Entrepreneurship & Small Business

National trade association of franchisees and dealers; works to improve the industry of franchising while protecting its members’ economic investments in their businesses.

ASBA is an advocacy group dedicated to protecting the interests of small business in public policy issues. Contains information on issues that affect small businesses, such as health care, taxation and technology, ideas for ways to get involved, and links for further reading.

The BBB system in the U.S. extends over 98% of the nation; Helps solve marketplace problems through the use of voluntary self-regulation and consumer education. Core Services include: Business Reliability Reports; Dispute Resolution; Truth-in-Advertising; Consumer and Business Education; and Charity Review.

"Helping communities help their entrepreneurs". Homepage of the Edward Lowe Foundation, devoted to championing the entrepreneurial spirit. Lowe, the inventor of Kitty Litter, established the foundation to promote his philosophy of “economic gardening” which is a strategy based on the idea that entrepreneurs drive the economy. The Entrepreneur’s Resource Center contains materials on Building and Inspiring an Organization, Defining and Serving a Market, Acquiring and Managing Finances, Human Resource Management, and Legal and Tax Issues.

The world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide; mission is to protect, enhance and promote franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs.

Best of the Best Business Website Winner! Excellent resource with a variety of articles, videos, and other educational tools for entrepreneurs.

Advocacy group for small businesses; tracks issues affecting small businesses, and provides tips for small business owners. NFIB has been ranked the most influential business organization in "Washington's Power 25" survey conducted by Fortune magazine.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. With volunteers and chapters throughout the U.S, it serves as a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Working and retired executives and business owners serve as "Counselors to America's Small Business" by volunteering their time and expertise to provide confidential counseling and mentoring at little to no cost.

Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, MBDA is the only federal agency created specifically to foster the creation, growth and expansion of minority-owned businesses in the U.S. Assistance is provided to socially or economically disadvantaged individuals who own or wish to start a business. Such persons include: Asian Pacific Americans, Asian Indians, Black Americans, Eskimos/Aleuts, Hasidic Jews, Native Americans, Spanish Speaking Americans, and Puerto Ricans.

This Department of Commerce agency is responsible for "promoting the use of small, minority, and women-owned small businesses in compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and policies." They assist firms in securing contracts and subcontracts with the Department of Commerce and its prime contractors.

Supports Native American entrepreneurs by providing resources and programs help them “create, develop and expand their small businesses.”

Supports Veterans in their endeavors as small business owners; provides links to obtaining federal contracts, financing a business, and research, reports and data on veterans owning small businesses.

Provides links to resources for women entrepreneurs, as well as mentors, success stories, and a directory of educational resource centers for women in small business.