You are here:
- County of Sonoma
- Economic Development Board
- Business Assistance Guide – Start with a Plan
- Economic Development Board
- EDB Home
- About EDB
- Local Economic and Business Development Information
- Business Resources
- Sonoma County at a Glance
- Live, Work, Play
- EDB Programs
- EDB Events
- State of the County
- Newsworthy
- Contact Us
- Social Media Channels
Business Assistance Guide – Start with a Plan
A business plan tells a complete story as briefly as possible. It is an essential element in the success of any business and a strong sales tool for your suppliers, investors, and lenders. Your business plan represents a "road map" toward a successful venture. Depending on your type of business, product or service, you should investigate and research every aspect because your success depends on a sound and complete planning process. Many books and other information are readily available in public libraries, small business development organizations, and on the Internet to help you define your market niche. The following is a brief outline of what you should include in your planning process and business plan, and links to relevant resources.
- Business Concept – Executive Summary
- Market Research
- Management or Operational Plan
- Financial Plan
- Strategic Plan
Business Concept – Executive Summary
Provide a clear description and precise explanation of the unique business qualities that set you apart from those competing for the same customers, clients or consumers. These organizations can offer you more help.
Small Business Administration
- US Small Business Administration: The home page of the US Small Business Administration with much information and many helpful links for those starting out in business.
SCORE
- SCORE: The Service Corp of Retired Executives offers a complete index of informational sites along with on-line expertise in starting and owning a business.
Small Business Development
- Business.gov: A comprehensive resource on doing business in California.
- Business Plan Center: This center includes a collection of resources for planning your business, documenting your plan, and evaluating your strategy.
- Small Business Development Center: Hosted by Santa Rosa Junior College, the Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center offers business consulting, training workshops and seminars, and links to small business resources.
- BizMove.com: The Small Business Knowledge Base, a privately sponsored comprehensive free resource, packed with guides and worksheets.
- CalChamber: Includes useful information and links on doing business in California and internationally.
Business Structure Requirements
- Business Programs: The Business Service Center on the California Secretary of State site with information on types of business structures and requirements.
Entrepreneurs
- Entrepreneurship: A first step for prospective entrepreneurs sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): The US Patent and Trademark Office site has information on how to apply for and research patents and trademarks, along with government services, guides and resources.
- North Bay Angels: The North Bay Angels was formed to fill a growing need to provide a forum for learning about and making early-stage investment capital and advisory assistance available to entrepreneurial companies in the North Bay.
Market Analysis
In this section, detail your primary industry’s description and outlook, your competition, analysis of your business location, the pricing structure and your marketing approach.
- SCORE: Articles about the entrepreneur’s role as a market researcher as well as tips on how to advertise inexpensively.
- SEC: The site of the US Securities and Exchange Commission offers information for small business and the EDGAR research database for all US public companies.
- US Census Bureau: Offers research on regional business profiles and statistics, demographics and geography.
- All-Biz: A comprehensive web link resource for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to expand and promote their companies on the Internet.
- North Bay Business Journal: A look at the latest issue of this semi-monthly newspaper that covers business topics and companies active in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties.
- Press Democrat: Sonoma County’s daily newspaper with current news stories and archive files by subject.
- American Marketing Association - Marketing Power: Home site of the American Marketing Association, a professional organization of people involved in the practice, study and teaching of marketing.
International Trade
- International Trade Administration: The home page of the International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce.
- Export.Gov: The home page of the Trade Information Center of the US Department of Commerce.
Management or Operational Plan
A description of who will run the business and how they will do it: management team, employee relations, and operational controls.
Leadership and Office Management
- American Management Association (AMA): The home page of the American Management Association offers a full range of on-line resources for management.
Entrepreneur Education
- Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership: The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership contains abstracts of materials on entrepreneurship education at all levels with links to similar organizations. Based at UCLA and supported by the Kauffman Foundation.
Financial Plan
The financing of your business and how you will maintain a sound financial condition: your start-up funding requirements, plans for using the money, long range financial strategy, and supporting financial statements.
How to Finance Your Business
- US Small Business Administration - Financing: Information concerning how to finance a business.
- Silicon Valley SBDC: Ways in which to obtain funds to start a business.
- Safe Bidco: A state-owned, non-bank financial assistance center for small businesses.
Strategic Plan
Focus on years 2 - 5 and describe your strengths and weaknesses with strategies in place to take advantage of opportunities, the challenges you may face in growing your business and how you will meet your annual goals.
How to Grow Your Business
- US Small Business Administration - Managing a Business: Information and links dealing with expanding a business.