Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Do you have a great idea for a business but don’t know how to get it off the ground? Is Entrepreneurship right for you? There are numerous resources in the local community and online that can help you with this decision. Federal Small Business Administration, Portland office: Offers information regarding every step of starting your own business. MercyCorps NW: Provides financing to entrepreneurs with solid business proposals, assists them to craft business plans and acts as a small business incubator as well as mentors new business owners through the start-up phase. Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon: Broadens economic opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs by providing business support to increase growth in income, assets, and business skills. Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs: Promotes and develops entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the State of Oregon & SW Washington. Provides technical assistance, access to capital, matching capability with opportunity (Clearinghouse), administrative services, information, networking and an incubator with and without walls. SCORE: Retired business professionals provide free and confidential small business advice, mentoring, and low cost workshops for entrepreneurs and small businesses. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Provides local centers at many locations throughout Oregon. Many services are free or low-cost. Oregon Entrepreneurs Network: Connects small business owners to investors, mentors, and a thriving community of entrepreneurs. Center for Entrepreneurship at PSU: Build your business while pursuing your degree by taking advantage of PSU's entrepreneurship resources. Find coaches and mentors, access funding resources, and connect with local community groups. Business Accelerator at PSU: The Business Accelerator speeds the success of high-growth companies (technology, bioscience, and cleantech) by providing resources, connections and expertise. Kickstarter: Offers options for funding creative projects. Portland Business Journal: Local publication; covers activities in the business community. CLIMB-Business Development at PCC: The CLIMB Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is one of 19 in the state of Oregon, offering growth and development opportunities for small business owners throughout the PCC district. Other Resources Business Oregon, an Oregon State Agency, works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses that provide sustainable, living-wage jobs for Oregonians through public-private partnerships, leveraged funding and support of economic opportunities for Oregon companies and entrepreneurs. 7 Things You Need to Start a Business. Do you have what it takes to start your own business? You can start to take stock of what you have and need with this checklist from Careerealism!