U.S. Small Business Administration
A plethora of information for small businesses and entrepreneurs, this resource covers everything from financials to insurance to taxes. You’ll find information about applying for licenses, strengthening your cybersecurity, expanding your business, and more. This site can also help businesses connect with local resource partners, such as Small Business Development Centers (SMBDs).
SMBDs: What are they?
SMBDs provide consulting, training, and informational tools to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. Every state has them, and you don’t need an SBA loan to use them. While SMBDs can help with accessing capital, they can also assist with developing business plans, financial management, international business development, marketing, and more.
“Most small businesses are owned by one person. They may be responsible for HR, bookkeeping, sales, marketing — they’re wearing all these hats — and it’s impossible for someone to be an expert in all of those fields,” explains Jolie Horen, head of community banking at Wintrust. “Now if they’re struggling with say, what type of loan they need, then one of our relationship managers can help, but when it’s not directly loan related, that’s when we recommend an SMBD.”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Providing businesses with a list of 19 free resources, this site can help you navigate the ups and downs of owning your own business. Whether you’re looking for assistance with networking, funding, or employee and customer management, this list has you covered.
Looking to find funding to help your business grow? All businesses that bank with Wintrust are paired with a relationship manager who gets to know you, your business, and works to understand your needs. Reach out to our team or find out more about applying for a small business loan.
