Jobs & Business

Small Business Resources

Table of Contents

National
Oklahoma
Other
Databases

National Sources

USA.gov Small Business
Learn the steps to start a small business, get financing help from the government, and more.

U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA offers loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling and training sessions, and other forms of assistance to small businesses. Explore topics about starting and managing a business.

IRS: Starting a Business
The IRS site includes links to basic federal tax information for small business owners and those looking to start a business.  Find information on identifying your business’s structure, employer identification numbers, record keeping, business taxes, and a helpful checklist for all necessary tax-related small business filings.

IRS Small Business Taxes virtual workshop
These workshop video lessons will help the new business owner understand and meet federal tax obligations.

IRS: Information for Nonprofits
Find exemption requirements and the application process for charitable 501c3 organizations.

Census Business Builder: Small Business Edition
Use the Census calculator to determine the best location for your business.

Grants.gov
A central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs, this site provides access to approximately $400 billion in annual awards.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA was created by Congress to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

Americans with Disabilities Act Business Connection
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities, such as buying an item at the store, going to the movies, enjoying a meal at a local restaurant, exercising at the health club, or having the car serviced at a local garage. Learn about the goals of the ADA and the law establishing requirements for businesses of all sizes.

Oklahoma Sources

Oklahoma Secretary of State: Steps to Start Your Business
Learn the steps to help complete the business registration process in the State of Oklahoma. These steps will apply to almost all new business start-ups.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is dedicated to providing the support and tools necessary for Oklahoma companies to grow and thrive. Whether big or small, or just getting started, the Department of Commerce stands ready to assist with years of business start-up know-how, partner referrals, and Oklahoma’s incentives programs.

Oklahoma Business Incentives
Oklahoma is globally recognized for its incentive programs and pro-business environment. Businesses can choose between a cash incentive or a tax credit package, and in some cases, qualifying businesses can take advantage of both programs.

Women and Minority Business Certifications in Oklahoma
Certification programs may benefit businesses that have traditionally faced extra barriers to market entry or participation. Some companies and state agencies use certifications to ensure diversity in their selection of contractors, vendors, and suppliers.

Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce: Business Services and Start-Up Guide
With years of business start-up know-how, the state chamber site provides support and tools for Oklahoma businesses, including partner referrals and Oklahoma’s incentives programs.

American Indian Chamber of Commerce
An organization of American Indian businesses, tribal leaders, and other businesses, the AICCO helps American Indian businesses expand and grow. The Chamber actively supports and nurtures business opportunities for members by providing access to public sector agencies and private industry.

Oklahoma Small Business Development Center
OKSBDC assists small business owners and new entrepreneurs by providing no charge, one-on-one business management advising, business management workshops, and business technical assistance.

SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses—through education and mentorship—for over fifty years. Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and a network of 11,000+ volunteers, SCORE delivers services at no charge or at very low cost such as workshops (in person and online) and business tools. There are SCORE offices in Ardmore, Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

SCORE Business Planning and Financial Statements Template Gallery
Find business planning, finance, sales, marketing, and management templates and guides.

Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
OCAST encourages innovation and assists with job creation for Oklahoma's entrepreneurs, researchers, inventors, and small businesses, in order to grow and diversify Oklahoma’s economy. The agency helps with funding research projects, facilitating partnerships and collaborations, and assisting small businesses in obtaining federal funding.

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service uses science-based, objective data and offers information on agricultural business, finance, and marketing.

Other Sources

Riley Guide: Steps in Starting Your Own Business
The Riley Guide, by Margaret F. Dikel, covers small business concerns and contains sources on obtaining funding, dealing with legal concerns, getting started, and finding help.

Nolo Small Business
Nolo’s mission is to help consumers and small businesses find answers to their everyday legal and business questions. This site provides articles on almost any legal topic. The business encyclopedia contains information on business plans, financing, obtaining a business license, marketing, taxes, and buying and selling a business.

Startup Nation
A great site for entrepreneurs and would-be business owners, this site has community space, articles, podcasts, online seminars, and other small business information.

Intellectual Property Basics
Bryce Pilz, a Law Professor at the University of Michigan delivers this series of short videos designed to guide entrepreneurs through the important concepts of intellectual property during their startup. The series of 3-5 minute videos cover more than 60 topics, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the University of Michigan.

Starting a Small Business: Small business steps and resources
This user-friendly website details steps to starting a small business.

Blue Avocado
A semi-monthly newsletter of American Nonprofits, a membership organization that provides practical financial information and support to U.S. 501c3 nonprofit organizations, staff, stakeholders, and volunteers. It is created by and for community-based nonprofits.

The Self Employed
A web portal for all things self-employed, this site aims to be your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know to have a fun and successful entrepreneurial journey. At the site, you will find relevant articles, how-to videos, podcasts, forums, and special offers that are all designed specifically for the self-employed.

Small Business Trends
An online publication for small business owners and entrepreneurs, Small Business Trends is a source of information, breaking news, and advice covering issues of key importance to small businesses.  The site has over 400 vetted experts who volunteer their knowledge, insights, successes, and failures.

Small Biz Survival
This small town and rural business blog contains how-to articles, with an emphasis on social media marketing.

Practical Ecommerce
This site provides down-to-earth articles and commentary by authors who are leading ecommerce practitioners, consultants, and journalists.

HR Morning
HR Morning delivers the latest Human Resources news, advice and insights to keep business owners up to date, and your companies in compliance with rules and regulations.

Databases

If you are outside of the library, you will need your library’s username and password to access these resources.

EBSCO Small Business Reference Center
EBSCOhost provides full-text articles and resources for small business development through the Small Business Reference Center and includes industry information, start-up kits and business plans, as well as popular Nolo business publications. If your library subscribes to EBSCOhost (all Oklahoma public libraries have a free subscription provided by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries), all of these resources are available at no expense to library patrons.

Legal Information Reference Center
This database from EBSCOhost includes articles from consumer legal publications and reference books, and thousands of state and multi-state forms as well as federal court forms.