Run the Room — Arkansas
Resources for people starting and running a business in Arkansas — the national programs that apply everywhere, the state offices that register and support businesses here, and the local help in Arkansas's largest metro areas. Compiled by Run the Room, the weekly podcast on how business actually works, hosted by Alex and Jordan.
Arkansas Resources
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Arkansas District Office
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Arkansas.
- Small Business Development CenterArkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC)
Free, confidential business advising and low-cost training across Arkansas.
- Business Registration & Entity SearchArkansas Secretary of State — Business & Commercial Services
Register a business, search entity records, and keep filings current.
- Commerce & Economic DevelopmentArkansas Economic Development Commission
The state's economic development agency — programs, incentives, and business assistance.
- State Chamber of CommerceArkansas State Chamber of Commerce / Associated Industries of Arkansas
The statewide business association and chamber network.
- Business One-Stop PortalArkansas.gov — Business Services
The state's official one-stop portal for business registration and licensing.
Local Resources — Largest Metro Areas
Little Rock
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Little Rock
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- Chamber of CommerceLittle Rock Regional Chamber
The metro chamber of commerce.
Fayetteville
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Northwest Arkansas
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterASBTDC at the University of Arkansas — Fayetteville
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceFayetteville Chamber of Commerce (Chamber Fayetteville)
The metro chamber of commerce.
Fort Smith
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Arkansas
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterASBTDC at University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceFort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
National Resources
- National ResourceU.S. Small Business Administration
The federal agency for small business — starting, funding, growing, and government contracting.
- National ResourceSBA Local Assistance Finder
Find SBA offices, SBDCs, SCORE chapters, and other resource partners near you.
- National ResourceSCORE — Mentoring & Workshops
Free mentoring and low-cost workshops from experienced business volunteers.
- National ResourceAmerica's SBDC
The national network of Small Business Development Centers — free advising in every state.
- National ResourceSBA Funding Programs
Loans, investment capital, grants, and surety bonds administered or backed by the SBA.
- National ResourceIRS Small Business & Self-Employed Tax Center
Federal tax guidance, forms, and deadlines for small businesses and the self-employed.
- National ResourceUSA.gov — Business
The federal government's official business portal: licenses, permits, and regulations.
- National ResourceMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Programs and business centers supporting minority-owned businesses.
- National ResourceVeterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
Business training and counseling for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
Listen
New episodes every Sunday at 7:00 PM ET — business built from the very beginning. Browse the complete episode index, or listen on your platform of choice:
Resource links point to official program and agency sites and were verified when this page was generated. Programs and URLs change — if a link fails, the SBA Local Assistance Finder above will route you to the current office.