Resource guide
Dozens of agencies and organizations in Southern California offer advice and expertise to small companies that are looking to expand. Some provide information on how to start and finance a business. Others offer counseling on how to improve operations and profitability. Here’s a sample of what’s available:
Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
This federal agency offers information on starting, financing and managing a small business, as well as tips for finding business opportunities.
Los Angeles district office: (818) 552-3215
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Central Contractor Registration
www.ccr.govSmall businesses interested in landing federal government contracts should register here.
(888) 227-2423
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California State Contracts Register
www.cscr.dgs.ca.gov/cscrView available state contracts at this site.
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State of California
www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/sellSmall businesses interested in selling services or products to the state can find more information here.
Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services: (916) 375-4940
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Small Business California
smallbusinesscalifornia.orgA lobbying group for small businesses in the state.
(415) 680-2188
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Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov/businesses/smallInformation on tax rules, deductions, accounting and recordkeeping for small businesses.
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Small Business Knowledge Base
www.bizmove.comInformation on business plans, loans, sales and marketing, starting a business and creating or dissolving a partnership.
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Service Corps of Retired Executives
www.score.orgA counseling service for small businesses, offering guidance and advice from retired professionals.
(800) 634-0245
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Small Business Development Center Network for Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
econdev.lbcc.edu/SBDCA program of the Long Beach Community College District, it offers free business counseling and fee-based seminars and training programs.
(562) 938-5020
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Business Technology Center of Los Angeles County
www.labtc.orgThis center, located in Altadena, aims to assist start-up and early-stage technology companies by offering access to financing, consulting and mentoring.
(626) 296-6300
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Tri-County Lead Small Business Development Center
www.leadsbdc.orgBased at Cal State Fullerton, this center offers consulting, training and technical assistance to small businesses in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
(714) 278-2719
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Small Business Training Network
www.sba.gov/trainingAn online “campus” offering free training courses, workshops and instructional materials designed to assist entrepreneurs.
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Charo Community Development Corp.
www.charocorp.orgThis nonprofit aimed at Los Angeles’ Latino community offers assistance to financial, training and contract procurement services to small businesses.
(323) 269-0751
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Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship
iece.csusb.eduThis center, at Cal State San Bernardino, offers training, information and support to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Inland Empire.
(909) 537-5708
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Inland Empire Women’s Business Center
www.iewbc.orgThis center offers counseling, workshops and other resources to women business owners in the Inland Empire.
(909) 890-1242
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PACE Business Development Center
www.pacela.org/bdcThis Los Angeles-based program, launched by the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, offers business consulting and entrepreneurial training.
(213) 353-9400
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California Manufacturing Technology Consulting
www.cmtc.comThis nonprofit organization aims to help Southern California’s small and medium-sized manufacturers improve competitiveness by offering guidance on reducing costs, boosting sales, retaining employees and remaining in business.
(310) 263-3060
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California Employment Development Department
www.edd.ca.gov/employer.htmThis agency offers small businesses help in finding skilled workers and training employees.
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Women’s Business Center
www.trivalleywbc.orgThis is a Small Business Administration program aimed at promoting the creation and growth of businesses owned by women and minority entrepreneurs in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and Pacoima areas.
(818) 907-9922
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Pasadena Enterprise Center
www.pec-sbi.orgThis program offers small-business owners office space, copy service, conference rooms, consulting services and access to capital.
Compiled by Scott J. Wilson
