The FRANK L. RODDEY

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Providing consulting services to small and medium enterprises through more than 15 locations across the state.

Helping SC and the nation to grow and compete in the global marketplace.

 

 

Business Resources

NOTE: The SCSBDC by presenting the following information is by no means endorsing any products or services offered; it is merely attempting to assist in locating available information for the small business owner.

General Information

These sites provide a good source of general information, pertaining to a large range of subject matter, for the small business owner.

Business Plans/Startup

These sites are resources for writing business plans.  NOTE: Use extreme care when utilizing material to compose business plan; each situation has unique qualities.

Exporting

These sites are focused on the South Carolina export trade industry.

Financial

These sites provide financial information and services.

Home-Based Businesses

These sites focus on the home-based business industry.

Insurance Coverage:

These sites focus on Health Insurance coverage information and services.

Internet

These sites focus on issues and business opportunities pertaining to the internet.

Manufacturing

These sites focus on the manufacturing industry.

Procurement

These sites focus on procurement programs.

Products/Services

These sites are advertising vehicles for products focused on small business owners.  There is valuable information and services available.

Quality

These sites are focused on quality initiatives.

Resources

These sites are sources of information for the small business owner.

Retail Industry

These sites are focused on the retail industry.

South Carolina Government Offices

Web links to South Carolina government offices.

Tax Issues

These sites are focused on tax issues.

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General Information

 

Address

Remarks

Sbdcnet.utsa.edu

Website for the Small Business Development Center – National Information Clearinghouse.  A wealth of information in one spot (Don’t start without it)

www.ceoexpress.com:

One of the best portals for information gathering for the busy CEO.  A must for everyone’s desktop

www.sbaonline.sba.gov

SBA homepage that links pretty much all activities of the SBA. Indispensable site for working with SBDC.

www.smallbiz.suny.edu/info/faqs/faqs.html

Good place to start.  Although site is focused primarily on the state of New York, the site has good information to answer questions about starting a new business

www.entreworld.org

Wide variety of topics and information on starting and running your own business. Includes search and glossary functions that can speed up research. Site sponsored by the Kaufman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership; founded to promote profit and non-profit enterprises.  Strong site for gathering information

www.morebusiness.com

Huge site updated daily.  Includes archives on starting and running your business, as well as daily news for small business.  In addition, it has downloadable templates and worksheets as well as interactive features.  Site sponsored by Kera Communications.  Clearly organized site, which provides the necessary information for running a small business.

www.smallbusiness.yahoo.com

Commercial site: Wide variety of topics and information in an easy to use format.  Site sponsored by Yahoo.com.

www.ideacafe.com

Commercial site: provides a good deal of information.  Portal site that provides opportunity for businesses to reach entrepreneurs.  A very good site.

www.mo-bis.org

A valuable resource guide for small business owners, managers, and anyone interested in starting their own business.  Site sponsored by the Univ. of Missouri, Lincoln Univ., and the Missouri SBDC.  Must have as a favorite link.

www.entrepreneurmag.com

Commercial site: Presents a variety of topics relating to small business ownership.  Site sponsored by Entrepreneur magazine.  Other sites easier to navigate.

www.bizcoach.org

Advice and guides on a variety of topics relating to owning, operating and starting a small business.  Site sponsored by the SBDC at Northeast Texas Community College.  The advice section is very valuable.

www.toolkit.cch.com

Commercial site: provides information in guidebook format (as well as providing downloadable business form templates) that cover a number of important areas for the small business owner.   Site sponsored by CCH Inc. providers of business, legal, and tax information and software.  Should keep this site as a favorite link.

www.quicken.com/small_business/

Commercial site: provides a wide variety of information, in a fairly easy to follow format, for the small business owner.   Site sponsored by Quicken a provider of software solutions. 

www.tsbj.com

Commercial site: homepage of the Small Business Journal.  It provides a variety of useful information for the small business owner.   Site sponsored by The Small Business Journal.

www.inc.com

Commercial site: provides latest information in a wide variety of areas of interest to the small business owner.  Site developed by Inc. magazine.  Easy to follow format and straightforward information makes this a good site to frequently visit.

www.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness

Commercial site: provides information and insight for small business owner.  Site sponsored by American Express.  Information content provides good overview of topic sections.

www.office.com

Commercial site: provides information on a variety of subjects related to operating a small business.  Site sponsored by WinStar communications - providing businesses the opportunity to present content, services and commerce opportunities to potential clients.  Site not as easy to navigate as others.

www.bizmove.com

Commercial site for Bizmove.com; provider of resources for small business.  Wide assortment of information in a clear and easy to use format.

 

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Business Plan / Startup

 

Address

Remarks

www.bplans.com

Commercial site: provides content information focused on the business plan.  There are seven business plans covering various industries that can be downloaded and viewed.  There is a section for help with marketing plans.  Site sponsored by Palo Alto Software.  Material is generic in content.

www.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness

Commercial site: provides information and insight for writing a business plan.  Site sponsored by American Express.  Information content is detailed, good overview of topic sections.

www.startup.wsj.com

Commercial site: Wall Street Journal page for startups.  Site provides worthwhile information on starting new business.

www.sbaonline.sba.gov:

SBA homepage that links most activities of the SBA. Indispensable site for working with SBDC.

