Small Business Support
← Back to Resource DirectoryBetter Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a nonprofit organization that helps people find trustworthy businesses and resolve disputes between consumers and companies. It provides business ratings, customer reviews, and complaint resolution services to promote transparency and ethical business practices. Consumers can use the BBB to check a company’s reputation, file complaints, or seek mediation when issues arise with products or services.
Phone: 561-842-1918
Website: BBB.org
Broward County, Office of Economic & Small Business Development
The OESBD promotes economic growth by helping businesses start, grow, and relocate to Broward County. The office provides technical assistance with loan packaging, small business certifications, and access to government procurement opportunities. They also host free workshops and the annual Broward & Beyond Business Conference to connect entrepreneurs with funding strategies, international trade resources, and local networking.
Phone: 954-357-6400
Website: broward.org/econdev
CareerSource Broward
CareerSource Broward is the local workforce development board for Broward County that connects job seekers and employers through employment services, training programs, and career resources. It helps individuals find jobs, improve skills, and access education or certification programs, while also assisting businesses with recruiting and hiring qualified candidates. Services include resume support, job search assistance, career counseling, and access to funding for training in high demand industries.
Coconut Creek: 954-969-3541
Oakland Park: 954-677-5555
Hollywood: 954-967-1010
Website: careersourcebroward.com
CareerSource Miami-Dade
CareerSource South Florida connects job seekers in Miami-Dade County with employment and career development opportunities at no cost. The agency provides personalized assistance with job searches, resume writing, and interview preparation, along with access to vocational training scholarships for high-demand industries. Services are also available for employers, including recruitment support, labor market information, and business incentives to foster local economic growth.
Phone: 305-594-7615
Website: careersourcesfl.com
CPR, AED & First Aid Training & Certification
Nationally recognized certification courses are available for individuals, healthcare professionals, and workplaces. Training covers adult and pediatric CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, and basic first aid for injuries and medical emergencies. Programs typically offer flexible learning options, including fully in-person classes or blended formats that combine online coursework with an in-person skills assessment.
Find American Red Cross Classes
Find American Heart Association Classes
Dade Legal Aid
Operating under Dade Legal Aid's Put Something Back pro bono umbrella, the Venture Law Project is specifically designed to support Miami’s local startup, creative, and small business community. They match eligible, low-income entrepreneurs, emerging artists, and small non-profits with volunteer corporate attorneys who provide assistance with entity formation (LLCs/Inc.), intellectual property protection, trademarking, drafting essential contracts, and reviewing commercial leases.
Phone: 305-579-5733
Website: dadelegalaid.org
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating many professions and businesses, including contractors, real estate agents, restaurants, hotels, and cosmetologists. It investigates complaints, enforces state regulations, and ensures that licensed professionals meet required standards of safety and conduct. DBPR also provides information on licensing, renewals, and consumer protections for services regulated by the state.
Phone: 850-487-1395
Website: MyFloridaLicense.com
Florida SBDC at FAU (Broward)
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at FAU provides no-cost, confidential business consulting and training to entrepreneurs throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. Hosted by Florida Atlantic University, the center delivers expert guidance on securing capital, financial management, strategic planning, government contracting, and operational scaling to help local businesses grow.
Phone: 954-762-5235
Website: fau.edu/sbdc
Florida SBDC at FIU (Miami-Dade)
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at FIU provides no-cost, one-on-one confidential business consulting and specialized training to entrepreneurs in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Operating within FIU's College of Business, the center assists business owners with access to capital, financial management, market growth strategies, government contracting, and operational scaling.
Phone: 305-779-9230
Website: sbdc.fiu.edu
Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is the official public-private partnership for economic development in Broward County. The organization focuses on creating and retaining high-wage jobs by attracting new businesses to the area and supporting the expansion of existing companies. Services include assistance with site selection, business relocation, market research, and navigating local and state incentive programs to foster a diverse and sustainable local economy.
Phone: 954-524-3113
Website: gflalliance.org
Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce is the largest and oldest business organization in Broward County, dedicated to driving regional economic growth and fostering a robust business climate. Representing a diverse network across South Florida—including downtown Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, Weston, and West Broward—the Chamber provides valuable professional development, advocates for pro-business legislation, runs the Leadership Fort Lauderdale program, and hosts numerous networking forums to connect local enterprises and civic leaders.
Phone: 954-462-6000
Website: ftlchamber.com
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce drives economic growth and community development by serving as a proactive voice for the South Florida business community. Representing hundreds of thousands of member-company employees, the civic organization advocates for impactful public policy, spearheads regional leadership programs like Leadership Miami, and provides networking forums, committee involvement, and international trade resources to help local businesses thrive.
Phone: 305-350-7700
Website: miamichamber.com
Legal Aid Service of Broward County
Legal Aid Service of Broward County operates Broward Lawyers Care, a pro bono program that connects low-income individuals with volunteer attorneys. While heavily focused on housing, consumer, and civil matters, they coordinate pro bono corporate counsel for eligible low-income entrepreneurs trying to establish, structure, or protect their small businesses.
Phone: 954-765-8950
Website: browardlegalaid.org
Miami-Dade Beacon Council
The official economic development partnership for Miami-Dade County. It focuses on job creation and business retention by providing site selection assistance, market research, and guidance on government incentives for companies relocating or expanding within the region.
Phone: 305-579-1300
Website: beaconcouncil.com
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring and low cost training to entrepreneurs and small business owners. SCORE connects individuals with experienced volunteer mentors who offer guidance on starting, managing, and growing a business. SCORE also offers workshops, webinars, and resources to help improve business planning, operations, and long term success.
Broward County:
Phone: 954-356-7263
Website: score.org/broward
Miami-Dade County:
Phone: 786-425-9119
Website: score.org/miamidade
U.S. Department of Labor
The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor enforces federal labor laws related to wages, hours, and working conditions. It ensures workers are paid fairly under laws such as minimum wage, overtime, and child labor protections, and handles complaints involving unpaid wages or labor violations. The division also provides information and guidance to both employees and employers to help them understand their rights and responsibilities under federal labor laws.
Phone: 1-866-487-9243
Website: dol.gov/agencies/whd
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that supports small businesses by providing access to loans, disaster assistance, and business development resources. It helps entrepreneurs start, grow, and recover through programs such as low interest disaster loans, counseling, training, and contracting support. The SBA also partners with local organizations to offer guidance and resources tailored to small business needs.
Phone: 1-800-827-5722
Disaster Aid: 1-800-659-2955
Website: SBA.gov