Free counseling, advice, and information on starting a business are available through SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business. Free consulting services are available through the network of Business Development Centers. SBDCs also conduct training events throughout the district - some require a nominal registration fee. Assistance to businesses and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals is available through the Minority Enterprise Development Program. Advice for women business owners is available through Women's Business Ownership Representatives. SCORE The Senior Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a volunteer group within the Small Business Administration. Their services range from business counseling to assistance with business plan writing and marketing strategies. Some SBDCs ask SCORE representatives to conduct initial counseling sessions to help individuals determine which SBDC services they will need. Some of the workshops led by SCORE require a minimal charge. For more information go to http://www.score.org/findscore or call 800/634-0245. AMERICA JOB CENTERS also as Illinois WorkNet Centers The America Job Centers (called Illinois WorkNet Centers, formerly One Stop Centers) have not traditionally assisted individuals with self-employment goals. But, as a result of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), WIA providers at the Illinois WorkNet Centers can provide funding toward the development of a person’s business goals. In fact, there are many examples of America Job Centers around the country that have participated in Department of Labor Customized Employment grants that support individuals with a goal of self-employment. Illinois WorkNet Centers offer assistance with interest and skills testing, business and occupational research, resume development and writing, and interviewing skills necessary for marketing one’s business. To locate the Illinois WorkNet Center go to: http://www.servicelocator.org/default.asp UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION OFFICES University of Illinois - Extension Community and Economic Development through the University of Illinois Extension provides practical, research-based information and programs to help individuals, families, organizations, businesses, farms, and rural and urban communities throughout Illinois. To locate an Extension Office go to: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/findoffice.html http://web.extension.illinois.edu/iidea/business.htm HOW DO I WORK WITH ANY OF THESE ENTITIES TO START MY BUSINESS?
Free counseling, advice, and information on starting a business are available through SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business. Free consulting services are available through the network of Business Development Centers. SBDCs also conduct training events throughout the district - some require a nominal registration fee. Assistance to businesses and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals is available through the Minority Enterprise Development Program. Advice for women business owners is available through Women's Business Ownership Representatives. SCORE The Senior Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a volunteer group within the Small Business Administration. Their services range from business counseling to assistance with business plan writing and marketing strategies. Some SBDCs ask SCORE representatives to conduct initial counseling sessions to help individuals determine which SBDC services they will need. Some of the workshops led by SCORE require a minimal charge. For more information go to http://www.score.org/findscore or call 800/634-0245. AMERICA JOB CENTERS also as Illinois WorkNet Centers The America Job Centers (called Illinois WorkNet Centers, formerly One Stop Centers) have not traditionally assisted individuals with self-employment goals. But, as a result of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), WIA providers at the Illinois WorkNet Centers can provide funding toward the development of a person’s business goals. In fact, there are many examples of America Job Centers around the country that have participated in Department of Labor Customized Employment grants that support individuals with a goal of self-employment. Illinois WorkNet Centers offer assistance with interest and skills testing, business and occupational research, resume development and writing, and interviewing skills necessary for marketing one’s business. To locate the Illinois WorkNet Center go to: http://www.servicelocator.org/default.asp UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION OFFICES University of Illinois - Extension Community and Economic Development through the University of Illinois Extension provides practical, research-based information and programs to help individuals, families, organizations, businesses, farms, and rural and urban communities throughout Illinois. To locate an Extension Office go to: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/findoffice.html http://web.extension.illinois.edu/iidea/business.htm HOW DO I WORK WITH ANY OF THESE ENTITIES TO START MY BUSINESS?
ReadyforBusinessGuide2013-with-2014-COLA.docx