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A guide to local resources for small-business owners.
Opening a business and keeping it going can be a daunting task, but numerous resources are available in Tulsa to guide small-business owners. Listed below is a concise guide to some of the resources available, many of which are free of charge.
1. Tulsa Metro Chamber
The Chamber offers several resources for small-business owners, including the Small Business Council, Let’s Do Business, the Small Business Resource Center, Entrepreneur’s Guide, The Circuit and the annual Small Business Awards. Call the Tulsa Metro Chamber at 585-1201 or visit www.tulsachamber.com
2. Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Okcommerce.gov has a plethora of valuable resources for business owners, including a new-business guide at OKStartup.com and financial resources under Grants & Funding. The Tulsa office is located at 700 N. Greenwood Ave., Suite 1400. Call 594-8116.
3. Networking Exchange of Tulsa
The nonprofit organization for Tulsa's business professionals hosts meetings every Thursday at the Celebrity Club in Tulsa. Memberships available. Call 409-0NET or visit www.nettulsa.com.
4. Tulsa Community College (TCC)
TCC’s inaugural Launch Your Entrepreneurial Journey kicked off this May with courses designed to support development of a startup business. The 16-week program will be accepting applications this October. Call TCC Provost Carol Messer at 595-7723 or visit www.launchyourejourney.com for more information.
5. SCORE — Counselors to America’s Small Business
A nationwide volunteer association dedicated to helping individuals intending to start a small business and those already in business desiring advice. The Tulsa SCORE Chapter has about 30 active members and is located at 907 S. Detroit Ave., Suite 1012. Call 581-7462 or e-mail consult@tulsascore.org for an appointment.
6. Oklahoma Small Business Development Center
The OSBDC assists small-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in reaching their potential. Services include a library and online classes. Call 449-6280 for more information.
7. Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma Inc.
REI provides economic-development services to Oklahoma’s innovative entrepreneurs and progressive communities through business financing, incubator programs and business tools and resources. The Tulsa office is located at 7633 E. 63rd St., Suite 300. Call 459-4515 for more information.
8. Women’s Business Center (WBC) at REI
REI’s Women’s Business Center is the result of a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. The WBC serves Oklahoma’s enterprising women wanting to explore the opportunities of starting or expanding a business. Located in Oklahoma City at 800 Research Parkway, Suite 305. Call (405) 319-8190 for more information.
9. The Alternative Board (TAB)
TAB Tulsa is a coaching and peer advisory group that works to create strategic solutions for business challenges. Call TAB Facilitator Chris White at 491-6766 or e-mail chriswhite@tabtulsa.com.
10. The Collaboratorium — Entrepreneurial Accelerator of Tulsa
The Collaboratorium is a dynamic entrepreneurial community designed to help accelerate small-business growth. Applications are available at www.tulsacollab.com.
