Resources for Entrepreneurs

We will continuously expand this glossary of valuable tools and resources, so if you have recommendations for organizations, online communities, or tools that we should include, we welcome your ideas here

Start Up
US Small Business Administration
SBA en Espanol
The SBA Learning Center – free, self-paced short courses on 60+ topics
SBA Resource Guide for North Florida – intel on counseling, capital and more from the SBA’s Jacksonville District Office
SBA Resource Guide for South Florida – intel on counseling, capital and more from the SBA’s Miami District Office
SBA National Resource Guide in Spanish
Getting Veterans Back to Business, the SBA’s Small Business Resource Guide for Reservists
The Florida VBOC Business Start-Up Checklist (with links to federal and state agencies)
Census.gov – Using The Census Business Builder Tool
Starting your First Restaurant in Florida
Buying An Existing Business – A Good Deal or a Dog?
Choosing a Business Location & Equipment Decisions
US Dept of Agriculture Veterans Programs
State of Florida Agriculture Programs

Franchises
Franchise e-guide – SCORE
How to Choose and Buy the Right Franchise
Vetfran – Military Advantages

Business Plans
Business Model Canvas
Business Plan Basics – SBA
Business Plan Template for a Startup – SCORE
Nuts & Bolts of A Business Plan
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Wells Fargo Works.com Business Plan Tools Writting a Business Plan

Financing/Legal Issues/Insurance
Personal Financial Statement – SBA.gov
Fund Your Business – SBA.gov
US Dept of Agriculture Loan Programs For Farms and Rural Businesses
SBA Loan Programs
Legal Requirements for Small Business
Choosing a Business Structure – Sole Prop, LLC, etc. explained
Business Laws That Might Impact Your Business
Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights – SBA.gov
Patent and Intellectual Property
Insurance for a Small Business
SBA Surety Bond Guarantee for Construction Companies

Taxes/Operations
Intro to Business Accounting
Intro to Business Taxes
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
IRS Small Business and Self-Employment Tax Center – IRS.gov
Deducting Business Expenses – IRS
Florida Sales and Use Taxes – FL Dept of Revenue
Hiring and Managing Employees – SBA.gov
CareerSource Florida – Free Employer Services
Hiring Veterans – Free Employer Services Through VeteransFlorida.org
Marketing 101 -SBA.gov
Social Media Pocket Guide

Government Contracting
Federal Government Contracting – What You Need to Know
Introduction to Government Procurement (Video)
Introduction to Government Procurement (slides of above video)
Federal Contracting Assistance Programs – SBA.gov
NAICS Codes: The Key to Government Marketing – Census.gov
Capability Statement Template
Sample Capability Statement
Capability Statement Explained
Federal System For Award Management (S.A.M.) Learning Center
Government Contracting Acronyms
Doing Business with the VA
Vets First Verification Program – US Dept of Veteran Affairs
HUBZone 8(a) Small Business Contracting Program – SBA.gov
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Contracting Programs – SBA.gov
Woman-Owned Small Business Contracting Program – SBA.gov
SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program for Government Construction Projects
SBA’s Government Contracting Area Directors
SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program

Other Topics
How Do I Know I’m Improving? – Measuring Success for Your Business
(narrated presentation, 50 minutes)

VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS

Our Military and all of their family members made plenty of sacrifices while in service before returning to civilian life to become an integral part of our society that owns nearly 2.5M businesses in the United States, employ more than 5M people and generate more than $1T in sales and receipts annually. These resources are for them

Veteran Entrepreneurs
Veteran Farmers Entrepreneurs