Free Small Business Resources by Problem to Solve

The right free business resource depends on what you need to do today. In the US, the SBA helps you plan, SCORE connects you with a no-cost mentor, an SBDC provides individualized advising, and the IRS explains federal tax obligations. For advice about your own legal or tax position, you still need a qualified professional.

Choose the resource by the job you need done

Your immediate job	Best first stop	What you get	What it does not do
Turn an idea into a plan	SBA business planning	Planning guidance, examples and a framework for market and financial assumptions	Write or validate your plan for you
Talk through a decision with someone experienced	SCORE, via SBA resource partners	No-cost volunteer mentoring by phone, email or video	Act as your retained attorney or accountant
Work through an operational or financing question	Small Business Development Center (SBDC)	Individualized business advising and technical assistance	Promise approval for a loan or grant
Understand federal business taxes	IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center	Official guidance on records, business structure and taxes	Resolve every state or local tax question
Find support in your area	SBA resource partners	Links to SBDCs, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers	Replace your state or city’s licensing authority

SBA planning material is useful before you have a draft. SCORE is a good place to discuss a decision; an SBDC can help you work through a business problem. For federal taxes, go to the IRS. You can move between these services as your questions change.

Plan or test a business idea

If you are still defining your customers, costs and route to sales, open the SBA planning resource in the table. Its traditional and lean business-plan formats give you a way to start with a short working plan.

Write down what you sell, who would buy it, how you will reach those buyers and your expected costs. Mark estimates clearly. You can then test a shaky assumption, such as whether customers will pay your proposed price. Use this business plan template for startups if you need help putting the draft together.

An SBDC adviser can work through cash flow, operations or access to capital with you. SBA says its individualized advising serves both existing owners and people preparing to launch. Bring your first draft and point out the numbers or decisions you cannot yet support.

Get a mentor or hands-on local advising

SCORE suits a decision you want to discuss with an experienced volunteer. The nonprofit offers no-cost mentoring by email, telephone and video; SBA says you can meet with a mentor on an ongoing basis. SCORE also has webinars, online workshops and courses on demand. Rising labor costs, for example, give you a concrete pricing question to bring to a meeting.

An SBDC is better suited to a problem that needs structured advising or technical assistance. SBA lists planning, operations, financial management, marketing and access to capital among its areas of support. If you have sales but cannot explain your margins, bring your revenue and costs to the first meeting. You can map the basic financial planning steps beforehand.

The SBA resource-partner directory in the table also lists Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) for women entrepreneurs and Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) for veteran entrepreneurs. SBA says WBC counseling and training range from free to low cost. VBOCs offer workshops, counseling and mentorship to veterans, service members and military spouses. Use the local assistance search on the SBA page if you want help nearby, and tell the adviser what you hope to accomplish.

Understand taxes and compliance before you spend

The IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center linked in the table is the first stop for federal tax questions. Its topics include business structure, recordkeeping, employment taxes, and filing and paying business taxes. If you are about to hire, make recordkeeping decisions or prepare your first return, use the relevant IRS topic rather than a generic checklist.

An SBDC or SCORE mentor can help you frame questions about a proposed structure or hiring plan. The IRS explains federal tax rules. For decisions about your own return, take your records and questions to a qualified tax professional; general mentoring cannot determine your filing position.

Your location and type of business affect compliance requirements. Start with SBA planning and local assistance to frame the question, then consult the responsible state or local authority about a license or permit. A qualified lawyer can address a contract, ownership dispute or regulated activity in your circumstances.

Find funding without confusing free help with free money

You can use free counseling to prepare a plan and discuss financing. An SBDC can help you think through access to capital, though a lender or grant program makes its own decision.

SBA says it does not provide grants to start or expand a business. Leave a supposed general SBA startup grant out of your launch budget. For a named opportunity, read the program’s eligibility, permitted uses and application instructions before you count on the money.

“SBA does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business.” – U.S. Small Business Administration

Put free business resources to work

Write down the immediate job in one sentence: “I need to estimate startup costs,” “I need feedback on pricing,” or “I need to understand employment taxes.”
Pick a starting point: SBA planning for a draft, SCORE for a mentor, an SBDC for an advising problem, or the IRS for federal tax rules.
Take your draft plan, assumptions, numbers and two or three questions to your meeting. For taxes or legal obligations, gather your records and speak to the appropriate qualified professional.
Leave with something to do: update your cost estimate, test a price, organize records or locate the right licensing authority. Arrange another conversation when you have a new decision to make.

You will get more from these services if you arrive with a defined question. You remain responsible for the business decision and any professional advice it requires.

Where to start

Start with SBA planning if you need a draft, SCORE or an SBDC if you need a conversation, and the IRS for federal tax instructions. Local government sources handle licensing; qualified professionals can address your legal or tax circumstances. After you tackle the immediate issue, MikeGingerich.com has practical reading on growth, marketing, technology and operations. For a wider set of founder resources, read Best Startup Advice Websites for Founders.

FAQ

What are some examples of resources in business?

For a US small business, examples include SBA planning materials, SCORE mentoring, SBDC advising and IRS tax guidance. Pick the one that matches your current task: a plan, a decision, an operational problem or a federal tax question.

Can an LLC get grant money?

An LLC’s eligibility depends on the particular grant program, not simply its legal form. SBA does not offer grants for starting or expanding a business, so look at the stated eligibility and permitted uses of any specific opportunity rather than assuming a general startup grant is available.

How do I get free money to start my business?

Start by separating free help from funding. SBA planning material, SCORE mentoring and SBDC advice can help you prepare, but they do not award general startup cash; SBA says it does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business. A specific grant program has its own eligibility and application requirements.

What is the $10 000 SBA grant?

There is no general SBA grant of $10,000 for starting a business. The SBA says it does not provide grants for starting or expanding one; a claim about a specific $10,000 opportunity needs the program’s name, eligibility and official application instructions.

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