Resources & Services
America’s Small Business Development Network – www.asbdc-us.org
The ASBDC supports small business in the U.S. by providing one-on-one consulting, training, and education. Has over 1,000 offices.
Sample Business Plans – www.bplans.com
Use these sample business and marketing plans to help set goals.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) – www.score.org
Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch? SCORE counselors are available to answer your small business questions in person or via email – free!
Small Business Administration – www.sba.gov
Seminars, financial assistance, and more, courtesy of Uncle Sam.
Freelancer’s Union – www.freelancerunion.org
This organization has information and resources for IPs from legal, business resources, networking and information on health insurance to name a few.
Articles & Advice
Advice and articles for IPs (Independent Professionals)
Career Magazine – www.careermag.com
Skip over the wage-slave stuff and concentrate on the many columns geared at specific IP fields.
Dan Pink, author – www.danpink.com
Dan Pink, a writer who specialized in the growing IP movement, hosts this site that discusses IP issues. Get Legal, business, and health insurance information, or talk to other IPs.
Entrepreneur Magazine – www.entrepreneur.com/magazine
Articles on the problems and pleasures of working at home.
Business Know-How – www.businessknowhow.com
Business Know-How a business destination site for home offices and small businesses known for providing practical information about starting, growing and managing small and home-based businesses.
Working Solo – www.workingsolo.com
Terri Lonier’s site offers many resources for IPs. Learn about the latest business books, find information on starting a business, and keep abreast of news that affects IPs.
Associations
Freelance Forum – www.freelanceforum.org
Atlanta organization of freelancers from all the creative arts disciplines. Meets the first Thursday of every month.
American Institute of Graphic Arts – Atlanta – www.aiga-atl.org
The premiere organization of its kind, the AIGA provides a FAQ for members and non-members and sponsors several events.
National Association for the Self-Employed – www.nase.org
NASE lobbies the government on behalf of IPs; their site contains important financial and tax information and specialized advice in ShopTalk area. Provides group health insurance & other benefits.
National Association of Women Business Owners – www.nawboatlanta.org
NAWBO provides programs and resources that represent women entrepreneurs from all industries in Georgia.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council – www.sbecouncil.org
A group that gets the folks on Capitol Hill to pass more small business-friendly laws.
The Atlanta Writers Club – www.atlantawritersclub.org
A diverse group of all writing levels, from talented novices to published professionals.
Business Publications
Fast Company – www.fastcompany.com
The self-appointed magazine of the “new economy,” aims to help entrepreneurs define and manage their businesses in the age of the Internet. Their Brand You section is of particular interest to IPs.
Idea Café – www.businessownersideacafe.com
Reading about business doesn’t have to be dull! Idea Café provides practical small business information in a fun format. A special section is dedicated to Gen-Xers making it on their own.
Small-business portal with a wide spectrum of services and articles.
HOW Design – www.howdesign.com
The business, creativity and technology mag for graphic designers.
