| Whether you've been in business for 20
years or two years or just been dreaming of owning your own frame shop, chances are you
could use some expertise and encouragement in running the business.
Frame shop owners are experts in the products and services
they offer but are often left to navigate the business end on their own with little or no
training. Framers aren't alone in their predicament--many small business owners feel the
same pressures to serve as an accountant, merchandise manager, human relations and
insurance specialists all at once. But you don't have to go at it alone and learn through
the school of hard knocks.
An abundance of agencies and organizations exist whose sole
focus is to help small businesses succeed in every way possible because businesses like
those of frame shops play a vital role in the nation's economy. According to the U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) America's 25 million small businesses employ more than
50 percent of the private work force, generate more than half of the nation's gross
domestic product and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy.
So whether you need help writing a business plan to apply
for a loan, improving your marketing techniques or managing your employees more
effectively, there are business experts standing by to help you at little or no cost. Here
is a quick guide to some of the best organizations and Web sites available to help
increase your business acumen and boost your bottom line.
Service Corps of Retired Executives
Sometimes, the best, down-to-earth advice comes from
someone who has been there the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a national
non-profit organization that provides free, personalized counseling offered by a group of
volunteers who work closely with the SBA. The counselors can help businesses identify
management problems, determine causes and propose viable solutions, as well as assist in
evaluating business, marketing, operating and growth plans. They offer assistance with
advertising, financial and other business processes and are available for long-term
advising sessions if needed.
SCORE has been operating for more than 35 years and has
more than 12,000 member volunteers operating in more than 380 chapters nationwide. To find
the SCORE chapter nearest, you look on its Web site (www.score.org) or call the national
number of the Small Business Administration Office at 800-827-5722.
Business Information Center
Perhaps you would like to visit an information center full
of reference material geared specifically toward small businesses? Business Information
Centers (BICs), which are run by SCORE volunteers and the SBA, has the latest in computer
technology, hardware and software with programs that include help to create a business
plan, research potential markets or address legal issues pertinent to your state. In
addition, the BIC has an extensive business library of books, publications and videotapes
to help entrepreneurs plan their business, expand an existing business or venture into a
new business area.
Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides
financial, technical and management assistance to small businesses. The SBA is the
nation's largest single financial backer of small businesses and last year helped more
than one million business owners. While the SBA doesn't give direct loans, it guarantees
loans through a number of different loan programs including the Microloan program. The
loan is available in increments from $500 to $35,000 to small businesses for working
capital or the purchase of inventory, supplies, furniture, machinery or other equipment.
The SBA's primary loan program is the Basic Loan Guaranty that provides short- and
long-term loans to eligible start-ups and existing small businesses.
The SBA administers a variety of seminars, programs,
business fairs and confidential, on-site IRS counseling where you can get your specific
tax questions answered. To contact the SBA office nearest you, visit the Web site
(www.sba.gov) or call the national office at 800-827-5722.
Small Business Development Centers
Small business development centers (SBDCs), which are
administered by the SBA, deliver up-to-date, confidential counseling, training and
technical assistance in all aspects of small business management. SBDCs work in
partnership with local universities, community colleges and the private sector. Their
counselors include local lawyers, bankers, professors, engineers and paid consultants and
also are recruited from professional and trade associations. SBDCs offer general and
specialized counseling and training.
Since 1980, more than eight million entrepreneurs have
received services from SBDCs. There are more than 58 small business development centers
located throughout the country with a network of nearly 1,000 service locations. For the
center nearest you, visit the Web site (www.sba.gov/sbdc) or call 800-689-1912.
Economic Development Agency
The focus of your state's Economic Development Agency is
the coordination of resources and services to help small businesses. It can be the first
line of contact for you when you are in need of help and don't know where to go to get the
answer you need. Instead of rifling through the phone book, call your economic development
agency with any business question or concern you have--they can refer you to the agency
that can best help.
Call your state office for the Economic Development Agency
to locate the office that provides business and technical assistance to small businesses.
Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training
Since 1992, women have started businesses at a higher rate
than their male counterparts. While women have access to training and assistance offered
by many agencies and organizations, the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training
(WNET) recognizes that many women business owners benefit from workshops designed
specifically for their needs. WNET offers roundtables once a month on subjects such as:
getting the edge on legal issues; successful business financing options; strategies for
managing cash flow and growth; defining your target market; and real-life experiences for
women business leaders.
Contact the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership at
(202) 205-6673 for the WNET program nearest you.
Employers of America
This national association serves as a human-relations coach
to managers, supervisors and employers. It helps its members work effectively and
positively with their employees to create the best possible workplace practices that help
in avoiding the sticky and potentially expensive problems that can arise when you don't
know your employees' rights and your own limitations.
For further membership information, contact Employers of
America at 800-728-3187 or look them up on the Web site for discounted membership offers
at www.biztrain.com.
The Professional Picture Framers Association
The Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) is the
largest international trade association for the art and framing industry. In addition to
offering classes on new trends and cutting-edge techniques in the industry, it is
responding to the huge surge in interest among framers for business training. The PPFA is
now offering classes in everything from managing employees to selling more to customers.
For membership information and a complete list of benefits,
or to find out the schedule for Tele-Ed, call the PPFA at 800-556-6228 or visit the Web
site at www.ppfa.com.
Accounting Services
It may seem paradoxical to spend money to hire an
accountant to lower your business costs, but this service can save hundreds of hours and
possibly a great amount of money by helping you keep track of where every dollar goes in
your business.
So, take a deep breath and release all the stressful and
unreasonable expectations that you hold about trying to be an expert at everything. Being
gifted and informed in the art of your craft is a huge job in and of itself. These
business experts and organizations honor your expertise in your craft and know no man or
woman can do it all. They have the time and expertise to help you increase your wealth,
sharpen your business acumen and ease your worries so that you can get back to the
business of doing what you love. Whatever your needs, questions or dreams are for your
business, don't be shy about asking for this free or low-cost help. Fortune favors the
bold.
Business Know-How on the Web
The Internet offers a wealth of free business knowledge.
Here is a list of a few of the best Web sites designed to provide education, motivation
and tips for the small business owner.
www.businessknowhow.com A catch-all site for the small
business owner with articles and tips on several business areas such as marketing,
management, human relations, money, finance and more.
www.isquare.com This site has daily and weekly tips on
everything from advertising and marketing to taxes and stress. There are free newsletters,
whole articles of interest to the small business owner, free checklists on several
subjects, stock quotes, book reviews and more.
www.entrepreneur.com is another all-inclusive site that
offers information on issues like sales and marketing, growing a business, e-business,
management, money and finance, taxes and more. The site features chat groups to share
information with other entrepreneurs and provides an on-line opportunity to get expert
answers to your business questions,
www.BusinessLaw.gov This site provides legal and regulatory
information for America's small businesses. Information includes basic facts about
business tax; state-specific information on subjects like buying a business, leasing
equipment, licenses and permits and business structures; as well as 'Plain English' guides
on issues such as managing employees, starting a business, handling finances and
wage-and-hour laws. It also includes information on getting legal advice, finding a lawyer
and more.
www.a-businessplan.com This site offers everything you need
to write a business plan including free samples, outlines, software and reviews. You'll
also find free financial, marketing and Web business plans.
www.ceoexpress.com. This site serves as an editor for the
Internet. It gives you immediate access to useful sites including business news
publications like The Wall Street Journal, Internet search engines, news feeds, access to
government agencies, financial markets, company research, travel, tech tools, airlines,
reference material and much more,
www.thegrumble.com This site is designed specifically for
framers and provides a forum to discuss issues on any aspect of the framing life. You can
ask questions of other framers, post framing equipment to buy or sell, discuss computers
and picture framing software, post images of frame designs that you're proud of and more. |
