As a small business owner, you know the ins and outs of your company like the back of your hand. So when you need to remedy a situation or drive your business forward, it might feel like you’re the only one who’s equipped to do it.
Without a doubt, you know your business better than anyone else. But that’s not to say that outside advice from other small business owners can’t come in handy from time to time.
When you’re connected to other like-minded entrepreneurs, you’ll have a wealth of small business knowledge and experience to tap into when you need some advice or inspiration for your own company.
So if you’re ready to learn new skills and grow your small business, one of the smartest moves you can make is to join different small business associations. But which small business associations should you consider?
Here’s a list of the ones you need to know.
Small Business Associations: The 10 Essentials
There are some small business associations that every small business owner should be a part of.
You might have heard of a few of these before, but they’re so helpful for small business owners that they’re worth bringing up over and over again.
1. SBA Community Groups
You already know that the Small Business Administration is the government organization that guarantees affordable loans for small businesses… But did you know that they provide invaluable small business resources for entrepreneurs, too?
That’s right—SBA loans aren’t all the SBA offers. The SBA has regional and district offices you can go to for a variety of business resources and advice. Maybe you want to meet other business owners, learn about small business financing, take classes, or connect with new business opportunities. Whatever you want from a small business association, an SBA community group in your area is a great place to start.
In general, the SBA is a great resource for all things small business, so don’t miss out on anything the SBA has to offer—both online or in your local area.
2. SCORE
SCORE is technically connected to the SBA, but it’s worth mentioning in its own right.
SCORE is a completely free country-wide network of business mentors. These mentors volunteer to work with small business owners like you to help them develop and grow business plans.
According to SCORE, business owners who receive 3 or more hours of mentorship report higher revenues and increased growth. So no matter the type of small business you run, SCORE just might be the small business association that brings you to the next level of success.
3. Your Local Chamber of Commerce
If your business targets a small, local market, you’ll definitely want to consider joining the local chamber of commerce. Signing up with your chamber of commerce might come at a small fee, but it’s well worth the cost.
Your local chamber of commerce is one of the best small business associations for small businesses that sell B2B—since there’s a shot you’ll find customers through chamber of commerce events. As a member, you’ll also have access to professional development workshops, small business newsletters, and FedEx shipping discounts.
Plus, as a part of this small business association, you’ll have first dibs on booths at local trade shows and conventions.
4. Meetup.com
As a global social networking platform, Meetup.com sounds pretty broad—but websites like Meetup can be one of the best small business associations for you to tap into.
Meetup.com isn’t technically a small business association—anyone can use the platform. But there is a section of the website that’s devoted to small businesses. Use this platform to connect to like-minded entrepreneurs who understand your obstacles and what you need to succeed.
Meet up with other small business owners to share ideas, hear about other companies’ strategies, ask for advice, or even find customers and partners you wouldn’t have found elsewhere.
5. Industry & Trade Associations
Joining small business associations that are related to certain industries and trades is a great way to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in your field. Most industry and trade associations will offer online and offline resources, like events, conferences, directories, and education centers.
If you join one of these small business associations, you might even get discounts on business purchases, insurance, or other benefits—so there’s really no reason not to sign up for your industry or trade association. If you don’t know where to find yours, check out the list of industry and trade shows and associations.
6. NFIB
The National Federation of Independent Business calls itself “The Voice of Small Business.” And while it might seem like an official, big-picture type of association that couldn’t possibly help your small business, it’s still worth joining.
The NFIB advocates for almost 350,000 small business members. Their main objective is to lobby at the state and federal level for small business issues. But as a member, you might also have access to their small business discounts, events, online forums, and so on.
All in all, the NFIB is totally devoted to the nation’s small business owners. And you could really stand to benefit from their networking events, entrepreneurship resources, and small business research foundations.
7. BNI
BNI is one of the best small business associations for business owners who want to get serious about networking. BNI has more than 7,500 chapters for networking meetups for small business owners, so you’re bound to find one in your area.
BNI membership is a little different than other small business associations. You’ll have to apply and be approved, and only one member per industry is allowed in each group and session. So if you end up being approved, it could be great for your small business. You will be the representative voice for your industry, and your small business will seem more authoritative for it.
Plus, your competitor won’t be sitting right next to you when you network or speak at events, so all eyes will be on you. Members will also receive benefits like newsletters, workshops, and participation in trade shows—just to name a few.
8. Entrepreneurs’ Organization
Entrepreneurs’ Organization, or EO, is one of the oldest small business associations around—they were established in 1987. EO describes themselves as “the only global network exclusively for entrepreneurs.”
Use this association to connect to industry experts, peer-to-peer learning platforms, and mentorship programs. EO has over 12,000 members who volunteer to advise entrepreneurs that are either starting or deep into their small business venture. If you join, you might be able to find a valuable mentor or partner to help you grow your business.
9. StartUp Nation
Need to literally start a business, grow an existing business, or manage it successfully? Then you should join StartUp Nation.
StartUp Nation is one of the best small business associations for both new and seasoned small business owners looking for any and all advice on how to run a thriving small business. StartUp Nation was developed for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, so you might find that its leaders and members uniquely understand the struggles of running a small business.
Use this online small business community for free information about exciting inventions, technology, growing your business, and so on. Startup Nation even offers a radio channel and video series featuring industry insiders. Tune in to hear thought leaders discuss the pressing news and issues that relate to your small business.
