Starting a business does not mean figuring everything out alone. The SBA supports a network of partner organizations that offer counseling, mentoring, and training to people who are starting or growing a business. These organizations are separate from Future Corps, but they are worth knowing about, especially if you live far from a big city.
The main types of help
The SBA’s local assistance page describes several kinds of resource partners:
- SCORE. Volunteer mentors who give area-specific advice on an ongoing basis. SCORE also offers training, webinars, online workshops, courses on demand, and a library of online resources.
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). They provide counseling and training to small businesses, including help for people who are starting up.
- Women’s Business Centers (WBCs). They provide free to low-cost counseling and training for women who want to start and grow businesses, and they introduce them to resources available to women-owned businesses.
- Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs). They offer business training, counseling, and referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses.
The SBA page also lists APEX Accelerators, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, for businesses interested in government contracting.
Why this matters for rural founders
A recent Congressional Research Service report says the SBDC program has at least one lead center in each state, and that lead centers coordinate a network of partner service centers, with more than 900 service centers in all. Ask whether the nearest one serves your county, because service areas can cover more than one town.
Distance may matter less than you expect. SBA materials say SCORE mentoring can happen in person, by email, or over video chat, according to an SBA resource partner brochure. Ask each provider what options it offers.
How to find the right one
- Go to the SBA’s local assistance page and enter your ZIP code, or choose the district office closest to you.
- Filter by the type of partner that fits you: SCORE, SBDC, women’s business center, or veterans business outreach center.
- Call or email two providers. Ask what they offer, what it costs, and how quickly you can be seen.
Costs and services vary by provider, so ask about fees before you book. If a page you are using does not end in .gov or belong to an organization you recognize, be careful about sharing personal information.
Come prepared
You will get more from a meeting if you arrive with something on paper. Bring a one-page business plan, notes from your first customer conversations, and two or three specific questions. Good questions sound like these:
- What licenses or permits does a business like mine need here? See business licenses and permits.
- Which business structure fits my plans? See how to choose a business structure.
- What funding could realistically fit my stage? See funding options for new founders.
Counseling and mentoring are different
A counselor at a business center often helps you work through a specific problem, such as a plan, a loan application, or a compliance question. A mentor tends to walk with you over a longer stretch and share experience. Both are useful. Our guide on how to find and work with a mentor explains how to make the most of a mentoring relationship.
Your next step
This week, look up the resource partners near you and book one first conversation. Bring your one-page plan and your top three questions, and write down what you learn while the meeting is fresh.