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Affordable Care Act Resources

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act or ACA) enacted comprehensive health insurance reforms designed to ensure Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance. Learn what the law means for small businesses.

Key Provisions of the Affordable Care Act

NOT every business has to participate …

The Affordable Care Act includes a variety of measures specifically for small businesses that help lower premium cost growth and increase access to quality, affordable health insurance. Depending on whether you are self-employed, an employer with fewer than 25 employees, an employer with fewer than 50 employees, or an employer with 50 or more employees, different provisions of the Affordable Care Act may apply to you.

Learn about the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act based on the size of your business by calling the OKSBDC and working with our team of counselors to help determine your next move

Eligible Small Businesses can get tax credits up to 35% of premium (so they still pay 65%)

SHOP = Small Business Health Options Program
Health Insurance Marketplaces (Exchange)

Use healthcare.gov site to enroll and use SHOP for package deals and benefits

ACA exempts all firms that have fewer than 50 employees! (Nearly 96% of all firms in US) – from any employer shared responsibility requirements.

Health coverage is tax deductible.

www.sba.gov/healthcare

www.healthcare.gov

www.irs.gov

www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform

Size Standards Tool –Find Out Fast if You Qualify for Government Contracts

In order to be eligible to sell to the government and compete for small business “set-aside” contracts, small business owners had to rummage through various rules and matrices to find out if their business is truly “small” according to SBA size standards. Now, with this new Size Standards Tool, follow three simple steps to cut through the guesswork and quickly find out eligibility.

HUBZone Document Checklist

Small Business Certifications-March 2013

Disaster Assistance

Our team of counselors is ready to help when disaster strikes. Our services include assessing economic injury, reviewing options for financial help, and helping you create ways to keep cash flowing in your business.

Emergency Preparation

Business continunity planning is extremely important no matter the size of your business. The best way to reduce the impact of any disaster is to have your plan in place now and ready to put it into action when the unthinkable hits your business.

How will you protect your records? Who do you call when your location is damaged? What are the first steps to take to reduce your risk?

All of these questions can be answered by our team of counselors working with you to look at your current operations and helping you to put into place a continuity preparedness plan for your business.

PREPARE & PLAN
INSURANCE CLAIMS
RECOVERING

FAQ

General Business Questions

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Counseling Questions

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Starting a business

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Marketing

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Human Resources

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Client Rights and Responsibilities

Welcome to the Oklahoma Small Business Development Network (OKSBDC). You have a right to expect:

Prompt, Courteous, and Professional Counseling Services. The demand for our services is high and cases must often be prioritized by need and training may be recommended before counseling is provided.
Confidentiality of Information Discussed. All information shared will be held in strictest confidence. No information provided by you will be used to the commercial advantage of any staff member, consultant, or other resource of the OKSBDC or to the benefit of any third party.
Confidentiality of Client Status. No public use of your name, address, or business identity will be made without your prior approval. OKSBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and that limited information with respect to your client status is provided to the agency.
Business Consulting. Our role is to counsel and assist small business owners and those planning to go into business. We will not make business decisions or judgments for you, though we will make recommendations and suggestions as appropriate.
Fees and Charges. The OKSBDC may charge reasonable fees for training programs, special services, and publications. However, you have a right to feel secure that no fee will be charged by the OKSBDC or its resources for normal counseling services provided to you.
Recommendations and Referrals. No recommendations will be made as to the purchase of goods or services from any individual or firm with which any OKSBDC staff or its resources have any financial, familial or personal interest. The counseling services provided to you are a part of the effort of the OKSBDC and its sponsors to respond to the growing needs of the small business community and to positively affect the economy of Oklahoma. They are not intended to compete with, replace, or be a substitute for services available from the private sector. Clients whose needs can be fully met by private sector practitioners or firms in an affordable manner will be encouraged to use those resources.
Waiver. In consideration of the OKSBDC furnishing you with management and technical assistance, you agree to waive all claims against the OKSBDC and its constituent institutions, its staff, or any other resources employed by or used in connection with these services. We rely on our clients in our efforts to assure the quality and effectiveness of the counseling services we provide.
Surveys. In return for no cost consulting OKSBDC asks all clients to complete a written evaluation of the services provided. In addition, all clients will be asked to complete a brief “impact” assessment within one year following the close of the case file. Finally, clients may receive direct inquiries from this office, the State Director’s office or the U.S. Small Business Administration with respect to the services provided to you. Your response to all of these inquiries will be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to OKSBDC. We look forward to working with you.
We welcome you as a client and encourage you to call on us if you have any questions or comments with regard to your rights and responsibilities or services you receive. You can do so by requesting advising.

