Resources
This page provides a list of local support resources of specific interest to entrepreneurs and the LGBT community, including planning, financing, networking and other professional services.
Entrepreneurial Business Resources
EchelonMagazine.com- This new addition to our “Resources” page is an online news site serving the LGBT business professional. There is lots of valuable information for businesses wanting the latest LGBT specific news impacting our community. Echelon’s sister organization, GayFranchise.com, provides a directory of equality minded franchise concepts targeting the gay and lesbian entrepreneur. Website: http://www.echelonmagazine.com/
Entrepreneur.com- With about 1,200,000 unique visitors each month, this website is the most widely visited site for information for both early stage entrepreneurs and small business owners. Inc.com is owned by Entrepreneur Media, which also publishes Entrereneur Magazine. This is among the most heavily visited sites on the web and along with Inc.com, is the most comprehensive. Website: www.entrepreneur.com
Inc.com- With about 400,000 unique visitors each month, this website provides online information for the early stage entrepreneur, replete with online forums, blogs, newsletters, how-to guides. This site and Entrepreneur.com are among the most comprehensive for early stage and full fledged entrepreneurs. Website: www.inc.com
Angel/Early Stage Investors- Inc.com maintains an up-to-date repository of early stage investors, so check out their Angel Directory if you are looking for capital. Website: www.inc.com/articles/2001/23461.html.
All Business.com- With 1 million unique monthly visitors, this online site provides simliar services to Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com. However, this site provides a variety of guides that combine advice with discussion of top business issues with forms and agreements for immediate download. (These forms/documents cost money, each from $5 to $49.) Website: www.allbusiness.com/3470951-1.html
Business Planning Tools: There are many options on the web for business planning tools and software. Bplans.com, a subsidiary of Palo Alto Software, is among the most popular planning sites. It is popular because it offers many free business plans on its website in different industries, which can be a decent starting point for writing your business plan. Website: www.bplans.com/
Small Business Association (SBA)- This is the national government agency that provides business planning and guidance for small businesses. The site contains many valuable links to professional resources, planning tools, and access to small business funding. They’ve made a lot of improvements to it over the past year. It’s especially great for low or no-cost alternatives for advice or early stage and small businesses, though you may have to dig through their site to find what you’re looking for. In terms of finding funding, the SBA can help provide loans to established businesses and have a network for early stage/seed investment. Website: www.sba.gov
New York City Department of Small Business Services: New York City based agency to provide solutions for businesses to start, operate, and expand in New York. This is includes tax credits and incentives for office/manufacturing locations in New York. Website: www.nyc.gov/sbs
FSIX: The Financial Services Industry Exchange is a leading global networking and professional services organization specifically for gay and lesbian financial professionals. Website: F-Six.org