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Resource Directory
Start with a Plan
Business Concept-Executive Summary
Small Business Administration
SCORE
- http://www.score.org
The Service Corp of Retired Executives offers a complete index of informational
sites along with on-line expertise in starting and owning a business.
Small Business Development
- http://commerce.ca.gov
A comprehensive resource on doing business in California.
- http://www.businessplans.org
This center includes a collection of resources for planning your business,
documenting your plan, and evaluating your strategy.
- http://www.santarosa.edu/sbdc
Hosted by Santa Rosa Junior College, the Redwood Empire Small Business
Development Center offers business consulting, training workshops and
seminars, and links to small business resources.
- http://www.bizmove.com
The Small Business Knowledge Base, a privately sponsored comprehensive
free resource, packed with guides and worksheets.
- http://www.calchamber.com
Includes useful information and links on doing business in California
and internationally.
Business Structure Requirements
Entrepreneurs
- http://www.eventuring.org
A first step for prospective entrepreneurs sponsored by the Kauffman
Foundation.
- http://www.uspto.gov
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office site has information on how to
apply for and research patents and trademarks, along with government
services, guides and resources.
- http://www.northbayangels.com
The North Bay Angels was formed to fill a growing need to provide a
forum for learning about and making early-stage investment capital and
advisory assistance available to entrepreneurial companies in the North
Bay.
Market Analysis
- http://www.score.org
Articles about the entrepreneur’s role as a market researcher as
well as tips on how to advertise inexpensively.
- http://www.sec.gov/edgarhp.htm
The site of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission offers information
for small business and the EDGAR research database for all U.S. public
companies.
- http://www.census.gov
Offers research on regional business profiles and statistics, demographics
and geography.
- http://all-biz.com
A comprehensive web link resource for small businesses and entrepreneurs
who want to expand and promote their companies on the Internet.
- http://NorthBayBusinessJournal.com
A look at the latest issue of this semi-monthly newspaper that covers
business topics and companies active in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties.
- http://www.pressdemocrat.com
Sonoma County’s daily newspaper with current news stories and archive
files by subject.
- http://www.marketingpower.com
Home site of the American Marketing Association, a professional organization
of people involved in the practice, study and teaching of marketing.
International Trade
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Management or Operational Plan
Leadership and Office Management
- http://www.amanet.org
The home page of the American Management Association offers a full range
of on-line resources for management.
Entrepreneur Education
- http://celcee.edu/index.html
The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership contains abstracts of materials
on entrepreneurship education at all levels with links to similar organizations.
Based at UCLA and supported by the Kauffman Foundation.
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Financial Plan
How to Finance Your Business
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Strategic Plan
How to Grow Your Business
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Consult with Professionals
Every California county and town may have different local requirements
and regulations that apply to businesses operating in a particular area.
The following links offer general information and may not be applicable
to your particular business. See Planning and Zoning and the Licenses,
Permits, and Regulations sections for Sonoma County links.
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Registration and Accounting
Business Advisor
- http://www.business.gov/
Assists with the maze of government rules and regulations and provides
access to services and resources, sponsored by the Small Business Administration.
Permits & Licenses
Doing Business with California
- http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov
The Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise
(DVBE) provides stimulus and business information services to encourage
state contracting participation, including a Contracts Register.
Doing Business with California Counties
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If You Have Employees
California Employee Benefits Law
California Employment Department
- http://www.edd.ca.gov
A direct link to job placement and referrals, unemployment and disability
insurance, employment taxes, labor market information and more.
Employers and Unions
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Raising and Borrowing Money
Where to Start
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Location, Location, Location
Contact the county and town in which you plan to locate
your business for licensing, planning and zoning laws that pertain to
your business.
Planning and Zoning
Choosing a Location
- http://www.abag.ca.gov/abag/local_gov/city/city.html
The Association of Bay Area Governments includes links to Sonoma
County city governments of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma,
Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor for business
licenses and permit information.
Home-Based Businesses
Usually requires a license from the local government agency
where your business is based. Contact the municipality/city hall nearest
you. If you live in an unincorporated area, contact the County of Sonoma
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Quality of Life
- http://www.sonoma.lib.ca.us
Hosted by the Sonoma County Library System, it provides information
on local community resources including businesses, media outlets
and area towns.
- http://www.pressdemo.com
The Sonoma County local daily newspaper based in Santa Rosa.
- www.calchamber.com
A list of local chambers of commerce with links and contact information.
- www.abag.ca.gov
The Association of Bay Area Governments hosts a directory of official
San Francisco Bay Area local government websites with links to Sonoma
County and demographic and economic information.
- www.sonomacounty.com
Sponsored by the Tourism Program of Sonoma County.
- www.sonoma.com
A complete list of Sonoma County chambers of commerce and visitors
centers, along with an event calendar and things to do.
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Single Projects, Multiple Jurisdictions
Some businesses require a combination of local, regional,
state, and federal permits and approval. Make sure to check for overlapping
regulations.
California Permit Assistance
- http://www.calgold.ca.gov
CalGOLD provides businesses with information on permits and other
requirements of California agencies at all levels of government.
Environmental Protection Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
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Licenses, Permits, and Regulations
Business Licenses
- http://commerce.ca.gov
Professional and Business License Handbook. State agencies, departments,
and offices responsible for processing and monitoring state-mandated
licensing requirements are included with addresses and phone numbers.
- http://www.abag.ca.gov/abag/local_gov/city/city.html
The Association of Bay Area Governments includes links to Sonoma
County city governments of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma,
Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor for business
licenses and permit information.
- http://www.score.org/
Deals with basic legal issues
If you plan to operate a business under a name other than your own, a
fictitious
name statement is required in Sonoma County. Forms and information
are online or call 707 565-3700.
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Taxes and Reporting Requirements
If You Have Employees
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Sales Taxes
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Workman’s Compensation Insurance
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Development Assistance Agencies
Small Business Assistance Centers
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Employment, Training, and Technical Assistance
Local Job Market
- http://www.socojoblink.org
Offers resources for both the employer and the job seeker in Sonoma
County with links to California and national employment resources, including
jobs for youth.
Sonoma County Government
Full-time, part-time and seasonal job
openings at the County of Sonoma.
Santa Rosa Junior College Career Center
- http://www.santarosa.edu
Go to the Career Center for an extensive list of career and job search
links including career assessment, resumes, salary surveys, and other
job hunting tips.
Sonoma/North Bay Careers
The Press Democrat
California Job Search
- http://jobsmart.org
A California job search guide from the public library system and administered
in California by the State Librarian.
- http://www.edd.ca.gov
Employment Development Department for the State of California--A large
quantity of information.
- http://www.caljobs.ca.gov
Part of the Employment Development Department, linking employer job
listings and job seeker resumes.
Wall Street Journal
California Labor Market Information
U.S. Labor Market Information
- http://www.doleta.gov
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration: many
links ranging from how to find qualified employees to labor market information.
- http://www.nawb.org
Workforce Excellence Network homepage.
Career Training
- http://www.socojoblink.org
Offers resources for both the employer and the job seeker in Sonoma
County with links to California and national employment resources, including
jobs for youth.
- http://www.etp.cahwnet.gov/
State of California Employment Training Panel
- http://www.edd.ca.gov/emptran.htm
An overview of employment training supported by the state Employment
Development Department.
- http://www.sonoma.edu
The home page of Sonoma State University offers links to local job openings
and college courses available.
- http://www.santarosa.edu
The home page of Santa Rosa Junior College, a two-year institution offering
career counseling. job preparation, community courses and associate
degrees.
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