Site name: Small Business Administration URL: www.sba.gov Background information: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created by Congress in 1953 to help America’s entrepreneurs form successful small enterprises.

Today, SBA’s program offices in every state offer financing, training, and advocacy for small firms. These programs are delivered by SBA offices in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational, and training institutions nationwide.

Exercises:

a. Surf the SBA Web site and identify the programs provided by the SBA for entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business.

b. Describe in detail three SBA programs that may be helpful to you, if you were starting your own business.

c. You want to start your own restaurant but need financing in order to start. Describe in detail what the SBA can do to help you obtain financing.

d. The SBA provides over 65 online training courses for the aspiring entrepreneur.

Lead a class discussion on the categories of training provided by the SBA, and discuss some of the courses you think would be most beneficial.

e. The SBA hosts seminars nationwide that would assist an individual who wishes to start his or her own business. Click on your state, and identify the workshops that are being offered in your area.

f. Identify the elements of a model business plan, and write a sentence or two describing the information required for each element.
g. The SBA provides information on managing your new enterprise. Describe the leadership traits it considers important for an entrepreneur to be effective.
h. Discuss how the SBA supports women and minorities.
i. Describe the information the SBA provides on franchising.
j. Review an example of a restaurant, food service, bar, or nightclub business plan.
Lead a class discussion on how effectively the author addressed all of the elements of a model business plan.