Whether you are thinking about starting a small business, recently became a small business owner or need fresh ideas after running your small business for 20 years, there are many free tools and resources available online. Some resources are also offered locally for one-on-one mentorship and guidance.
You may want to tap into parts of your business that are not your strengths, like technology or web design. In the new year, you may have a personal goal to improve leadership skills or better understand the marketing side. 2026 may be the year you focus more on building customer relationships or company mentorship. Whatever areas you want to focus on, there are resources to guide you in your endeavors.
Podcasts
Need something productive to listen to on your daily commute or during your gym routine? There are podcasts for every topic and area in business. A simple Google search finds an abundant selection, with a select few popping up multiple times.
- Coaching for Leaders with Dave Stachowiak features conversations with business professionals on a variety of leadership topics such as effective communication, team dynamics and decision-making. https://.coachingforleaders.com.
- The Ramsey Network has multiple podcasts on managing your money. Specifically, their business podcast, The EntreLeadership Podcast, led by best-selling author and CEO Dave Ramsey, discusses real-life challenges in business. https://ramseysolutions.com/business/entreleadership.
- Right About Now with Ryan Alford shares wisdom and truth from the front lines of business as he speaks with fellow entrepreneurs and marketing experts. https://ryanisright.com/
Education Courses
There are several opportunities for online courses through colleges as well as local business groups. Offerings in entrepreneurship, technology, analytics, finance, and leadership development are just some, to name a few.
- MIT Open Learning offers free educational resources that are a part of the MIT undergraduate and graduate curriculum. They are self-paced, with videos and materials included with each course. https://openlearning.mit.edu/news/free-online-courses-mit-entrepreneurs-and-innovators.
- U.S. Small Business Administration supports small businesses by offering in-depth information for growth. The topics are called journeys, and within each journey is an excursion to master the topic. https://learning.sba.gov.
- Alison offers over 6,000 free online courses in areas such as business, sales, marketing, and management. You can download the courses on your mobile device for on-the-go learning. https://alison.com.
Online Support/Resources
Several business websites offer free online coaching or mentoring in the business field. You can even find mentors in your zip code to give you experienced advice as well as educate you on small business topics.
- Service Corps of Retired Executives (CORE) has experienced mentors to help you succeed. No matter what stage you are in your business, you can find the help you need. Enter your zip code on the website to find a mentor from your local SCORE chapter. https://score.org/find-mentor/how-it-works.
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is an advocate for small businesses. NFIB offers webinars on legal topics, finance, HR, and more. https://nfib.com/webinars.
- America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) are local centers that offer no-cost business consulting. Their connection to federal agencies can help small business owners in the manufacturing sector with strengthening supply chains and sourcing necessary components, among other challenges. https://americassbdc.org/manufacturing-onshoring-hub.
These are just a few of the abundant resources available online to support your business in 2026. Take some time to pinpoint areas of needed growth and take a look at the links to see how your small business can most benefit. Within many of the links, there are opportunities for upgrades to further progress your learning, certifications, and support. With this much information at our fingertips, there is no reason why effective growth cannot happen in 2026.
