Business help

One of our favorite things to do in the Small Business Center is to talk to you about your business! If you have a business idea and you’re not sure where to start, you can visit these sites below for business plans, startup roadmaps, and more. If you need 1:1 help, attend a workshop with one of our local partners.

Visit our online databases for Business & Entrepreneurship.

Start a business

Startup roadmaps from Durham Business360
Business start-up guide from SBTDC (Small Business and Technology Development Center)
How do I start a business? from the State of North Carolina
The NC Secretary of State website has links and resources to launch your business.
New business checklist from the NC Secretary of State
The Kauffman FastTrac program – long but comprehensive – is a good place to start
Filing an assumed name from Durham County Government
Business and income tax seminars from the NC Department of Revenue

Start a nonprofit

The NC Center on Nonprofits has an extensive help center on starting a nonprofit, as does the National Council of Nonprofits.
The IRS has online tutorials about filing to become a 501c3.
How to start a nonprofit (Spanish)
Nonprofit tax info (Spanish)

Grow your business

Host an intern through Durham YouthWorks
Apply for funding through Kiva
Request a mentor with SCORE’s local chapter
Business information and reports from the NC Department of Commerce
Market research resources

Recursos en español

Guía de Recursos para Pequeñas Empresas de la SBA
El Estado de Carolina del Norte cuenta con diversos recursos: utilice el botón de la esquina superior derecha para cambiar el idioma:
- Iniciar mi negocio
- Iniciar un negocio en Carolina del Norte
Eventos y talleres de la Red de Centros de Pequeñas Empresas (parte del sistema de colegios comunitarios)
Ciudad de Durham
SCORE para empresarios hispanos

Start a business

Start a nonprofit

Grow your business

Recursos en español

Stoop Stories

Learn from those who have been there and done that