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Self-Employment Resource List
In no way intended as comprehensive, the following is a list of resources for those participants who are interested in self-employment or starting and operating their own small business. To make locating a particular resource more convenient, the list is organized such that the resources are arranged into four categories. In order, these categories are:
- Self-Employment and Small Business Resources
- Financing and Funding Resources
- Home-Based Business Resources
- Statistics Resources
Under each of these categories, the entries are ranked alphabetically and, when applicable, state in this order: name of resource, address, telephone number, fax number, Email address, and online address, followed by a brief description of services provided.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
1155 15th Street NW, Suite 720
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 1-800-424-8666
202-467-5081
Fax: 202-467-5085
URL: http://www.acb.org
Along with other services, the ACB consults with industries regarding employment of individuals who are blind or visually impaired and provides assistance in legal issues related to blindness and vision impairment.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Careers and Technology Information Bank (CTIB)
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 1-800-232-5463
212-502-7642
Fax: 212-502-7773
Email: techctr@afb.net
URL: http://www.afb.org
The AFB offers no-cost information about job experience and technology to people who are blind or visually impaired and their family members. The CTIB enables people who are blind or visually impaired to connect with someone in their profession or in the field they are preparing to enter.
American Society of Independent Business
777 Main Street, Suite 1600
Fort Worth, TX 76102
The Society publishes books, magazines, and newsletters and holds national meetings. Access to this information may require eligibility and membership.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1804
Phone: 703-276-0100
Fax: 703-525-8277
URL: http://www.bbb.org
Better Business Bureau of Oregon and Washington
PO Box 68926
Sea Tac, WA 98168
Phone: 206-431-2222
Fax: 206-431-2211
Email: info@thebbb.org
URL: http://www.orwwabbb.org
Established to determine and promote “Fairness in the Marketplace”, the BBB can assist business owners as well as their consumers. For example, its Internet site offers such publications as Applying for Business Credit, Marketplace Ethics, Computer Software Piracy, and Effective Customer Relations.
BusinessLINC
URL: http://businesslinc.sba.gov
Developed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, operated and maintained by the U.S. Small Business Administration, BusinessLINC facilitates partnering and mentoring relationships between large and small businesses.
Consumer World
URL: http://www.consumerworld.org
This site provides an extensive listing of both international and domestic business and consumer-related agencies and organizations.
Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs)
Phone: 1-800-949-4232
Northwest DBTAC (Serves Washington State)
Washington State Governor’s Committee on
Disability Issues and Employment
PO Box 9046, MS 6000
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Phone: 360-438-4116
Fax: 360-438-3208
Email: dcolley@esd.wa.gov
URL: http://www.wata.org/NWD
Created by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), these regional centers network with local businesses, disability, governmental, and rehabilitation organizations to promote awareness of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, DBTACs are designed to meet the needs of small businesses in the areas of technical assistance, education and training, and information and referral.
disABILITY.gov
URL: http://www.disability.gov
Created by the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities, disABILITY.gov aims to be an online vehicle to information available throughout the Federal government. In its Self-Employment section, the Internet site quickly connects its users to resources pertaining to various aspects of business planning such as patents and trademarks, insurance, and federal contracting. Other noteworthy information is provided in sections titled Choice and Self-Determination, Civil Rights and Protections, Disability Statistics, and Tax Credits and Deductions.
Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA)
c/o San Diego State University – Interwork Institute
5850 Hardy Avenue, Suite 112
San Diego, CA 92182-5313
URL: http://www.disabledbusiness.org
http://www.disabledbusiness.com
DBA, a non-profit, volunteer-staffed organization, was formed in 1985 by successful business owners and professionals with disabilities. It provides free information and assistance to individuals with disabilities who are interested in self-employment and business. To access the full range of services DBA offers, membership may be required.
Diversity World
PMB 206
849 Almar Avenue, Suite C
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5856
Phone: 831-457-2709
Fax: 831-457-2289
Email: info@diversityworld.com
URL: http://diversityworld.com
This organization has launched a new email discussion group, or eGroup, as a forum for entrepreneurs with disabilities to network with individuals or organizations who have an interest in this arena. The website address for the eGroup is http://www.egroups.com/group/pwd_self-employment.
