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 Small Business & Self Employed Tax Center

This section offers a broad range of resources across federal and state agencies, as well as industry/profession specific information for self-employed entrepreneurs, employers and businesses.

Online Learning and Educational Products

This page includes links to small business audio and video presentations as well as the Small Business Tax Workshop and the Small Business Resource Guide.

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.

• Guide for Small Business
• 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.

Updated January 2009