External Resources

The following are websites that both investors and entrepreneurs may find helpful. 

NOTE: The following link or collection of links leads to third party sites that are not under the jurisdiction of The Florida State University. Be sure you wish to leave The Jim Moran Institute website before proceeding.

 

Internet Marketing

• The Art of Business Website Promotion - Advice, information, as well as other valuable tips on making the best use of content in your website and search engines for promoting and marketing your site.
• WILSON Internet -  Provides links to numerous resources and articles, and can sign up for FREE email newsletter.
• ClickZ Network - "The Ultimate Resource for Doing Business Online," has countless articles on all aspects of marketing online.
• Allen.com - Specifically for helping apply One-to-One marketing using personalization techniques
• The Internet Marketing Center - Tips on promoting business websites and offers a FREE monthly newsletter; provides new and different ideas for marketing on the internet.
• Guerilla Marketing Online - Weekly online magazine that targets small businesses and entrepreneurs; it also has online consulting.
• DMnews.com - Source of daily articles and stories regarding online marketing.

Insurance

• Insure.com - Provides information on the basic types of insurance, such as weather, home-based business, disability, group health plans, and workers' compensation
• Insurance Information Institute - Provides information on finding the right agent, filing a claim, and saving money; also includes a directory of insurance associations and current news items
• InsWeb - A free service that makes it easier to shop for quotes from the nation's leading insurance companies
• BusinessInsurance.org - An informative guide to small business that addresses hiring & training, task delegation, team building, leadership, meeting management, conflict resolution, motivation & encouragement, evaluating performance, and disciplining & firing

 Business Plans

• Bplans.com Business Planning Resource - For entrepreneurs and small business. Includes free sample business plans, sample marketing plans, plan outlines, tips, start-up business, financing, and venture capital.
• BizPlanIt - Has free resources, which includes tips, advice, and examples.
• SBA - Business Plan Outline - Has a complete outline for writing a business plan. There is a tutorial and self-paced activity.
• Business Planning Center - Provides business planning resources, example business plans, analysis of business strategy, and business planning products.
• SmallBusinessPoint.com - Assists entrepreneurs and small business in designing, developing, writing, and executing business, marketing, and financial plans.
• AllBusiness.com Business Plans - Online resource for writing business plans.
• CEOExpress - CEOExpress has many informative business links.

Entrepreneurship

• Florida Trend- Small Business - Business and political decision-makers look to Florida Trend to learn what's happening throughout the state, but even more to understand it.
• Business USA -BusinessUSA is your front door to all the government has to offer.
• Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) - Search and access filed information for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, trademarks, fictitious name registrations and liens.
• Small Business Resource Network - Designed especially for the small business person, the SBRN answers basic questions and is easy to use.
• Business Reference Service - All major business subjects are covered, including industry information, commerce, statistics, banking, insurance, economics, finance, investment, marketing, and more.
• Florida Small Business Development Center Network - Florida SBDC Network has over 35 years of experience helping businesses start, grow and succeed.
• Florida Small Business Development Center of North Florida - Florida SBDC Network has over 35 years of experience helping businesses start, grow and succeed. This is a great resource for small business owners and startups in the North Florida area.
• USA Today Small Business Center - The USA Today has a Small Business Center web site.
• The Ten Commandments - A list of the Ten Commandments for Managing a Young Growing Business
• Business Week Online - Small Business - Business Week has a daily update with interesting articles for entrepreneurs.
• Small Business Advancement National Center - The Small Business Advancement National Center is a multi-faceted small business counseling and electronic resource information center.
• Women's Biz News - There is a really good online newsletter called Women's Biz News. It is a great source of information for women in business and entrepreneurship.
• The Small Business Advisor - Good source of news, advice and tips, has a FREE newsletter.
• Entreworld.org - "A world of resources for entrepreneurs", includes information on starting and growing a business, as well as providing support for entrepreneurs. This site also hosts an online discussion group to chat with other entrepreneurs.
• EntrepreneurMag.com - "The Online Small Business Authority." There is a featured section on "Writing a Business Plan."
• Business Owner's Toolkit - Includes news and advice, model business plans, industry data, and free e-mail counseling through SCORE.
• National Business Incubation Association - Devoted to the business incubation industry.
• The Business Resource Center - Information to help grow a business.
• Office Depot Resources - Office Depot offers short tips about various business issues. It also has some helpful downloadable forms.
• Business & Finance - Catalog of business and finance resources for small business.
• International Business Brokers Association - Information for if you want to buy or sell a business.
• BizMarket Florida - Website dedicated to advertising businesses and franchises for sale in the state of Florida.
• The Capital Connection - The Entrepreneur's Resource for Finance.
• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity - Promotes economic opportunities for all Floridians through successful workforce, community, and economic development strategies.
• The Startup 411 - For start-up entrepreneurs and the angels that finance and fund them - links are organized in more than 80 categories including angel and venture capital financing / funding sources, fundraising, pitching, executive summaries, business plans, common start-up mistakes, term sheets, cap tables, valuation, start-up legal/corporate necessities and much more.
• ThomasNet.com - Free platform designed for sourcing components, equipment, MRO products, raw materials and custom manufacturing services. Engineers’ and buyers’ choice for finding trusted suppliers.
• Expo-Guide - An international online database that provides extensive information on 15,000 current and future trade shows and events, 3,000,000 exhibitors and 5,000 organizers in five different languages.

