There are many government and private organizations that provide free small business advice. Such resources are especially important right now in these turbulent times, as businesses face the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak and the effect it has had on the U.S. and global economies.
The government-sponsored Small Business Administration is probably the best-known resource for small business owners in the United States. It offers free online courses and documents, can help you find a business counselor, and much more. Considering recent events, the site is certainly worth a visit to see if you’re eligible for funding assistance due to the COVID-19 crisis, if nothing else. The website can be found at www.sba.gov.
Here are five lesser-known places that you also might want to check out if you’re interested in free small business advice or tips.
• BusinessAdvising.org — This non-profit organization will connect you with an expert business adviser who will meet with you virtually over the Internet at no charge. You can ask your volunteer counselor questions on a variety of business topics, ranging from marketing to finance. The BusinessAdvising site also offers other free resources including webinars, articles and more.
• Business Utility Zone Gateway (BUZGate.org) — This entrepreneurial education and resource community has resources for everyone from freelancers and the self-employed to owners of small- to mid-sized businesses. You start out by selecting your state from a drop-down menu to search for available resources in your area. These include links to government and nonprofit business assistance programs and service providers, free training modules, checklists, FAQs on numerous business topics, and more.
• National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) — This is a non-profit, nonpartisan group that advocates on behalf of small and independent businesses in the country. In addition to advocacy at the state and national levels, the association offers free articles, videos, pre-recorded webinars, and other resources on its website. You can join the group with a paid membership as well, for access to benefits like health insurance and discounts on things like financial and business products and services. To learn more, visit www.nfib.com.
• StartupNation —StartupNation launched in 2002. The website provides information, inspiration, and connections to help new entrepreneurs to get off the ground, as well as assisting existing business owners with managing and growing their businesses. While many of its resources seem to cater to gig workers and startups, the site is full of interesting articles on diverse topics. There are also many different business forums that you can join on the site to connect with like-minded business owners. Visit startupnation.com.
• Veteran Business Outreach Centers — If you’re a veteran business owner, then you can get free business counseling through these centers. They also offer training on skills to help your business grow, mentoring from experienced businesspersons, and access to services like international trade, online marketing, accounting, and franchising. In addition, these centers also offer free services for veteran entrepreneurs interested in getting new businesses off the ground. Visit vboc.org online to learn more.
