Resources

Simple Steps - Resource Documents

Simple Steps - Session Presentations

Veterans Fast Start Guide

Export/Import Resource Links

SCORE
SCORE Info, resources & advice for small businesses
SCORE Templates & Tools Business, Marketing, Cashflow, & many other templates
Accounting Tools
FreshBooks Online invoicing & record keeping
Intuit Various accounting software applications
Outright Online bookkeeping
Business - General
Business Know-How Info, tools & resources for home & small businesses
BusinessTown Info, tools & resources for home & small businesses
BUZGate.org Info, tools & resources for home & small businesses
Dictionary of Small Business Directory of business terms & definitions
Home Business Research Info, tools & resources for home-based small businesses
Inc. Info, tools & resources for small & mid-size businesses
NetMBA Reference source for general business topics & concepts
QuickMBA Reference source for general business topics & concepts
Residual-Rewards Directory of business terms & discussions on other topics
Small Business Television Video clips on a variety of small business topics & issues
Small Business Trends Topical information about small business issues
The Small Business Advisor Info & advice on starting or running a small business
Business - Management
American Management Assoc. General management information
BizMove.com Guides, tools & ideas to manage your business
CA HealthCare Foundation Guide to buying employee health coverage in California
Cortera Company credit & financial information
Docstoc Source for business & legal documents
Northern California SBDC Local resources to assist ongoing businesses 
Salary.com Online personnel & payroll management service
Silicon Beach Training Variety of free tutorials & self-learning downloads
Small Biz Bee Info & advice for home & small businesses
Business - Networking
American Express Open Forum Small business online networking community
Biznik Info sharing among local entrepreneurs
SOHO America Small business online networking community
Business - Sourcing
ThomasNet Industrial manufacturers, distributors and services directory
Business Operations - Restaurants
allfoodbusiness.com General info about the food & restaurant industry
CA Restaurant Association Info, resources & networking opportunities
Golden Gate Restaurant Association Info, resources & networking opportunities
J.G. Bonilla Auctioneers Local source for new & used equipment
Restaurant Equipment World Equipment sales, design & installation
Restaurant Management Center Resources & info on all aspects of restaurant mgt.
Restaurant Owner Resources & info on all aspects of restaurant mgt.
Restaurant Realty Company Source for buying, selling & leasing restaurants
RestaurantReport Resources & info on all aspects of restaurant mgt.
Restaurants For Sale Online Source specializing in buying & selling & restaurants
Score 12 month P&L Worksheet 12 Month Profit & Loss Worksheet
Business Operations - Retail
Retail Business Expenses listing Retail Startup expense catagories
Apparel Search Apparel & textile industry directories
The Retail Owners Institute Focus on retail finance, inventory mgt. & cash flow
Business Opportunities - Buy
BizBen Listing of small to mid-size businesses for sale
bizjournals Listing of small to mid-size businesses for sale
CA Association of Business Brokers Listing of small to mid-size businesses for sale
Business Opportunities - Franchise
FranChoice Finding the right franchise to buy
FranNet Finding the right franchise to buy
Business Opportunities - State
CA Department of Financial Institutions Info on selling to the State of California
Business Plans - Samples
Bplans Free sample business plans & general information
Entrepreneur Free sample business plans & general information
SamplePlan Business plan templates (fee-based)
Business Plans - Software
Atlas Business Solutions Windows-only compatible with sample plans
Fundable Plans Web-based planning & financial forms
JIAN Macintosh & Windows compatible
PlanWare Various business planning software products 
Business Plans - Tools
BulletProof Business Plans Business plan software, samples & information
Center for Business Planning Business plan software, samples & information
MasterCard Several easy to use business guides
The One Page Business Plan Co. Business plan software, samples & information
Business- Sourcing
MacRAE's Blue Book Directory of industrial suppliers
Process Register Online industrial buyer's guide
Business Start-Ups
About.com:Small Business General small business information
AllBusiness.com Info & tools to help small business start-ups
Business Owner's Toolkit Info & tools to help small business start-ups
FreshMonie.com Launch Web, Mobile & Social Start-ups
MWBE.com Support for minority & women business entrepreneurs
SME Toolkit Info, tips & resources on all aspects of business
StartupNation Variety of info on all aspects of starting a business
The Entrepreneur Network Info, resources & advice for inventors & entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneur's Help Page Info & tools to help small business start-ups
WomanOwned Info, tools & networking opportunities for women
