Free Resources for Writing a Business Plan & Expert Business Advice
I just had a conversation with someone who has formed a Delaware LLC and is ready to invest in growing his business. Specifically, this individual was looking for a paid business advisor who would assist them with writing their business plan down and putting it into action.
While it is a certainly a victory of sorts to realize that you need expert industry help, or are just in over your head in general, there are many options out there besides actually hiring someone and spending capital that could be invested in other areas of growth for your company.
Here are a few of the ones that have been helpful to me or recommended by a colleague, friend, or other business professional:
- U.S. Small Business Administration
• This section of the SBA’s website includes helpful samples of business plans, and a step-by-step guide to create a simple business plan using the FREE SBA Simple Business Plan tool. You can work at your own pace, then save, download, and share your plan. Not much not to like about this one!
2. Find local counseling- free !
• The name says it all. Check out who is available to provide pro bono business assistance in your area!
- SBDC (Delaware)
1. Create Business Plans/Request Assistance
• The SBDC helps with Business Planning! There are similar agencies devoted to growing small businesses available in most States. Even if you aren’t physically located in Delaware, if you have incorporated in Delaware or have a Delaware entity, you may be eligible for assistance from the SBDC (Delaware) based on that fact.
- SCORE (Delaware)
1. Business Plans & Startup Assistance Resources
• SCORE (Delaware) offers free, professional counseling from experts in your industry! There are also courses for things like writing a business plan. SCORE Chapters are all over the place, so you can probably find one locally in the event that you aren’t able to avail yourself of all that SCORE (Delaware) has to offer.