Accurately tracking financial data is not only critical for running the day-to-day operations of your small business, but it is also essential when seeking funding from lenders or investors to take your business to the next level.
Read more »Templates And Documentation
A Guide to Preparing to Borrow Capital for Your Business
Whether it is for the start-up or growth phase, most businesses ultimately need to borrow money. Here are some issues to consider as you approach the borrowing process. Addressing them as you start the borrowing process can increase the chances of getting the loan and make the process much easier.
Read more »A Guide to Renting a Business Location
Choosing and leasing a location for your business is critical. The type of your business will dictate many of your decision-making factors. For example, a retail business that is dependent on walk-in traffic means that you must have a location where there are many people who have an interest in your product or service.
Read more »A Guide to the Seven Types of Business Insurance
Every business needs insurance. The types and amounts of insurance coverage you need varies depending on the type of business, size of business, and the amount of risk the business is willing to assume. If your business provides personal services or if you are operating the business without a corporate structure, you must consider your
Read more »A Practical Guide to Creating a Business Plan
A formal business plan is important. It is needed when obtaining financing; serves as a guide for the policies, strategies, and tactics needed for running your business; can be shared with potential key employees; serves as a key document when you sell your business; and forces you to focus on the issues that are essential
Read more »A Practical Guide to Creating a Marketing Plan
The need for a marketing plan grows as a business develops new products, enters new markets, and refines how it attempts to position and sell its products. The structure of a marketing plan is similar to a business plan but focuses more on specific products and the operations surrounding those products instead of the entire
Read more »An Introduction to Lean Canvas for Emerging Businesses
by: Meera Unni Lean Canvas is an exciting tool that lets new and emerging entrepreneurs model their business plans in a short, efficient, one page diagram. Using Lean Canvas quickly identifies factors to prioritize while also creating an effective jumping off point for brainstorming. Instead of making a long, detailed business plan that could take
Read more »Break Even Calculator
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, an essential asset for your company to support everyday operations. Use this calculator tool to determine whether your present cash flow is enough to cover your needs for payroll, loan payments, inventory purchases, and any other financial draws on your business resources.
Read more »Cash Flow Template
Understanding the ebbs and flows of your organization’s cash will help you make smart management decisions that protect your core programs and overall sustainability. Managing cash flow requires three steps: planning the use of cash, anticipating any problems, and responding with appropriate management actions.
Read more »Contracting Support: SBA’s Small Disadvantaged Business Registry
You do not have to submit an application to SBA for SDB status. To self-represent as an SDB, register your business in the System for Award Management. However, you and your firm must still understand the SBA eligibility criteria for SDBs.
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Quickbooks BootcampWed May 1 2019, 9:00am CDT - 11:00am CDT
Blue Sky Business Modeling WorkshopThu May 9 2019, 11:00am CDT - 1:00pm CDT
Quickbooks Bootcamp
Blue Sky Business Modeling WorkshopAre you ready to make the federal government your client?
4 simple steps for getting started Government contracts are a big opportunity for small businesses. The federal government allocates at least $5 of every $100 contract dollars to women and minority-owned small businesses each year, according to the Small Business Administration. State and local entities are following suit so that minority and women-owned businesses get
Building Business Relationships: Top Tips To Start Strong In Your New Mentorship
Last week in our series on building business relationships, Taneka and Ashlee’s mentorship story showed us the power of a great mentorship. This week we’re covering the steps you can take to ensure the same success with your mentor by getting off to a strong start. We recently matched our Discover Cohort graduate Kristin Mejia
Building Business Relationships Series: Successful Businesses Have Mentors
Taneka Cole credits her mentor’s motivation and advice with opening the doors to her body-positive bridal shop. Research from the Small Business Administration proves a link between mentoring and small business success. This week, in our third installment of our series on building business relationships, we turn to Taneka’s mentorship story. Taneka Cole wanted