E-Commerce

• IBM E-Business - Provides advice and step-by-step guidance.
• Doing Business on the Internet - A library of congress Internet Resource page.
• E-Commerce Times - News about e-commerce and advice as to how to go about the process of e-commerce.
• E-Guide - Offers a 100-page e-guide book that walks through a business plan for e-commerce.

Family Business

• Family Firm Institute (FFI) - Organization dedicated to providing continuing education and networking opportunities; also provide information on the latest trends and developments in family business.
• Wisconsin Family Business Forum - Fosters healthy family business through education, information, networking, research and life experiences.
• Family Business Magazine - Includes a family business bulletin board, a commentary, family business bookstore, planning tips, and ideas from the current issue of the magazine.
• Family Business Net Center - Provides family business owners with an extensive library of articles, a weekly feature article and a list of educational affiliates that provide programs and resources for family business owners.

Veterans/Disabled Veterans in Business

• U.S. Dept. for Veterans Affairs: Center for Veterans Enterprise - Solely dedicated to assisting Veterans start and build their businesses.  
• Entrepreneur.com: Veterans Center – Helping veteran entrepreneurs succeed with useful resources, including videos, advice and articles.
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) - Offers cutting edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities resulting from their service to our country.  
• Florida State Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) - Intent is to open the door to entrepreneurial opportunity and small business ownership by developing competencies in the many steps and activities associated with creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture.
• Veteranscorp - Structure and facilitate collaborations between nonprofit and profit small business entities and veteran/service disabled veteran owned small businesses.
• Small Business Administration - Resources to help you start and grow your small business. From creating a business plan to finding your first customer, we're here to help you succeed.
• Veteran Business Outreach Centers - Designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.
• Vetbiz – Business information guide to help veterans interested in entrepreneurial activities.

Women in Business

• Florida Women’s Business Center (FWBC) - Is an entrepreneur resource center dedicated to assisting women in achieving their dreams by helping them start, grow and run successful businesses.
• Association of Women Business Centers – Advice for women to learn about how you can start and grow your business.  
• Small Business Administration - Resources to help women business owners to succeed. From registering your business, to hiring your first employee, we’re here to help you start and grow your small business
• Entrepreneur.com: Women’s Center – Helping female entrepreneurs succeed with useful resources, including videos, advice and articles.
• Women 2.0 – A media company offering content, community and conferences for aspiring and current women innovators in technology.
• Women’s Entrepreneurial Network - Encourage and support business owners, business professionals and women-friendly businesses with successful entrepreneurial and professional development.  
• Women Impacting Public Policy - A national nonpartisan public policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women and minorities in business in the legislative processes of our nation, creating economic opportunities and building bridges and alliances to other small business organizations. Through WIPP, our collective voice makes a powerful impact on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. 
• Count Me In - The leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow micro businesses to million dollar enterprises.

Hispanic Business Resources

• Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF) - Is the leading Hispanic nonprofit economic development organization in Florida specializing in bilingual business development to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business.
• ALPFA - Career resources and scholarships for Latinos in business, finance, accounting and related fields.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Latinos in Business - Government resources for Hispanic entrepreneurs.
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) - A part of the U.S. Department of Commerce is an entrepreneurially focused organization committed to wealth creation in minority communities and economic prosperity for all American businesses.
• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - A structured organization aimed at developing a business network that provides the Hispanic community with cohesion and strength.
• Small Business Administration - Provides information on federal government programs and services that help members of minority groups start their own businesses, as well as resources to help finance your new business and where to go to get training and assistance. 

Asian Business Resources

• Enterprise Asia - We champion entrepreneurship development across Asia and strive to cultivate a culture of honesty, fairness and corporate social responsibility.
• National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) - Continues to provide its members with the tools and resources to further career advancements and to empower Asian Americans to become great leaders as well as reliable employees.
• Korean American Society of Entrepreneurs (KASE) - Fosters and supports a growing network of Korean Americans interested in starting or playing key roles in professionally managed high growth companies in the United States.
• North American Chinese Entrepreneur Association - Founded by a group of Chinese-American entrepreneurs in late 2006, the objective is to create a home where motivated entrepreneurs, business owners and entrepreneurs-to-be can share their business ideas and experiences, build up confidence and strength, join hands and efforts to improve their chances of success. 
• Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC)- Assists Asian American businesses strengthen their capacities to compete in the mainstream marketplace, to expand business opportunities and to promote greater recognition of Asian American businesses’ contributions to the general economy. 
• Small Business Administration - Provides information on federal government programs and services that help members of minority groups start their own businesses, as well as resources to help finance your new business and where to go to get training and assistance.