Women's Initiative Local support for low-income women entrepreneurs
WORK.COM How-to guides for entrepreneurs
eCommerce - Marketing
MarketingTips Online business marketing resources & training
Multichannel Merchant Online business marketing resources & training
eCommerce - Payment
2CO Internet payment service
Elavon Internet payment service
PayPal Internet payment service
eCommerce - Security
VeriSign Tools & services to protect online transactions
Funding - Angel Investors
Keiretsu Forum All Types, $250K-$1.5Mil, Randy Williams CEO
Life Science Angels, Inc. Bio/Life Science, $200k-$700K, Allan May Chairman
Investors' Circle Green/Solar, $200k-$500K, Deb Parsons Co-Director
Angels' Forum All Types, $250K-$500K, Carol Sands Manager
Band Of Angels  Tech/Bio/Mobile, $300-$1Mil, Ian Sobieski Director
Tribe of Angels Targeted Investments, Paul Allen Manager
North Bay Angels Tech/Mobile, $250-$1Mil, David Hehman Chairman
Golden Gate Angels All Types, $25k-$100K, Tom Cervantez Director
Angel Capital Association Directory of angel investor organizations
Angel Capital Education Foundation Directory of angel investor organizations & general info
Funding - General
BizBuyFinancing Info on various sources for business loans
BusinessFinance.com Info on various sources for business loans
Consumer Credit Counseling Services Local credit counseling & debt consolidation advice
OBDC Finance Local commercial loan sources and services
Prosper Online peer-to-peer lending service
Funding - Grants
Foundation Center Source for non-profit funding & grant writing information
Funding - Microloans
Kiva Local community microloan program
Opportunity Fund Local community microloan program
Funding - Venture Capital
Garage Technology Ventures Funding for California hi-tech start-ups
vFinance Directory of venture capital firms
Graphic Design, Marketing, Websites
AG Designs Professional design solutions-App's, Logos, print, websites
Government - County
Alameda County Fictitious name registration
Contra Costa County  Fictitious name registration
Solano County Fictitious name registration
Government - Federal
Business.gov Info & tools to help small business start-ups
Internal Revenue Service Tax info, forms & EINs (employer identification numbers)
Small Business Administration Services, tools & tips for small businesses
Government - General
State and Local Gov. on the Net Directory of U.S. state, county & city government websites
Government - State
CA Business Portal Info about starting a business in California
CA Employment Development Dept. California payroll tax information & forms
CA Franchise Tax Board California corporate tax information
CA Sec. of State - Business Programs General information about doing business in California
CA State Board of Equalization California business tax & fee nformation
CalGold California business permit information
California Tax Service Center Guides to California income, payroll, sales & use taxes
State of California General information about California
Intellectual Property
U.S. Copyright Office Copyright information
International Trade - Exporting
Export.gov Info about exporting from the U.S.
International Trade Administration Government assistance programs for exporters
International Trade - Financing
Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Info about financing small business exports
INCOTERMS  Explanation of international terms of sale 
International Trade - General
CalChamber Resources & contacts for California exporters & importers
Port of Oakland Directory of Northern California resources
International Trade - Importing
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Info about importing into the U.S.
International Trade - Partners
Federal Maritime Commission Directory of licensed U.S. freight forwarders 
Global Sources Database linking buyers & sellers worldwide
Kompass Database linking buyers & sellers worldwide
NCBFAA Directory of Customhouse Brokers & Freight Forwarders
International Trade - Research
Alibaba.com Online source for products, suppliers & buyers
PIERS Commodity, exporter & importer information
TradePort California export & import data & trade leads
USA Trade Online U.S. export & import data
Inventors - General  
InventNET Info & advice about developing & marketing inventions
Inventors Alliance Local networking organization for prospective inventors
Will It Sell? General information for inventors
Inventors - Patents
Delphion Patent search
FreePatentsOnline Patent research & general information
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patent & trademark information
Legal - General
FindLaw Legal documents & information
LegalZoom Legal documents & information
Nolo Legal documents & information
Legal - Employment Law
LawRoom Legal documents & information
Legal - Incorporation
CA Department of Corporations California business incorporation information 
Harvard Business Services Business incorporation information & services
MyCorporation Business incorporation information & services
The Company Corporation Business incorporation information & services
Market Research - General
Alameda County Library Access to various databases & other information
