Resources

Business Networking

• www.bonitaspringschamber.com - This is one of Southwest Florida’s best resources for business networking. The Bonita Chamber is absolutely one of the best Chambers anywhere, the staff and members are a huge help to any business. Highly recommend checking them out, and attending some events.
• www.fortmyers.org - Another big and helpful local chamber.
• www.esterochamber.org - Not quite as big as Fort Myers or Bonita Springs, but still an invaluable resource for networking and marketing opportunities.
• www.bni.com - BNI is an exclusive networking group that meets once a week to discuss business and for members to increase their sphere of influence - the number of lives, and potential clients, people touch.

General

• Small Business Development Center - unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) the SBDC is one of the hidden gems of our community. Rather than read this boring website, you can hope over to the SBDC and they have lots of knowledgeable staff, whose sole purpose is to see your existing small business or idea succeed. They offer many inexpensive courses and seminars on everything from Internet marketing to writing a business plan to targeting government contracts. I highly recommend checking out the website and don’t underestimate this resource’s potential.
• www.bnet.com - National website with lots of great tips and insight on the economy and all kinds of business.
• www.sba.gov - A national resource for small businesses. A terrific website if you’re starting from scratch and would like to know what you need for a business - step-by-step. Also has a good section for local resources as well (no matter what your area).
• www.sunbiz.org - SunBiz is an amazing website! Find information about any Florida Corporations, LLCs, anything you’d like. It is a helpful tool when drafting contracts, looking for a businesses contact information, or doing research on another business.