Best Small Business Resources in the Lancaster Area

Description

ASSETS provides seminars, training workshops, mentoring, and networking events for business owners in Lancaster. It also offers a business center specifically for women (though it will help anyone who needs assistance). Some events cover local/community considerations in addition to basic business strategy. ASSETS also hosts local competitions for both youth and adult entrepreneurs and its Learning Circle entrepreneurial classes, which teach entrepreneurs how to plan and operate a business.

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

Community First Fund aims to help and fund businesses started by entrepreneurs who are minorities or of low socioeconomic status, and have businesses that benefit low-income communities. Whether you have only a rough idea or an existing business, you can receive funding and guidance in the form of business planning, financial projection review, and referral to many third-party services.

Restrictions

Geographically limited to the cities of Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Reading and Allentown, PA, as well as other towns throughout Franklin, Adams, Cumberland, Perry, York, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Chester, Berks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

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.

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

RKL provides businesses with financial assistance when it comes to taxes, accounting software and other aspects of business development. Other services include bookkeeping, payroll and tax consulting, transition planning, and more. Since it is helpful to have more than a vague business idea before beginning these types of planning, this resource is probably most useful to those that past the idea stage.