Partners

OKSBDC takes great pride in the network of partners we work with everyday and that are available to small businesses in the State of Oklahoma. OKSBDC works diligently to see clients receive access to the programs and services that provide the tools and resources most appropriate for their needs.

Small Business Administration

The SBA is an independent agency of the federal government that provides small businesses with information, counseling, and assistance. Through their website, visitors can access numerous guides and online courses on several topics. For small businesses seeking loans to get started or expand, the SBA offers different loan programs to assist in acquiring such funding from various institutions, private and otherwise. The SBA is able to provide these services through their extensive network and partnership with public and private organizations across the country. The OSBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Below are some quick links to some of the SBA’s programs:

Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC)

The ASBDC is part of a massive nationwide network that has partnerships with government, private, higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Their website is a quick link to national and local business resources. The OSBDC is part of the extensive ASBDC network.

State of Oklahoma

The State of Oklahoma website connects you with a variety of state resources and information. Locate your local Chamber of Commerce, download required tax forms, connect with local media networks, and more. They provide you with an easy way to find the information you need from the resources you trust. The OSBDC receives funding in part from the State of Oklahoma.

IRS.gov – Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center

The Small Business and Self Employed Tax Center gives you quick access to tons of important information you need as well as upcoming workshops and online resources.

IRS.gov – Various Industries and Professions Tax Center

The Industries and Professions Tax Center is a great place to find out industry-specific requirements, tips, and tax information and resources.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC)

The ODOC website provides quick access to information about business licensing, financing, minority support, and many other topics. Receive the latest economic news in Oklahoma through their online news reports and dozens of online videos about specific industries, workforce issues, global trade, and more.

Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI)

REI Oklahoma has focused on promoting economic growth and job creation for more than three decades. REI Oklahoma works with partners across the state to create opportunities and provide resources to individuals, businesses and entrepreneurs. From technical assistance and training, to lending programs and down payment assistance, REI Oklahoma is committed to positively impacting businesses and communities in Oklahoma.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)

SCORE offers free business counseling as well as modestly priced workshops for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Helping Small Businesses Start, Grow & Succeed

OKSBDC assists small business owners and new entrepreneurs by providing no charge, one-on-one business management advising, business management workshops and business technical assistance. OKSBDC advises business owners in many areas including financial analysis, capital sources, business planning, operations, industry research, international trade, commercial finance, human resources, accounting, competitive market studies, import/export assistance, government contracting opportunities, information technology and economic and business data modeling and analysis.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SE), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) established the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center Network (OKSBDC) in 1984. SE continues to serve as the lead university in a statewide consortium of private and public partners including the SBA, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, many Oklahoma universities, the Creek nation as well as many other entities and organizations including, chambers, economic development organizations and Main Street programs. Banks and commercial lenders across the state are also key supporters of OKSBDC.

OKSBDC is one of 63 SBDC programs existing in every state in the nation as well as in many U.S. territories. Similar entrepreneurial development programs in other countries have been modeled after the SBDC program in the United States. OKSBDC provided over 16,000 hours of consulting to Oklahoma entrepreneurs and small business owners in 2012 and provided services in all 77 Oklahoma counties.

The OKSBDC State Office is located at 301 W University Blvd, Durant, OK 74701, can be reached by phone at (580) 745-2877, or by email at info@oksbdc.org. You can click here to request advising or find a list of resources at oksbdc.org

Register here for free online training!

Reinveinting Q & A Checklist

When you are considering reinventing or reinvigorating your business, the first step is to assess your current business and the business environment.

Use the following checklist to help you get started, and then contact your local OKSBDC office to schedule a no-cost Business Success Check-Up. Working together we will work to gain a current benchmark for your business and begin developing a strategic plan toward your new goals.

CURRENT STATUS/COMPETITOR COMPARISON

*What is your current product or service?

*Does it meet today’s customers’ needs/wants?

*Are you providing the product/service in the most cost efficient, consumer-friendly way?

*How does your pricing compare with your competitors?

*How does your delivery system compare with your competitors?

*Do you have additional expertise or assets that could be utilized? Or, are some equipment and assets unused and need to be sold to make room for a new direction?

PRODUCTS/SERVICES & MARKET

*Should you add new products/services to your line?

*Should you grow your existing markets or seek new market share?

*What is happening in your industry that will affect your decisions?

*What is happening in the economy that will affect your decisions?

STAFFING/RESEARCH & TRAINING

*What research is needed to provide you with the required information?

*What training will you need to help you set and accomplish your goals?

*Are additional employees needed and do you know how to hire and manage them?

For assistance with these issues and more, contact your local OKSBDC office.