APPENDIX
resources for
start-ups and expanding businesses

THE CHALLENGE OF writing a book like this is getting to an endpoint. There is so much to say on the subject of starting and growing your own business. But assuming I even could address every possible topic and answer every likely question, you’d never be able to lift the book. Therefore, I leave you with a list of some great resources that can help you accelerate your business’s growth. (To provide you with the most accurate information, the text in these entries is borrowed from the organizations’ websites.) This list is not all-encompassing by any means; but they are some of my favorite resources and I hope you’ll find them useful.

Associations and Organizations that Foster Small Business

Government Agencies

Small Business Administration (SBA). 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. The SBA helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Contact: www.sba.gov.

SBA Online Women’s Business Center. This group assists women in achieving their dreams of starting a business, regardless of social or financial disadvantage, race, ethnicity, or business background. Contact: www.onlinewbc.gov.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). The federal government’s Small Business Development Centers provide management assistance to current and prospective small-business owners. They offer one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations. Contact: www.sba.gov/sbdc.

National Women’s Business Council (NWBC). The National Women’s Business Council is a bipartisan federal advisory council created to serve as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the president, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners. The Council’s mission is to promote bold initiatives, policies, and programs designed to support women’s business enterprises at all stages of development in public and private sector marketplaces—from start-up to success to significance. Contact: www.nwbc.gov.

Educational and Advocacy Business Organizations

American Management Association (AMA). A world leader in talent development, advancing the skills of individuals to drive business success, the AMA’s approach is to improve performance by combining experiential learning—learning through doing—with opportunities for ongoing professional growth at every step of one’s career journey. The AMA supports the goals of individuals and organizations through a complete range of products and services, including classroom and live online seminars, webcasts, webinars, podcasts, conferences, corporate and government solutions, business books, and research. Organizations worldwide, including the majority of the Fortune 500, turn to AMA as their trusted partner in professional development and draw upon its experience to enhance skills, abilities, and knowledge with noticeable results from day one. Contact: www.amanet.org.

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). This is a dynamic global network of more than 7,000 business owners in nearly 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. EOtv, the EO’s weekly webcast, provides rich business learning from entrepreneurs such as Gene Simmons (KISS), Rachael Ray, and Tony Hsieh (Zappos.com). In partnership with Mercedes-Benz Financial, the EO also operates the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards program, the premier award for undergraduate students who own and operate businesses while attending a college or university; as well as the Accelerator Program, a series of quarterly, high-impact learning events that provide business owners with the tools, knowledge, and skills to grow their businesses to more than $1 million in annual revenue. Contact: www.eonetwork.org.

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The Foundation’s vision is to foster a society of economically independent individuals who are engaged citizens, contributing to the improvement of their communities. It focuses grant making and operations on two areas: advancing entrepreneurship and improving the education of children and youth—offering four programmatic areas: Entrepreneurship, Advancing Innovation, Education, and Research and Policy. Contact: www.kauffman.org.

Freelancers Union. Freelancers Union and its members are building a new support system to help the growing independent workforce thrive. The organization’s mission is to promote the interests of independent workers through advocacy, education, and service. Contact: www.freelancersunion.org.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). This is the nation’s leading resource for the self-employed and microbusinesses, providing a broad range of benefits and support to help the smallest businesses succeed. Contact: www.nase.org.

National Business Incubation Association (NBIA). The world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship, this organization each year provides thousands of professionals with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies. An elected, voting board of directors representing the world’s leading incubators governs the association. Contact: www.nbia.org.

National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). A leading advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses, this nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943 represents the consensus views of its members in Washington and all 50 state capitals. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the rights of its members to own, operate, and grow their businesses. NFIB also gives its members a power in the marketplace. Contact: www.nfib.org.

National Inventor Fraud Center (NIFC). The organization’s goal is to provide information to consumers about invention-promotion companies and how people can market their ideas. Inventors often do not realize that some invention marketing companies charge thousands of dollars, yet have success rates of 0.00 percent. The goal of the NIFC is to educate and help inventors make the right decisions. Contact: www.inventorfraud.com.

