Best Small Business Resources in the Grand Rapids Area

Description

GROW helps women entrepreneurs become successful business owners. GROW focuses on three major areas: entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and networking opportunities. GROW helps women in all fields and actively helps entrepreneurs write business plans, find financing, expand their businesses, and more.

Description

Women's Business Centers are nationwide programs established by the SBA to assist women in starting small businesses. Some of these centers are combined with other local organizations and use that relationship to offer even more services. Each Women's Business Center has counselors who can provide mentorship and assistance with business planning. Women’s Business Centers also provide a network of other businesses, and some have loan programs available

Restrictions

The Women's Business Centers are, as the name implies, meant for women primarily.

Description

SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is a leading, nation-wide organization that has assisted millions of entrepreneurs over its 50+ years of operation. SCORE is a resource partner of the SBA that offers access to a network of experienced business leaders who donate time to mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also host free or inexpensive workshops online and at 300 local chapters around the United States. Mentoring can be conducted either in person or remotely and is always free and confidential, no matter how often you take advantage of this service.

Description

Jandernoa Entrepreneurial Mentoring is focused on helping businesses grow through mentoring sessions with key decision makers like owners, CEOs, Presidents, etc. Jandernoa carefully picks candidates after an interviewing process, then mentees meet with mentors twice a month for one year, then once a month for 2 years.

Restrictions

Eligible mentees are CEOs, Presidents, etc. of established companies. Businesses must be operating for at least 3 years, making at least $1 million in annual revenue, and have at least 4 full-time employees.

Description

The greatest strength of the SBDC is their free, confidential, 1-on-1 business mentoring for anyone who seeks it. Sometimes in order to be considered for mentoring from one of their professional business advisors, you may have to attend a class/workshop or at least present your business plan. SBDC's are located all throughout the state and you should use the SBDC closest to your location if possible, but you can often transfer to a different location if they do not fit your needs.