February 20, 2003
 

Internet Sites | General Information | Libraries | Books

• www.access.wa.gov
  Links and information on licensing a business in Washington state.

• www.uspto.gov
  U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  Information on registering patents and trademarks.

• www.brint.com
  Considered one of the best sites for general business research, especially management and technology issues.

• www.lowe.org
  Search 3,000 documents selected from government agencies, small-business consultants and books on small-business topics.

• www.sbaonline.sba.gov
  The U.S. government's Small Business Administration site

• www.entrepreneurmag.com
  Searchable database and links to small-business resources and articles.

• seattle.bcentral.com/seattle/
  Puget Sound Business Journal
  Searchable story archive and local economic indicators.

• www.bizmove.com
  Small Business Knowledge Base
  Help for improving management skills. The site is divided into 10 areas of small-business management, including starting a business, sales and marketing, personal skills, doing business on the Internet and more.

• www.business.com
  Pure business information
  Links to hundreds of business-related web sites, business news headlines and company profiles.

Back to Top

• Washington State's Business Assistance Hotline
  A recording provides information on everything from how to get a loan to registering for patents. Leave your name and address for a copy of the state's guide for small business, which lists state and local agencies and information on how to write a business plan.
  800-237-1233

• Washington Small Business
  Development Center
  Washington State University
  Spokane
  Offers counseling, and evaluates new ideas and products.
  509-335-1576

• Washington State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
  Main Seattle branch of the Pullman-based SBDC. Offers counseling and business training courses.
  206-464-5450

• South Seattle Community College
  Houses a branch of the Pullman-based SBDC. Offers classes, training and one-to-one consultation. Classes range from how to start a business on the Internet to writing a business plan.
  206-768-6855

• Seattle University's Small Business Institute
  Teams of undergraduates and MBA students help existing or start-up businesses.
  206-296-5730

• University of Washington's Business and Economic Development Program
  Brings together business-school students, alumni and Rotary Club members into consulting teams to help small businesses that are at least a year old.
  206-543-9327

• Bank of America
  Offers classes on how to run a small business and manage finances and banking.
  425-481-3100 or 800-441-1866

Back to Top

• U.S. Small Business Administration
  Offers classes on how to start a business. Information on writing a business plan, and help arranging government-guaranteed loans.
  206-553-7310

• City of Seattle's Small Business Information System
  Recording guides callers to city services and information for small businesses.
  206-684-0700

• Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development and Events
  Offers seminars, workshops, roundtable discussions on small-business topics and monthly networking events. Services are primarily for chamber members.
  206-389-7215

• The Black Dollar Task Force
  Offers classes and training on topics of interest to small businesses. Critiques business plans. Makes small loans.
  206-323-0534

• Emerging Businesses Inc.
  (formerly Seattle Minority Business Development Center)
  Staff helps minority-owned or -operated businesses with management, planning, marketing and finance, and sponsors workshops.
  206-264-0180

• Internal Revenue Service
  Forms distribution center and tax questions.
  800-829-3676

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  Information on searching patents and trademarks.
  703-305-8600

• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
  Education and training provided by retired executives. Call for locations.
  800-634-0245

• American Marketing Association
  Offers members marketing information and access to conferences, publications, journals and marketing opportunities. Membership is $155 plus annual dues.
  800-262-1150

• Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund
  Advocacy group for minority businesses. Certifies small businesses to compete for government contracts.
  202-289-1700

• National Foundation for Women Business Owners
  A research organization of assistance to small-business people.
  301-495-4975

• National Association of Women Business Owners
  A nonprofit group for women business owners. Sponsors conferences and networking opportunities nationwide throughout the year.
  202-347-8686

Back to Top

• Seattle Public Library's Business and Technology Department
  Fourth Floor, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle
  The library has a small-business librarian, books and reference guides including the American Entrepreneurs Association books on starting different kinds of businesses.
  206-386-4645

• Bellevue Public Library
  1111 110th Ave N.E., Bellevue
  Keeps track of the newest and best books on small business. Has pamphlets and other resources.
  425-450-1765

Back to Top

Back to Top