How can you find the help you need to start and grow your business from home? The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized how businesses operate and shifted everything online.
Even though we may be physically apart, business resources and coaching are more invaluable now than ever before. We are all in uncharted waters and can benefit from additional guidance and expertise.
Business Planning Tools
If you are looking to start a business, a business plan is often the first step.
Strategyzer makes business planning easy and allows you to rapidly sketch/analyze business models to identify their potential.
Canvanizer is another business planning tool tool that can help you map out your business model, customer journey, etc.
Virtual Business Education
When you start a business, you wear many hats – sales, customer service, marketing, branding, operations, accounting, financial, etc. Many innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs have years of experience and education in their specialty, but the world of business is all knew.
If this sounds like you, it may be beneficial to take a few crash courses on the basics so that you know the various entity types and how to form a business, what financial statements are needed to get a loan, how to keep business and personal accounts separate, the importance of a business plan, etc.
HP Life offers a robust library of communication, startup and innovate, finance, marketing, and operations courses.
The SBA offers a business guide on how to plan, launch, manage , and grow your business that pairs with their Learning Center.
The SCORE resource library has find tons of helpful business videos, templates, checklists, infographics, and other helpful resources.
Making It Official
When it comes to making it official and legally filing, the State of Wisconsin offers a One Stop Business Portal where you:
File your incorporation documents with the Department of Financial Institutions
Apply for your federal credentials (i.e. EIN number)
Register with the Department of Revenue and obtain the necessary licenses/permits
Register for unemployment insurance through the Department of Workforce Development.
It is an easy-to-use, mobile compatible platform that allows you to register with multiple state agencies in one place. You can complete the entire process from the comfort of your home!
Funding Your Business
When it comes to finding grants and access to capital early on, you will want to check out the programs provided by the:
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation who offers business development loans, minority business development grants, etc.
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) who provides business loans to individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing.
Ideadvance who awards grants to businesses started by individuals affiliated with the UW System (i.e. UW alumni, current faculty, staff, & student entrepreneurs).
Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) helps bring innovative ideas to market through federal SBIR and STTR funding programs.
In addition to the resources listed above, consult with your local community development authority to see what programs are offered (i.e. Whitewater Community Development Authority). In addition to the grants and loans above, you may consider equity funding through venture capitalists and angel investors, debt funding through your local bank, crowdfunding, etc. (Learn more about startup funding options).
Finding a Mentor
Once you have a business idea, a business coach or mentor can help you refine the business idea, evaluate feasibility, increase profitability, etc. All of the entrepreneurial ecosystem providers have migrated their face-to-face services to virtual platforms.
Check out the coaching services provided by:
SCORE is America’s premier source of free business mentoring and offers tons of workshops, webinars, and educational resources.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer no-cost consulting, business education, and expertise for starting, managing, and growing your business.
Many of the funding and loan providers, such as listed above offer mentorship to pair with the business funding. Gener8tor, MWERC WERCHNECH Labs, the BREW, and other seed accelerators provide valuable mentoring and funding to startups who participate in their program.
Additionally, incubators, such as the Whitewater University Innovation Center, offers various mentoring programs (i.e. GrowthWheel, Wendy Kennedy, and the Innovatrium) and can help you prepare to raise capital through investors.
Summary
Everything you need to start and grow your business is now available virtually from the comfort of your home! Whether you need business planning tools, business education, guidance with the legal filings, funding your business, or connecting with a mentor, there are more virtual methods than ever before! If you have any questions, please contact us!