Resources

Business Planning

Business Plan Outline
A simple, one page outline that you can utilize to complete a rough draft of your business plan. The IESBDC will help you craft a document that presents your company in the best light for lenders, investors, employees and serve as a tool for managing the business. For additional help call your the Inland Empire SBDC.
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Business Plan Guide
A more detailed guide to developing a concrete business plan that you can utilize to complete a draft of your business plan.
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Financial Projections Spreadsheet
A linked worksheet that will allow you to complete the Financials section of your business plan. It can also be used standalone to create financial projections. This template includes financial assumptions, sources and uses of funds, profit and loss statement, cash flow and balance sheet. It can be used in support of your loan application. Don’t forget to download the projections step-by-step guide.
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Business startup checklist
A checklist of the basic areas you need to cover before opening your business.
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California Business Name Search
One of the first challenges ever business faces is deciding on the business name. Your business name has numerous branding and marketing implications, but before you can select a business name you must make sure it isn’t already taken. This search provides access to domestic stock, domestic nonprofit and qualified foreign corporations, limited liability company and limited partnership information of record with the California Secretary of State.
Business Entities Comparison Chart
This document outlines the common types of corporate structure for businesses and their respective requirements. It compares the various legal forms based upon key criteria that include: cost, taxation, liability, and key documents.
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Licenses and Permits
CalGold (www.CalGold.ca.gov) is one of the most popular resources to identify the federal, state and local agencies that your business will need to work with in order to operate a business in cities throughout California. Just enter your zip code and industry NAICS code and you’re off.

Financing

Applying for a Loan
Going after a loan? This document outlines six essential areas a lending institution will consider and helps business owners know what to expect before applying for a business loan.
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Business Loan Documents Checklist
While every loan program has specific forms you need to fill out and documents you need to submit, you will likely need to submit much of the same information for different loan packages. Before you start applying for loans, you should get some basic documentation together.
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Quick Reference Guide to SBA Loan Guarantee Programs (Updated January 2014)
This document is a great at-a-glance resource that summarizes SBA guarantee loan programs by loan sizes, use of proceeds, maturity, interest rates, and fees.
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Marketing

Competitive Analysis
Every market has competitors, both direct and indirect. This tool will help you organize and analyze your company’s competitive position based upon things that matter to your target customers.
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Major Media Types
A good comparison of the advantages and limitations of the major media types available to market your business.
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Advertising Budget
A great monthly advertising budget template that you can drop right into your word document business plan.
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Government Contracting

Certifications Fact Sheet
This document summarizes common federal, state and local certification criteria, certification lengths, certifying agencies, and associated fees.
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Federal Bid Opportunities
The FedBizOpps web site provides assistance by e-mail and a toll-free helpline and has been designated as the single source for federal government procurement opportunities that exceed $25,000.
California Department of General Services
The Department of General Services (DGS) serves as business manager for the state of California. General Services helps to better serve the public by providing a variety of services to state agencies through procurement and acquisition solutions, real estate management and design, environmentally friendly transportation, professional printing, design and Web services, and funding for the creation and construction of safe schools. 8(a) Business Development Program helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. HUBZone Program helps small businesses in historically underutilized urban and rural business zone communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses provides procuring agencies with the authority to set acquisitions aside for exclusive competition among service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns. Small Disadvantaged Businesses Firms that are considered to be small disadvantaged businesses can compete for certain federal contracting opportunities. Women-Owned Small Businesses  Federal Contract program authorizes contracting officers to set aside certain federal contracts for eligible women-owned small businesses.

Legal Resources

Disclaimer: The information in this website and its related materials are provided with the understanding that the Small Business Development Center hosted by El Camino College is not engaged in rendering legal advice or services. As such, resources provided should not be used as a substitute for the services of an attorney, but rather for educational purposes only. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult an attorney.

USPTO Patent Process Overview
A great document provided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office outlining the steps necessary to obtain a non-provisional (utility) patent.
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Partnership Agreement Example
A Partnership Agreement helps to avoid conflict which may arise between the partners. This is an example of a partnership agreement, but generally speaking a partnership agreement will cover aspects of the agreement such as, the primary business of the partnership, details of the Partners, roles and responsibilities, voting rights, capital contributions, ownership shares, profit and loss distributions, financial reporting/taxation issues, transfer rights, termination and ultimately how disputes will be handled.
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Business Lease Checklist
A great checklist for any small business owner or entrepreneur outlining consideration before signing a commercial lease.
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Online Resources

Listed below are some of the sites that we have found to have comprehensive, useful information for people interested in starting a business or in improving their existing businesses.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Links

Federal Resources

State Resources

Small Business Resources