Small Business Development Expert And Social Media Marketing Leader Will Keynote Entrepreneurship Co

February 8, 2010 -- Keynote presentations by Dr. Ernesto Sirolli and Chris Brogran will highlight the second annual Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s conference for state entrepreneurs. The Oklahoma Entrepreneur’s Conference: Accelerate Your Startup will be held February 23-24 at the Norman Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center.

Sirolli, a noted authority in the field of sustainable economic development, will discuss team building for business success. His renowned model of development is noted for engaging the enterprise, skills and intelligence of the local community to create economic growth. Over the last 23 years, Sirolli has helped communities around the world grow small businesses from the ground up.

Wind Energy Workshop Set for Oklahoma Manufacturers; Register Now

Jaunuary 27, 2010 -- Manufacturers across Oklahoma are scrambling to find out how their manufacturing businesses can benefit from the growing national and international wind industry supply chain. Don't miss out on the opportunity to find out how (or if) your Oklahoma manufacturing business can become a wind industry supplier. 

Register now online or by phone (918-449-6106) for the Opportunities for Manufactuers in Wind Energy Workshop, Wednesday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow. Registration is $95 per person before Monday, March 22 and $105 per person after that. Credit cards and advance payment are preferred. 

Advocacy Committee Empowers Small Business Owners

EDITOR’S NOTE: the following Small Business column by Lt. Governor Jari Askins, the state’s small business advocate, is the first in a year-long series for small business owners in Oklahoma.  

By Lt. Governor Jari Askins

Nearly 330,000 small businesses operate in Oklahoma. Much of Oklahoma’s economic strength and vitality is thanks to the impact of these businesses--they are a vital part of our economy. By embracing them and by helping to create a pro-business environment, the Oklahoma Small Business Advocacy Committee serves not just entrepreneurs but all Oklahomans. When our small businesses thrive, our communities prosper as well.

Tulsa Entrepreneur Wins Top Honors at 2nd Annual Tulsey Awards

November 24, 2009 – The Tulsa World reports Blake Ewing, owner of Joe Momma's Pizza, was recently named the 2009 Tulsey Entrepreneur of the Year. Ewing also won in the category for Restaurateur.

The Tulseys are an outgrowth of the Mayor's Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, a business-model competition that attracted more than 85 contestants reports the World.

SBA Launches New Online Training Course: Winning Federal Contracts – A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs

October 14, 2009 -- Women who own small businesses will be able to use a new online U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) training course to learn how to identify and take advantage of federal contracting opportunities. The new training course, Winning Federal Contracts: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs, is part of an ongoing government-wide initiative to promote opportunities for women-owned businesses in the area of government contracting.

This free online tutorial is a practical and easy to use guide that walks a woman-owned small business through the contracting process. SBA is committed to ensuring that women-owned businesses receive at least 5 percent of federal contracts and believes better training opportunities are central to meeting this government-wide goal.

Important Dates

Feb. 23-24 - Oklahoma Entrepreneur’s Conference 2010: Accelerate Your Startup

For More Events, click here

Business Plan Guide

El Plan de Negocios

Business Basics

Puntos Basicos

Download this portable version of the Business Finance section.

 
Break-Even Sales Analysis Tool Every business owner should know how much revenue is needed to pay all business costs and leave a fair profit return.  Profit is determined by the company's cost structure and sales volume over the course of one year. This tool figures how much business you'll need to conduct to turn a profit.

How Price Changes Impact Profit How much business can you lose from price increases and still meet gross profit goals? This tool calculates that as well as how much gross profit will be left after you've paid for the goods and services needed to operate.

Building the Case for Rural Entrepreneurship From the Rural Policy Research Institute

Entrepreneur Self Test From the Rural Policy Research Institute 

The Oklahoma Entrepreneur's Conference 2009

The Oklahoma Entrepreneur's Conference brought together those interested in starting or growing a business and the service providers that can help them.

Click here to learn more about what was covered at the conference, including interviews with several of the speakers.   

Business Resources

Mashable Social Media Guide lists the top 10 social networks for entrepreneurs. Each helps entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with the guidance, tools and resources they need to setup their company and gain exposure.

Entrepreneurship.org is one-stop shopping for entrepreneurs. Current topics range from a tutorial on the basic principles of equity funding and dilution to IdeaCrossing, a free online resource that helps entrepreneurs identify sources of human and financial capital.

Oklahoma Small Business Development Centers

Family-Owned Business Institute helps family businesses succeed and grow from generation to generation by offering programs and services that address their unique needs.

United States Postal Service (USPS) - the USPS has Small Business Specialists that can help you find cost-effective shippers for international and domestic mailings, design your next direct-mail piece, organize and maintain your customer mailing lists, provide customized postage, and more. All services are free. Contact: Marva Courtney, Small Business Specialist, USPS Oklahoma District, marva.courtney@usps.gov, 405-553-6122.

Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits offers a no-cost/low-cost training program designed to promote transparency and efficiency in nonprofit organizations.

Oklahoma Career & Technology Education (CareerTech)

Women's Business Center (REI)

Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education  
       
Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma (REI)

Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Occupational Licensing Handbook  

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality 

Trade Talk, a free online publication to help small businesses pursue international trade opportunities. To sign up, visit www.ustr.gov and click on "Receive USTR e-mail updates" on the right side of the home page.

One-Stop Shop for Federal Forms

Business.gov, the official business link to the U.S. government, provides federal form searches so visitors may quickly find and download U.S. federal tax forms and guides.The Business.gov site saves businesses time and money in locating the forms and guidance they need as well as searching the government for compliance resources. Failure to comply with employer tax requirements and reporting may result in fines, legal action, or business closure.