Mark Zuckerberg Condemns Facebook Staff For Defacing Black Lives Matter Slogans

The Black Lives Matter movement has shed light on the racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality experienced by the African-American community across America. But apparently some of the employees at Facebook’s notoriously wh...

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SCORE: The Best Free Resource Center for Businesses

When it comes to learning how to start or run a business, reading can only take you so far. Yes, there is a wealth of information online, but sometimes you need more than that to really figure things out.

Well, if you’re facing a business dilemma and can’t find what you’re looking for in blogs or books, so may want to try SCORE.org.

SCORE is a nonprofit association that’s all about assisting small businesses. It consists of more than 12,000 volunteers who are more than happy to offer their knowledge and assistance to entrepreneurs who need help.

SCORE provides free mentorship programs that enable people to contact seasoned entrepreneurs and ask for assistance. Aside from that, the organization also offers free, confidential business via phone and emails.

Need sample business plans, budget documents, or personal financial statements? Just head over to the templates section and access numerous free templates to help you base your documents on.

On top of that, SCORE also offers free or inexpensive online and offline workshops for entrepreneurs who wish to learn a new skill or pick up on the latest developments in their industry. 

Get Free Publicity for Your Business with HARO

Getting covered by the media is one of the best ways to spread the word out about your business. It puts you in front of a wider audience, and it also gives you a ton of credibility.

Now, some people might say that unless you’re doing something completely outrageous, have a huge budget for PR, or have connections in magazines or TV networks, getting media coverage won’t be easy. Well, that might have been true years ago, but thanks to service called HARO also known as Help A Reporter Out.

HARO connects sources with journalists looking for people to interview or reference in their stories.

Here’s how it works:

You register for a source account on HARO and select the industries that you’re relevant to (i.e. business, lifestyle, tech, etc.). Once you have an account HARO will send you daily emails containing queries from journalists and reporters. If you find a query that’s relevant to you, the service can put you in touch with the reporter and you’ll get a chance to be featured!

SBA.gov's Starting a Business Section is a Goldmine for Resources (Part 2)

Need even more convincing that the Small Business Administration  website is such a rich resource for starting entrepreneurs? Here are EVEN MORE resources that you can check out in the Starting & Managing section of the site.

Aside from filling you in on business plans, business structures, registration, licenses, and permits, the SBA will also provide the lowdown on the following:

Business Laws and Regulations - There are a lot laws that govern the operation of small businesses and as an entrepreneur, you need to be aware of those laws. Be sure to read up on them before you proceed!

Financing- Need capital? Wondering where and how to obtain a loan for your biz? Check out the “Finance Your Business” section and get educated on the many financial options available to you.

Loans, Grants, and Funding - Your business could qualify for certain loans, grants, or funding opportunities! Be sure to check out this section to see if you’ll be able to obtain one.

Taxes - When operating a business, don’t forget that Uncle Sam needs his cut. This section will help you understand the steps and requirements when it comes to handling taxes to ensure that you stay in the IRS’s good side.  

SBA.gov's Starting a Business Section is a Goldmine for Resources (Part 1)

You know you want to start a business but you’re not quite sure where to start. Don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal. And fortunately for you, the Small Business Administration, has some free and useful resources for first-time entrepreneurs. Just go to SBA.gov, click “Starting & Managing” then dig in.

Below are just some of the things that you can learn about:

Business plans - Need help mapping out how to set up your business? This section has everything you need.

Business structures - If you’re not sure whether you need to set up a sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, or any other business structure, be sure to check out this part of the site to get the lowdown on the various types of businesses there is.

Registering your business - Know when, where, and how to register your business. This section also gives you some information in acquiring financial aid.

Business Licenses and Permits - Not sure about what kinds of licenses you need to run your biz? Right this way please!