Other Business Links
There's a big world of sites dedicated to entrepreneurship, small-business, and the self-employed. They have much to offer the artist who's wrestling with business issues, so take the time to visit. These represent the best all-around resources we've come across. Besides their own content, they're gateways to other tools
The Feds' small business site is like all things Federal--it's big. But it's worth a few clicks. It might not be focused on the arts, but you'll find loads of information that's germane to any small business. Topics include:
- Links to state and local offices, including chapters of the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), which can be a cheap source of expertise and advices.
- Training workshops on a variety of business topics.
- Information about SBA and other small-business-focused loans and financing.
- Disaster recovery help should, for example, your workspace suffer from a qualifying disaster.
This mothership of online entrepreneurial resources, provided by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, might scare you off at first. It's big, and it's full of the kind of business jargon that give artists chills. But give it a whirl--it's full of information that applies to entrepreneurship, and can provide an an artist with an online business education. A good place to being is the Starting Your Business tab on the home page.
National Association of the Self-Employed
A membership organization for micro-businesses and the self-employed, NASE lobbies for the interests of its members. It also offers important member benefits like group health policies, other insurance and discounts of office supplies and services.
Be sure to check out N.A.S.E.'s Entrepreneurial Connection.
This a sort of do-it-yourself law resource center, with some ads pitching small-business software and other products. Overall, very useful, with lots of standard forms and topical articles.
This company sells directories of all broadcast stations, newspapers, magazines, and trade publications. But if you don't want to spring for the products, the site itself has links to the Web sites of all of the above, too. Select a state, then scroll, and look for contact information yourself.
Arts & Business Council of Chicago