African-American Business Resources

• BAC Funding Consortium - Extends commercial credit to African-American owned businesses in the form of asset-based revolving credit lines and joint venture agreements. 
• Florida Black Business Support Corporation - Provides access to capital and technical assistance to black, rural and small businesses throughout Florida and the nation. 
• Black Enterprise - Provides essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and decision makers. 
• National Black Chamber of Commerce - Dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora.
• Black Business Association - Represents an excellent resource tool to engage business professionals on a variety of important areas.  It includes bid opportunities for subcontractors, workshops announcements and advertisements for product and service promotion. 
• Small Business Administration - Provides information on federal government programs and services that help members of minority groups start their own businesses, as well as resources to help finance your new business and where to go to get training and assistance.

Americans with Disabilities in Business

• Small Business Administration -  Offers resources to help disabled people start, grow and manage a small business. 
• Americans with Disabilities Association - The most comprehensive civil rights legislation adopted to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities.
• American Association of People with Disabilities (APD) - Is committed to improving employment outcomes for the many people with disabilities who are not working but are ready, willing and able to work.
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
• U.S. Dept. of Labor: Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) - Provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability employment-related policies and practices affecting an increase in the employment of people with disabilities.
• Global Network for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities (GNED) - Is committed to building a global, social and business network to which existing business owners with a disability, whether they are experienced entrepreneurs or people with potential, can turn at any stage of their business journey.
• Forsythe Center for Entrepreneurship - Provides individuals who are blind or visually impaired with the knowledge, resources and networking opportunities to enable them to advance in their careers or to successfully launch and grow their own businesses.
• Work Support - Provides resources for professionals, individuals with disabilities and their representatives.
• Abledbody.com - Consumers can read the latest disability-related happenings in technology, workplace, design and life/culture.

International Business & Entrepreneurship

• International Entrepreneurship - We seek to have the best collection of data available on the web for all things related to International Entrepreneurship. 
• CIA World Factbook - Provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues for 267 world entities.
• International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Is an organization of 188 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty around the world. 
• United Nations - An international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. 
• Business Monitor International (BMI) - Offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help senior executives, analysts and researchers assess and better manage operating risks and exploit business opportunities, across 175 markets. 
• Country Commercial Guides for U.S. Investors - The trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets. 
• Country Watch - Provides critical country-specific intelligence and data to public and private sector organizations with overseas operations and global interests. 
• Export.gov - Brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace. 
• US Export Assistance Centers - Their mission is to provide the help you need to compete in today's global marketplace. Your local U.S. Export Assistance Center is your one-stop shop, designed to provide export assistance for your small- or medium-sized business.  

Tax Information

• About.com - Has a "Taxes" section, under the "Financial Management" link that provides articles and tips on many different tax areas, specifically for entrepreneurs.
• Tax Prophet - Has articles and discussions on various tax areas for US and foreign, entrepreneurs, and small companies; also has an FAQ section and links to other tax and law sites.

Government Sites

• United States Chamber of Commerce - The United States Chamber of Commerce web site.
• FedWorld.gov - Offers multiple distribution channels to disseminate information to the public; allows you to search, locate, order and acquire government and business information
• U.S. Department of Commerce - Through the US Department of Commerce; responsible for promoting the use of small, women-owned, and minority business in compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and policies.
• U.S. Department of Labor Compliance Assistance - Clear and easy-to-access information on how to comply with federal employment laws.
• GovSpot - Free resource center offering links to government and civic sites.
• The Federal Marketplace - Federal procurement and acquisition procedures to assist businesses in winning federal contracts.
• Small Business Administration Home Page (SBA) - The SBA was created to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interest of small business concerns to preserve free competitive enterprise.
• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) - Provides services to small business.   
• IRS- All of the IRS forms and information on-line.
• Federal trade Commission (FTC) - Deals with issues that touch the economic life of every American. FTC goals are to “Protect Consumers, Maintain Competition and Advance Performance.”
• Business USA - A centralized, one-stop platform to make it easier than ever for businesses to access services to help them grow and hire.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Provides data for individual metropolitan areas, central cities, and suburbs.

Law

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office- Site allows preliminary patent and trademark searches.
• Cornell Law School - Comprehensive legal site for reference.
• Edison Inventors Association, Inc. - A diversified group of people sharing time, information, experiences and understanding of the invention and entrepreneurial process.
• Score Online Workshop - Free online business workshop will help you: understand why you must protect your company's intellectual property, identify the three vital forms of intellectual property protection, and develop the proper intellectual property safeguarding strategy for your company.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - The United Nations agency dedicated to the use of intellectual property (patents, copyright, trademarks, designs, etc.) as a means of stimulating innovation and creativity.
• NOLO - Helps consumers and small businesses find answers to their everyday legal and business questions. 

Securities Information

• SEC's Web Site- Information on federal securities laws and regulations.
• NASAA's Internet Site - Information on state securities laws and regulations.