There are many free business resources within the state and the federal government. Yet, so many of us start our business ventures alone or without using the services offered adequately. The top 4 free business resources I have used since we started our lawn maintenance business include SCORE, PTAC, the SBA, and the SBDC. If you are like me, you’ve probably heard of the SBA (Small Business Administration) but not the others.
For the most part, though I knew of the SBA, I didn’t know about the free assistance they offer to help you start and manage your business.
How I use my Top 4 Business Assistance Services
As I said, SBA stands for Small Business Administration. Although the SBA provides various programs, they partner with other organizations such as the SBDC, PTAC, and SCORE. For the most part, they currently outsource to companies to provide various programs and services to small businesses throughout the US. Still, the SBA assists with funding programs, offers free online courses and provides disaster assistance.
Luckily, I found the SBA through google, and I signed up for a few courses in the learning center. The courses were pretty generic but packed with a lot of useful information. However, I did not follow the advice of creating a business plan. I understood the concept, of course, but we were in a rush to start. Consequently, it is through the SBA website that I found out about SCORE.
2. SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit mentoring service. It mostly consists of retired successful business owners who volunteer their time to help you start and manage your business. Pre-COVID, you would typically call or visit your local SCORE office and request a meeting with a mentor or mentors. Fortunately, during COVID, they are now conducting virtual meetings.
To begin with, my experience with SCORE almost 16 years ago prompted the foundation of our business. Accordingly, I went into my scheduled appointment with a pad and pen and expected them to tell me, step by step, what I should do. Three volunteers greeted me, and none of them had experience with grounds maintenance of any kind. They were very polite as they proceeded to ask for my business plan.
When I explained that I did not have anything and it was just a business concept, they perked up and outlined what they thought my next steps should be.
Although the mentors didn’t know much about the lawn care industry, they knew the business basics. They appeared just as excited as we were, if not more. I left that office with a ton of “to do’s.” Yet, there were still gaps in the plan to be filled in time with experience and trial and error. Nevertheless, it was an excellent place to start.
3. PTAC
PTAC stands for the Procurement Technical Assistant Centers is also a partnering organization of the SBA. The PTAC advisors help local businesses compete successfully for government contracts.
They are the “bridge” between the buyer (the government) and the seller (the contractor).
For years after starting our lawn maintenance business, I often reviewed the SBA website looking for any guidance I may have missed before to help us get more work. It was then that I stumbled upon the 8(a) program.
At the time, I had no clue that the 8(a) certification was a big deal.
For the most part, I saw it was a program for minority small businesses, so I applied. In retrospect, it was the worst application process of my life. Even though the application process is online, tax forms and other relevant information are sent via mail. Tediously, I worked on the application a little every day for about four months. Finally, when I finished it, I told my husband I felt I had just given birth.
Six months after starting the application process, the SBA notified us that we were approved to be 8(a) certified. By and large, we still didn’t understand what it all meant but, I was elated.
The congratulations letter that arrived later explained we must see our BOS (business opportunity specialist) for orientation. At that time, our BOS advised us to contact PTAC to use our 8(a) certification properly.
The closest PTAC office is in Orlando, which is 30 miles from where we live so, the PTAC mentor met me at the local SBDC office in my town. In short, we have yet to receive a federal contract but, before COVID, I often attended training seminars and meet-ups with federal buyers looking for small business or 8(a) contractors.
I will talk more about why you shouldn’t apply for the 8(a) program until you are ready and able to do business with the federal government.
4. SBDC
The SBDC (Small Business Development Center) provides small businesses with financial and disaster assistance, tax filing assistance, FMLA and labor assistance, and more. They are also a partner of the SBA.
As I said, I met my PTAC mentor at the SBDC, and he introduced me to a mentor at that office.
Henceforth, this mentor was a game-changer. Initially, I went into the office with my notebook in disarray and ashamed of how we were keeping our books. After the apparent shock, he said, “let’s get busy.” My SBDC mentor straightened my QuickBooks account and set up a winning strategy to increase our business revenue. As a result, we tripled our revenue under his tutelage; I wouldn’t trade him for anything.
“Find a great mentor, someone who has already been through the many challenges of being an entrepreneur.”
Jodi Levine
Should You Use Paid Mentorship Programs?
This is a question only you can answer.
If you can remember, I used the SBA free services twice and didn’t apply any of the knowledge I received. I went into the SCORE office expecting them to do all the hard work and give me a road map to follow. I still find it hard to believe that I knew about the SBA’s help and its partners provided, but I didn’t use them until much later in business.
If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would use the free resources and apply the knowledge received. If I needed more precise assistance in my chosen field, then I would seek out paid mentorship. However, most of the help needed is general knowledge, so you will do well if you know your profession.
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