Starting your own business can be an excellent alternative to traditional employment. These small business development resources are there to help you decide if starting a small business is a good option for you, and to help you start the process on a path to success.
BIG Austin – Are you ready to be your own boss? Do you have a great idea that you think would make a successful business? Are you energetic, creative and enthusiastic? Are you ready to take your career to the next level? If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, you should consider enrolling in the Start Smart – NxLeveL™ Micro Entrepreneur course.
Bootstrap Austin – The Bootstrap Network introduces an innovative framework for building a venture for long-term business success. While the bootstrapping process is timeless, the Austin Bootstrap Community strives to articulate and propagate the principles and stages of Bootstrapping.
Built In Austin – Austin focused startup news site. Tracks news in the entrepreneur community, including rounds of funding, product releases, relocations, expansions, and hiring needs. This is a great place to see what else is happening in the local entrepreneur environment.
City of Austin Small Business Development Program – The SBDP fosters job creation and supports the growth of new and existing businesses by providing capacity building information, tools, and resources. Counseling and assistance is available to small businesses. Their focus is to develop and empower small businesses in order to strengthen business capability and survivability.
Google Analytics Academy – Learn about Google’s measurement tools so that you can grow your business through intelligent data collection and analysis.
How to Start an LLC – Covers the basic process of setting up a Limited Liability Company as a legal entity in Texas and some things you need to consider as the owner(s) of the company, including naming and taxes.
Round Rock Chamber Small Business Guide – A community enhancement initiative focused on entrepreneurship offering tips, hints, and resources for starting or growing a small business. The Small Business Guide is intended to make the startup process easier and aims to strengthen business owners as they manage and grow their businesses. The Small Business Guide is organized into three primary sections: getting started, growing your business, and business resources.
Round Rock Library – Offers research and learning resources to help small businesses. Some resources require a valid library card for access. Cards are currently free to Texas residents. Some resources can only be accessed from the library itself, but many can be accessed on-line. | 512.218.7000
The Biz.Ability workshops given by SCORE and other local small business experts who want to give back to the entrepreneurial community. They cover a variety of issues including the legalities of starting a business, financing your company, marketing, strategic planning, and hiring consultants and employees. Workshops are offered in the Spring and Fall at no cost to attendees. Pre-registration is required as room space is limited.
See the Research and Learning section of the web site for a complete list of resources available. Some that may be of particular interest to small business owners and entrepreneurs:
Baron’s Online: Information on companies, stocks, bonds and the markets.
LawDepot: Create many of the legal documents you will need in your business on demand and ready to print.
ReferenceUSA Directory: Access millions of U.S. residential and business phone numbers and addresses. Conduct market and competitor research as well as business analysis by industry or geography. Learn to use Reference USA by attending one of their training webinars or viewing material in their Learning Center here.
Small Business Reference Center: Covers common business types, business plans, and operations. Videos help foster success in managing a business.
SCORE – Austin SCORE offers free Small Business Counseling and Resources, low-cost Business Workshops, and special customized services. If you’re starting or expanding your business, preparing for a loan, or have existing business issues or opportunities, SCORE Mentors can help.
TechRanch Austin – TechRanch offers a series of educational programs where cohorts of entrepreneurs can test the viability of their idea (VentureStart), launch into their market with early funding (VentureForth), and take their operating venture to the next level (VentureBuilder). Start by attending a Campfire networking and introductory session.
Texas State Small Business Development Center – SBDC works with existing and start-up small businesses to provide assistance during every phase of the business life cycle. Improvements that result from direct support lead to job creation, investments, and economic growth throughout central Texas. A professional staff of business advisors, trainers, and researchers provides comprehensive, confidential business counseling services at no cost to the client.
Udemy – Udemy is a global marketplace for learning and teaching online where students are mastering new skills and achieving their goals by learning from an extensive library of over 55,000 courses taught by expert instructors.
US Small Business Administration – Information on how to start a small business, goverment contracting and financing. The Learning Center offers more than 60 courses for small businesses.
