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Business Resources for Self-employment

Do you need to develop business strategies, attract customers, increase sales and improve profitability?

Minnesota entrepreneurs will benefit from the many resources offered by Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and other local and national organizations

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  1. Planning resources

    State of Minnesota

    Business & Economic Development Publications
    Includes the Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota, information about employment law issues, employee handbooks, and other valuable publications.

    Business Resources
    Locate compliance assistance, job-skill analysis services, job accommodation network, tax credits, and other resources for businesses.

    GetGoMN
    A business network for Minnesota's entrepreneurs, small business and those that support them, created by a partnership of leaders in education, government, and business.

    License Minnesota
    Access licensing information for more than 500 licenses administered by more than 40 state agencies in Minnesota.

    Small Business Assistance Office
    Serving individuals and firms with questions about the start-up, operation, or expansion of a business in Minnesota. Check out the valuable FAQ's which include topics such as women or minority-owned firms.

    National resources

    SBA.gov
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers services to help businesses start, grow, and succeed.

    Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa
    U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website translated en Español.

    Business.gov
    Offers guides for regulatory assistance. Includes clearly written fact sheets, guidelines, answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ's), interactive tools, training resources, and contacts at Federal regulatory agencies.

    Small Business Planner
    Access this U.S. Small Business Administration planner for assistance with any stage of the business lifecycle. Resources include how to plan, start, manage, and close out a business.


  2. Do you have a finance strategy?

    Business Financing
    Eligible business owners may qualify for start-up capital, expansion or relocation in Minnesota. Find loans, tax incentives, training grants, and other finance programs.

    Financial Assistance
    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses including 7(a), 504 and disaster assistance loans. Review eligibility requirements, loan programs, surety bonds, equity capital topics, special purpose loans, and more.

    Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
    The IRS provides the most accurate information on federal tax responsibilities for people who are starting a business.

    Small Business Finance
    Business.gov offers information on loans, managing finances, extending credit, and insuring your business.


  3. Training and consulting resources

    Minnesota Online Corporate Services
    Offers access to a wide variety of continuing education and customized training programs— from healthcare to manufacturing— through Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

    Office for Business & Community Economic Development
    This University of Minnesota office provides training and employment opportunities for community residents in the skilled "trades" professions. It plays an active role in the economic development of diverse businesses, especially those owned by women, people of color, and people with disabilities.

    SCORE
    Minnesota SCORE is part of a national nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneurial education and contributing to the success of small businesses. Experienced business people provide counseling and training to existing and prospective small business owners. SCORE offers tutorials and direct access to services offered in several Minnesota locations.

    Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
    SBDC at the University of St. Thomas provides business consulting assistance at no charge to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities area develop strategies, attract customers, increase sales, and improve profitability.

    Small Business Training Network (SBTN)
    SBTN's free online courses are all self-paced and take about 30 minutes to complete. Offers a comprehensive menu of business courses, under which training programs are captured, aggregated, sorted by content and made available in multiple formats. A virtual campus providing targeted online training to meet the information needs of prospective and existing small business owners.


  4. Starting young

    Junior Achievement (JA)
    JA uses hands–on experiences to educate youth about the economics of life. In partnership with business and educators, JA offers programs at the elementary school, middle school, and high–school. Middle grades and high school programs focus on the key content areas of entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy.

    Teen Business Link
    Utilize the expertise of the Small Business Administration to find out if your idea has potential. Learn to write a business plan. Discover how much money it takes to run a business. Connect with groups in your community that can help you succeed. See how your ideas can lead to success.