This week has been the 2018 Small Business Week and there have been online resources available each day, as well as live events around the country. If you’re a small business owner, employee, entrepreneur, or even someone who wants to be a business owner, there were resources provided for you. These resources were all publicized this week, however, most of them are available all year-long.
I started this blog last week, although it was a concept I had been thinking of for a long time. Being that it was at the start of Small Business Week, I used it as an inspiration to post an entry each day on something I thought would be of benefit to small business owners. In this post, I wanted to point out some of the resources that are available to small business owners and entrepreneurs all year-round.
The Small Business Administration hosted the Small Business Week, but they have information and resources available every day for all stages of your business. If you’re interested in getting started, they have a guide to help you from concept through execution. They also have tools for you if you’re already up and running, especially if you’re in need of funding and financing. I really encourage you to dive into their website and use it to your advantage.
The Internal Revenue Service also has information for small businesses. They’ve recently rearranged their website layout, which I am not a fan of, so finding the small business resources is a little more complicated than it should be. Let me save you some time and give you the link for their Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center. They have a vested interest in giving you the information that you need to succeed and can pay your taxes. Don’t worry, even though it is tax compliance focused, it is really useful for information on bookkeeping, paying your employees and other financial topics.
Your local chamber of commerce is also a great place to go for assistance in starting your business and they have tools to help you grow your business. Depending on your location, joining the chamber might be a great way to propel your business to success.
If you’re in Austin, the city has a who department devoted to small businesses. The Austin Small Business Development Program is available to anyone in Austin, from start-up to established business. I’ve met some of the people who work in this department and they are really wonderful. If you just need help and want to talk to a person, rather than search their website, please give them a call. They’ll get you the assistance you need and point you in the right direction.
An additional resource you should seek out in your community are the smaller chambers of commerce targeted to different parts of your community. For example, in Austin we have a number of chambers which each provide resources and assistance that you can tap into. Here is a list of some of the chambers here in Austin:
- Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
- Austin Young Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
I’m sure there are other chambers here in Austin, TX, and I’d be happy to add it to my list if you send me a link. I’m also sure that other cities have similar resources so check you city’s website and search them out for more information.
I hope you’ve had a great #SmallBusinessWeek and learned a lot of new useful information. I’m already looking forward to next year and thinking of posts I can use to help other small business owners.