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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Blue Sky Business Modeling WorkshopThu Feb 21 2019, 11:00am CST - 1:00pm CST
Restorative Entrepreneurship Program: Class 1Thu Feb 21 2019, 6:00pm CST - 8:30pm CST
Blue Sky Business Modeling Workshop
Restorative Entrepreneurship Program: Class 1Help Women-Owned Businesses Break Through Barriers Toward Success
Did you know women own around 40% of all businesses in the United States, yet only receive about 2-3% of venture financing? The reasons aren’t totally clear, but it’s likely due to a mixture of gender disparities in the venture capital world as well as gender biases when it comes to decisions about when and
How to Build Workplace Culture
“Workplace culture” are buzzwords that we tend to hear everywhere these days, but it’s for a good reason. Your culture can truly make or break your business, as it determines the productivity of your employees, quality of work, brand reputation, and many more factors. If you’re just starting to grow your business, you’re in the
January is National Mentoring Month
Recently, I noticed I was having the same conversation with a number of friends and colleagues – “How can I be a mentor? I’m not a small business owner, so what could I even bring to the table?” The answer is: A LOT. Each of us brings something important to the table, and your