Resources

Being an entrepreneur can be both exhilarating and scary. Busy as you are, you occassionally need to take a break from working in your business so you can work on your business. Here are a few ideas about getting started.

Local Government Resources

Washington State
Washington State's official website.
Washington State Department of Licensing
Where your business begins. This is where you start your business, change your business, and meet other licensing requirements.
Washington State Department of Revenue
Learn about business tax rules and reporting for businesses operating in the state of Washington.
Washington State Employment Security Department
Every business with employees in Washington state must register with Employment Security and file unemployment-insurance taxes every quarter.
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
Learn how to file your taxes, manage employees' claims, safety tips, workplace rights, and whether your trade requires and additional license with the state.
Washington State Board of Accountancy
Use the Licensee Search to look me up! I am a fully licensed Washington State Certified Public Accountant!

National Government Resources

Internal Revenue Service
Download forms, apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN), or peruse the tax laws at your leisure.
Social Security Administration
The SSA's Business Services Online page allows business to submit data online and verify social security numbers.
Small Business Administration
An independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

Practical Marketing

Marketing to Grow Your Business
The Seattle Chapter of the Glazer-Kennedy Insider's Circle is devoted to helping members grow their business using creative strategies and techniques.
Dan Kennedy
Dan Kennedy has a no B.S. approach to marketing that focuses on getting results.

Other Resources

Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Provides resources for businesses and individuals in the greater Seattle area. Business links, area events, and more. Network and learn about issues impacting the current business environment.
Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle News, Bizjournals is your best source for up to date local Seattle business news and resources.

Books

The E-Myth Revisited : Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do about It
Michael Gerber dispels the myths surrounding starting your own business and shows how commonplace assumptions can get in the way of running a business. Next, he walks you through the steps in the life of a business -- from entrepreneurial infancy through adolescent growing pains to the mature entrepreneurial perspective: the guiding light of all businesses that succeed -- and shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business, whether it is a franchise or not. Finally, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in your business.
Think and Grow Rich
Napoleon Hill was born in 1883, in Virginia, and died in 1970 after a long and successful career as a lecturer, an author, and a consultant to business leaders. Think and Grow Rich is the all-time bestseller in its field, having sold 15 million copies worldwide, and setting the standard for today's motivational thinking. This is a timeless classic which will inspire you to find your own mastermind group.
Fraud: Bringing Light to the Dark Side of Business
Embezzlement, tax evasion, deception, and other forms of "white collar crime" are putting the assets and integrity of many of America's top companies at risk--and fraud prevention is fast-becoming one of the foremost concerns in today's corporate world. The authors show how employees and managers can help keep the company safe from fraud, by learning the most important steps in prevention, detection, and investigation.