Advertising

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24 Ask the Right Que= stions Before You Open a Small Business

If = your goal is to open a small business, chances are you have many questions. And that’s a good thing. For example, if you haven’t already, soone= r or later you may be wondering:

How do I get a business l= oan?
Where are good places to advertise?
What workplace safety laws govern my business?
Should I be a sole propri= etor or form a corporation?
What should my pricing fo= rmula be?
Can my community support another business like mine?
How do I interpret an advertising rate card?
Should I run the business= from home or rent space?
Where will I find supplie= rs?
Should I trademark my bus= iness name?
Is my product marketable online?
What goes into preparing = an employee handbook?
Should I have an attorney review all my documentation?

One= proven resource for getting the right answers to all of these questions is SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” SCORE is a nonprofit association that aids the formation, growth and success of America’s small busines= ses. Nationwide, 10,500 volunteer, business experts donate their skills, experie= nce and insights through free, confidential counseling.

SCO= RE’s business counselors have worked for successful small businesses as well as companies known worldwide such as Hewlett Packard, IBM, Xerox, Exxon Mobil, Citicorp and Procter and Gamble. You can be mentored by bankers, accountant= s, marketing experts, computer programmers, line managers, human resources professionals or CEOs. SCORE brings expertise that encompasses both the gen= eral issues every business must face and such specialized areas as defense contracting, direct mail marketing, freelance fashion design and toy manufacturing.

To = learn more about SCORE, visit www.score.org or the U.S. Small Business Administra= tion (SBA) Web site, www.sba.gov. These Internet resources provide information on starting, financing and expanding your business. In addition, SCORE’s= Web site offers how-to information, success stories and access to more than 1,2= 00 email counselors.

If = you would like to discuss this topic or business planning, business growth strategies or a specific business issue, contact SCORE® “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” To contact the Greater Binghamton SCORE Chapter 217 for as= sistance call 607-772-8860 or 1-800 -920-6972. You may also contact SCORE® for person to person counseling appointments at = the above telephone numbers. If you are already in business onsite assistance is also available. The Greater Binghamton SCORE® Chapter 217 website is found at www.greaterbinghamtonscore.org . The national SCORE® website is found at www.score.org or sign up for email counseling at= www.score.org .