Entrepreneurship

1. Entrepreneurship Internet Resources

2. Web Based Resources • There are many websites devoted to providing information to individuals who are interested in starting their own business. This presentation will provide a list of several of these websites along with a brief description of the information provided, but be aware that many more websites exist than can be presented here.

3. First Steps • One of the best resources available on the Internet is a business start-up guide developed by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and the Cherokee County Development Authority.If you are interested in starting your own business, this is where you should begin your research. • Cherokee County Business Guide • * The Business Guide is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print. A free software download is available on the Adobe website.

4. First Steps • Pathfinder – How to start a business in Georgia Sponsored by the Athens Regional Library System, this Guide was created because many people are interested in starting their own businesses and do not know where to begin. If you are one of these, this Guide should help you locate both basic information and more specific information to learn what is involved in starting a business and running it. You can find sources for information about topics like business plans, marketing plans, and legal issues. These are things that a prospective business owner needs to be aware of. Hopefully, this guide should help you gain a clear understanding of what is involved before you get started. How To Start a Business in Georgia

5. First Steps This site is operated by the office of the Secretary of State and provides the prospective entrepreneur with a central point of information and contacts for state regulatory requirements for operating a small business. First Stop Business Information Center

6. Business Planning Resources • Northwest Georgia Career Depot Operated by the Coosa Valley WIA Program and the Northwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board, the Business and Industry Section provides several good business links, including one containing Tips for Entrepreneurs. • Northwest Georgia Career Depot

7. Business Planning Resources • Idea Café • An Excellent site for anyone thinking about starting their own business. Topics include: • Small business ideas • Business name ideas • Business plans • Home business ideas • Marketing & business start up • Customers & sales • Idea Cafe

8. Business Planning Resources • Entrepreneur Magazine • Published especially for entrepreneurs, prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners. • Entrepreneur Magazine

9. Business Planning Resources • Small Business Resources The State of Georgia offers a wide range of helpful resources to help your small business develop and grow. From state programs to professional services, we’re here to make sure your business endeavor is a successful one. • Small Business Resources

10. Business Planning Resources • The SBDC assists existing and prospective business owners to start or grow a business by offering a wide variety of training, providing one-on-one consulting, conducting economic development related market research, and providing technical assistance. • Small Business Development Center

11. Business Planning Resources • Georgia’s “Entrepreneur Friendly Initiative” The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Small Business & Innovation Division provides a community-based program that helps create an entrepreneur environment, building entrepreneur and small business strategy into the community’s overall economic development strategies. Entrepreneur Friendly Initiative

12. Business Planning Resources • SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is America's premier source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs. • SCORE • Score Business Tools: MyBizHomepage Financial Tools Score Template Gallery

13. Business Planning Resources • Specialty Websites • Websites for Women My Biz for Women Women’s Net National Women’s Business Center Enterprising Women • Websites for Minorities Minority Entrepreneurs

14. Business Planning Resources • Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs A website specifically for minority businesses.

15. On-Line Training Courses • SmallBizU • Also operated by the Small Business Development Center, SmallBizU offers over 20 on-line business training programs designed for entrepreneurs who prefer to learn via the web on their own time and at their own pace. These classes ARE FREE. SmallBizU

16. Financial Resources • Georgia Funding Links: • Appalachian Community Enterprises • Small Business Administration Funding • Non-traditional Funding

17. Internet Resources • Cherokee County Business Guide http://www.cherokeechamber.com/pdf/BusinessGuide.pdf • First Stop Business Information Center http://www.sos.state.ga.us/firststop • Northwest Georgia Career Depot http://www.careerdepot.org/bi.htm

18. Internet Resources • Idea Café http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/ • Entrepreneur Magazine www.entrepreneur.com • Small Business Resources http://www.georgia.org/Business/SmallBusiness/small_business_resources.htm

19. Internet Resources • Small Business Development Center http://www.sbdc.uga.edu/newsite/index.aspx • SCORE http://www.score.org • MyBizHomepage Financial Tools http://www.mybizhomepage.com/

20. Internet Resources • Score Template Gallery http://www.score.org/template_gallery.html • SmallBizU http://www.sbdc.uga.edu/newsite/index.aspx?cart=48f81ff0-a762-4ae9-a67a-fdf626ab4ae7&page_name=dessmallbizu

21. Internet Resources • Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs http://www.atlm.edu/amc_site/Game/Game_Main.htm

22. Internet Resources Georgia Funding Links http://www.georgia.org/Business/SmallBusiness/small_business_resources.htm#fun

23. Internet Resources • Appalachian Community Enterprises http://www.aceloans.org/ • Small Business Administration Funding http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html • Non-traditional Funding http://www.sbdc.uga.edu/pdfs/MBD_nontraditional_financing_sources.pdf