Small Business Resources

As a Washington State business, you have a host of federal, state, and local programs available to help you start and grow your business, including one-on-one personal business counseling, state agency customer service representatives and helplines.

Counseling Services

• Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE)- SCORE is an organization of retired business executives and business owners who volunteer to advise small businesses free of charge. Make an appointment with a counselor to review your business plan, advise you in business planning, financial analysis, marketing, expansion, exporting and other business needs.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)- The SBDC counselors have certified broad-based skills and significant experience as business owners or managers. They provide one-on-one, confidential assistance at no charge for management and technical business affairs.

Business Information

Business centers serve all regions of the state providing a variety of resources and one-stop small business planning and research centers.

• Small Business Administration
• Tacoma Business Asst Center & 1-Stop Capital Shop- 253-680-7770
• Southeastern Washington- 509-372-7142
• Portland District Score Office (serves Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark & Skamania counties)
• SBA Answer Desk or or 1-800-UASK-SBA

Additional Resources

• Secretary of State Corporations Division- (360) 753-7115
• Better Business Bureau
• Financial Institutions- (360) 902-8700
• Business-related Associations
• Washington State Information- (800) 321-2808
• National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)- (360) 786-8675
• Washington State Public Library Search- (360) 704-5200

IRS

The IRS provides many CD Roms and publications to guide you through the IRS rules and regulations including:
• Introduction to Federal Taxes for the Small Business Taxpayer (CD Rom - Pub 3693)
• Small Business Resource Guide CD
• To order by phone: 1-800-829-3676

Small Business Administration

• SBA Hotlinks – 3,777 greatest business hotlinks

Child Care

• Department of Early Learning

• Child Care Facilities Fund

Minority & Women-owned Business Resources

• SBA Services to Help Succeed in Business
• Minority Enterprise Development
• Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises
• Women’s Business Center
• South Sound Women's Business Center

Publications

Review of the following publications will provide you with a basic knowledge and understanding of Washington’s business licensing process, tax obligations, available technical assistance as well as a wealth of information.

• Small Business Guide is presently being updated.
• Operating a Business in Washington State
• Washington State tax publications

• IRS Resource Guide

For further assistance with your Washington business requirements, please visit Learn about Doing Business in Washington.