Our nation’s small business community is made up of a diverse mix of individuals who share a strong entrepreneurial drive, resilience, and spirit. These shared traits have helped America’s entrepreneurs push through and succeed despite the various challenges faced in recent years.
The SBA is proud to support small business owners across the country, especially during National Entrepreneurship Week from February 12-19, 2022. This week is a perfect time to explore the SBA’s tailored programs and services, designed for small business owners across all industries and stages of growth.
We encourage you to explore the resources available through the SBA, including online educational tools, funding programs, and local assistance.
### Learning Platform
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, the SBA offers a variety of online educational resources to help you on your business journey. The SBA Learning Platform is an excellent resource. It offers numerous courses that cover everything from starting and launching a business to managing, marketing, and growing it.
Additionally, Ascent is a free online learning platform specifically designed for women who already have revenue-generating businesses and are looking to expand. It helps women entrepreneurs analyze their business strengths and weaknesses, identify growth opportunities, set goals, and more. For U.S. service members transitioning out of the military and their spouses, Boots to Business offers an introduction to owning a business.
### Funding Programs
The SBA provides numerous funding programs to meet a variety of small business needs:
– **Disaster assistance loans:** The SBA offers disaster loans to help businesses rebuild and recover when disasters happen. These loans cover physical damage, mitigation assistance, economic injury, and more.
– **SBA-backed loans:** If you’re creditworthy but don’t qualify for conventional financing, SBA-backed loans might be a good option. The SBA works with participating lenders to reduce their risk, making it more likely your loan will be approved on terms that suit you. To get started, use Lender Match, the SBA’s free online referral program that connects small businesses with over 800 participating SBA-approved lenders.
### Local Assistance
Small business owners looking for guidance from expert mentors or advisors can be matched with one through the SBA’s local resource partner network. Resource partners like SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and Women’s Business Centers are available to provide support remotely via email, phone, and video chat.
If you’re unsure which resource partner is the best fit for you or have questions about other SBA tools, resources, or programs, reach out to your closest SBA district office. Your local district office is your direct point of contact with the SBA in your community.
