Valuable Web Resources
We have compiled this list of links that provide information, contacts and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. We have limited the number of links in each category. However, we are always interested in additional links that are especially helpful to the business owner.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact us at info@vc-sbdc.com.
Click on the resource area of interest:
- Local organizations
- Government Assistance Sites
- General business assistance sites
- Business research
- Chambers of commerce
Local Organizations
Ventura College Institute for Community and Professional Development.
The Institute for Community & Professional Development is a "one-stop" shop for community, workforce and professional development.
Economic Development Collaborative - Ventura County.
A regional public/private economic development organization, the EDC-VC delivers programs that promote jobs and economic growth, and raise overall productivity and incomes. As a true collaborative voice of Ventura County, the EDC-VC is funded through contributions from the County of Ventura, nine cities in the county and top-level private sector executives.
Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Ventura County.
The Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County is the community's single organization that has workforce development as its sole responsibility and focus. The Board is dedicated to ensuring that all employers have the work-ready employees they need and all potential employees have the skills appropriate for employment. The Board integrates employment, training, education, and business services for job seekers, workers and employers.
Oxnard College – Center for International Trade Development. The goal of the Oxnard Center for International Trade Development (CITD) is to enhance the competitive strength of California businesses in the international marketplace and to support international trade development. Their services are designed to assist small business owners expand their operation's profitability through engaging in international trade. Additionally, they help businesses interested in international expansion to navigate the complexities of importing and/or exporting.
Ventura County. Regulations and instructions and downloadable forms to register your business under a fictitious business name or “doing business as” (dba).
SCORE.
(Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Score is dedicated to aiding in the formation, growth and success of small businesses.
Santa Barbara County. Regulations and instructions and downloadable forms to register your business under a fictitious business name or “doing business as” (dba).
Women’s Economic Ventures.
Women's Economic Ventures (WEV) is a local, non-profit organization, dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient through entrepreneurship and career development. WEV provides opportunities for entrepreneurs in the areas of training, access to capital & business services.
Government Assistance Sites
US Small Business Administration, Los Angeles District Office
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office (LADO) serves Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Technical assistance is readily available through the Small Business Development Center Network comprised of 9 Small Business Development Service Centers in the Tri-County area and an extensive network of SCORE counselors. The Los Angeles District Office 30 member staff is committed to providing quality service to all customers, small businesses, prospective entrepreneurs, lenders and resource partners.
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
The EDD provides specific services for small business; payroll tax information, tax rates and withholding schedules, electronic filing and payments, forms and publications, tax and hiring incentives and more.
CalGOLD
The California Government Online to Desktops (CalGOLD) Website assists in providing businesses the information they need to comply with regulatory and permitting requirements. CalGOLD offers direct Internet links and contact information to state, local, regional, and federal permitting authorities for more information.
California Business Portal California Secretary of State, corporate registration information, downloadable forms, regulatory and tax information with links to business related State departments.
Business.gov guides you through the maze of federal government rules and regulations and provides access to services and resources to help you start, grow, and succeed in business.
The Social Security Administration provides information to help employers and employees explain the value of Social Security. You will find important information for business owners regarding Social Security taxes and regulations at this site.
The Internal Revenue Service has a site that offers information, forms and training for small business owners. This site provides extensive information regarding tax laws that are a must for business owners.
The US Census Bureau has a wealth of information regarding demographic treads and data in the US It is a great source for business owners conducting marketing research and identifying marketing opportunities.
The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)'s role has remained the same: to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries Entrepreneurs can visit this site and learn how to research and file for trade marks and copy rights for their business.
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which life depends. Entrepreneurs can obtain environmental regulations and guidelines pertaining to their business. This site offers links to local resources to provide further details on environmental issues affecting your organization.
The US Postal Service (USPS) can help small businesses serve their customers better by delivery goods more faster and more cost effectively. USPS has a special section for business owners which explains how they can help businesses succeed.
The US Department of Labor provides a wide variety of information for the business owner including regulations on minimum wage, work safety, work hours, pensions and much more. This site is a must for any entrepreneur who has employees or will be hiring personnel.
General Business Assistance Sites
Entrepreneur Media Inc. is an organization of people dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs worldwide to start and grow successful companies. Through a full range of products and services, we provide entrepreneurs with the relevant information they need to make informed decisions.
Fast Company is a magazine, a Web site, a series of live events, and a community dedicated to help people in the new economy discover the tools, techniques, and tactics they need to succeed at work and life.
Inc.com delivers best-of-breed information, services, and tools -- aggregated from Inc magazine and a variety of other sources -- for virtually every business and management task. The site's resources, from content to community, help business owners find and select the most relevant solutions to pressing business challenges.
Investment Guide. This Guide assists in understanding and reading financial statements or annual reports. Topics cover the fundamentals of accounting and financial reporting, and explains the terms and in the three basic financial reporting statements.
Nolo. Nolo offers affordable, plain-English books, forms and software on a wide range of legal issues, materials on human resources, employment, intellectual property, and starting and running a small business. There are also featured articles and frequently asked questions in each topic area.
Business Owners Toolkit. Designed bring small business owners accurate and up-to-date information to help answer questions, make decisions, and get the most from their businesses. Thousands of pages of information and tools to help one start, run and grow a successful small business. Downloadable checklists, model business forms, & other documents.
The Virtual Library is the oldest catalog of the web, started by Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of html and the web itself. Unlike commercial catalogs, it is run by a loose confederation of volunteers, who compile pages of key links for particular areas in which they are expert; even though it isn't the biggest index of the web, the VL pages are widely recognized as being amongst the highest-quality guides to particular sections of the web.
CEO Express provides real time links to major metropolitan newspapers, domestic and international business journals, business periodicals, package tracking and other business related sites.
Business Research and Information
The Kaufman EKG is a free financial benchmarking service provided by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The Kauffman Business EKG provides a comprehensive assessment of your company’s financial vital signs. You will discover insights about your company’s financial well being and how you compare to the “best of the class” in your industry. The assessment requires only a few minutes and will give you ideas and strategies for improving your company’s long-term financial health.
BizStats.com provides instant access to useful financial ratios, business statistics and benchmarks. In addition, it offers effective and understandable online analysis of businesses and industries.
Switchboard provides a fast and easy way for people and businesses to find each other on the web. It provides small and medium-sized businesses help to establish a presence on the web and connect with the consumers who are looking to do business with them.
Thomas Register is the most comprehensive online resource for finding companies and products manufactured in North America where you can submit RFQs, place orders online and view thousands of online company catalogs and web sites.
Hoover's, Inc. delivers comprehensive company, industry, and market intelligence that drives business growth. Hoover's provides sales, marketing, business development, and recruiting professionals with the global business intelligence they need to prospect and prepare for client meetings, sales presentations, vendor and partner negotiations.
Chambers of Commerce
Camarillo Chamber of Commerce
Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce
Oxnard Chamber of Commerce
Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce
Fillmore Chamber of Commerce
Ventura Chamber of Commerce
Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce
Port Hueneme Chamber of Commerce
Moorpark Chamber of Commerce