National Small Business Association (NSBA). A national nonprofit membership organization founded in 1937, this group represents America’s small-business companies and entrepreneurs. Reaching more than 150,000 small businesses, NSBA is the first and oldest national small-business advocacy organization in the United States. Contact: www.nsba.biz.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). A resource partner with the SBA, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE’s valuable network of more than 13,000 knowledgeable and experienced volunteers offers small-business entrepreneurs confidential business counseling services at no charge. Its volunteers represent more than 270,000 years of experience across 62 industries. SCORE also provides local workshops and events throughout the country to connect small-business owners with the people and information they need to start, grow, and maintain their businesses, as well as online workshops available 24/7. Contact: www.score.org.

United Inventors Association. Since 1990, the UIA is the national 501(c) nonprofit dedicated to inventor education and support. Its mission is to provide reliable information to inventors, as well as certification to groups and inventor-friendly firms that agree to comply with rigorous professional and ethical standards. Contact: www.uiausa.org.

Organizations That Promote Women-Owned Businesses and Networking

Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC). The AWBC develops and strengthens a global network of women’s business centers to advance the growth and success of women business owners. The vision of AWBC is a world where economic justice, wealth, and well-being are realized through the collective leadership and power of successful entrepreneurial women. Contact: www.awbc.biz.

Athena International. This group pairs woman-owned businesses with a group of local mentors who serve as a panel of advisers. Advisers work with the business owner on her business for one year at no charge. Contact: www.AthenaInternational.org.

Ladies Who Launch (LWL). This is a group that provides content and community to help women start and expand their businesses and creative ventures. Through their events, email newsletter, website, and in-person incubator programs, Ladies Who Launch provides a venue for motivated women to exchange products and services, ideas, and strategic relationships. Contact: www.ladieswholaunch.com.

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Since 1975, NAWBO has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a single voice to shape economic and public policy. NAWBO is the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. Contact: www.nawbo.org.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). This is a national bipartisan public policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women-owned businesses and educates women business owners on economic policy and current legislative initiatives that impact business health and growth. Contact: www.wipp.org.

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America’s corporations. It also is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States. WBENC works to foster diversity in the world of commerce with programs and policies designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for women business owners. Contact: www.wbenc.org.

Women’s Leadership Exchange (WLE). Founded by and for successful businesswomen, WLE’s mission is to provide the knowledge, tools, and connections that women need to be successful in their own businesses, the corporate world, and the not-for-profit environment. WLE offers a resource-packed website, teleconferences, an e-newsletter, local presentations, and a facilitated connection program. Contact: www.womensleadershipexchange.com.

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In addition to these women’s general membership organizations, you’ll find other groups providing more specific services for women in other categories in this appendix.

Organizations That Foster Minority-Owned Small Businesses

National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC). This is a nonprofit trade association established in 1969 to address the needs and concerns of minority contractors. While membership is open to people of all races and ethnic backgrounds, the organization’s mandate, “Building Bridges—Crossing Barriers,” focuses on construction-industry concerns common to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. Contact: www.namcnational.org.

National Black Chamber of Commerce. Dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States, this group reaches more than 100,000 black-owned businesses. Contact: www.nationalbcc.org.

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). A direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses, the NMSDC provides increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. Regional councils certify and match more than 16,000 minority-owned businesses (Asian, black, Hispanic, and Native American) with member corporations that want to purchase goods and services. Contact: www.nmsdc.org.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). The USHCC works to bring the concerns of the nation’s almost three million Hispanic-owned businesses to the forefront of the national economic agenda. Through its network of more than 200 local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and Hispanic business organizations, the USHCC effectively communicates the needs and potential of Hispanic enterprise to the public and private sector. This includes providing technical assistance to Hispanic business associations and entrepreneurs. Contact: www.ushcc.com.

Specialty Organizations and Associations

Alliance for Virtual Businesses™ (A4VB). Established in 2003, this organization’s primary mission includes promoting the growth of free enterprise between virtual assistants, entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, associations, and other business entities. Business owners can learn about the time- and cost-saving advantages of working with a virtual assistant. The A4VB also provides training, education, mentoring, and coaching for virtual assistants. Contact: www.allianceforvirtualbiz.com.

Direct Marketing Association (DMA). The DMA is the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit organizations using and supporting multichannel direct marketing tools and techniques. The DMA advocates industry standards for responsible marketing both online and offline, promotes relevance as the key to reaching consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the end-to-end direct marketing process. Contact: www.the-dma.org.

Direct Selling Association (DSA). The DSA is the national trade association of the leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers. DSA’s services are designed to enable member companies to make better-informed and smarter operating decisions. Contact: www.dsa.org.

