Resources to start and grow your business

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Start with your interests, skills, access needs, and the problem you want to solve for customers. SBA’s market research guidance helps you explore demand, competitors, pricing, and the people who might buy your product or service. Use that research to refine your idea before committing significant time or money.

SBA Business Guide

Work through the steps of planning, launching, managing, and growing a business. The guide covers business plans, startup costs, choosing a structure and name, registration, tax identification numbers, licenses, banking, and insurance. Use it to identify your next steps and the questions to discuss with an advisor.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

Connect with a business advisor for help with planning, identifying customers, marketing, financial management, operations, and growth. Ask your local center about guidance on branding and marketing strategies, whether you are preparing to launch or strengthening an existing business.

SBDCs offer counseling and training through SBA’s resource partner network. Services and training costs vary by center. Discuss your goals and access needs when arranging assistance.

IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center

Learn about federal business taxes, recordkeeping, business expenses, estimated tax payments, and employment taxes when hiring. Understanding your responsibilities early can help you plan for taxes, keep useful records, and prepare for filing and payment deadlines.

Help choosing a tax professional

Use IRS guidance to learn about tax professionals and their qualifications. Look for a CPA or enrolled agent with small-business experience who can help with ongoing tax planning as well as preparing returns. Ask which federal, state, and local requirements apply to your business, how to set aside money, and which records to maintain.

SCORE

Connect with an experienced volunteer business mentor for free, ongoing guidance on business planning, marketing, finances, and growth. SCORE serves entrepreneurs across industries; its mentors bring business experience that can help you work through decisions and plan your next steps.

Look for a mentor whose expertise fits your goals. Discuss your access needs and preferred meeting format when arranging mentoring.

Wix Studio

Explore a strong all-in-one option for building and managing your business website. Wix Studio brings together responsive design, hosting, search engine optimization, and business tools such as online stores and appointment booking. Its learning resources can help you develop your skills as you build and maintain your site.

Review plan costs and the features your business needs. Try the building tools with your assistive technology before committing, and use Wix’s accessibility guidance to help make your finished website usable for customers with disabilities.

ChatGPT Sites

Create and refine a website by describing what you want in prompts. If you already use ChatGPT for your business, sharing your business description, services, and approved content can help you create a site and make updates with less repeated work.

Open ChatGPT and look for the Sites plugin. Availability depends on your account. Review the content, links, and accessibility of your site before publishing.

National Disability Institute (NDI)

NDI connects entrepreneurs with disabilities to business support through its Small Business Hub and Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. Explore free courses, mentoring, networking, and opportunities to apply for grants. Its Small Business Hub also offers resources for business planning, marketing, financial management, and access to capital.

Grant opportunities have eligibility requirements and application periods. Applying does not guarantee funding; check the current program details.

SBA funding guidance

Learn about funding options, including self-funding, investors, crowdfunding, and small business loans. Consider the amount you need, repayment obligations, and the effect on your business before choosing an option. An SBDC advisor or SCORE mentor can help you prepare and compare options.

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), benefits counseling can help you understand how self-employment may affect your benefits and healthcare coverage. WIPA provides individualized counseling for eligible beneficiaries who are working or preparing to work, including through self-employment.

Use Social Security’s Find Help tool to locate benefits counseling in your area. Discuss your business plans and reporting responsibilities before making decisions that could affect your benefits.

Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN)

EARN’s Small Business Toolkit helps business owners recruit, hire, retain, and advance employees with disabilities. Explore ways to build a talent pipeline and support an inclusive workplace as you prepare to hire or expand your team.