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
April Workshops from the Oakland County Business Center:
C.E.E.D. Microloan Orientation
Date: Wednesday, April 4, 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.
Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion
Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: no charge
For a startup or existing small business looking to research their business idea or find research for their business plan. This workshop will show you ways to find your ideal customers, find your competitors, diversify your market base, and more!
Click here for registration information.
Fundamentals of Marketing Your Business
Date: Wednesday, April 4, 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.
Small Business Loan Workshop
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2012
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: $20 per person
Getting a business loan can be a challenging process. Learn about the “5 Cs of Credit” , how to develop a winning loan proposal and what you need to know to position your business to be “bankable” before you meet with a lender.
Click Here for details and registration information.
Facebook For Business
Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2012
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: $40 per person/per session
Millions of people are using Facebook 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!
Click on the session date for more information:
4/10/12 Facebook for Business (Beginner)
4/17/12 Facebook for Business (Intermediate)
4/24/12 Facebook for Business (Advanced)
Fundamentals of Starting a Business
Date: Wednesday April 11, 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.
Oakland County Venture Forward Series
Date: Friday’s beginning on April 13, 2012
Time: 8:30am – 11:30am
Cost: $299 per person
Oakland County Venture Forward is an intensive, 11-week program designed for owners, CEOs and top management team members of small businesses with at least two years of operating experience, between 9 and 99 employees, and annual sales exceeding $750,000/year.
Click Here for details and registration information.
Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan
Date: Wednesday, April 18, 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.
Oakland County CRA Association: Free Small Business Money Smart (Banker’s) Forum
Date: Friday, April 20, 2012
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: no charge
This no charge financial forum is sponsored by the Oakland County Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Association and is intended to provide entrepreneurs with up to date information on sources of funds and valuable resources to support their businesses. Panel will address the audience and elaborate on their services. There will be a display of banker member products and services and an opportunity for entrepreneurs to sit face to face with the various bankers and address financing needs.
Click Here for details and registration information.
Legal and Financial Basics for Small Business
Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: no charge
“Legal & Financial Basics” provides new and existing Michigan entrepreneurs an understanding of the “key” legal and financial considerations when starting and operating a business in Michigan.
Click Here for details and registration information.
5 Keys to Achieving Fiscal Fitness
Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: $25 per person
An advanced financial planning workshop for established businesses designed to help even the non-financial business owner achieve “Fiscal Fitness”. This program is designed to help business owners and CEOs strengthen financial literacy and improve the ability to access capital needed to grow.
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 Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion 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
