Resources for Small Businesses

• California Small Business Assistance
• Tax information for California Businesses
• Business Opportunities with the Federal Government
• Consumer Protection
• Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
• Small Business Administration
• Small Business Information
• U.S. Government Export Portal
• U.S. Government Central Contractor Registration
• Contact My Office

Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) dedicates its energy and resources to providing support to small businesses and small-business owners across the nation. SBA helps businesses across the country access capital and federal contract dollars, and provides small business counseling services.

Regional SBA Offices

• Los Angeles District Office (Santa Barbara, Ventura Counties)
  Phone: (818) 552-3201  
• Fresno District Office (San Luis Obispo County)
  Phone: (559) 487-5791

Small Business Development Centers
Starting a business can be a challenge, but there is help in our area. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are partnerships, primarily between the government and colleges/universities that are administered by the Small Business Administration and focus on providing educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Click here to find the SBDC nearest you.

SCORE
The SCORE Association “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association comprised of 11,500 volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are offered at no cost as a community service. Click here to find the SCORE office nearest you.

Women’s Business Centers
Women's Business Centers (WBCs) represent a national network of nearly 100 educational centers designed to assist women start and grow small businesses. WBCs operate with the mission to "level the playing field" for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business. Through the management and technical assistance provided by the WBCs, entrepreneurs – especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged – are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a vast array of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.

Local Centers

• Mission Community Services Corp.
• Women Business Partners Program
• Women's Economic Ventures

U.S. Export Assistance Centers
If you're ready to explore the possibilities and challenges of exporting, U.S. Export Assistance Centers provide the help you need. Each U.S. Export Assistance Center is staffed by professionals from the SBA, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and other public and private organizations. Together, their mission is to provide the help you need to compete in today's global marketplace. Your local U.S. Export Assistance Center is your one-stop shop, designed to provide export assistance for your small- or medium-sized business. Click here to find the Export Assistance Center nearest you.