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Small Business Resource Directory
Starting Your Business
Starting a business can be an exciting journey, but can also
present many challenges. Careful planning and understanding the
different challenges are important factors to a business
success. Learn about the different resources available and the
steps required in starting your own business.
Getting
Started
General
Information
City Resources
Resources for Doing Businesses in Oakland Guide
State Resources
Steps to Starting a Business in the State of California
California
Business Portal
Federal Resources
Checklist
for Starting a Business
Small Business Startup Guide
Entrepreneurship
 General
Information
Is Entrepreneurship For You? Learn More,
Click Here
Resource Centers
East Bay
Entrepreneurship Center
(510) 238-3703
The East Bay Entrepreneur Center offers a wide variety of
services for those looking to start or grow a business.
Their Business resource center also contains a wealth of
information resources. With hundreds of books, videos, and
software applications, the resource center contains vital
tools to conduct market research.
For a calendar of events and courses available, visit
http://www.business2oakland.com/main/businessassistance.htm
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
(415) 541-8580
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is a non-profit
organization that provides small business training and
support services to women and men throughout the Bay Area;
by helping them to start or grow their own business.
For a calendar of events and courses available, visit
http://www.rencenter.org/calendar.htm
Immigrant Entrepreneurs
(510) 540-7785
http://www.anewamerica.org
Women’s Initiative
(415) 641-3460
Women's Initiative for Self Employment provides a one-stop
shop where high-potential, low-income women receive training
to start and grow their business.
Click here to Sign for Classes and Training
Join the Entrepreneur Only (EO) Community
EO is a global community that enriches members lives through
dynamic peer-to-peer and once in a lifetime experiences.
Find as Chapter Near You
http://www.eonetwork.org/Public/About/Chapters.aspx
Buying a Business
Should you buy an existing business or start a new
venture from scratch. Learn about the advantages and
disadvantages.
General Information
Learn the Pros and Cons of Buying a Business
http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/startup/buy.html
Buying or Selling a Business Search Engines:
http://www.bizbuysell.com/
http://www.bizben.com/
http://www.smallbusinesssearchengine.com/details.php?id=1003569
Listing of Businesses for Sale in the United
States
http://www.usabizmart.com/
Buying a Franchise
Is owning a franchise right for you? Learn about how to
shop for franchise opportunities and understand the
obligations as a franchise owner.
General Information
What is franchising? Learn the basics here….
http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/startup/franchise.html
Consumer Guide to Buying a Franchise
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/invest/buyfran.htm
Buying a Franchise Search Engine
http://www.franchisesales.com/
Choosing a Business Structure
Choosing the right form of business structure can impact
your business and affect your tax obligation. Learn about
the different aspects of your business.
Learn about the Pros and Cons of different types of
ownership
http://business.gov/phases/launching/choose_structure/forms_ownership.html
Learn about how tax can affect you business structure
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98359,00.html
Incubators
Resource Centers
East Bay Entrepreneurship Center
(510) 238-3703
The East Bay Entrepreneur Center offers a wide variety of
services for those looking to start or grow a business.
Their Business resource center also contains a wealth of
information resources. With hundreds of books, videos, and
software applications, the resource center contains vital
tools to conduct market research.
For a calendar of events and courses available, visit
www.business2oakland.com/main/businessassistance.htm
Resource Centers
Communication Technology Cluster
(510) 903-1902
The Communications Technology Cluster is a Business
Acceleration built on a business incubator model providing
strategic consulting, business and financial services for
entrepreneurs, and growth-oriented small to mid-sized
companies across industries including:
http://www.ctcluster.com/main/index.htm
Social Fusion
Social Fusion is an incubator for bold entrepreneurs to grow
for-profit and nonprofit businesses that produce sustainable
social and environmental impact.
For more information, visit
http://www.socialfusion.org/
For a more comprehensive listing of incubators, visit
Site 1:
http://www.oaacc.org/Incubators.htm
Site 2:
http://www.ecenteronline.org/incubators.htm
Market Research
 General
Information
Learn how to write a Marketing Plan
http://www.knowthis.com/tutorials/marketing/marketingplan1.htm
East Bay Demographics
Facts and Data on Oakland
http://www.city-data.com/city/Oakland-California.html
Market Profile of Oakland
http://www.business2oakland.com/main/marketprofile.htm
Economic Development Alliance for Business
(510) 272-3885
http://www.edab.org/index.html
Oakland Convention and Visitor Bureau
(510) 839-9000
www.oaklandcvb.com
The Conference Board
http://www.conference-board.org/
Market Data for a Fee
Market Analysis for Business Decisions
http://www.claritas.com/claritas/Default.jsp
Market Research
http://www.economy.com/default.asp
Information USA
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/
Other Resources:
US Census Bureau
http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html
Economic Tools
Listed below are sites where economic data are available
free or charge for specific region.
