Helpful Organizations and Online Resources
Click here for a list of local, county, and state government contacts.
Free Business Spreadsheets – Free downloadable Excel spreadsheets for analyzing, estimating, valuing and projecting any and everything you need to start and operate your business. Provided by Matt Evans, Creative Value through Excellence in Financial Management.
Launch Tennessee – Launch Tennessee provides startup resources to entrepreneurs, including capital sources, mentorship, accelerators, entrepreneurship training and more. Launch Tennessee is a public-private partnership that supports entrepreneurs from ideation to exit. We’re guided by a vision of making Tennessee the most startup-friendly state in the nation so that entrepreneurs stay here to build companies and create jobs. Tennessee is one of the only states with an entrepreneur-resource infrastructure operating at the state level. Through this network of Entrepreneur Centers, in six regions around the state, we deliver curriculum, mentors and more to entrepreneurs building high-growth-potential businesses.
Tennessee Small Business Development Centers – The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) offers free assistance to help business owners grow and develop successful, thriving businesses. They have 12 full-service centers and 2 satellite offices across the state of Tennessee.
Small Business Administration Business Guide – The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) – With the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, the SBA ensures that the nation’s small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government’s research and development efforts.
Business and Development Plans for Disabled Entrepreneurs – Disabled people often face additional challenges in life, but just like anyone, they have plenty of opportunities to start their own businesses and become successful entrepreneurs.
The Kauffman Foundation – The Kauffman Foundation is often referred to as one of the largest foundations in the United States and as the world’s largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship.
Small Business Television (small business advice) – Provides videos with subjects of interest to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Entrepreneurial Mind – This blog is written by Dr. Jeff Cornwall of Belmont University discussing all things entrepreneurial. Subjects include advertising, public policy, accounting, investing, bootstrapping, job creation and much more.
Entrepreneur.com – A site for the business entrepreneur which shares business ideas, franchise options and opportunities, tools and services, and information on blogs. There is also a section to ask questions.
Inc.com – A daily resource guide for entrepreneurs with success stories, blogs, and helpful articles.
Expertise.com – We find the top local business in each US city to help our readers hire the best. Unlike most other websites and directories, a business can’t pay to be included on Expertise. This gives our users the confidence to find and connect with exceptional businesses that are objectively qualified and authentically well-reviewed.
Zen Business has a section for female entrepreneurs that includes business plans, finance, and even some history of women in business.
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