International Franchise Association (IFA). The oldest and largest franchising trade group, the IFA helps educate prospective franchise investors so they are equipped to handle the challenges of becoming small-business entrepreneurs. The IFA website provides detailed information for more than 1,100 franchises; a broad list of subject-matter experts; and a comprehensive library of franchising information, ranging from basic “how-to’s” to advanced regulatory and legal information. Contact: www.franchise.org.

Mom Invented. This organization helps women start businesses and develop products and inventions with inventing advice, inspirational inventing help, and business advice. Contact: www.mominventors.com.

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The nation’s largest industrial trade association, NAM is a strong voice for the American manufacturing community, representing manufacturers large and small in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. It is the leading advocate for government policies that reduce the cost of production and break down barriers to exports. Its staff of policy experts provides information on the key issues affecting the manufacturer’s business and bottom line: from healthcare reform and labor relations, to energy and the environment, to trade policy and taxes. Contact: www.nam.org.

National Restaurant Association (NRA). Since 1919, the NRA has been the restaurant industry’s leading association. Representing more than 380,000 restaurants, suppliers, educators, and nonprofits, the NRA aims to help members build customer loyalty, find financial success, and provide rewarding careers in foodservice. Contact: www.restaurant.org.

Small Business Exporters Association (SBEA). The SBEA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit industry association dedicated to the creation and growth of small and midsize U.S. business exporters. (It is also the international trade arm of the National Small Business Association.) In addition to advocating on behalf of small-business exporters, it provides members with networking opportunities and cost-saving tools. Contact: www.sbea.org.

Organizations That Represent or Offer Financial Assistance

ACCION USA. A leader in U.S. microfinance, ACCION USA is committed to bringing affordable small-business loans to microentrepreneurs. ACCION USA has provided over $119 million in over 19,000 microloans for over 9,000 small-business owners since its inception in 1991. It offers business loans of up to $50,000 and financial education throughout the United States. ACCION USA specializes in working with small-business owners who cannot borrow from a bank due to business type, a short length of time in business, or an insufficient credit history. Contact: www.accionusa.org.

Astia. Founded in 1999 in Silicon Valley, this global, not-for-profit organization is a community of more than 1,000 experts committed to building women leaders and accelerating the funding and growth of the companies they lead. Astia connects entrepreneurs to investors, industry leaders, advisers, and service providers, with the aim of delivering results by facilitating access to the proven pathways to success. Contact: www.astia.org.

Count Me In. This group champions the cause for women’s economic independence by providing access to business loans, consultation, and education. The first online microlender, Count Me In uses a unique, women-friendly credit scoring system to make loans of $500 to $10,000 available to women across the United States who have nowhere else to turn for that all-important first business loan. The organization provides access to networks that expand contacts, markets, skills, and confidence. Contact: www.countmein.org.

Golden Seeds. Committed to empowering women financially, Golden Seeds is a network of angel investors dedicated to investing in early-stage companies founded and/or led by women. With locations in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, it provides entrepreneurs with strategic business advice as well as access to funding and the tools to enable them to grow into multimillion-dollar businesses. Contact: www.goldenseeds.com.

Kiva. This is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the Internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend funding-worthy businesses as little as $25 to help create opportunity for entrepreneurs around the world. Contact: www.kiva.org.

National Association of Small Business Investment Companies (NASBIC). The NASBIC coordinates and promotes the activities of hundreds of small-business investment companies (SBIC) nationwide. SBICs are privately capitalized, owned, and managed investment firms licensed by the SBA that provide equity capital, long-term financing, and management assistance to small businesses. The SBIC program emphasizes investment in the small growth firms that generate jobs. Contact: www.nasbic.org.

Springboard Enterprises. Venture-catalyst Springboard Enterprises is a national nonprofit organization where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts converge to build great women-led businesses. Its programs educate, source, showcase, and support women entrepreneurs seeking equity capital to grow their companies. Contact www.springboardenterprises.com.

ItsYourBiz.com (IYB). IYB is a news and information website focused exclusively on small business. It broadcasts a daily video small-business news brief called “Today in Small Biz” to keep viewers apprised of hot topics. The site also features “how-to” information to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, along with inspirational success stories. Viewers will find some of the nation’s best experts to guide them to small-business success. Contact: www.itsyourbiz.com.