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Successful home-based business owners learn from their own experience
and that of others. They actively solicit free and inexpensive
resources in their communities to plan, implement and improve their businesses.
Successful entrepreneurs also solicit and use feedback on their
performance to take corrective action and make improvements.
Here are some free or low-cost resources for every home-based entrepreneur:
- Work closely and creatively with professional advisors, such as your lawyer and your accountant.
As you continually review your business records, you will see opportunities to reduce costs and optimize profits.
Use these review sessions to develop your planning and managerial skills.
- Continue to learn about business operations, constantly acquiring new ideas.
Most community colleges have short, inexpensive, practical courses for business owners in topics like "Financing a Small Business", "Choosing a Small Business Computer", and "Starting and Operating a Home-Based Business".
- Find and use networking and support groups.
Get to know other business owners with similar needs or problems.
Join your local Chamber of Commerce and be an active member.
Local and national organizations that you join can often advertise your product or service to other business owners.
They also provide a way to learn about services you may need, such as accounting, public relations, or a responsible secretarial service.
These organizations offer updates in such areas as taxes and zoning in their newsletters and workshops.
- Visit your public library and use its vast resources.
In addition to books, many libraries offer free workshops, lend skill-building tapes, and become a central place to pick up catalogs and brochures describing continuing education opportunities for business owners.
Ask the librarian for current copies of zoning regulations.
Get familiar with new books and resources in your field as well as in the general business area.
Look for magazines such as Venture, Inc., Entrepreneur, Extra Income, Success, Working Woman and The Journal of Small Business Management.
Reading selectively is free, while subscribing to too many magazines can be expensive.
- Join professional organizations.
A wide variety of local and national organizations serve the informational, lobbying and networking needs of new entrepreneurs.
Through meetings, services and newsletters, these groups offer members everything from camaraderie to valuable "perks," such as group rates on health insurance.
A few of these groups are:
- National Association of Women Business Owners
- American Entrepreneurs Association
- Business and Professional Women's Club
- National Alliance of Home Based Businesswomen
- National Association for Cottage Industry
- Use government resources.
Contact your local or district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to learn about SBA services and publications.
The SBA also offers free or inexpensive workshops and counseling through SCORE.
SCORE is a volunteer organization sponsored by the SBA through which retired executives who have management expertise are linked with owners / managers of small business or prospective entrepreneurs who need help.
- Check with the US government.
The Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Department of Defense (procurement), Department of Labor, IRS (ask for the free "Business Tax Kit"), Federal Trade Commission, and the Government Printing Office all have free publications and services to inform and support you.
Local and state government offices may also have helpful services.
You can find current addresses in your telephone book (under U.S. Government), at your public library or at your local SBA office.
- Visit community colleges.
Most community colleges now have short, inexpensive, noncredit programs for entrepreneurs.
The classes usually are convenient to business owners and are taught by experienced owners and managers.
As a home-based business person, you can overcome feelings of isolation and receive valuable information if you tap into these networks and resources.
Being active in professional and trade associations will help build a good marketing network for your service or product.
Take the time and invest money for memberships.
Then, continually evaluate which organizations and resources best serve your business information and networking needs.
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