SCORE Association, Herndon, Va., supports 370 chapters and 11,700 volunteers whose mission is getting small businesses going strong. SCORE, a partner with the U.S. Small Business Association, calls itself “Counselor to America’s Small Business,” and its website contains resources to spur start-ups, create new jobs and keep Americans employed. Featured content on www.score.org/accelerate includes:
- Free Resources: Quick Start Business Plan, a free online workshop to help clarify ideas and find loans and credit;
- Start Now: Resources that Give You a Head Start on Business Planning, with tools, tips and templates for business planning;
- Quick eGuide: Start-up, advice about choosing an advisory board, writing a business plan, getting funding and promoting the business;
- Podcast: Building a Million Dollar Biz, featuring business strategies from SBTV.com, a website devoted to small businesses;
- How-to: Business Plan for a Start-up Business, a free template to map out the plan; and
- Mentors: Ask SCORE and Find SCORE, for e-mail advice or the address of the nearest local office.