There are literally thousands of organizations supporting small business owners in America. You can find a small business management office, small business development center, SCORE chapter, local chamber of commerce or membership organization within a stone’s throw of most cities, helping people start, manage, grow and sometimes save their small business. The best part is that most of what they do is either free or offered at face value. You can get information on funding, attend social media classes, listen to speakers talk about technology, and network with other like-minded entrepreneurs.
There’s no reason you can’t use these resources for your business. By the end of 2013, be sure to visit at least two of the organizations listed below. If you don’t find even one or two pieces of information that will help you in your business, contact me . and I will personally help you find the information you are looking for for your company.
Small Business Administration
The SBA offers advice and training for small businesses through area offices across the country. You’ll find business development professionals providing free and low-cost services in your area.
Suitable for: a wide range of business owners. In one office you may find someone who hasn’t started a business yet, next to an entrepreneur looking for a $5 million loan to buy real estate.
SCORE, known as Small Business Advisors of America, is a nonprofit association of more than 13,000 volunteer business advisors in the United States and its territories. SCORE members are trained to serve as advisors, counselors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are provided free of charge as a community service.
Suitable for: startups for the first two years. SCORE offers tremendous support to companies seeking to avoid the pitfalls that will kill most new companies in the first 24 months.
Small Business Development Centers
SBDCs help aspiring entrepreneurs realize their dreams and help existing businesses stay competitive in a complex, ever-changing global marketplace. SBDCs are housed at top universities and state economic development agencies.
Suitable for: existing companies looking to get to the next level.
Chamber of Commerce.
Your local or regional chamber is a membership-based community organization that actively promotes, educates and advocates for its members through a variety of services and programs. Member offerings typically include networking opportunities and events, educational seminars, leadership development and special member offers from other chamber members.
Suitable for: companies interested in local networking and business development.
Veterans Business Support Centers
The Veterans Business Outreach Program (VBOP) is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and referrals to eligible veterans who own or are starting small businesses. The SBA has 16 different organizations participating in this cooperative agreement to serve as Veterans Business Support Centers (VBOCs).
Suitable for: veterans who want to start a business or need help managing and growing an existing business.
Women’s Business Centers.
WBCs are a national network of nearly 100 educational centers in the United States and its territories that help women start and grow small businesses. The SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) oversees the WBC network, which provides entrepreneurs (especially economically and socially disadvantaged women) with comprehensive training and advice on a variety of topics in multiple languages.
Suitable for: women who own their own businesses, whether they are in the startup or growth phase.
Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers
PTACs provide local personal counseling and training services designed to help businesses that want to sell goods and services to federal, state and/or local governments. PTAC services are either free or at a nominal cost.
Suitable for: business owners who would like to know about such services before beginning the difficult journey of selling products and services to the government.
U.S. Export Assistance Centers
Each U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) has specialists from the SBA, the Department of Commerce, the Export-Import Bank, and other public and private organizations. Together, their mission is to help small and medium-sized businesses compete in today’s global marketplace by providing export assistance.
Suitable for: entrepreneurs targeting the global arena.
Certified Development Companies.
CDCs are non-profit corporations certified and regulated by the SBA. They work with participating lenders to provide financing for small businesses. There are 270 CDCs nationwide, covering certain geographic areas.
Suitable for: an existing business owner looking for loan financing to purchase capital equipment, another company or enter new markets.
Running a business today is difficult. Don’t make it difficult by trying to do everything yourself. Take the time to visit the support organizations mentioned above and let them help you run your company better and smarter.