Nearly every week I run into small business owners who have never heard of SCORE, the Florida Small Business Development Center, the Florida Women's Business Center, the Launch Pad at UM or many other agencies offering free mentoring and assistance. And then there are all the groups like NAWBO chapters, the Startup Forum and Refresh South Florida etc. And then there are the lesser-known services offered to small businesses by area colleges, agencies, etc.
This blog contains a list of many of these resources at left -- please let me know if there are others that should be included. And also please share opportunities in the community.
I'll start. Did you know the The Community Development Clinic at the Florida International University’s College of Law Clinical Program provides free legal assistance (non-litigation) to qualified small businesses and nonprofits? Services include contracts, trademarks, leases, incorporation, partnerships, tax issues, franchises, dispute resolution and more. Call 305-348-7541 to schedule an intake interview.
And here's another: If you want to keep up with programs offered in the community, "like" Partners for Self Employment's Facebook page. You won't be sorry. Where to you think I got the FIU information? Cornell Crews, the program director, keeps up a great FB page (lots of services for the community too -- free workshops on just about anything to do with starting or running a business and help with applying for microloans, grants and other loans, for starters). Read my earlier interview with Cornell here. (Photo of Cornell Crews by Al Diaz/Miami Herald)
What are some of the other less well known resources South Florida offers to entrepreneurs? What are the best blogs, newsletters, websites you've found to get this kind of information? Share.