Top 10 resources for entrepreneurs

It seems like every day I see a new startup. Its absolutely amazing to me.  There is even a blog dedicated to finding 15+ startup’s everyday! They a very nice job of providing a full write up on them. With all those people starting business’ they need resources! Here are my Top 10 resources for entrepreneurs.

1. Google — I know it sounds cliche to have Google be first but honestly … if your an aspiring entrepreneur you NEED to be able to use Google in a fast and effective way to find information.  Google actually has a pretty good help section.  Check it out here.
2. Starting a small business — This FREE 372 page PDF is probably one of the most comprehensive ‘ebooks’ about starting a business you will ever find.  This goes down into the dirt and grim of business.  From licensing to Tax Identification Numbers.  It guides you through just about every aspect of business you will need to know.  The only downside is that it is geared toward that states of Minnesota but it still has some very valuable information in it.
3. iTunes U — Not many people know about the tremendous wealth of information that is available FREE online on iTunes U.  Stanford University has a great section of pod casts on Social Entrepreneurship and Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs.  Standford itself also has a great site dedicated to entrepreneurs as well located here. MIT has a iTunes U account so does some other Universities. Make sure to check it out!
4. SCORE — Most entrepreneurs surprisingly don’t know about SCORE or just don’t use them.  They have an awesome “Ask SCORE” section where you can ask industry professionals any question you want regarding entrepreneurship and business.  I have asked them several questions before and I have always gotten a very professional response with great helpful tips and suggestions. Also there is more than likely a SCORE office near.  I would suggest connecting up with the people in the SCORE office near you and seeing if they have mentoring or something available to you.
5. SBA — The Small Business Administration was created to help entrepreneurs!  They have a great section on planning your small business.  Check it out here.
6. INC.com — They have produced one of the best articles on writing a business plan I have ever come across.  It is exactly what every entrepreneur needs in his/her arsenal!  It gives you a great list of resources which can help and guide you to writing a successful business plan.
7. The Entrepreneurial Mind – Jeff Cornwall, Director of the Belmont University Center for Entrepreneurship, looks at trends in small business and entrepreneurship and their impact on individual business owners.
8. Go BIG Blog – 9-time serial entrepreneur Wil Schroter, founder of the Go BIG Network, a networking site that helps growth-oriented entrepreneurs connect with investors, suppliers, co-founders and employees, uses his “no-BS” approach to tell entrepreneurs the way it really is that you won’t read in the books.
9. Duct Tape Marketing – John Jantsch delivers small business marketing tips weekly in easily digestible, actionable bite-size chunks.
10. Networking — This is by far one of the best kept secrets of entrepreneurs.  Network, network, network.  Make sure you are building up your personal network.  It is extremely important that you keep in touch with your contacts and that you keep building those relationships.  I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten a new job from someone who I networked with.  It truly is great! Here is a good article on networking. MIT produced a seminar on networking.  Its more geared toward finding a job but the concepts and principles are still the same. Check it out here.

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Think something else should be on the list.  Let me know your thoughts!