DownHome Washington (DHW)
Everett Office
728 134th Street SW
Building A, Suite 211
Everett, WA 98204
Phone: 425-743-9669
Fax: 425-742-1177
Wenatchee Office
300 S Columbia Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone: 509-664-8067
Fax: 509-644-8086
Email: info@downhomewa.com
URL: http://www.downhomewa.com
With the mission to develop “microenterprise businesses” within the state of Washington, DHW is a non-profit organization that offers a three part program for entrepreneurs. This program includes Marketing Assistance, (through DownHome Washington’s Marketing Association), Entrepreneurial Training, and Financial Assistance.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Bureau of Consumer Protection
CRC-240
Washington, DC 20580
Phone: 1-877-382-4357
202-326-3137
URL: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp
Northwest Region Federal Trade Commission
2896 Federal Building
915 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98174
The enforcer of legal business practices and procedures, the FTC also provides information and advice in a number of other business-related areas including Franchise and Business Opportunities as well as Get-Rich-Quick and Self-Employment Schemes.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Phone: 1-800-829-1040
TDD: 1-800-829-4059
URL: http://www.irs.gov
Housed under the Department of Treasury, the IRS is the foremost authority on all aspects of federal taxation, including business-related taxation. Online, it offers forms that can be downloaded plus articles and advice specific to business matters. Those requesting IRS information in a Braille format can write to:
National Library Service
1291 Taylor Street NW
Washington, DC 20542
National Association of Blind Entrepreneurs (NABE)
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: 410-659-9314
URL: http://www.nabentre.org
This is a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). It focuses on issues relating to and opportunities for independent businesspeople who are blind or visually impaired. The division also maintains a mailing list where subscribers of the list can exchange questions and ideas on various topics such as speech-friendly bookkeeping programs, marketing and pricing, and business transportation.
National Council on Disability (NCD)
Phone: 202-272-2004
URL: http://www.ncd.gov/index.html
An independent federal agency, the purpose of the NCD is “to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature of severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.” The NCD Internet site provides many relevant articles related to the self-employment of persons with disabilities.
OfficeDepot
URL: http://www.officedepot.com/BusinessTools/sbh
OfficeDepot has composed a Small Business Handbook that contains “[e]verything you need to know to run your business, from equity to employees.” It is available on the OfficeDepot Internet site at no cost.
Office of Employment Support Programs
URL: http://www.ssa.gov/work
Supported by the Social Security Administration, the mission of this “Work Site” is to promote the employment of Social Security beneficiaries. Many articles pertaining to self-employment are available online.
Opportunities for the Blind
PO Box 510
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: 1-800-884-1990
Email: oppblind@yahoo.com
URL: http://www.oppblind.com
With the purpose to assist people who are blind or visually impaired in achieving their career objectives and becoming self-supporting, this organization offers funding for qualified applicants in the categories of: scholarship and training, self-employment projects, special equipment, and job-related services.
Seattle Business Enterprise Center
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1700
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-7320
URL: http://www.seattleindex.com/resource/sbec.asp
Intended as a “one-stop resource for business planning”, the Seattle Business Enterprise Center, which was founded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Service Corps of Retired Executives, is actually a coupling of distinct centers: The Business Information Center (BIC) and the Business Education Center (BEC). Staffed with onsite, experienced counselors, the BIC is a facility in which potential business owners can perform marketing and other business-related research, obtain assistance with developing their business plans, and hold discussions. Visitors to the BEC can attend various training and informational workshops on how to start and operate their own businesses.
The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
409 Third Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
Phone: 1-800-634-0245
URL: http://www.score.org
Seattle District SCORE Chapter 55 Office
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1700
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-7370
Fax: 206-553-7044
A resource partner of the Small Business Administration, SCORE is a non-profit organization that promotes the education, establishment, and flourishing of entrepreneurship and small businesses. SCORE provides seminars, workshops, and free one-on-one counseling in which clients are matched with a business executive experienced in their line of business. The Internet site offers helpful articles, advice, and tutorials.
The Olympian
PO Box 1219
Olympia, WA 98507
Phone: 360-754-5425
Fax: 360-357-0202
Email: news@theolympian.com
URL: http://www.theolympian.com
Every Monday, the business section of The Olympian, a local newspaper, features information on and for small businesses in the South Sound area of Washington State. Its website offers information on small business and technology trends.
The Small Business and Self-Employment Service (SBSES)
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
Phone: 1-800-526-7234
Fax: 304-293-5407
Email: kcording@wvu.edu
URL: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES
Provided by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, under the U.S. Department of Labor, SBSES offers comprehensive information and counseling services to those individuals who are interested in self-employment and small business ownership and who also happen to have a disability. SBSES staff are qualified to answer questions regarding all aspects of business startup and management, with a particular emphasis on disability issues.
U.S. Business Advisor
URL: http://www.business.gov
Sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration with support from the National Partnership for Reinventing Government and the U.S. Business Advisor interagency task force, this Internet site is offered as “a one-stop electronic link” to all the information and services provided by the federal government. It contains information in the following areas: Business Development, Financial Assistance, Taxes, Laws and Regulations, International Trade, Workplace Issues, and Buying and Selling. The site also features a Business Resource Library, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and links to various Federal Agency business pages.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Crystal Plaza 3, Room 2C02
Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 1-800-786-9199
703-308-4357
Email: usptoinfo@uspto.gov
URL: http://www.uspto.gov
This office provides information pertaining to all aspects of patents and trademarks. Its Internet site contains a listing of Independent Inventor Resources and printable forms that can be downloaded.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
409 Third Street SW, Suite 7600
Washington, DC 20416
Phone: 1-800-827-5722
202-205-6744
TDD: 202-344-6640
Fax: 202-205-7064
URL: http://www.sba.gov
Seattle District Office (serving Western Washington)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1700
Seattle, WA 98101-1128
Phone for General Information: 206-553-7310
Phone for Business Information: 206-553-7311
Established in 1953 to provide financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and expand their businesses, the SBA offers training, counseling, and research information. It is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small businesses. Additionally, the SBA is involved with special programs for assisting individuals who are blind and wish to establish their own independent businesses or secure government contracts.