Federal Resources
United States Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov/
Bureau of Economic Analysis
http://www.bea.gov/
Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/
Federal Reserve Bank
http://www.federalreserve.gov/
Bay Area Economic Forum
http://www.conference-board.org/
Federal Statistics
http://www.fedstats.gov/
STAT – USA
http://www.stat-usa.gov/econtest.nsf
Mentoring and Counseling
 Resource
Centers
Micro-mentor
(415) 348 -6271
Micromentor helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses
through mentoring relationships with experienced business
professionals. Our mentors volunteer their time to
meaningfully impact the lives of those new to the world of
small business.
http://www.micromentor.org/
SCORE East Bay
(510) 273-6611
SCORE is a nonprofit association comprised of over 10,000
volunteer men and women business counselors in over 380
chapters nationwide and an online CyberChapter. Its mission
is to provide professional guidance and information to
America's existing and emerging small businesses. SCORE
members are trained to offer counseling and training to
aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners at no or
low cost.
http://www.eastbayscore.org/
Cal State East Bay Small Business
(510) 208-0410
Cal State East Bay Small Business Development Center offers
classes, consulting services and business planning resources
for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Cal State
East Bay SBDC is focused on developing and implementing
programs and services that support small business growth and
sustainable economic development.
For a detail listing of consulting services provided, visit
http://www.eastbaysbdc.org/consulting/index.html
Inner City Advisors
(510) 271-0142
Inner City Advisors is an on-the-ground non-profit affiliate
of the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC).
Inner City Advisors provide one-on-one business technical
assistance and mentoring to address its clients’ business
operation growth and highlights their individual role in
building a strong surrounding business community.
For More Information, visit
http://www.innercityadvisors.org/main/index.htm
Unity Council
(510) 535-6900
The Unity Council provides services to entrepreneurs and
established businesses including technical assistance with
start-up and business expansion, access to pro bono
mentoring and coaching by high level professionals from
major corporations and organizations, employee recruitment
and training, and assistance with securing tax credits and
other incentives. .
For More Information, Visit
http://www.unitycouncil.org/
Writing a Business Plan
General Information
Step-by- Step To Writing a Business Plan
http://business.gov/phases/launching/write_business_plan/index.html
How to start your own business…for a list of sample
business plans and templates…Click here
http://www.myownbusiness.org/plans/index.html
For available online business courses, contact
(562) 463-1800
http://www.myownbusiness.org/course.html
Business Counseling and Assistance Centers
Cal State East Bay SBDC
(510) 208-0410
http://www.eastbaysbdc.org/
East Bay SCORE
(510) 273-6611
http://www.eastbayscore.org/
SCORE: Counselor to America’s Small Business
(800) 634-0245
http://www.score.org/
Financing
 General
Information
How to determine your startup costs
http://business.gov/phases/launching/finance_startup/startup_costs.html
Generation Information on the different financing options
for your business, learn about the financing basics
http://www.sba.gov/financing/basics/basics.html
Financing Tools and Calculator Estimate Tax, Lease versus
Buy Decisions, Compute Mortgage Payments
http://mowat.com/tools.html
OBDC Small Business Finance
(510) 763-4297
OBDC Small Business Finance is establish as the Oakland
Business Development Corporation in 1979 and have since
expand to become the leading alternative business lender in
Northern California and the greater Bay Area. OBDC is a
non-profit organization with 501(c) 3 status.
OBDC helps over 80 businesses access more than $4 million in
small business loans, both through their loan programs and
the help of partner banks.
http://www.obdc.com/
Northern California Financial Development Center
(510) 208-7330
Nor-Cal FDC has helped hundreds of business owners obtain
financing from banks throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
We specialize in helping those companies that do not meet
traditional guidelines. Nor-Cal FDC is committed to
helping local companies obtain financing
http://www.norcalfdc.org/index.htm
Resource Guidebooks to help Small Business Financing
http://www.moneyforsmallbiz.com/
Financial Options/Lenders
General
Information
Micro- Lenders
Applying for a Micro –Learn about the loan process
http://www.sba.gov/financing/sbaloan/microloans.html
List of Micro- Lenders in California
http://www.sba.gov/financing/microparticipants.pdf
Market Lenders for small businesses
OBDC Small Business Finance
(510) 763-4297
http://www.obdc.com/
California Economic Development Lending Initiative
(510) 267-8900
CEDLI, the California Economic Development Lending
Initiative, is a multi-bank community development
corporation established in 1995 to provide investment
capital to small businesses and community organizations
throughout California. CEDLI is a for profit corporation,
and its mission is to create jobs by providing financing to
small businesses, and community economic development and
revitalization activities which fall outside of normal bank
lending practices.
For More Information
http://www.caratnet.org/CEDLI.htm
Largest SBA Lenders in East Bay:
TMC Development
Bay Area Development Co.
