Your local Longwood SBDC office is available to assist with specialized small business research on your industry or target market.
The SBDC subscribes to several databases and information services that contain valuable consumer and industry information. We are able, in most cases, to provide SBDC clients with this information FREE OF CHARGE as a component of business and marketing plan consulting. Click here for your local office location and contact information.
For those who need immediate access to other web resources, the list below will get you started. Call us if we can help you find more Resources for Growth!
Helpful Links
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
A great site for statistical research in Virginia with links to information about other states.
Virginia Employment Commission
Provides easy access to information about jobs and the labor market in Virginia.
Virginia Department of Taxation
Get information on various tax topics, download tax forms, and ask tax questions.
State Corporation Commission
Get information about the Commission and its issues and services.
Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity
Offers business certification programs, serves as the small business economic development arm and small business financing.
Virginia Small Business Development Centers
Provides management counseling, information resources, technical assistance, and training.
Small Business Administration Online
Information about financing, disaster assistance, and an on-line library.
SBA Online Forms and Publications
Includes numerous forms and workbooks, many in PDF format.
Small Business Administration GILS
Identifies public information resources throughout the U.S. Federal Government, the information available in those resources, and assists in obtaining the information.
SBA Learning Center
Online learning programs designed to empower and educate small business owners every step of the way.
U. S. Business Advisor
Provides one-stop access to federal government information, services, and transactions.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Up-to-date statistics on employment nationally or by region.
The U.S. Census Bureau
The official current and future population and economic statistics.
Independent Agencies Index from the White House
Links to all federal government agencies and commissions.
Internal Revenue Service
Information and forms from everyone’s favorite federal agency.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Deals with every aspect of small business concerns.
IRS Website for Small Business
Designed to help serve the small business and self employed community.
Economic development region covering the counties of Halifax, Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania, and the cities of Danville and Martinsville.
Virginia’s Growth Alliance
Economic development region covering the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Lunenburg, & Prince Edward, and the City of Emporia.
Shop Local VGA
Regional online store for businesses in the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Lunenburg, & Prince Edward, and the City of Emporia.
Virginia’s Great Adventures
Regional tourism website for the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Lunenburg, & Prince Edward, and the City of Emporia.
Think Bigger VGA
Regional entrepreneur portal for businesses in the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Lunenburg, & Prince Edward, and the City of Emporia.
Guerilla Marketing
A weekly web magazine for small business, entrepreneurs, sales people and marketers.
Small Business Information Clearinghouse
A great online library of publications.
NOLO: Small Business Law Center
A website designed to answer legal questions.
National Association for the Self-Employed (SE)
Helps the self-employed meet the challenges of making their businesses successful.
The Business Plans Resource Center
Offers thousands of pages of free sample plans, planning tools, and expert advice to help you start and run your business.
Entrepreneur Magazine
Offers solutions for growing businesses.
Better Business Bureau
Search for Better Business Bureaus in a locality.
Business Town
Ideas to help start and manage a business.
Insidebiz.com
Gives you up-to-date information and news on local businesses.
CNNMoney.com
Gives the latest on national small business news.
Inc. Magazine
The magazine for growing companies.
Kauffman Center Resources
Current articles on the strategic planning of small business.
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the largest, most influential general business organization, representing all business sectors in every region of the Commonwealth, including small business enterprises and Fortune 500 companies.
Business.com
A search engine designed for everyday business needs.
National Federation of Independent Business
NFIB gives members access to many business products and services at discounted costs. NFIB also provides timely informational resources designed to help business owners succeed.
U.S. Customs Service
Information on importing, exporting, and enforcement.
World Trade Organization
A business and educational website focusing on international business.
QuickBooks Offerings by
Jamee Dion, Balanced Bookkeeping & Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor
QBO 101 This class is limited to 30 participants!
Subscribed to Quickbooks Online but not sure where to start? Or better yet, unsure if you’re ready to make the leap to using a paid accounting software?
If so, join us for a highly interactive and hands-on program where we’ll go through all of the basics of Quickbooks Online. By the end of our time together, you will be able to:
- customize your chart of accounts
- link bank feeds
- categorize transactions
- create automatic categorization rule
- reconcile accounts
- customize reports
YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP!!!
One-on-one advising is available to those located in our service area after the class by appointment only.
You MUST attend the class to receive the one-on-one advising! These 30 minute advising sessions are limited, first come first served basis!
You may schedule by calling (434) 395-2086.
QuickBooks Offerings by
Jamee Dion, Balanced Bookkeeping & Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor
QBO 201 This class is limited to 30 participants!
Already feel like you have a handle on your monthly tasks within Quickbooks Online and now looking to get more out of your use?
In this course, we’ll explore added functions of QB, such as:
- receipt management
- recurring transactions
- tags
- classes
- locations
- advanced reporting
- payroll, and much more
As this is a highly interactive and hands-on program, make sure you have your Quickbooks account pulled up, or Quickbooks Online Test Drive: https://qbo.intuit.com/redir/testdrive.
YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN LAPTOP!!!
One-on-one advising is available to those located in our service area after the class by appointment only.
You MUST attend the class to receive the one-on-one advising! These 30 minute advising sessions are limited, first come first served basis!
You may schedule by calling (434) 395-2086.
Join Procurement Specialist, Ms. Margaret Edmond, as she takes you through what your business needs to do to be eligible to work with the State Agencies!
Learn how to use the State’s site to find out who is buying what you sell. She will also take you through the SWaM documentation and the reasons for being SWaM certified. This is an information-packed hour and half in-person class you will NOT want to miss.
The slides and the instructions for the marketing report will be available by email for all attendees!!
***This class is limited to 10 people***
If you would like to schedule a one hour one-on-one session for government contracting assistance you may email: [email protected]
**IMPORTANT**
Scheduled workshops may change due to inclement weather, scheduling conflicts, etc.
Your pre-registration enables the Longwood SBDC to keep you updated on changes or cancellations as quickly as possible.
Starting a Business in Southern Virginia: Building the Foundation for Your New Business
If starting a business in Southern Virginia is your dream, we can help you make it a reality. With our business workshops, you’ll find the practical knowledge and skills you need to succeed at starting and running a small business.
Starting a business in Southern Virginia requires planning and consideration. Choosing your legal structure, writing a business plan, securing funding, and other steps help you build a solid foundation for your business.
About This Business Workshop
Building the Foundation for Your New Business is one of many free classes offered by the Longwood SBDC for those considering starting a business in Southern Virginia.
Cost: FREE
Potential new and existing business owners will learn how to:
- Evaluate your entrepreneurial abilities
- Choose a legal form of organization
- Prepare and present your business plan
- Find financial resources
- Create marketing strategies
- Cybersecurity Tips
No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, you’ll benefit from this practical, focused information. You’ll leave this free workshop with business insights and actionable strategies to help you launch, build, or grow a Southern Virginia-based business.
**IMPORTANT**
Scheduled workshops may change due to inclement weather, scheduling conflicts, etc.
Your pre-registration enables the Longwood SBDC to keep you updated on changes or cancellations as quickly as possible.