Sbinformation.about.com/mbody.htm

Web page for About Small Business Information.  A vast amount of material, relating to running a small business, at your finger tips

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Exporting

 

Address

Remarks

www.sbea.org

Trade association: Webpage for the Small Business Exporters Association.  Trade association for US (small to medium) international exporters.

www.scexports.net

Website for South Carolina Export Consortium.  Organization is focused on helping small to medium size South Carolina companies increase their competitiveness within the international trade sector.

entweb.clemson.edu/caps/regional/regtrade/sc.htm

Site provides a list of South Carolina International Trade contacts.

www.sba.gov/OIT/info/Guide-To-Exporting/trad3.html

SBA site: Guide for Breaking into Trade Game: Small Business.  Detailed information for small business contemplating entering international trade sector.

www.exportfsc.com

Commercial site: Website for Export FSC (Foreign Sales Corp.) International, Ltd.   Provides a complete source for establishing and managing of FSC’s.

www.export.gov

Export portal providing information and insight relating to the export sector.  Site provided by US Dept. of Commerce

www.worldbid.com

Commercial portal for worldbid.com; an international B2B marketplace.  Facilitates international trade by providing qualified import/export trade leads and catalog postings (membership fees).

www.i-b-t.net

Commercial site: provides books and catalogs relating to export sector.    Site provided by International Business Training.

www.tamtam.com

Commercial site for TamTam International Business Success.  Site provides business solutions and software for the export sector.  

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FINANCIAL

 

Address

Remarks

http://www.stfrancis.edu/ba/ghkickul/btools/bkeven/index.htm

Breakeven analysis applet; provided by the business school of the University of St. Francis.

www.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness

Commerical site: American Express offers financial products in addition to a great deal of advice and news of interest to the small business owner

cnnfn.cnn.com/news/smbusiness  

Commerical site for Cable News Network: Financial News.  Provides news, information, and articles relating to small business finance.

www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/index.html

Commercial site for BusinessWeek magazine; primarily focused on issues related to small business.

www.wellsfargo.com/biz/

Commercial site for Wells Fargo.  Site provides a wide variety of financial services and resource for running a small business.

 

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HOME-BASED BUSINESS

 

Address

Remarks

www.gohome.com

Commerical site: provides information and materials for the Home-Based Business owner.  Site sponsored by MEDIAmerica, Inc.

http://www.jbsba.com/

Website for the American Association of Home Based Businesses a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of home based businesses; site and organization supported through member fees and advertisement ads.  Site provides information and insight related to starting and maintaining a home-based business.

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INSURANCE COVERAGE

 

Address

Remarks

www.insure.com 

Website for independent news organization, Insurance News Network, LLC.  Site provides helpful advice for individuals and businesses seeking information related to insurance coverage.

www.tsbic.com

Commercial site: The Small Business Insurance Center website for Supple-Merrill & Driscoll, Inc. insurance brokers providing services over the internet.

www.insurance.ca.gov/CSD/Ins4sbo.htm

Website sponsored by the state of California; provides an overview of insurance issues facing the small business owner.

www.benefitmall.com :

Web portal: site provides for exchange of insurance information and services.

capital.ups.com/capital/glenlake/glsmallbusiness.html

Commercial site: website for Glenlake Insurance Agency  (Subsidiary of United Parcel Service) provider of insurance services for small business owners.

www.thehartford.com/smallbiz

Commercial site: website for Hartford Insurance a provider of insurance services.

Health

Address

Remarks

www.ihps.org

Site provides a choice of health plan coverage for the employees of small businesses.  Technical assistance is also provided to employers seeking cost-effective health coverage.  Site sponsored by the Institute for Health Policy Solutions.

www.healthcarebuyer.com

Commercial site:  provides comprehensive information regarding purchasing business healthcare coverage within the southeastern United States.

www.ncqa.org

Web portal for the Health Services sector.  Site provides access for employees to analyze, select and review their employer’s health plan benefits and coverage.

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INTERNET

 

Address

Remarks

Content.techweb.com/smallbiz

Content provider: site provides information, from a number of resources, focused on how to utilize the internet for small business opportunities. Site sponsored by TechWeb.

www.isbc.com

Network exchange: Site provides a network for exchange of information; topics primarily focused on how to utilize the internet for business opportunities.  Site sponsored by International Small Business Consortium.

www.wilsonweb.com

Commercial site: provides insight into marketing products utilizing the world wide web. Site sponsored by Wilson Internet Services, the publisher of Web Marketing Today.

www.vivamus.com

Commercial site: Website for Vivamus Concepts; information consulting firm specializing in the Web and high technology.

www.ecommercetimes.com/perl/section/smllbz/

Commercial site for E-Commerce Times a free online publication providing daily news and feature articles for entrepreneurs and companies utilizing the internet.

www.starvisor.com  

Commercial site: Gossamer, Inc. website provides StarVisor a software application for setting up and maintaining e-commerce sites.

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MANUFACTURING

 

Address

Remarks

www.thomasregional.com