Title: Reading
Course: SLF 125 Business Planning and Startup > Section: SLF 125 Business Planning and Startup

Reading

Is Entrepreneurship for You?
Who is Your Support Team?

More than ever before, your brand “belongs” to your customers. They interpret the value and worthiness of your product and service every day, and they are NOT afraid to share their opinions. So, when it comes to who supports your small business, you always have to consider your customers as your biggest potential allies and friends!

It may not always be obvious, but your computer, social media, and software programs are a part of your support team.  They can digest and categorize information and give you information you need to be successful.

Your small business needs more than your own set of skills! Seek out those who can help:

- Professionals, even those that might cost quite a bit of money, can be a part of your support team. Professionals that can offer special expertise are valuable to keeping your business going: attorneys, real estate agents, bankers, computer experts, communication experts, and media professionals (such as newspaper, TV, and radio personnel). And NEVER forget accountants and tax advisors for financial support.
- Find a mentor. Many small businesspersons offer the advice: If I had it to do over again, I would have found more mentors along the way. There is an experienced small business person out there that would ENJOY helping you. Learn from others’ mistakes and from their success stories. SCORE (a part of the SBA – Service Corps of Retired Executives) is one option. Your local community college or university may have a small business development center. The mentor does not have to be in the same industry or business – he or she can help you ask the right questions along the way.
- Professional or trade groups offer their members access to publications, training, networking and more. If you are not sure if there is a professional group dedicated to orchid growers (there is…the Orchid Growers Guild!), do an internet search or visit a public library for a listing of organizations. One caution about “professionals” – if someone is trying to tell you that their service or software program can make starting a business easy (for a price, of course), don’t buy into that. Starting a business is hard work. Accept that reality.
- Your peers and fellow small business owners can offer you advice and morale support. The Chamber of Commerce might be a good place to start to find like-minded souls.
- Your friends can play a special role if you let them know that you want and expect HONEST feedback from them. Don’t expect them to be your biggest dollar customers; they can play a much more important role as a testing ground for your ideas.
- And of course, your family. Depending on your situation, your family members might be employees, the webmaster, the business plan typist, or hold another business-related role. But keep in mind, you need balance. Your family can be the safe place, the one place where you can allow your energy to be directed to something very important to you other than the business.