Resources from the Small Business Administration

Counseling

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) help countless potential and current small business owners start their new venture, or improve their existing establishment. The SBA can assist you with the following:

• Understanding Entrepreneurship
• Franchising
• Home-Based Businesses
• Launch
• Finding Your Market
• Legal Requirements
• Women, Minority, Disabled and Veteran-owned Businesses
• Developing a Business Model

You can find the resources you need at www.sba.gov.

SCORE

SCORE is a 10,500 member volunteer association that works together with the SBA. SCORE matches volunteer business-management counselors with clients in need of expert advice.  Most SCORE volunteers are retired business owners and managers to assist local businesses.  Visit SCORE online to get started.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

Small Business Development Centers meet the needs of small businesses and promote economic development in local communities by helping create and retain jobs.  SBDCs deliver management and technical assistance to small businesses using and effective business education network.

For more information, visit them online at www.sba.gov/SBDC.

Financing

7(a) Loan Program

The 7(a) Loan Program is the SBA's primary business loan.  It is the agency's most used assistance program because of its flexibility, variety and availability.  This program has broad eligibilty requirements and credit criteria to accomodate a wide-range of individuals. Applicants submit their loan application to a preferred lender for initial review. After review, the lender will determine if the loan is needed and submit the paperwork to the SBA for approval.

Other Loans

• The 504 Program - Certified Development Company Loans
• Microloans
• Small Business Investment Company Program
• And More...

Contracting

The United States Federal Government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world.  However, small businesses face challenges when trying to win federal contracts.

Visit the SBA's Office of Government Contracting homepage for more information on the requirements and process for securing federal contracts.

Resources from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

As any small business owner will tell you, navigating the various requirements in place through local, state and federal governments can be exhausting.  With employment laws, tax information and more changing seemingly every year, the "business of doing business" can be daunting.  To help make the process a little easier, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has developed various resources for small business owners.

Small Business Resources
Checklist for Starting a Business
Checklist for Closing a Business
Small Business Virtual Workshop

Important Links

United States Department of Labor
City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
United States Postal Service