Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or a small business owner? We're here to support your journey to success. Entrepreneurs are vital to our local economy, driving job creation, offering essential services, and fostering community investment.
Below, you'll find helpful links to agencies, resources, and templates tailored to assist you in your endeavors. If you have any questions or would like to explore your ideas further, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at (205) 385-7964.
Personal Development
Personal development not only helps you improve on your weaknesses but can also help you to develop your strengths. Successful entrepreneurs are constantly learning, growing and striving to better themselves and their employees. Continuous self-development is vital to the success of any business.
Getting Started
Knowing where to start can be overwhelming for a budding entrepreneur. Planning in the early stages will set you on a course for success.
Business Template
A business plan will help you gain clarity, focus and confidence. As you write down your goals, strategies and action steps, your business becomes real. Also, many financial institutions require a written business plan before lending money. Using a template is a great way to organize your thoughts and ideas and make sure you haven’t missed anything.
Financial Resources
When starting a business, one of the biggest challenges faced by most entrepreneurs is a lack of capital. There are many resources out there to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners in finding the path that works for them. It is unlikely that you will receive a grant to start your business, but there are many loans geared toward start-ups and small businesses.
SCORE Webinars
SCORE hosts free, live webinars every week on tips and strategies presented by business experts and mentors. They also have a link to previously recorded webinars, so you can find the topic that fits your needs.
SCORE is a tremendous resource to start-ups and small businesses. Its mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. With the nation’s largest network of volunteers and expert business mentors, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964.
Marketing & Social Media
Social media is a powerful platform. It helps you connect with your customers, increase awareness about your brand, and boost your leads and sales. Using social media can help you grow your audience on a small budget. Creating an influential social media presence is key to connecting to your audience.
Other Resources
These are just a few of the many resources out there to guide entrepreneurs on their journey.
Alabama Small Business Development Center Network
The Alabama Small Business Development Center network is a statewide, inter-institutional program to enhance economic growth in Alabama by providing management and technical assistance to small businesses. Professional Business Advisors are available in 10 Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located at our member university partners across the state.
