Self-Employment Options

In chapter 5 of 12 Steps to a New Career, I cover what you need to think about if you are considering self-employment as an option. Since self-employment includes a large number of options, I try to highlight the significance of each one and what skills and personal characteristics you need to be successful in each one.

The four sections below refer you to additional sources of information in the US, Canada, and the UK you can use in your research:

General information
Consultancy
Small business
Franchise

1. General information

You can find helpful information about self-employment or starting a new business at:

US: Inc. Magazine - http://www.inc.com
US: Entrepreneur Magazine - http://www.entrepreneur.com

Canada:

Business Services for Canada - http://www.businessgateway.ca

UK:

Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk

2. Consultancy

You can get help and information on starting a consultancy by beginning your search at the following websites:

Search Google using management consulting with and without quotes as your search term
Institute of Management Consultants - http://www.imcusa.org

Canada:

Canadian Association of Management Consultants - http://www.camc.com

UK:

Institute of Management Consultancy - http://www.imc.co.uk

3. Small business

You can get help and information on starting a small business by beginning your search at the following websites:

Google search using keywords "Small business" with and without quotes
U. S. Small Business Administration - http://www.sba.gov
The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council - http://www.sbsc.org
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), a resource partner with the U.S. SBA - http://www.score.org
Venture capital sources - http://www.nvca.org - The National Venture Capital Association's website allows you to click on links to VC sources but does not provide abstracts so you can evaluate if they would be appropriate for you. Check out some to see what advice they give entrepreneurs about their investment process and business plans. Check out their Resource Links, which contain VC sources in your area and those in other countries.

Canada:

The Canadian Business Service Centers - http://www.sbinfocanada.about.com
Small Business Canada Magazine - http://www.smallbusinesscanada.ca
The Canadian Venture Capital Association - http://www.cvca.ca includes a list of members with an abstract for each.

UK:

The Department of Trade and Industry - http://www.dti.gov.uk
Companies House - http://www.companies-house.co.uk
The Institute of Directors (IOD) - http://www.iod.com
The British Venture Capital Association - http://www.bvca.co.uk includes a comprehensive resource for help to entrepreneurs and provides lists of VC sources.