Laurel Learning Tip #294: Making a Career Switch #4

In this week’s Tip, we continue our look at resources to help folks who are considering making a career switch and want to start their own business.

There are many internet resources with information and advice for individuals who are interested in starting their own business. Here are a few national and state resources:

If you are interested in starting your own business:

• http://www.sba.gov provides a wealth of information on starting a business under "Small Business Planner.”

• http://www.score.org and local Small Business Development Centers usually located at state universities (such as http://www.wisconsinsbdc.org) provide free one-on-one counseling to those interested in starting and expanding a business. In addition, the Small Business Administration offers free online classes for small business, federal post-disaster contracting opportunities, and the SBA 2009 Resource Guide online.

• http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98810,00.html provides a checklist for starting a business.

• http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2537&Itemid=769 is offered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, but it provides useful suggestions that can help you find comparable resources in your own state- as well as necessary federal information.

This concludes our look at resources to help folks who are considering making a career switch. Next week, we will begin a discussion of lifelong learning.

May your learning be sweet.