Resources:

The New Health Care Program

For Small Businesses with employees ...
The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is a new way to buy high-quality health insurance for your employees. It opens for business October 1, 2013.
Get ready now by answering a few quick questions to learn what you need to know.

For the Self-Employed without Employees ...
If you run an income-generating business with no employees, then you’re considered self-employed (not an employer) and can get coverage through the Marketplace. You’re not considered an employer even if you hire independent contractors to do some work.

General Interest Links:

SCORE
SCORE national web site. Offers national email counseling with many experts in many fields. Includes many links of interest.

SCORE Newsletter
Subscribe to this excellent small business email monthly newsletter at SCORE.org

Small Business Administration (SBA)
The homepage of the SBA

FirstGov.gov
Powerful search engine and ever-growing collection of topical and customer-focused links connects you to millions of web pages – from the federal government, local and tribal governments and to foreign nations around the world.

Starting Your Own Business
Thinking about starting your own business can be an exciting, exhilarating, though daunting task. Where do you start? Do you have enough money and enough know-how? All the questions can pile up and leave you intellectually paralyzed, unsure what the next step is, you might be unwilling to take that step at all. With all the information available to you through the internet and community, there is no reason to allow this to happen. Here, you will find advice to help you start down the path to business success.

Assistance for Groups:

SBA Online Women’s Business Center
OWBO promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities.

The Veterans Business Outreach Program
SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development. OVBD is dedicated to serving the veteran entrepreneur by formulating, executing and promoting policies and programs of the agency that provides assistance to veterans seeking to start and develop small businesses.

AARP Small Business Site
Good reference information. Can also sign up for their monthly Small Business email newsletter.

Legal Links:

FindLaw - West Legal Directory
Find a lawyer

NOLO - Law for All
“Do it Yourself” legal information

Business Filings Incorporated
Online filing for incorporation. You need a good business attorney who balances tax and liability issues in deciding form of ownership.

Government Links:

Pennsylvania Entrepreneur Resources
Guides for the entrepreneur and links to state assistance programs.

U.S. Internal Revenue Service

U.S. Copyright Office

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

U.S. Census Bureau
Demographic data helpful in writing a business plan

Export.gov - U.S. Goverment Export Portal
One stop shop for exporting.

Massachusetts Government Links for Business
The website page for information about operating a business in Massachusetts.

Financial Links:

BizStats.com
Financial statistics and ratios for many types of businesses.

Small Business Lenders (SBA)
Information on financing your business.

Small Business Tax Basics
When you start your own business, knowing the income tax implications of your decisions can save you money and headaches. Learn about paying estimated income taxes, keeping track of expenses and how to take a tax deduction when you use your car for business.

The Foundation Center
Helping grant seekers for philanthropic organizations succeed.

E-Marketing Links:

Entrepreneur.com
Excellent articles on How to Market Your Business.

Google Search for Domain Name Registration Providers
Google Search for Providers of Domain Name Searches
Web site domain name registration. Search first to see if anyone else is already using it.

Yahoo! Small Business Center
Excellent source for small business help.

eBay
Link to eBay, the world famous auction site.

Business Development Links:

Business Plans & Financial Statements Template Gallery
These tools can be your first step towards small business success.

My Own Business
A free Internet training course on how to start a business, how to write a business plan, etc.

The Small Business Resource and Communication Guide
As you think about how you can change the world with you new great idea, take a look at the resources on this website to help get you there.

CCH Business Owners Toolkit
Small business toolkit – starting, planning, financing, marketing.

SBA Training including Business Plan Preparation
The Small Business Training Network is a virtual campus housing free training courses, workshops and knowledge resources designed to assist entrepreneurs and other students of enterprise.

BPlans.com - Business Planning Made Simple
Sample business plans, software.

Ecommerce University @ Shopify - The Ultimate Guide to Business Plans
Looking to write a business plan for your ecommerce store? This comprehensive guide walks you through the nuts and bolts of writing your very own business plan.