Free Biz Resources
 By Amanda C. Garrett

Savvy small-business owners take all the help they can get. Whether you’re a manufacturer or a consultant, resources abound that can put information at your fingertips or help you learn new tricks of your trade.

SCORE Resources For Manufacturers
This year SCORE introduced a new Web site section specifically for manufacturers, www.score.org.

Manufacturers can include businesses that specialize in transportation equipment, computers and electronics, chemicals, machinery and more. The new content area offers information, statistics and mentoring to help these small-business owners succeed. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Resources for Manufacturers features a list of 10 organizations, groups and Web sites that offer news, strategies, statistics and advice.
• SCORE Counselors with Manufacturing Expertise describes how to find face-to-face and online SCORE experts who have a background in manufacturing.
• Facts about U.S. Manufacturing offers a comprehensive overview of the manufacturing industry from the National Association of Manufacturers.
• How SCORE Can Help You highlights SCORE’s free online and face-to-face counseling, low-cost workshops and free e-newsletters.

2008 Small Business Resource Guide
This guide from the IRS is a one-stop source for all the information you need to comply with federal tax laws.

It’s available online at www.missouribusiness.net. At the Web site, just click the section you want to read in the left column. Sections include:

• Starting your business
• Hiring
• Specialized guidance for items such as choosing a retirement plan
• Preparing and filing tax returns
• Links to state governments and the IRS

SCORE Resources For Minority Entrepreneurs
In this new content area, www.score.org, you’ll find a wealth of information and statistics as well as hands-on help.

• Insights for Minority Entrepreneurs offers key articles on business licensing, protecting your idea, generating income and business financing.
• Resources for Minority Entrepreneurs features a list of more than 30 organizations, groups and Web sites that offer news, strategies and advice.
• Stats on Minority Entrepreneurs provides the latest research and facts on the growing number of African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American entrepreneurs.

SBA Podcasts
Get free audio broadcasts on a wide range of small-business topics. You can listen to these files on your computer or download them to your MP3 player. And new topics are added every month.

You can access the podcasts at www.sba.gov. Some of the topics you’ll find on the site:

• Financing a small business
• Checklist for starting a business
• SBA programs that support entrepreneurial veterans
• Creating a business plan
• Making your business plan work for you
• The SBA’s long-term, fixed-rate loan guaranty program

SCORE Resources For 50-Plus Entrepreneurs
Baby boomer and retirement-age entrepreneurs can find online assistance in this new SCORE section, www.score.org.

• Insights for 50-Plus Entrepreneurs offers key articles on transitioning to start a business, recognizing the value of mentors and evaluating your retirement situation.
• Resources for 50-Plus Entrepreneurs features a list of more than 20 organizations, groups and Web sites that offer news, strategies and advice.

AFS Resources For Members
Don’t forget about the small-business consultants at AFS. You have unlimited access to these professionals – at no additional cost.

The ProTalk team of experienced consultants can answer questions about:

• Starting a new business or expanding an existing one
• Choosing the best legal structure for a business
• Financing and capital needs for a business
• Investing and retirement planning
• Marketing and advertising plans
• Hiring and firing employees
• Dealing with government regulations
• Getting copyrights, trademarks and patents
• Legal issues and liability

The certified public accountants at ProTax offer online answers to your questions in one business day. You can get help with:

• Completing Schedule C and other tax forms
• Finding more business tax write-offs
• Taking the home office deduction
• Correctly reporting income and expenses
• Calculating self-employment tax
• Filing estimated taxes

(Posted May 2008)

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