Business owners make things tougher on themselves by not searching out backup support and advice. In other words -- networking. Try these techniques to line up a support group to guide your venture into uncharted entrepreneur territory.
Build A Peer Network. Look online for meetups for small business owners in your area. Find others who are exploring the entrepreneurial mindset. Meet for coffee, tea, drinks or whatever. Try "work-together" time windows in an office or coffee shop. You work independently, but in the same space. Bounce ideas around with peers for a tried and true creativity booster. When you're looking for a new web designer or distributer or just buying office supplies, consult your network about their experience -- how it went, what they paid and where to find discounts. Your peer network helps you work smarter, and also, most entrepreneurs just enjoy a bit of camaraderie now and then.
Learn New Skills. Take courses at business schools or attend local seminars to meet like-minded peers who are starting businesses. You can also connect with professors and alumni networks to find insight and advice.
Attend Industry Events. Whatever your product or service, there is probably an association or trade group dedicated to it. Attend a conference, join a chapter, volunteer for a committee. Get involved with colleagues in your field, and network, network, network.
Visit Your Local Library. While some of us neglect these bastions of resources, libraries and librarians can be helpful in researching answers to your commerce questions. Look online for business-related libraries near you, too. New York City has the Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) with free seminars on everything from marketing to bookkeeping. Type "business library" into search to find resources near you.
Start an Accountability Club. Meet a few friends at a conference. Set up a Google Hangout. Skype chat each week or month. It's called an Accountability Club, where members share what they're working on, how it's going and three goals they want to accomplish by the next call. With the right group, these can be wildly successful. It's that extra dollop of encouragement and accountability that push you to go the extra mile.
Find a Mentor. Sometimes alumni groups, business-owner support groups and trade associations can help you find a mentor. Some conferences offer mentoring sessions with senior-level pros as part of their events. You can always search LinkedIn for role models, then contact that person to see if she or he will mentor you. Having a mentor can mean the difference between flourishing or just getting by for many small-business owners.
Research Loan Opportunities. Ask around the library, your groups and your entrepreneur friends about grants and loans for business owners. Consult the Small Business Association website for a listing of business-owner loans you may quality for. Also look for groups designed to support small business, such as SCORE, which provides free business advice from retired senior executives. Their website also offers resources for finding loans. If you qualify for any special designations, such as female-owned or minority-owned businesses, there are also resources that specifically support you. Look for related associations and groups online.