Local Resources
Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County (EDC-VC)
EDC-VC is the business resource for companies of all sizes doing business in Ventura County.
The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
One of the largest chambers in the state of California with approximately 1100 business members, serving the cities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - Los Angeles Regional Network
The SBDC provides business owners access to free professional business consulting and technical support, assistance with financial packaging and affordable training programs. 805-384-1805
Thousand Oaks City Business Licenses
City Ordinance requires you to have a business license if you are doing business within, or your business is located within, the City.
How to Write a Business Plan
This short video describes how and why to write a business plan, using SBA's free tool at www.sba.gov/business-plan.
Databases (Library card is required to access the databases outside the library.)
- Gale Virtual Reference Library
Presents sample plans taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries which serve as examples of how to approach, structure and compose business plans.
- General OneFile (Gale)
Full-text articles from magazines, journal and scholarly publications about all aspects of starting up and running a small business.
- Legal Information Reference Center
Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business from NOLO Press on all aspects of starting and running a business including printable legal forms by state.
- ReferenceUSA
Information on over 10 million US businesses. A good resource for compiling and downloading lists of businesses based on a variety of criteria.
(Library card is required to register to the online courses.)
- Start Your Own Small Business
Gale Courses offers a wide range of interactive courses that can be taken entirely over the Internet. All courses are free and led by expert instructors. Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month. (5 free courses per calendar year)
Web Resources
- Business Plan: A business plan is an essential roadmap for business success. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s resources will provide you with all the information you need to present the route your company plans to take to This living document generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to grow revenues.
- Business Law: You don’t have to be a lawyer to open and run a small business. Find out how to handle day-to-day legal issues that could affect your small business with legal resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- IRS: Tax information for small businesses and the self-employed.
- SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business: Free one-on-one counseling sessions with successful business people, both retired and active.
- Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse: Getting started, buying and selling a business, e-commerce, industry outlook trends and reports.
- Trade Show News Network: Search for trade shows, resources for managing your exhibits.
Business Permits and Licenses
- CalGOLD: This website assists you in finding appropriate permit information for your business. It also provides contact information for the various agencies that administer & issue these permits.
- SBA.gov: To run your business legally, there are certain federal and state licenses and permits you will need to obtain. These resources will help you understand the requirements for your small business.
Contact a Librarian
(Phone or text message)
Call (805) 449-2660, ext. "5"
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Business Definitions and Key Concepts
Find definitions and short articles for key business terms and concepts:
