SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES
You want to be your own boss?
You are at the right place to get started!
ACCORD's Allegany Business Center is the local chapter of New York State's Entrepreneurial Assistance Program. Our program provides technical assistance and training opportunities to Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Steuben counties (and other nearby areas). If you'd like more information about the NYS Entrepreneurial Assistance program, please contact the ACCORD Business Center or visit the NYS Entrepreneurial Assistance Website here.
Technical Assistance
Our EAC provides the following in-depth services, including counseling and assistance on:
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The feasibility of starting a business
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Refining a business concept and business plan
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Completing MWBE Certification Applications
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Business Mentor NY, a web-based volunteer mentor platform
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Established management principles and practices
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Product development and marketing
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Exporting, contract procurement and licensing
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Identifying and accessing capital and credit
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Access to business support networks
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Ongoing and continued technical assistance to program graduates including linkages to other small business services
Entrepreneurship Course
Twice a year, the ACCORD Business Center offers a formal entrepreneurship course (5-week class in the spring, 10-week in the fall) that teaches potential and current businesses all about running their own enterprises. Throughout the class, our team of professionals use a curriculum approved by the NYS Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers program (EAC), as well as special presentations by local guest presenters that are able to share their experiences and expertise.
Topics Include:
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Tax Issues
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Legal Issues
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Insurance Issues
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Web Commerce
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Networking
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Writing a Business Plan
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Marketing Your Business
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Computer Skills
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Doing Business As (DBA) Certificates
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Social Media
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Record Keeping
To be added to the waiting list for the next Entrepreneurship Training Course, please contact Ruby Lananger, Business and Loan Manager by calling (585) 268-7605 ext. 1711 or rlananger@accordcorp.org.
Useful Resources
Links:
Traditional Types of Business Models: Information from Maryville University providing background on types of business models, such as retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. This can be useful when deciding what type of business you plan on starting.
Small Business/Self Employed Tax & Resource Center: Provided by the IRS, this website provides an all-in-one dashboard for anyone already running their own business or those looking to become entrepreneurs. It provides a great deal of information on many topics, as well as vitual workshops, event calendars, and informational videos.
SBA Sizeup: Useful tool in determining competition in your area. Provided by the Small Business Administration.
NY Business Express Customized Checklist for Start-ups
Apply for an Employer Identification Number
Complete Articles of Organization Document for Corporations, LLCs, or Limited Partnerships
Allegany County Partnership DBA Form
Allegany County Economic Development
Allegany County Employment and Training
Useful Files:
Free Law Assistance through SUNY Albany: rural resources - Albany Law School.pdf
Non-Profit Works Grant-Writing Basics Packet: Grant Writing Basics Docs.pdf
NYS Small Business Taxes Presentation from Department of Taxation and Finance: Taxes for Small Business Owners February 23 2017.pptx
Small Business Administration Social Media Workshop Presentation: SBA Social Media Workshop.pdf
M/WBE Workshop Presentation (PPT Presentation)
Social Media Marketing Presentation
Financial Statement and Ratio Analysis Workbook (PDF): This document is helpful when trying to develop business financial statements and using ratios to analyze your success.
Financial Statement and Ratio Analysis Builder (Excel): This Excel workbook can serve as a template and resource when building your business financial statements.
Business Plan Templates:
NYS Entrepreneur Assistance Program/NxLevel Template
SCORE Business Plan Template (Word Document)