Start/Grow Your Business
Valuable Resources for the Small and Home-based Business Owner
For many business owners, starting and growing a business does not come naturally. Here are three no-/low-cost resources to help get a business off the ground.
Where does the small business owner or the owner of a home-based business go for help in developing their business? Asking questions of the competition is not always practical. Business associates that frequent the same networking functions may be a useful resource, but the advice may be generic and may not take into consideration the nuances of any particular small or home business industry.
Luckily, there are organizations that home-based and small-business owners may turn to for pertinent up-to-date business advice. These organizations are a great resource and offer advice ranging from starting a new venture and putting together a strategic plan to how to take an existing business to the next level. Knowing where to go for unbiased up-to-date information can be the difference between being the owner of a struggling business and being the owner of a thriving, successful business.
Anyone who is thinking of starting a business or who currently owns a small or home-based business should take advantage of the following resources.
SCORE is a nonprofit organization that offers free, confidential help and advice for home-based and small business entrepreneurs. SCORE is a US-based company with offices located throughout the country. In addition to group seminars (both free and some for a nominal fee), SCORE offers help on a one-to-one basis for home-based and small business owners.
Their website contains several how-to articles and templates to help the business owner create things like business plans, cash flow analysis, and monthly sales forecasts. Visiting SCORE's website is a must for any business owner who is serious about running a successful business.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration is an independent agency of the US Federal government. Its purpose is to help small businesses succeed. The Government knows that growing and thriving businesses help to boost the economy and SBA is equipped to help it happen.
The Small Business Administration's website offers several tools to help the new business owner plan, start, manage and grow a business. They offer tools for both the home based and small business owner. With information such as where to find grants, tips for getting best business loans, and other financial assistance, it makes sense for business owners to take advantage of their services.
SBA's counselors are knowledgeable and experienced business people. Business owners should avail themselves of the free online and for-fee classes. With offices located throughout the United States, visit the website to find the nearest location.
Most business owners do not think of the Internal Revenue Service as a "good guy" when it comes to earning money. However, the Internal Revenue Service website offers valuable information for home-based and small business owners to help their businesses succeed.
On the IRS web page entitled "Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource" business owners and entrepreneurs can find business-related news and information that will keep them up to date with the latest tax laws and formation for self-employed individuals. It offers user-friendly information that every business owner should be aware of to make the most of their earnings and maximize their tax deductions.
Like SCORE and the Small Business Administration, the IRS website also offers online learning and virtual tax workshops.
Since most of the information offered by the above resources is free, it would make sense for every business owner to take advantage of the information provided.
