Getting Started
Here is a basic summary of steps to take for getting started. Take a look:
- Find a mentor: Nobody knows the business world like someone who has real experience in it! We highly recommend you find someone who you can rely on to provide you and your business with guidance. Here are two mentor programs that you can try:
- The MCED (Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development) has a Maine mentor network. “We pair strong mentors with high-potential entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are given access to a network of seasoned professionals, with worldwide connections and deep industry knowledge to assist them in their growth.”
- SCORE has different offices in Maine (click here for resource page and scroll to bottom) but here is the Bangor Mentor program page.
- Attend training/learning workshops: Whether it’s an online or live workshop, they will teach you valuable skills you may need to tackle basic business tasks or problems. It is important for your business that you dedicate a substantial amount of time to learning. Workshops are an excellent way to achieve this! Here is a list of links with workshops:
- SBA Training Videos
- Business USA
- SCORE Online Training Videos
- The Maine SBDC also has a great website with getting started guides.
- The State of Maine’s official website has helpful links to various resources. Check it out here.
- Keep Reading! All the information you need to know is out there, you just need to find it. Click here for some interesting pro tips to help you get started.
- Do your research: The more of a comprehensive understanding you have of your business and industry, the higher your chances are of success.
- Write a business model: A business model will provide structure to your ideas, and dictate how your business will be constructed. These plans will also help you secure funding from investors! This page will tell you more about business plans!
- Financing:
- This is the SBA finance page. This page from NerdWallet explains more about SBA loans. This page discusses alternatives to traditional bank loans. Similarly this page explores different finance options and compares them.
- CCFC (Community Concepts Finance Corporation): ” is a non-profit community-focused mission lender.” “Our Business Advisors work one-on-one with individuals looking to start a new business, expand their current business or acquire an existing business to determine their specific needs. Every loan client gets access to Technical Assistance provided Free-of-Charge. We will help you develop and refine your business plan or existing operations with the end goal of making you traditionally bankable.” They also have a nice start-up checklist on this page.
- Networking: You know the saying, “Network, Network, Network.” Investing some time into networking will help. You can join your chamber of commerce and/or an industry trade group. This is an interesting article about the value of networking to small business with some interesting ideas.
Here is the Maine.gov page for starting a business with more helpful information!