Upstart Catalog
155 N Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-1719
Phone: 1-800-235-8866
Contact: Jere Calms
Phone: 312-836-4400, Ext. 4453
Upstart Publishing Company
Contact: Julie Helmstetter
Phone: 1-800-621-9621, Ext. 4304
A division of Dearborn Publishing Group, Inc., Upstart Publishing Company is the nation’s largest publisher for and trainer of entrepreneurs, small office/home office professionals, freelancers, and consultants. Its catalog contains a list of entrepreneurial reference materials for sale, including guides on marketing strategies and managing finances.
Washington State Business Assistance Center
Minority and Women’s Business Development
2001 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-389-2561
This center is the state’s lead agency designed to increase awareness and use of existing business assistance services for businesses owned by minorities and women. It provides consulting, training, and referral services as well as a business information hotline (1-800-237-1233, 360-664-9501).
Washington State Government Information and Services
URL: http://access.wa.gov
The Washington State Internet homepage is a comprehensive, reliable, and valuable source of necessary information for anyone wishing to establish a business within the state. With links to other departments, it enables users to connect with a variety of state and federal resources.
The President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
Phone: 202-376-6200
TDD: 202-376-6205
Email: info@pcepd.gov
One of the projects of this committee is to promote the small business and self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities. To do so, this project aims to identify, on a national level, the appropriate resources for planning, training, technical assistance, and capital development for individuals with disabilities who wish to start or expand their own businesses.
FINANCING AND FUNDING RESOURCES
The Abilities Fund
22200 207th Avenue
Centerville, IA 52544-8601
Phone: 641-684-9298
Fax: 641-684-5048
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org
“Sustainable economic independence through business ownership” is the goal of this financial institution, which offers funding and other support exclusively to Americans with disabilities.
Braille Institute of America
741 N Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Phone: 1-800-272-4553
Email: Info@BrailleInstitute.org
URL: http://www.brailleinstitute.org
To enhance the employability of people who are blind or visually impaired, this institute may grant subsidies for the purchase of necessary electronic equipment.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
Phone: 202-708-5126
URL: http://www.cfda.gov or http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov
Published biannually by the U.S. General Services Administration, the CFDA is an impressive compilation of all the 1,454 federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public. It contains financial and non-financial assistance programs that are administered by departments and establishments of the Federal government. The complete catalog is available online at no cost.
Lions Club International
Headquarters
300 W 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842
Phone: 1-800-847-5786, 630-571-5466
URL: http://www.lionsclub.org
Some local chapters of the Lions Club may offer financial assistance to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Washington Assistive Technology Foundation (WATF) Access Fund
1823 East Madison, Suite 1000
Seattle, WA 98122
www.watf.org
Contact: Andrea Dimond
Email: andrea@watf.org
Voice: 206.328.5116
Voice / TTY: 800.214.8731
The Washington Assistive Technology Foundation (WATF) is a state-wide 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to improving the socio-economic circumstances of people with disabilities through access to technology. The WATF Access Fund provides low-interest loans to help Washington residents with disabilities obtain the technologies and business equipment they need to live independently and to succeed at school, at work, at play and in the community.
Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH)
410 Boston Street
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: 206-352-1945
Fax: 206-352-1899
Email: washcash@nwlink.com
URL: http://www.washingtoncash.org
Washington CASH is a community-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to “[foster] economic self-sufficiency through self-employment training and lending to low-income women, people with disabilities, and other low-income individuals.”
Washington State Business Assistance Center
Minority and Women’s Business Development
2001 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206-389-2561
In accordance with the 1993 Minority and Women-Owned Business Assistance Act, the State Treasurer offers the Washington State Linked Deposit Program. This program links the deposit of state funds to loans made by participating financial institutions to qualified minority and women business enterprises.
HOME-BASED BUSINESS RESOURCES
American Association of Home-Based Businesses, Inc. (AAHBB)
PO Box 10023
Rockville, MD 20842
Phone: 301-963-0153
Fax: 301-963-7042
Email: aahbb@crosslink.net
AAHBB is a national, non-profit organization formed to support and advocate for home-based business owners. Its newsletter, “Taking Care of Business” (TCB), contains tips on all aspects of operating a business from home. Access to this information may require eligibility and membership.
Homeworking.com
URL: http://homeworking.com
Designed for telecommuters, this Internet site features related articles, Job Search and Classified sections, and many relevant links.
STATISTICS RESOURCES
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Phone: 202-691-6378
Email: cpsinfo@bls.gov
labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov
URL: http://www.bls.gov
FedStats
URL: http://www.fedstats.gov
Through this Internet site, the U.S. Federal Government allows the public access to a full range of official statistical information, such as economic and population trends and information on energy, labor, and income.
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