8 Essential Business Resources to Get Your Dream Off the Ground

Did you know that only a fourth of the businesses started in the United States survive more than 15 years? In fact, 20% of new businesses fail within the first two years.

Statistics like these are one of the main reasons that people give up on their business before they’ve even started. Although, we’re here to tell you that it is possible.

The statistics are scary, but you’re going to have something that some of those individuals didn’t have: a list of the best startup resources from across the Internet. If you’re ready to get started, keep reading.

If you have no idea where to start, what to do, or where you want to go with your business idea, SkillFront is a great place to start. Their free, online entrepreneurship certification program runs you through everything that a new entrepreneur should know before starting a business.

We highly recommend that every new entrepreneur take advantage of this free program. The best part is that you’ll have something to show for at the end of the program: a legitimate certificate.

The certification is internationally recognized and shows well on resumes, LinkedIn pages, and other professional avenues.

You may know the Small Business Association as the department based in the United States that helps small business owners with loans. While they’re a fantastic resource for those of you looking for financial help, they’re also useful for their educational resources.

The Small Business Administration, or SBA, has a learning center devoted to helping people just like you navigate how to run a small business. Like SkillFront, they offer free classes and other resources to get you through the toughest times of entrepreneurship.

SCORE allows you to find a mentor in their community of professionals. You may not understand why having a mentor is important if you’re the one who wants to be the boss.

Well, the great thing about mentoring is that you can learn from someone else’s mistakes without having to make those same mistakes yourself. Mentoring allows you to hear from someone else’s experiences without compromising your own.

Having a mentor can even impact the success of your business. 55% of those with a mentor say that they saw an increase in profits because of the relationship they had with their mentor.

If you’re into podcasting, this is one of the best. The StartUp Podcast tells the story of multiple businesses. By sharing trials and tribulations as well as successes and celebrations, the StartUp Podcast gives you all of the information you need about starting a business without you having to face the consequences.

Listen to the StartUp Podcast if you’re looking for some great information with a dash of inspiration to get you moving.

If you’re looking for advice from other entrepreneurs just like you, you need to look into the Small Business Forum. It’s a platform for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re completely new to the world of entrepreneurship or you’re a seasoned veteran, the Small Business Forum is for you. You can get help on pretty much anything. From taxes and finances to establishment and products, the forum has anything and everything that you may have questions about.

If you’re looking to gather with other small business owners and discuss everything small business-related, you need to check out the small business page on Meetup. Meetup is filled with groups, events, and more for you to look at.

Networking is one of the most important things to do as a business owner, and Meetup makes this part of business easy. You can attend just about any event. There are even some online.

If you’re looking for advice and people related to your industry, you should check out your industry’s trade association. By having individuals and businesses that are related to your own industry, you can get secrets, tips, and tricks related to your industry and trade specifically.

Generic information is fine, but your industry may have differences in how audiences and products work. Getting in touch with people interested in the same things as you is never a bad idea.

If you’re looking for a blog to read, Business2Community has everything you need. With contributors of different skillsets, this blogging platform covers everything from social media and marketing to technology and leadership.

If you have any questions about anything, this blog is likely to help you through the issue. With the variety of topics, you’re bound to find something that you’re interested in learning about.

In fact, if you think you’re an expert on a specific aspect of business, you can share your expertise as a contributor. Go ahead and share a lesson you’ve learned already.

The School For Freelancers is another great educational resource that offers a variety of freelance resources. This website is especially useful for those of you in the early stages of starting your business.

With their freelancing ebook, freelancing blog, and other helpful resources, you will never feel lost on what to do next. Plus, they have online courses and programs that you can take.

Best of all, they have a freelance community that you can spend your time interacting with. If you have questions to ask or answers to offer, go there.

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to finally build and start your very own business. We know that going out on a limb and putting yourself out there can be scary, but it’s necessary if you really want this to happen.

Besides, with these business resources, you’re ready for a successful start. Plus, you have our help.

Our team here at School For Startups believes in you and your business idea. In fact, we’re constantly working to help entrepreneurs like you fulfill their dreams.

If you think you’re ready to get started, apply to our program today. The sooner you get started, the sooner your business will take off.