How To ... Resource Library

Are you thinking about starting your own business? Or, are you looking for help or other basic information on how to run your business? If so, this is the place for you.

United States Small Business Administration

The SBA mission is to "maintain and stengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counceling, assisting and protecting the interest of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters."

Small Business Insurance & Risk Management Guide

This is a Federal Goverment Small Business Administration guide designed to increase small business owners' awareness of and the need for business insurance coverage. It covers the various insurance programs and options available on the market, and may be of help in identifying, minimizing and, in many cases, transferring business risks. You'll find a checklist, guidelines for discussions with a qualified insurance professional, and a glossary of insurance terms.

Startup Journal - The Wall Street Journal's Center for Entrepreneurs

This is a great site for practical "how to" articles, E-commerce suggestions, and ideas and tips for running your business. Under TOOLKIT, you'll find many sample business plans for starting different types of business. You'll also find links to other useful sites.

Vermont Small Business Development Center

The SBDC mission is "to strengthen existing business entities and assist start-ups through high quality, no cost counseling, and high quality, affordable training programs."

Starting a Business and Keeping Records - IRS Publication 583

This IRS publication providesbasic federal tax information for people who are starting a business. It also provides information about keeping records and illustrates a record keeping system.

Quicken Small Business Center

Quicken provides some good basic information about starting and running your own business.

Inc.Com by Inc. - The Handbook of the American Entreprenuer

In addition to current business news, this is a great source of information for a wide variety of topics. Specifically, take a look at Articles by Topic, How-to, and Tools tabs on the website.

StartUpNation

StartUpNation is a great site for those of us who are thinking of starting a new business. The site offers a 10 step guide for starting a business, and much, much more. You'll find "On Demand" seminars, tips on choosing a business, information about insurance, public relations, and even a weekly newsletter.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) sponsors a comprehensive public education program to assist small business with information about business risks and insurance options. Under the banner of Insure U for Small Business, the links include an online education site, public service announcments in English and Spanish, and community outreach by public information officers of state insurance departments.