The following is a collection of articles and links to external resources useful for first-time consultants:

Legal Matters

• BFI Business Filings Incorporated
  The Contractor Employee's Handbook helps contract employees manage their career and includes support services.
• Nolo Press small business information for starting a business, choosing a business structure, writing a business plan and more.
• The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector provides information on how to file for business name registration and business tax registration in San Francisco as well as other tips on how to start-up your business.

• Nolo Press provides information to better understand business tax requirements.
• The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector explains how to register for your business tax registration certificate in San Francisco.
• Intuit Quickbooks Pro Software for managing your business accounting and Quicken Turbo Tax for handling your small business taxes.

• ADP
• Administaff
• Brava Services
• e-Benefits
• Execustaff
• HR Options
• Paychex
• ProBusiness
• The Outsource
• TriNet provides payroll and HR solutions.
• Wells Fargo has three payroll services plans plus many other services for thesmall business community.

• Blue Cross members have access to a vast doctor network, alternative medicine coverage, and personalized plans.
• Blue Shield offers online resource for health insurance information, including a nationwide plan finder that locates coverage in your area.
• California Physicians
• EHealthInsurance.com is an online service to learn about, compare and buy health insurance
• Health Insurance Association of America provides a guide describing the small-group health insurance market,
• Health Net of California
• Kaiser Permanente has health care plans for individuals of every age and businesses of every size.
• Media Alliance
• MetLife Small Business Centers - insurance and investment products in the small to mid-size business market
• Nationwide Health Plans
• National Association of the Self Employed members have access to several health insurance programs at reduced rates.
• National Writers Union, which falls under the umbrella of the Association of Educators.
• Wells Fargo small business insurance.

• CharlesSchwab
• Wells Fargo

• AllBusiness.com
• Rhonda Abrahms' Rhondaonline.com
• Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET)
• National Association of the Self Employed (NASE) is a group of small-business owners leveraging group-buying power for goods and services and allows you to save money on your personal and professional expenses.
• Small Business Administration ProNet serves as search engine for contracting offices, a marketing tool for small companies, and a link to procurement opportunities
• Small Business Administration can tell you if your business meets the federal size standards for a small business.

Getting Started in Consulting by Alan Weiss. It's well-written, covers many aspects of consulting, and has great advice about how to market yourself and get clients.

There's No Such Thing as a Cold Call! How to Build Your Business By Phone seminar with Melinda Henning. She also provides individual sales coaching and high stakes presentation coaching.