Office of Small Business Advocate

My office is a resource for small businesses when it comes to interactions with state government, whether that’s obtaining a license, complying with regulations, or any other way that state government intersects with small business.

About

The Office of Small Business Advocate is committed to making state government work better for Tennessee’s small businesses. The Office strives to meet this goal by:

  • Answering questions and providing information to residents of this state who are starting a small business or who already own a small business.
  • Informally mediating and assisting with the resolution of issues concerning small business owners and state departments and agencies.
  • Working with each state agency and department with regulatory authority over businesses to ensure that small business owners who receive or are subject to an audit, on-site inspection, compliance assistance effort, or other enforcement related communication or contact by agency or department personnel are provided with a means to communicate or comment on the enforcement activity conducted by such personnel.
  • Receiving comments from small business owners regarding actions by agency or department employees conducting compliance or enforcement activities.
  • Referring comments from small business owners to the contact person of the affected agency or department in the appropriate circumstances and maintain the confidentiality of the identity of the person making such comments.

Services Provided

Business Planning

  • Business Plan Consulting
  • Forming a Business

Regulatory Compliance

  • Bonding
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Government Requirements
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Registration, Licenses and Permits
  • Certification

Selling to the Government and Large Corporations

  • Obtaining Certification

Starting a Business

  • Business Research Resources
  • Forming a Business
  • Registration, Licenses and Permits
  • Startup Business Counseling
Contact Information
J. D. Cressman
Address
425 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
Nashville, TN 37243