How to Work with the Small Business Administration Resource Partner Network

The flexibility is a perk. Don’t have time to speak with a professional business mentor in person? These volunteers are also available for a video chat or phone call. The workshops are also free, and it costs nothing to speak with a volunteer mentor.

Score Mentors are business professionals with years of expert knowledge. They work with you to build a solid business plan and check in frequently.

Small Business Development Centers

If you are lucky enough to live near a small business development center in your local area, you can enjoy the small business resources and tools at your disposal. Unlike the SCORE mentors, these centers run low-cost mentorship programs.

It is a valuable resource if you can find one near you because it connects you to other like-minded business people and entrepreneurs. You can look up a small business development center near you by typing your zip code into the search bar here.

Women’s Business Centers

It is more challenging for women to start and run their own small businesses. In 2021, the Biz2Credit Women-Owned Business Study found that women-owned enterprises generated an average profit of $88,995. 

This was much less than both the average profit for firms owned by males in 2021 ($136,147) and the average profit for businesses owned by women in 2020 ($119,654). However, you do not have to feel alone when running a business as a woman. These business centers offer free mentorship programs, counseling, and referrals.

Veteran Business Outreach Centers

Veterans have always been a driving force in American entrepreneurship. 

However, there are fewer veteran-owned firms now. Compared to 49.7% of WWII veterans and 40% of Korean War veterans, only 4.5% of post-9/11 military veterans have gone on to launch a business.

There isn’t a lack of motivation behind the sudden fall in veteran business ownership. 26% of veterans indicate they are interested in starting their own business. Veterans, however, encounter many problems when trying to launch a business, from knowledge limitations to funding issues.

Thankfully, Veteran business outreach centers exist. This business center’s strength is that it can help you as a veteran learn valuable tools and tricks to landing a competitive government contract.

Other noteworthy SBA programs

With so many SBA programs in its resource partner network, it’s hard to choose just one. A few notable mentions are the SBA learning platform, boots to business, and THRIVE. The SBA learning platform transforms lives as it is an online free tool that is easy to use. It is a learning center that is entirely online and accessible to small business owners. You can take courses in planning, launching, managing, marketing, and growing a small business.

Another unique and worthwhile SBA program is Boots to Business. At Boots to Business, transitioning service members can take B2B and B2BR business courses. B2B: Revenue Readiness was created in partnership with Mississippi State University. Active and transitioning military members can start with a free, two-day, in-person course.

THRIVE (Train. Hope. Rise. Innovate. Venture. Elevate) is an executive-level training series for small businesses that want to grow and thrive. This SBA program is challenging to get into, but it is worth it! You need to have your own small business with at least $250,000 in revenue, have at least three years of running the business, and employ at least one person, not including yourself. The program lasts six months, and it is completely free!