Free Counseling and Education for Entrepreneurs
If you’re one of the 2.6 million Americans who lost their jobs in 2008 and are facing the worst job market in decades, you may be considering going into business for yourself. Fortunately there is a lot of free advice out there to get you started. One good source is the organization known as SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, where you can find information about all aspects of starting a business.
On the SCORE website, you can ask questions and receive answers within 48 hours or register for free courses on a variety of topics. In their Virtual Learning Center they offer 26 online courses on starting, managing, and marketing your business. If you are just starting out you can find helpful information in a collection of courses specifically for the new entrepreneur:
- Developing a Business Plan
- Conducting a Marketing Analysis
- Analyze your Competition
- Targeting Your Market
- Maintaining an Agile Company
- Creating a Competitive Advantage
- Creating a Strategic Plan
- Determining Your Business Legal Structure
- Protecting Your Business with Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks
Another helpful resource is the Small Business Administration, where you can locate local counseling, training, and business development specialists that offer free or low-cost services. The SBA website also offers free online courses, including a collection of courses on starting a new business. If you are considering starting your own small business, you might want to take a look:
- Small Business Primer: Guide to Starting a Business
- How to Prepare a Business Plan
- Franchising Basics
- Technology 101: A Small Business Guide
