8 Resources You Can Use To Grow Your Small Business
/By: Kristen Santiago
Sooner or later, every entrepreneur reaches a point where they need to learn new tricks to push their business further. After all, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds when you’ve been alone in the forest for so long. Whether you’re brand new to your industry or you’ve found some success for a few years, you have to take steps to ensure your business will outlive an oncoming storm.
As a business owner focused solely on helping others grow their own businesses, it’s paramount that I stay fresh with all of the resources available to my clients. Below you’ll find what I’ve tapped at one time or another to grow my own agency. If you’re going to be an entrepreneur, you’ve got to be savvy at using what you have available to you. For the best shot at starting or growing your business, get help from the following:
1. The Google Gods
This one may seem obvious, but it’s definitely still worth mentioning. Google’s algorithms have gotten so advanced that you can search almost anything in order to find what you’re looking for. Want to know which social media platform millennials flock to the most? Need to find an accountant to file your taxes? Have a software you need to master quickly? Just ask Google.
Unfortunately, some issues aren’t always black and white. That’s why it’s helpful to talk to an actual person, as he or she can help you analyze your situation and make informed decisions. After all, Google can only help you if you know the right questions to ask.
2. Your Local Small Business Development Center
Thanks to our friends at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), most major cities have a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) that can provide you with free business training and assistance. SBDCs are typically located within a university and are chock-full of experienced professionals, resources, and webinars.
Whether you’re looking to enter new markets, re-evaluate your business plan, or just ask for general guidance, the SBDC is a great start. Find your nearest location here.
3. Your Regional Chamber
Are you a member of your local chamber? A city’s chamber typically exists to encourage growth in the local business environment through support, programs, and events. They are also a great source of information for help, including ways to connect you with other businesses. Erie, PA’s local chamber, the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership, has been an incredible wealth of updates and resources, and we’ve made many important connections through them. If you’re unsure if your region has a chamber, a simple Google search may tell you (did we mention we really love the Google gods?).
4. SCORE Mentors
If one-on-one mentoring is more your speed, talk to one of the mentors at your local SCORE office. This nationwide organization, which stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives, boasts more than 50 years of free business education from former business professionals.
Depending on your local chapter, there are often a handful of different mentors across a broad range of industries to choose from. To find a potential SCORE mentor, simply visit their website, enter your location, and fill out the form.
5. Local University Beehives
Many small business owners tap their local beehives for help growing their companies. This unique service—which has nothing to do with harvesting honey—is typically offered through universities, and provides access to the talents of promising students.
The NWPA Innovation Beehive Network in Erie County uses grant funding to give local business owners free services, including creative design and product promotion, market research and business advice, business intelligence analytics, engineering and product design, and the use of specialized equipment. (And a special thank you goes to students at Edinboro University’s beehive for creating the Ivy + Atlas brand assets!)
6. Mastermind Groups
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, masterminds are small groups formed among like-minded individuals for the purpose of learning from and growing with one another. In fact, this concept was introduced in the early 20th century by author Napoleon Hill, in his book Think & Grow Rich (highly recommend this, by the way). An effective mastermind group will have structure, provide accountability, and foster stronger business and personal skills.
While it’s tough to find the right people for the most effective group, regular meetings with a focused group can have lasting impacts. Many successful business owners utilize masterminds and have found great success through them.
7. An Industry Professional
It’s no secret that experience is the greatest teacher. And if group meetings aren’t really your thing, find someone who’s been there and done that. Similar to SCORE mentors, an industry professional can help you navigate your successes and challenges because they’ve garnered years and sometimes decades of experience in the field.
If you work alone or don’t have someone to look up to within your immediate surroundings, find a mentor by joining a coworking space, attending a conference or trade show, going to networking events, or simply talking to your peers for connections.
8. A Business Consultant or Coach
Maybe I’m just a tad bit biased, but as a Business Consultant in Erie, PA, hiring a consultant or coach is my top choice for getting advice to start or grow your business. Consultants are people who solve problems for a living, and business consultants like Ivy + Atlas help struggling entrepreneurs find strategies to build better businesses.
Whether you’re looking for help creating a master plan or you just can’t seem to figure out what to do differently, Ivy + Atlas can help you grow your company. Find new customers, explore new territory, and beat the odds by reaching out today.