As a member of the Main Street Oakland County program, Downtown Clawson works closely with Oakland County Planning and Oakland County Financial Services to provide the information and the resources you need for successful business.
We strive to be your one-stop shop for business development, financial services and market research. We have the information you need about the Small Business Administration, micro-loans, SCORE mentoring, and much more. Let us help!
Click on the blue links below to open the websites
Helpful publications & links:
A Guide to Starting a Small Business – this guide from the Small Business Development & Technology Center is very comprehensive. The publish date is 2008 but the information remains relevant.
Oakland County Small Business Center – this link is a one stop shop for economic development Browse the site for business training, incentives, financial services and more.
Quick links to Oakland County Services
Oakland County Business Services – outlines business counseling and training programs
Oakland County Financial Services – information on loans and microloans, including the SBA loan programs
Oakland County Business Services Financing & Grants – information on preparing for loan application and the best type of loan for your business.
Workshops – a complete listing of business education classes
Additional business resources:
SBA - Small Business Administration
SCORE - find a mentor with the Service Corp of Retired Executives
Michigan Business One Stop Shop – State of Michigan business information
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Small Business Resources – tax resources for small business
State Licenses & Lookups:
State License Lookup
Michigan Food Establishment Licensing Procedures
Oakland County Assumed Name Lookup
Michigan Business Entity Search – Corporations & LLC’s
State of Michigan Corporation Division
February Workshops from the Oakland County Business Center:
Fundamentals of Marketing Your Business
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: $40 per person
This course presents practical applications of marketing concepts designed to help small businesses grow. It covers basic marketing tools including market analysis and research, target marketing, assessing competitors, and key marketing implementation tools. Click Here for details and registration information.
C.E.E.D. Microloan Orientation
Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Cost: no charge
Many small businesses face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. If you have a need for alternative financing consider learning more about the MicroLoan Program. Discover the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan. (C.E.E.D. is Center for Empowerment and Economic Development). Click Here for details and registration information.
Pre Business Research
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Cost: no charge
Are you a new business or aspiring entrepreneur who wants to research your business idea and understand which research sources to use for your business plan or loan proposal? Pre Business Research will show you where to find the information you need. Click here for registration information.
Fundamentals of Starting a Business
Date: Wednesday February 15, 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: $30 per person
This workshop helps aspiring entrepreneurs assess their abilities to lead and manage a company, as well as evaluate market and sales potential for their products. Click Here for details and registration information.
Twitter For Business Part 1
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: $40 per person/per session
Millions of people are using Twitter and social media for fun, but it is also a powerful business tool that can connect you with your customers, potential customers and the world.
For information on:
2/15/12 Twitter for Business Part 1 Click Here
2/22/12 Twitter for Business Part 2 Click Here
2/29/12 Twitter for Business Part 3 Click Here
Team SBA Financing Roundtable
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2012
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: no charge
Before you apply for a business loan, we recommend that you first attend a Team SBA Financing Roundtable. This loan orientation is conducted by a business banker, a business consultant from the SBAs network of Small Business Development Centers, and an SBA representative. This session is best suited to those who have good credit, a solid business idea, and some money to invest in their business. Click Here for details and registration information.
Womens Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification Orientation
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Cost: $25 per person
Learn about the benefits and process of becoming a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). Benefits include certification to private sector WBE’s and access to procurement opportunities with major national companies. For additional information on WBE or CEED visit www.miceed.org. Click Here for details and registration information.
Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: $40 per person
Designed for individuals who want to increase their chances for successful self-employment, the course covers business planning in detail. The first steps for creating a business plan draft will be included along with a demonstration of the MI-SBTDC online business plan tool. Click Here for details and registration information.
FastTrac NewVenture is an intensive 10-week program that helps you evaluate business opportunities and develop an action plan for owning your own business. This program offers essential business information to help you develop your entrepreneurial skills and build your business on a strong foundation.
The next Oakland County Business Center FastTrac NewVenture program begins on June 5, 2012.
Please follow the steps below to apply:
1) Review our program guidelines
2) Complete a Pre-Business Research workshop and one of the two Fundamentals of Business workshops
3) Complete the confidential application.
4) Submit a current resume
Applications are vetted and are subject to program guidelines. You will be notified with a final decision and scholarship award.
+Admission to the FastTrac NewVenture series is not automatic.
+Full cost for the FastTrac NewVenture 10 week series is $700, however, scholarships are available to reduce the cost to $140.
+The non-refundable fee of $140 will be due after acceptance into the program
Workshop Location:
Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center
Building 41W
2100 Pontiac Lake Rd
Waterford, Michigan 48328
Phone: (248) 858-0783
Click here for maps & directions to the Oakland County Executive Office Building & Conference Center
