5 Myth Busters on Getting Help for Your Small Business

5 Myth Busters on Getting Help for Your Small Business 5 Myth Busters on Getting Help for Your Small Business Perhaps  you  have discovered that the right path for you at this time is to  go  out on your own.  After 30 years  in the corporate world, including over a decade at  Microsoft,  I made that decision.  It isn’t always easy,  and you might miss the  security  of a corporate job  but starting a business can be very satisfying.     For those of you traveling down the entrepreneurial path, and if  you  are out there  pounding the pavement for financing, resources and other  support,  one of the best kept secrets in the business world is the U.S. Small Business Administration  (SBA).  The SBA is  an  often-overlooked  government resource  that might  provide the help you need for your small business.     Let’s bust some myths.     Myth #1 â€" The SBA  only  helps with business loans.   The truth is  SBA does  more than help secure small business loans, even though its  loan programs are among the more  well-known parts of the agency.  But I have a secret to share:  the SBA also provides help with business education, economic development, business coaching, mentoring,  and training to help small business owners  with  financing, marketing, taxes, and business licensing and certifications.     I attended a great presentation at a  WBENC  event, of which I’m a member, and I learned about unique women and minority-owned small business support organizations who partner with the SBA.  There are so many resources available!  Are you tapping into them?     Myth #2 â€" I have to join SBA to get help with my business idea.   The truth is  you do not need to join  the SBA  or become a  member  to get assistance  or access resources.  It  helps  make the American  Dream of business ownership a reality. The SBA is a go-to  resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government. It  provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with resources and support needed to start, grow,  and  expand  their  businesses.?The SBA offers services through a network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.   Myth #3 â€" The SBA helps only existing small businesses.   The truth is  the SBA helps  small  businesses at all stages to thrive  whether you are  just  starting  out  or expanding  your existing business.  The  SBA offers expert advice, counseling and training to help along the way.  The SBA defines small as under 500 employees  â€" check out its  Size Tool  to see  how you measure up.     Myth #4 â€" I  must  have a business plan in place before I can get help.   The truth is  you can get help from an SBA resource partner to create your business plan. Because knowing where to start can be challenging, working with a mentor or counselor from  SCORE, a  Small Business Development Center,  Women’s Business Center  or a  Veterans Business Outreach Center  can help guide you through each stage.   If you like a more autonomous approach, the SBA has tools to help make writing a business plan less intimidating.  Take their free online course,  How to Write a Business Plan, or use their  Build A Business  Plan Tool  that helps simplify the process, or use the  SBA’s Business Planning Guide  and view sample business plans.   Myth #5 â€" The SBA has free money to help me start my business.     The truth is the SBA  does not give  money to start  or expand  small businesses.?The  SBA works with non-commercial organizations, like nonprofits, educational institutions, and state and local governments, to provide grants that aid in small business development.     Summary   So, while the myth  of getting  free money  is busted, the reality is  the SBA  can  assist  in securing loans  to get  your small business  up and running.    Like me, you may not know which funding instrument, if any, you should seek; give yourself permission to ask  the  â€œstupid questions” to an SBA coach!     Join Dana  Manciagli’s  Job Search Master Class ®  now  and get the most comprehensive  online  job search system available!