FREE ADVICE ON PLANNING, STARTING, AND GROWING A BUSINESS:

Economic Development Council for Island County (EDC), has a wealth of useful links on their website http://www.iscoedc.com.

Washington State Office of Regulatory Assistance Small Business Guide. Lots of information on planning, starting, running, and growing a business http://www.ora.wa.gov/business.asp

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) free in-person (Seattle) counseling and online workshops, resources such as business plans and budgeting advice. http://www.score.org, or (206) 553-7320 for the Seattle office.

Washington State Small Business Development Centers http://www.wsbdc.org offers info and templates for business plans, loan proposals, etc. Free help is offered at the nearest centers to South Whidbey at Edmonds Community College and Port Townsend.

Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/training has free online courses in start-up basics, finance strategies, and more.

 

OPTIONS FOR RAISING CAPITAL:

Information on options for raising capital and the possible requirements for registration with the Washington State Office of Financial Institutions http://www.dfi.wa.gov/sd/smallbusiness.htm