Business

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Business Information Guide

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.
  • 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

Local Chambers of Commerce

Local Business Associations & Directories

National Organizations

Local & Regional Business Periodicals

National Business Directories & Corporate Information

  • Reference Solutions
    Includes 83 million U.S. businesses and 149 million U.S. residents; useful for developing lists of potential customers, competitors and suppliers. Formerly Reference USA.

Business Reference eBook Collection

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides both entrepreneurs and established business owners how-to information on growing and improving their business. Topics include: demographics, consumer patterns, emerging trends, utilizing the media environment, leadership and organizational skills.

Legal Forms Library

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Search for and download a wide selection of Missouri legal forms by category or title. Provides an attorney directory and a dictionary of legal definitions.

Reference Solutions (formerly Reference USA)

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Get information on millions of US businesses, searchable by a variety of criteria including business type, employee size, sales figures and geographic location. Formerly Reference USA.

Small Business Reference Center

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Includes information on starting and operating a business, including accounting, finance, human resources, management, marketing, taxes, business plans and more.