Beginning a business can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. There are plenty of resources available to help you get started and ensure your business is successful. The Create Your Business Plan section of the Small Business Association website is an excellent place to start when writing your business plan. This free resource will guide you through each section and provide tips on how to make it stand out.
The SCORE business plan page is another great, free resource for small businesses, offering online business workshops and podcasts, as well as free tutoring in person or via email. Lightspeed is a cloud-based commerce platform that assists small and medium-sized businesses in more than 100 countries around the world. It provides an intelligent, scalable, and reliable point-of-sale system that helps restaurants and retailers sell on all channels, manage operations, interact with customers, accept payments, and grow their business. We've shared some great resources for small businesses to help you learn how to start, manage, and expand your new company or business.
Every state has its own Small Business Development Center, which is a valuable free resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs. For example, the California Small Business Development Center offers a helpful business creation checklist on its website, along with other useful tools. You can also find educational resources through professional trade associations related to your industry, your local chamber of commerce, and the Small Business Administration. In addition to these resources, there are many other ways to get help when starting a business. You can attend networking events in your area or join online forums related to your industry.
You can also hire a consultant or mentor who can provide advice and guidance on how to start and run a successful business. Finally, don't forget to take advantage of the many free online resources available such as blogs, podcasts, webinars, and ebooks.