The Small Business Administration and SCORE
The Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE are two of the most reliable and comprehensive resources for small business owners. The SBA provides financial, technical, and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. SCORE, the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses plan, launch, manage, and grow. They support entrepreneurs by connecting them with lenders and funding, providing online learning programs, and offering targeted outreach programs to help owners every step of the way. Through SCORE, entrepreneurs can access more than 10,000 volunteer mentors who offer free small business mentoring at over 300 chapters. This resource partner network is a valuable asset for small business owners looking for advice from experienced professionals.
Your State's Small Business Development Center
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are a great resource for budding entrepreneurs. SBDCs are hosted by universities, colleges, state economic development organizations, and the Small Business Administration. They provide comprehensive business counseling and training to help individuals start, manage and grow their small businesses. They offer advice on business planning, financing, marketing, and legal issues. In addition to consulting services and educational business programs, SBDCs offer resources such as social media management tools, access to capital, and more. To find the SBDC in your state, start by visiting the Small Business Administration website.
U.S. Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce is another great resource for small businesses. It provides various resources, tools, and services to help small business owners succeed. From the BusinessUSA platform to the International Trade Administration's Export Assistance Centers, the Department of Commerce offers a wealth of knowledge for entrepreneurs and business owners. Additionally, their website hosts numerous reports and publications about the current state of the economy and emerging trends to help businesses stay ahead of the game.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a great resource for small business owners. They provide a range of services to entrepreneurs, from assisting in getting loans from banks to offering financial advice and training. The FDIC also provides the Emergency Capital Investment Program, which helps small businesses secure emergency capital in times of need. The FDIC also hosts small business resource summits to help entrepreneurs get the resources and support they need to succeed. The FDIC is a great place to start for those looking for financial guidance and support.
Small Business Innovation Research Program
The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) is a great resource for small business owners looking to develop new products or services. The Small Business Administration manages the program and provides funding to small businesses with innovative ideas. The funds help businesses with research and development, prototype production, testing, and other related activities. SBIR can help you bring your innovative ideas to market and potentially increase sales.
HubSpot
If you are a small business looking for a CRM solution, HubSpot is a perfect choice. With their starter CRM Suite, small businesses and startups can access the essential tools, education, and support they need for marketing, sales, and customer service. It also provides features allowing you to build personalized, automated marketing campaigns and track performance. With HubSpot, you can create a blog to develop thought leadership and engage with your customers. All these features are available with their forever-free plans.
Noobpreneur
Noobpreneur is a great resource for entrepreneurs. It offers a wealth of information on topics such as entrepreneurship, business management, business strategy, blogging, social media, and more. It’s especially helpful for those starting in the small business world. In addition to articles, Noobpreneur also offers inspirational stories and interviews with successful entrepreneurs that will motivate anyone looking to launch their own business.
Small Business Tax Center
The Small Business Tax Center is another great resource for small businesses. It provides access to tax forms, including Form Schedule C, Form 941, publications, eLearning resources, and more for small businesses with assets under $10 million. It also offers tips for working with a tax professional specializing in small business. Connect in person or via chat, phone, or video for year-round help. In addition, the site offers resources for emergency capital investment programs.
Small Business Financials
When it comes to managing your business finances, the balance sheet is the foundation. It is a snapshot of your financials and helps you keep track of your capital. BizFilings has many tips and resources on business capital, loans, expenses, bookkeeping, etc. Small businesses have many financing options available, including bank loans, SBA loans, online loans and small-business grants. Intuit QuickBooks Money Blog offers great resources on various topics to help you successfully manage your finances. Barbara Weltman has also been a valuable advocate and resource for small business news since the release of her first book, “K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes”.
Conclusion
Small businesses are the backbone of the US economy, and entrepreneurs need access to the best resources available. There is a wide range of options available to small business owners, including the Small Business Administration, SCORE, state Small Business Development Centers, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Small Business Innovation Research Program, HubSpot, Noobpreneur, Small Business Tax Center and Small Business Financials. By taking advantage of these resources, small business owners can get the guidance and support they need to succeed.