Existing Resources to Help New and Old Businesses Alike

Starting a new business can be a nightmare, with all the planning, paperwork, fees, deciding how to organize, and the hundreds of other things to worry about. Fortunately, after the dozens who have gone before, there are plenty of resources to help. National organizations, websites, and the government all have resources to help new businesses succeed. Some excellent resources include:

SCORE

The Senior Core of Retired Executives is a resource partner with the US Small Business Administration, and empowers business owners or people interested in started a small business with advice, tools, and counseling. SCORE has existed since 1964, and has over ten thousand volunteers to provide resources and advice to small businesses. SCORE can help with a wide variety of topics, from marketing to taxes, and from how-tos to business tools, and is always one of the first resources that should be contacted when considering starting (or have already begun) a small business. SCORE offices are set up throughout hundreds of communities, and SCORE members can often be contacted via the local chamber of commerce.

The Government

Starting a business usually requires some sort of legal notice to the government that the business exists, most importantly so that they can collect due taxes and ensure all regulations are followed. The government has a vested interest in the success of business, if businesses don't succeed the government loses tax revenue. The government provides its own resource at www.business.gov, to link business owners to the government forms and filings that they'll need. New business owners must decide whether or not to incorporate, how many employees they will have (and thus the regulations they'll be subject to), and which other regulations they'll have to pay special attention to.

As always, the government can sometimes be a pain to deal with. Although they try hard to make things easy and simple, sometimes the government just can't help enough, and outside resources will be needed. Businesses in heavily regulated areas, such as gambling, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, would be well advised to contact an attorney.

Money

One of the most important resources needed by any business is, of course, money, which can be obtained through a variety of ways. New businesses can find money from investors (venture capital or angel investors), personal savings, or loans. Small Businesses can get loans backed by the Small Business Association, in conjunction with partner banks. Larger businesses can borrow against current assets at the local bank for their loans. More money always come to businesses with a solid record and sound profitability, so newer businesses can have a harder time getting the money they need, but with SBA backing it can be much easier.

Overall there are plenty of easily reached resources to help businesses, new or old.