Best Small Business Resources in the Seattle Area

Description

Business Impact NW is a non-profit organization that strives to provide under-financed entrepreneurs funding and technical assistance. They provide business consulting services and discounted courses on a variety of entrepreneurship topics through their partnerships with a Women's Business Center and Veteran's Business Center. These services are open to any entrepreneur who requests assistance. Among all their services, those business coaching and training programs that are affiliated with SBA are entirely free. In addition, you can apply for business loans directly through them.

Description

Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County provides free counseling services on a variety of business topics from general entrepreneurial help to business plan creation. They also partner with many community organizations and government agencies assist with financing, minority business, international business and workforce development. In addition, you can sign up for their newsletter and membership to get industry-specific updates, attend roundtable conversations, discounts to their economic forecast conference, and so on.

Restrictions

Business must reside in or near King County.

Description

Seattle office of Economic Development offers one-on-one free consulting for business at any stage on the topic of business planning, financial management, and marketing. They also give you access to classroom training and counseling, with a special focus on early stage, low-income, and immigrant-owned business. 

Restrictions

Businesses should be located in the Seattle area.

Description

Seattle Public Library offers free business resources for market research, customer demographics, professional development as well as several workshops for business planning. Registration for library events is recommended. Library card and services are free for local residents; nonresidents and visitors can purchase a library card to access amenities.

Restrictions

Free services are available to residents of Seattle and Bothell, as well as library card holders from affiliated libraries.

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

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.