Resources

FORMS & DOWNLOADS

RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Do you need help writing a business plan? Maybe you’re ready to start your own company. We are always here to help you, but here are also some great online resources to get you started.

  • Economic Profile System (Headwaters Economics)
    • Allows the user to download socioeconomic reports of communities, counties and states. EPS uses federal data sources, including Bureau of Economic Analysis, Census and others. Simple way to find publically available data on communities.
  • Journal Record Book of Lists
    • A compilation of more than 100 industry lists detailing the top local companies in those sectors. Provides contact names, addresses and other fields. Available electronically or in hard copy (free with Journal Record subscription). Also available through local reference librarian.
  • LocateOK
    • Statewide commercial property database that conducts property searches alongside demographic, consumer and business reports. Provides ESRI Business Analyst reporting capability.
  • Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
    • Provides employment and wage data for more than 800 occupations and estimates how many people are employed within an occupation and the wages paid to them.
  • OESC Employer Locator
    • While it is primarily designed to assist people looking for work, this website is a valuable lead source list to any salesman and provides more than 190,000 business records statewide (contact name, phone number and number of employees).
  • Oklahoma Tax Commission
    • Businesses with employees must set up an account with the Oklahoma Tax Commission for withholding and remitting state income taxes from the wages and salaries paid to employees.
  • Oklahoma Secretary of State
    • When you start a business, whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation, the Secretary of State’s office registers and authenticates business entities and trademarks. These state offices process, file, and maintain records related to business entities. New businesses can also check business name availability through the Secretary of State’s office.
  • Oklahoma Department of Commerce
    • Whether you are starting a new business or trying to maintain or grow an existing small business in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce makes it a priority to provide you the information and connection to resources you need.
  • Oklahoma Career Technology
    • Their system of technology center campuses covers the state so, no matter where you are located or thinking of locating we are there to serve you.
  • Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension
    • Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service county educators and area, district and state specialists develop science-based educational programs to help Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely.
  • ONET Online
    • The nation’s primary source of occupational information, including a database with hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors.
  • OnTheMap
    • Combines federal and state data on employers and employees with census information to provide workforce indicators, reports on where employees live and identification of top industries in an area.
  • OSU Food & Agricultural Product Center
    • By offering large and small businesses, producers and entrepreneurs access to faculty and staff with expertise in business and technical disciplines, FAPC strives to discover, develop and deliver information that will stimulate and support the growth of value-added food and agricultural products and processing in Oklahoma.
  • Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance
    • The mission of the Alliance is to help small manufacturers get the help they need to compete and grow, thus creating more jobs in the local community.
  • PolicyMap
    • Web-based GIS system that captures data through custom demographic maps, tables and reports.
  • ReferenceUSA
    • Digital database available electronically to library card holders through the Pioneer Library or Metropolitan Library systems. Search for over 20 million businesses or 220 million residential addresses. Use your library card number to log into the sight.
  • SCORE
    • SCORE, mentors to America’s small business, is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small business start, grow and succeed nationwide. Volunteers are working or retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders who share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. They offer free and confidential business advice through Ask SCORE online, face-to-face mentoring, workshops and more.
  • Small Business Development Centers
    • Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the OSBDC offers assistance with business plans, marketing research and identification, international trade, cash flow analysis and general management.
  • Small Business Administration
    • SBA Office of Women Business Ownership
    • The Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) assists women wanting to achieve their dreams and improve their communities by helping them start and run successful businesses, regardless of social or financial disadvantage, race, ethnicity or business background. OWBO and the Women’s Business Center Program are integral components of Entrepreneurial Development’s network of training and counseling services.
    • Women Owned Businesses
    • The SBA helps women entrepreneurs launch new businesses and compete in the marketplace. Connect with the training and funding opportunities specifically for women.
    • People With Disabilities
    • Today many people with disabilities are turning to the flexibility of self-employment and entrepreneurship to meet both their career aspirations and financial goals. Starting your own small business doesn’t have to be difficult. This website is full of information for entrepreneurs with disabilities.
  • Government Contracting
    • SBA has created a series of free online contracting courses designed to help prospective and existing small businesses understand the basics about contracting with government agencies.

 

 

 

For REI WBC clients who want or are in need of additional assistance and want to pursue online classes, below are two avenues to explore.  After the completion of a class, clients are encouraged to visit with REI WBC staff for any additional assistance or discussion of the class.  The training classes are free and the REI WBC hopes clients use these classes to expand their knowledge.  Click on the links to begin online training.

SBA ONLINE CLASSES

There are many excellent online classes on the Small Business Administration website.  To find classes that may be relevant and useful for learning more about starting a business or growing an existing business go to  SBA Learning Platform | U.S. Small Business Administration

There is no charge for these classes.

THE DREAMBUILDER PROGRAM

DreamBuilder is a free, online learning program designed for women interested in starting or growing their own business, or for women who are simply interested in exploring the idea of entrepreneurship. The courses are cloud-based, so they are available anytime and anywhere you are connected. Building your dream of your own small business is just a click away.  And there is no cost to use the online training.

To learn more about the program and get started go to Home Page – DreamBuilder The Women’s Business Creator