Thinking of Starting Your Own Business?

If you need assistance or advice on what to do and how to get started, the following resources will assist you in exploring the entrepreneurial world.




The Oakland County Business Center
The Oakland County Business Center – Michigan-Small Business Technology Development Center – (OCBC MI – SBTDC) can provide help and assistance with starting your own business.  It focuses on assisting small businesses and has been helping people start, manage and grow their small business since 1985. The OCBC SBTDC has a comprehensive process to help you navigate through the various decision making processes, make the right choices and increase your chances of success.  They offer a series of workshops and business planning tools.  Once you’ve developed your business plan, you can meet with one of their small business consultants to discuss it.



U.S. Small Business Administration
The mission of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is to help Americans start, build, and grow a business.  The SBA offers information on organizing your business from start to finish with the help of their Small Business Planner.  This section addresses issues ranging from planning, starting, managing, and getting out of your business.



Oakland University Incubator (OU INC)
Oakland University’s SmartZone Business Incubator (OU INC) provides entrepreneurial resources and strategic business solutions to develop intellectual property. The incubator supports existing and helps to grow new technology-based and life science businesses with university resources, decision support technology, business counseling services, and financial/capital acquisition assistance.



Automation Alley
Automation Alley is a technology business association connecting government, business and education. Since its founding in 1999, Automation Alley has expanded to include more than 1,000 businesses, educational institutions and government entities from the City of Detroit and the surrounding eight-county region.

Automation Alley offers its members and those in Southeast Michigan’s business community several opportunities aimed at growing a successful technology business. A variety of opportunities are available that assist members in expanding a company here in Southeast Michigan, including: educational seminars, free meeting space, a robust job board, an informative press release system and much more.



Ann Arbor SPARK
The mission of Ann Arbor SPARK is to advance the economic development of innovation-based businesses in the Ann Arbor region by offering programs, resources, and proactive support to business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations looking for expansion opportunities.



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TechTown
TechTown seeks to become the world’s foremost business incubator, leading to an economic renaissance in the city, state and region. TechTown offers programs such as FastTrac, SmartStart, and BizdomU to assist in start-up services.



American Society of Employers
American Society of Employers (ASE) serves Michigan’s Human Resource business community by providing programs and services to concentrate on human resource issues in an organization. Information is available for surveys, organizational development, HR services, events & seminars, learning & advancement, consulting services, and research services.



SCORE - Service Corps of Retired Executives
SCORE is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs using free and confidential assistance with planning and advice for small businesses. They provide online and in-person mentors, workshops, webinars, and other information to increase your chances of success in business. SCORE’s “Could I…Should I, Start My Own Business” workshop costs $10.00. If you would like to attend free, contact an Oakland County Michigan Works one-stop and request a voucher. All individuals requesting a voucher must have an active resume in the Michigan Talent Bank.



Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur offers how-to guides and ideas on starting a business, getting financing, finding customers, and keeping you business plan on track. It also provides information on inventing, going green, buying franchises & other opportunities, e-Business, Sales & Marketing, and other tools & services.



Startup Business
Startup Business provides many resources for business owners. Whether starting or growing a new business, this site gives free templates, fill-in-the-blank forms, sample legal agreements, how-to articles and other crucial resources (by state) for your business to succeed.



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A proud member of the American Job Center Network
Funded by the Oakland County Workforce Development Board and the Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan
Division of the Troy School District * Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TTY: 711

OAKLAND COUNTY MICHIGAN WORKS! TROY 2016