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Micro Business Development Program (MBDP):  Offers low and moderate income entrepreneurs free assistance for starting, expanding or improving their businesses.  Services include one-on-one business counseling, specialized refugee business assistance, peer networking, workshops, classroom training, and loan packaging assistance.  802·860·1417

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE):  A network of experienced businesspeople who can provide small business owners with advice on business planning and management.  Clients are matched with a SCORE counselor whose experience matches a business owner's needs.  802·951·6762

Women's Agricultural Network:  Assists women starting or expanding farms or agriculturally-related businesses.  Provides education, technical assistance and networking opportunities for each step of the development process.  802·223·2389

Vermont Business Materials Exchange:  VBMX is a free service whose goal is to minimize waste by fostering the exchange of reusable resources.  Through VBMX, companies with surplus or by-product materials connect with other businesses or individuals who can reuse these materials productively.  While businesses save money on disposal fees, they can also reduce their impact on the environment.  800·895·1930

Vermont Software Developers Alliance (vtSDA):  Offers networking opportunities and collaboration to help its members promote their products and services.  They advocate on behalf of their members and help to organize collective marketing, increasing exposure to potential customers.  To find out more about vtSDA, come to a monthly meeting.  Contact by email: info@vtsda.org or check out their website: www.vtsda.org.

VT Global Trade Partnership:  Offers complete assistance for international trade.  802·828-1681

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC):  Provides one-on-one support and services through Field Engineers to Vermont's small and mid-sized (under 500 employees) manufacturers.  VMEC's goal is to assist Vermont manufacturers to increase productivity, modernize processes and improve competitiveness.  Ongoing training opportunities designed specifically for manufacturers are also offered.  60 Main Street / 802·660·2737

VBAN is also home to the Government Marketing Assistance Center (GMAC), which was created to help Vermont businesses (including minority-owned, woman-owned and small businesses) to become involved in the government contracting process.  Participating businesses have access to contracting opportunities, gain a better understanding of the federal and state marketplace and the knowledge necessary for success in government contracting.  Contact the Vermont Department of Economic Development, GMAC, National Life Building, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT  05620.  802·828·2540

Vermont Food Venture Center:  Making all needed resources available for people to start a specialty food business and to help grow an existing business.  The Center also supports strengthening of the Vermont agricultural industry through developing value-added products and providing ongoing technical assistance to the State's specialty foods producers.  The Center is organized into three fully equipped production areas.  P.O. Box 138, Fairfax, VT 05454
802·849·2000  Fax: 802·849·2158

Advice

Having  professional help such as an accountant and attorney will greatly reduce your risk of making missteps in planning and running your business.  Also, payroll services can save you much valuable time, and they file many of your taxes as part of their service.

"Tell lots of people about your plans for your business.  Many of them will give you their opinion -- which you can take or leave.  In a small city like Burlington, everyone is a potential customer and collected opinions can help to shape your business.  In addition, people's enthusiasm helps to keep you positive and focused on getting your doors open even when it feels like you are slogging through knee-deep mud of concerns.  If people are excited about your business, they will tell others and word will get out before you even open.  Word of mouth is some of the best marketing in Burlington there is."

- Sara Goodwin Brown
Great Harvest Bread Co.

Planning on selling via the Internet?  A must-visit is Senator Leahy's award-winning site.  There you'll find a resource-full step by step guide.

Once you've chosen a location, make an appointment with the Police and Fire Departments before it's too late.  They will visit your site and advise you on safety and security issues.  You can expect an annual unannounced visit from the Fire Department's inspectors.