Business

Starting & Running a Business

• Bplans.com
  Provides more than 500 sample business plans, templates for pitch presentations, etc.
• Mid-Missouri SCORE
  This nonprofit organization offers free business counseling to entrepreneurs and templates and tools for starting or growing a business. Low-cost workshops and other services are also available.
• Missouri Business Portal
  This government website provides information on business registration, filings, licenses and permits for doing business in Missouri.
• Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
  Assists entrepreneurs with financial management, marketing, technology, and product development and provides a variety of training opportunities on starting or running a business.
• Missouri Small Business Startup Guide
  The Missouri Secretary of State’s guide to starting a small business.
• Missouri Women’s Business Center
  Provides resources and support for women seeking to start or grow their own businesses. Their offerings include classes, workshops, networking opportunities, individualized business counseling and microlending.
• Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)
  This nonprofit public/private partnership provides business development opportunities in Columbia and Boone County and supports businesses at all stages, including entrepreneurs. Services include business coaching, training, start-up support, networking, work and meeting space, as well as specialized programs for minority-owned businesses and refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs.
• SBA.gov
  The U.S. Small Business Administration provides guides on a variety of business-related subjects, links to state and local resources, a database of over 5,000 forms useful for interacting with the U.S. government, etc.

Financing a Business

• Incentives and Financing (Missouri Business Portal)
  The financial assistance page of the Missouri Business Portal website provides information on possible sources of financing, grants and tax credits.
• Small Business Administration
  Links for various possible sources of financial assistance provided by the SBA.

Local Chambers of Commerce

• Callaway Chamber of Commerce
• Centralia Chamber of Commerce
• Columbia Chamber of Commerce
• Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce

Local Business Associations & Directories

• Columbia’s Downtown Community Improvement District
• Columbia Minority & Women Owned Business Directory
• Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) – Columbia Area

National Organizations

• National Federation of Independent Business
  Information about legislation affecting small business, government compliance issues, etc. (Requires membership for access to all resources.)
• International Franchise Association
  Free search for basic information on franchise opportunities. (Requires membership for access to all resources.)
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  Provides basic information about many business questions.

Local & Regional Business Periodicals

• Columbia Business Times
  Columbia-based magazine providing information about local businesses, including advice for business owners.
• Kansas City Business Journal
• St. Louis Business Journal
• Thinking Bigger Business

National Business Directories & Corporate Information

• Reference Solutions
  Includes 96 million U.S. businesses and 152 million U.S. residents; useful for developing lists of potential customers, competitors and suppliers. Formerly Reference USA.