw.gov is an excellent repository of legal and regulatory information for America's small businesses that is maintained by the Small Business Administration. 

• www.nolo.com
  
  This award winning site has an extensive array of information and boilerplate legal documents for business and personal situations.