Guides for Starting and Running a Small Business

• Montgomery County Public Library: Biz Info - http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lbztmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/business/index.asp
  An excellent, detailed and well organized list of helpful Web links and other resources about researching, establishing, financing etc. a small business. Many links are Maryland and Montgomery County specific.
• Best Information on the Net: Business Entrepreneurship - http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Majors/Business/entre/busentre.htm
  Another excellent guide written by an Iowa librarian. Click on the links for useful information.

Business Plans

• Montgomery County Public Library: Biz Info: Business Plans -
  http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lbztmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/business/businessplans.asp
  An excellent list of links.
• Sample Business Plans - http://www.bplans.com/
  This award winning site contains information on business plans as well as a resource center, tips on international business etc.

Demographics

• Montgomery County Public Library: Biz Info: Demographics - http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lbztmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/business/demographics.asp
  A useful list of links to local demographic information.
• Geostat Center. University of Virginia Library. City and County Data Book
  http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/ccdb/
  This Web site offers access to the 1988, 1994 and 2000 City and County Data books published by the Census Bureau. This is an added value Web site that permits the user to search the data by up to 75 variables.
• Montgomery County. Parks & Planning. Demographic and Economic Research and Analysis
  http://www.mc-mncppc.org/research/index.shtm
  This is an excellent guide to Montgomery County demographic and economic statistics.

Financing

• Montgomery County Public Library: Biz Info: Financing -
  http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lbztmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/business/financing.asp
  A very helpful list of links to local and national sources of loans, grants and venture capital.
• Venture Capital Resource Library - http://www.vfinance.com/
  "Links to venture capital sources, and general entrepreneurial resources, business plan template, links to financial services, SEC rules, tax code info, and more."

Forms

• 'Lectric Law Library Forms Room - http://www.lectlaw.com/formb.htm
  A large collection of legal forms. The site advises that these forms only provide a general outline of what may be included in a legal form valid in your state. Use the forms from this site only after consulting an attorney.

Franchising

• Franchise Handbook Online - http://www.franchise1.com/
  A basic starting point for searching information about franchises.
• Franchise Opportunities at Be the Boss - http://www.betheboss.com/
  Another guide to franchise opportunities.

General

• Minority Business Development Agency - http://www.mbda.gov/
  Web site of a Federal agency supporting the growth of businesses owned by ethnic minorities.
• Missouri Small Business Development Centers. Industry Specific Business Guides -
  http://www.missouribusiness.net/iag/index.asp
  These reports "focus on industries where small businesses account for most of the activity." Although these reports were developed with Missouri businesses as their target audience, the information contained here will be useful to others and is difficult to find elsewhere. Subjects include but are not limited to Day Care, Health Food stores, Auto Repair etc.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) - http://www.score.org/
  Free business advice from experts, either via e-mail or one on one help with a local advisor.
• Small Business Administration. Women Entrepreneurs- http://www.sba.gov/financing/special/women.html
  Outlines SBA's programs and services for women business owners.
• Small Business Knowledge Base - http://www.bizmove.com/
  A free source of useful information, guides and worksheets. It includes information on financial management, marketing and more.

Law

• Montgomery County Public Library: Biz Info: Law - http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lbztmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/business/legal.asp
  Yet another great list of helpful links, many of them Maryland specific for finding relevant legal information.
• 'Lectric Law Library's Business Law Lounge - http://www.lectlaw.com/bus.html
  Good information about business law for small and large businesses. The page is either refreshingly humorous or irritatingly silly, depending on your perspective.

Maryland and Montgomery County Assistance

• Maryland Checklist for New Business - http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/checklist.html
  Covers basic requirements for starting a business in Maryland including licensing, zoning, and registering a business name.
• Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development - http://www.mdbusiness.state.md.us/
  "Comprehensive assistance for doing business in the state of Maryland."
• Montgomery County Department of Economic Development -
  http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/Content/DED/index.asp
  Comprehensive list of business assistance from Montgomery County.
• Montgomery County Public Library: Biz Info: Licenses and Permits -
  http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lbztmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/business/permits.asp
  A very helpful list of links for licenses or permits for specific businesses.