10. American Express OPEN Forum
We’ll admit, American Express’s OPEN Forum isn’t necessarily a small business association, but it can be a very valuable resource for small business owners who have business credit cards from American Express.
As a member of the OPEN Forum, you’ll have access to a library of tips and guides for running and maintaining a business. You’ll also be invited to join a series of webinars and in-person events that you can use for small business advice and networking opportunities.
And if you’re really into networking, you can participate in boot camp sessions, promote Small Business Saturday events, and meet other small business owners in conferences help in larger cities year-round.
Small Business Associations: 8 Special Associations
Those 10 are the must-haves of small business associations. All small business owners should sign up for those various organizations to help start and grow their small businesses.
But if you’re a woman or minority small business owner, or you operate in a niche industry, there are lots of specific small business associations tailored to you.
We can’t begin to name them all, but here are a few to get you started:
1. eWomenNetwork
If you’re a woman small business owner, one of the best small business associations to join is eWomenNetwork. Founded in 2000, they’re one of the largest and most established women’s business networks in the United States. They now include over 2,000 women-owned businesses and have 118 chapters in the U.S. and Canada. There’s definitely a local chapter near you—check their website to find one.
If your main purpose in joining a small business association is to network, eWomenNetwork is a great resource for networking with female entrepreneurs. You can attend their conferences, meetups, and workshops, and use their online members search engine to find lasting business questions with other businesswomen.
2. Women’s Business Development Center
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is one of the largest women-centered small business associations that supports and promotes women-owned businesses in the United States.
The WBDC is great for women business owners who are just starting out and for those who have been business owners for a while now. The WBDC has resources for both types of businesswomen, like courses, online communities, resource centers, and business education programs. Check out their access to capital program if you’re looking for small business loans for women.
eWomenNetwork and the WBDC are just two of the many, many small business associations for women. Check out a complete list of resources for women small business owners to them all.
3. Minority Chamber of Commerce
If you’re a minority small business owner, there are a lot of small business associations that can give you the resources you need to grow your business. One of the best to join is the Minority Chamber of Commerce.
The Minority Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit that helps minority small business owners educated themselves on business management skills, network with like-minded professionals, and connect with specialized suppliers. Membership with the Minority Chamber of Commerce comes at a cost, but it’ll provide invaluable resources for your small business if you join.
4. Minority Business Development Agency
Another small business association for minority small business owners is the Minority Business Development Agency.
The Minority Business Development Agency offers a variety of resources for minority entrepreneurs looking to start, manage, or finance their businesses. Take advantage of their webinars, guides, or research library to learn how to grow your business into a success.
5. NAVOBA
Veteran small business owner should add the National Veteran-Owned Business Association on their list of small business associations worth joining. The organization offers veterans great networking opportunities and a veteran small business owner directory, and encourages consumers to buy at veteran-owned small businesses.
NaVOBA works at the local, state, corporate, and federal level to help over 3 million veteran-owned businesses succeed, so it’s definitely worthwhile to sign up and take advantage of their resources if you’re eligible.
6. SBA Office of Veterans Business Development
Now, the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development isn’t really a small business association, but it’s a resource that every veteran small business owner should take advantage of.
The Office of Veterans Business Development’s goal is to broaden veterans’ access to small business programs. The SBA initiative can connect you to federal committees, entrepreneurship trainings, outreach centers, business training materials, and more.
The Office of Veterans Business Development should be a veteran small business owner’s go-to place to find a variety useful resources that can help grow their business. Plus, if you’re looking for VA small business loans, the Office of Veterans Business Development is a great place to start your search for financing.
7. National Restaurant Association
Owning a restaurant is hard work. That’s why all business owners who run restaurants should join small business associations that are specifically tailored to the restaurant industry. You have very specific needs and issues that sometimes only other restaurant owners understand, so joining an association for your industry could really come in handy.
The National Restaurant Association offers advice for managing your restaurant, keeps you up-to-date on issues and advocacy initiatives for restaurant owners, and connects you to events and groups for networking purposes. The National Restaurant Association is a solid resource for restaurant owners who want one place to go to for general advice and tips on running a restaurant.
8. Ashoka
Do you consider yourself a social entrepreneur? If your small business is set out to change the world—or maybe just help out your community—consider joining Ashoka.
Ashoka is the largest network of small business owners engaged in social entrepreneurship. The organization has nearly 3,000 members in 70 countries.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t help your small venture. Ashoka can connect you to business partners in your local area, provide useful guides in tips for growing your venture and connecting to more people, and introduce you to business events and programs in your specific location.
The Bottom Line on Small Business Associations
The list of small business associations for both general and specific businesses and industries can go on and on. So when you need help growing your small business—or just want to connect to business owners who are also in the weeds of running a company—you have lots of resources at your fingertips.
When it comes down to it, there are really no downsides to joining any and all small business associations that might be relevant to your business. A few may charge a membership fee, but think of it this way: Finding an invaluable business partner—or maybe even a loyal customer down the line—is well worth the cost of joining a small business association.
And if you only want to join a few, here’s our advice for finding the best group:
Consider what your goals are, where your customers are and what they need, and think carefully about how the association can connect you to the partners, networks, and customers you need to grow your business.
We know you’ll find some good ones! Make sure to let us know in the comments if we’ve left any out, too.
The post 18 Small Business Associations We Should Be Thankful For appeared first on Fundera Ledger.
from Fundera Ledger https://www.fundera.com/blog/2016/10/03/small-business-associations
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