Hoovers Basic information about thousands of companies
ReferenceUSA Business & consumer database - available @ libraries
U.S. Census Bureau Business & consumer information & projections
Market Research - Location
City-Data.com Detailed city & zip code information
ePodunk In-depth information about communities & counties
New Geography Demographic & economic information
ZIPskinny Demographic & economic information
Market Research - Statistics
Bizminer Industry research & data (subscription-based)
BizStats Financial & operating data for business planning
STAT-USA/Internet Source for U.S. business, trade & economic information
Marketing - General
Huthwaite Techniques for business-to-business (B2B) selling
Marketing Teacher Source of information on a variety of marketing issues
Professional Services Marketing Marketing & communications for professional services
Marketing - Promotion
Area's Best Business Alternative solutions to reaching potential customers
Chief Marketer General advice & information on promoting your business
MyLogo Logo advice & design
PR Toolkit Info, tips & tools for effective company communications
Marketing - Survey Tools
QuestionPro Online survey tools and information
Survey Monkey Online survey tools and information
Zoomerang Online survey tools and information
Marketing Plans
Mplans Free sample marketing plans & general advice
Web Site Marketing Plan Info & resources to help develop a marketing plan
Mobile App Development
MyCloudFace
AG Designs
Online Selling
craigslist Community of buyers & sellers
eBay Community of buyers & sellers
Etsy Community of handmade merchandise buyers & sellers
Professional Services - Financial
CalCPA Directory of California certified public accounts
California Accounts Directory of various financial service providers
CPAdirectory Directory of California certified public accounts
E-chx, Inc. Payroll outsourcing service
Paychex Payroll outsourcing service
Professional Services - Insurance
Insurance Information Institute General information for business insurance
Professional Services - Legal
Alameda County Bar Association Directory of Alameda County lawyers
American Bar Association General information for legal services
Contra Costa County Bar Association Directory of Contra Costa County lawyers
Attorneys.com Matches local Attoney's to your legal issue
Lawyers.com Directory of legal services
Solano County Bar Association Directory of Solano County lawyers
Professional Services - Real Estate
Cityfeet Commercial real estate availability resource
Social Networking
jabezenterprisegroup Resources to help you setup social networking
Add This Tools to spread & track web content
Delicious Bookmark organizing tool
Digg Web content evaluation
Social Marketing - Blogs
Blogger Blog set-up
Copyblogger Develop creative writing & content marketing skills
LiveJournal Crossover social networking & blog platform
Moveable Type Variety of social publishing platofrms & services
TypePad Blog tools & tips
WordPress Complete blogging start-up kit & process
Social Marketing - Email
Constant Contact Email platform & templates
Lyris Email platform & templates
Social Marketing - General
2hats Consulting Tools & support for small business owners
Boot Camp Digital Live & online training programs 
eMarketer General information about digital marketing & media
Grow Smart Business Info, tools & insights on how businesses use social media
Mashable Info, tips & resources to using social media
Sustainability
2Sustain General information & news
Bay Area Green Business Program Resources to help small businesses become sustainable
Earth 2017 Practical advice on becoming a sustainable business
Triple Pundit Info on the triple bottom line - people, planet & profit
Trade Shows
BizTradeShows.Com Industry-specific trade show information
Trade Show News Network Industry-specific trade show information
Trade-Show-Advisor.com Info, resources and tips on trade show participation
Website - DIY Development 
CoffeeCup Website information, software & support
HTML Goodies Website information, software & support
HTMLCenter Website information, software & support
Website - Domain Names
checkdomain.com Establishing a domain name for your website
Sedo Source for buying & selling domain names
Website - Free Hosting
Bravenet Website information, tools & support
Netfirms Website information, tools & support
Webs Website information, tools & support
Website - Keywords
Good Keywords Info & software to maximize keyword results
Google AdWords Improve your Google search results
Website - Linkage
Onlywire Info & software to integrate with social networks
Open Directory Project Free site for linking to a specific directory category
Website - Management
Google Analytics Tools to analyze website traffic & marketing effectiveness
LinkPopularity Search engine optimization training, tools & tips
searchengines.com Search engine optimization training, tools & tips
SEO Book Search engine optimization training, tools & tips
Website - Paid Hosting
1&1 Full service website support
Go Daddy Full service website support
Hostway Full service website support
Intuit Full service website support

 

 
SBA - Small Business Administration