Helpful Resources

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If you're considering starting or expanding your business in Westminster, here are some helpful links for entrepreneurs researching planning, financing, locating, and marketing a business in Westminster.

SCORE

SCORE stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives. SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. You can get paired with a mentor, find a workshop, or go to a SCORE business site for help. Entrepreneurs can access free, confidential business mentoring in person at 300 local chapters or remotely via email, phone and video. SCORE mentors, all experts in entrepreneurship and related fields, meet with their small business clients on an ongoing basis to provide continued advice and support.

More Business

The More Business website has valuable resources including a guide to creating a small business and a guide on website layouts to market your business successfully. More Business also has a variety of templates for different purposes such as: business plans, marketing plans, proposals, press releases, and more. In only 7 steps, More Business helps you set up a business you can easily follow.

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development

This website is good for businesses of all levels as it educates business owners on a variety of subjects. The site provides beneficial information about small businesses, permit assistance, tax credit, international affairs, just to name a few. The site also provides a base for newly formed businesses with information that will aid in growth through a step by step guide. All businesses in CA will find this helpful to start or advance their business.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo gives individuals wanting to start a small business access to loans and lines of credit. Additionally, Wells Fargo also provides articles and videos on how to create a business plan and start a business.

Bank of America

Bank of America (BofA) provides tips on starting, growing, managing, and financing your small business. BofA offers to help you select the appropriate credit card for your business and information on how good credit can allow your business to grow.

Startup Nation

Since it was launched in 2002, StartupNation has provided millions with the information, inspiration and connections they need to start, grow and manage a successful startup business. StartupNation provides access to experts in a variety of business disciplines through its various media channels and fosters peer-to-peer interaction in its vibrant online community forums. The breadth and range of businesses StartupNation serves includes sole proprietorships, home-based businesses and part-time businesses, all the way to the most esoteric and sophisticated ventures.

Chase

Chase Bank provides resources to small businesses such as loans and lines of credit. See their website for stories of small business clients and specialized resources for minorities, women, and veterans.

Entreprenuer's Organization

Entrepreneurs’ Organization, or EO, is one of the oldest small business associations around—they were established in 1987. Use this association to connect to industry experts, peer-to-peer learning platforms, and mentorship programs. EO has over 12,000 members who volunteer to advise entrepreneurs that are either starting or deep into their small business venture. If you join, you might be able to find a valuable mentor or partner to help you grow your business.

Orange County Small Business Development Center

SBDC provides a wide assortment of technical assistance and resources to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. The primary focus of SBDC is to foster local and regional economic development through job creation and retention. How does it happen? Through SBDCs’ support of business growth, sustainability, and the enhanced creation of new business entities. SBDC provides multiple training sessions every week on a wide variety of topics, and also connects growing businesses to capital resources.

BRG

Business Resource Group (BRG) is a nationally recognized organization committed to promoting equitable access to capital and growth opportunities for small businesses. BRG offers business support, training and education, advocacy, and capital access programs to small, minority and women-owned businesses. Programs are also offered to support the development of other non-profit agencies. BRG works to address the needs of the business and makes those needs their priority. At BRG the focus is customer-oriented friendly services and the success of your business.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. Members range from mom-and-pop shops and local chambers to leading industry associations and large corporations. They all share one thing—they count on the Chamber to be their voice in Washington, D.C. The Chamber of Commerce offers access to the latest resources, information, and best practices in advocacy and communications.

Orange County One-Stop Centers

The Orange County One-Stop Center(s) specialize in helping companies fill vacant positions by connecting them with the thousands of job seekers who utilize their services to train, search and interview for jobs every year. Through a combination of local and national resources, strong city and community partnerships, they provide free business support services to area companies and equip job seekers with the resources necessary to compete for high-demand jobs.

All Business

Helps all kinds of small business grow, including home-based, and online businesses. All Business (AI) employs many experts from a variety of industries. AI provides real-world expertise and advice from small business leaders. All Business has many how-to articles that offer quick, insightful tips to improve businesses. This organization will be helpful to you if you’re trying to start a business, sell/buy a business, or create a franchise. All Business effectively explains the processes.

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps start, build, and grow businesses. Over the years, the SBA has developed many small business loan programs, special outreach efforts and initiatives to inform and educate small business owners and entrepreneurs. The SBA provides financing for small businesses, free counseling and low-cost training to new entrepreneurs and established small businesses.

Yelp for Business Owners

The best way to manage your business on Yelp is by claiming your Yelp Business Page and creating a business login. It’s a great, free way to engage the Yelp community.

Add or Claim Your Business on Google

To add your business information to Google Maps, Search, and other Google properties, create a Google My Business listing (or get access to one, if it exists). Use Google My Business for free to manage how your business information appears across Google, including Search and Maps.

California International Bank

California International Bank is a local (Westminster), service oriented bank, specializing in SBA loans. SBA loans can be used for everything from purchasing a new building, to buying an existing business, or working capital for expansion. CAIB’s mission is to help established businesses expand and help up-and-coming ones take root in CA. CAIB also offers various deposit products, mobile banking, and free debit cards with no ATM fees to help business.

Community Business Organizations

Westminster Chamber of Commerce

The Westminster Chamber of Commerce provides opportunities to enhance the best business interests of their members through networking, advocacy and business resources. The Chamber of Commerce partners with their members and other organizations to cultivate ideas, inspiration and bring people together to make the City of Westminster more prosperous.

Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce

The VACOC promote business transactions, trade and investment between Vietnamese American-owned businesses and other communities worldwide. They offer members access to events, education, workshops, business networking and collaborations.