Capital Access Group
US Bank
Wells Fargo
For a list of Commercial Business Lenders, click here
http://www.obdc.com/resources?cat=Banks
For a listing of Oakland Banks, click here
http://www.usabancshares.com/branch/ca/oakland.htm
Finding A Location
Choosing a Location
 General
Information
Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts For Choosing a Location
http://www.myownbusiness.org/s6/index.html#topten
To Lease or Not to Lease? Things to Know: Click Here
http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/startup/guide2.html#lease
Home Business Network
http://www.sba.gov/hotlist/home.html
General Research
For Maps and Site Information, Click Here
www.oaklandexplorer.com
For City Information and Business Development Services
(510) 238-3853
www.business2oakland.com
To Find a Location near the Oakland City Center
(510) 628-9170
http://www.oaklandcitycenter.com/
Real Estate Search Engine
http://www.loopnet.com/
Find a Broker
http://www.cityfeet.com/
Other East Bay Listing Services
http://www.craigslist.org/
Real Estate Brokerage in Bay Area
Lee and Associates
http://www.lee-associates.com/properties/index.php
Shorenstein Office and Retail
http://www.shorenstein.com/
Gordon Commercial
http://www.gordoncommercial.com/officespace.asp
Legacy Partners Offices
http://www.legacypartners.com/
Tri Commercial
http://www.tricommercial.com/
Metrovation Brokerage
http://metrovationbrokerage.com/retail.html
CB Richard Ellis
http://www.cbre.com
Cushman and Wakefield
http://www.cushwake.com/
Retail Brokerage
Terranomics
www.terranomics.com
NAIBT Commercial
www.naibtcommercial.com
Colliers International
www.colliers.com
LCB Associates
www.lcbassociates.com
Grubb and Ellis Company
www.grubb-ellis.com
Permits
and Legal Matters
License and Permits
State Resources
General Information about obtaining License and Permits
Frequent Asked Questions about State Permits and Business
License
http://www.calgold.ca.gov
Professional and Business License Handbook
http://commerce.ca.gov/ttca/business/licensehandbook.pdf
County Resources
Alameda County Business License and FAQ
http://www.acgov.org/treasurer/faqbus.htm
http://www.acgov.org/buslic.htm
City Resources br>City Business License
Tax Offices
http://www.acgov.org/treasurer/faqbus.htm#city
New Business Application (For Oakland Use Only )
(510) 238-3704
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/b_and_f1/revenue/busapp.pdf
Tax and Regulation
 Federal
Resources
General Information: Learn about how tax can affect your
business
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99336,00.html
Learn about the Tax Regulations
http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/taxes/taxes.html
State Resources
The EDD's
Employment Tax Offices offer state payroll tax seminars
in a variety of locations throughout California to help
employers comply with the State of California employment tax
laws. State payroll tax seminars are customized to benefit
everyone -- established businesses, those just getting
started, individuals anticipating going into business, and
payroll agents.
For a listing of seminars available, visit
http://www.edd.ca.gov/taxsem/
Franchise Tax Board
http://www.ftb.ca.gov/
California State Board of Equalization
http://www.boe.ca.gov/
City Resources
Business Tax Frequent Asked Information
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/fwawebsite/revenue/revenue_faqbiztax.htm
City of Oakland Business Tax Office
(510) 238-3704
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/fwawebsite/revenue/revenue_biztax.htm
Patent Info
General Information
Why you need to protect your ideas?
http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/startup/ideas.html
Learn about Copyrights Basics…
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html
United States Patent and Trademark Office
http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm
United States Copyright Office
www.copyright.gov
California Business Portal
http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/ts/ts.htm
Legal Advice
 General
Information
Legal Information for Small Businesses
http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/legal/buslaws.html
Learn the Forms of Business Ownerships and the Pro’s and
Cons
http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/legal/forms.html
Filing a Business Name
Check for the name availability
http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/corp/corp_naav2.htm#geninfo
Business Law Resource Center
http://www.business.gov/index.html
Legal Self Help Site Reference
Nolo is the nation’s leading provider of do-it-yourself
legal solutions for consumers and small businesses. Nolo has
offered affordable, plain-English books, forms and software
on a wide range of legal issues.
http://www.nolo.com
County Resources
Alameda County Bar Association
(510) 893-7160
http://www.acbanet.org/lawyer_refer_services_t.asp
City Resources
Legal Services for Entrepreneurs
(415) 543-9444
Volunteer Legal Services
(510) 893-7160
Hiring
Help
It is important to learn the rules and regulations on
hiring employees. Learn the basics on registrations, foreign
workers, disabilities, social security verification,
affirmative action, and training.
General Information
How to hire, learn the rules and regulations….
http://business.gov/topics/employees/hiring_procedures/
California Employer Guide 2006
http://www.edd.ca.gov/taxrep/de44.pdf
Sites for Job Postings
UC Berkeley Career Center
Employer Relations & Recruiting Office
(510) 642-0464
http://career.berkeley.edu/Employers/Employers.stm
Oakland Private Industry Council
(510) 768-4400
http://www.oaklandpic.org/welcome.htm
East Bay Works
(510) 768-4450
http://www.eastbayworks.com/
CAL Jobs EDD
http://www.caljobs.ca.gov/index2.asp
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