Small Business Association offers a business readiness tool

Andy Hayes, Michigan State University Extension -

One for the money…two for the show…three to get ready…Use this tool to GO!

Developing your idea into a viable product or service is the first step towards turning your business vision into reality. Whether you want to open a manufacturing facility, restaurant, agricultural business, retail outlet or high-tech firm, basic research can help you advance your idea. The Small Business Association (SBA) offers an interactive program that details the nuts and bolts of launching a business, while helping you define what specific assistance you may need.

The Readiness Assessment Tool is a guide to help entrepreneurs to better understand some of the fundamentals of starting a small business. According to the SBA, “It is not a scientific assessment tool. Rather, it is a tool that will prompt you with questions and assist you in evaluating your skills, characteristics and experience --- as they relate to your readiness for starting a business.” Michigan State University Extension partner Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) also assists entrepreneurs in the fundamentals of starting a business.

The NLEA offers multiple tools and services to help entrepreneurs start their businesses. The NLEA “toolbox” consists of online templates, one on one business counseling, business plan review, financial planning, market research and local economic data just to name a few. To learn more about what the NLEA can offer your business, contact info@northernlakes.net or call 231-582-6482

Michigan State University Extension has had a unique relationship with the regional economic development organization Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) for more than 20 years. Recognizing the strength of combining resources, this partnership focuses on economic development, entrepreneurship growth and community infrastructure throughout a four-county region in the northwest Lower Peninsula, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. As a result, the NLEA utilizes resources offered through MSU Extension as it provides leadership to state-wide programs sponsored by MSU Extension.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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