SCORE, the nonprofit resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA), has advanced resources available to help enthusiastic entrepreneurs start or expand businesses in their local communities.

Identifying December as National Business Plan Month, this partnership has developed a Start Up Roadmap to support those looking to start or expand a business with resources, both technical and personal support, to create vibrant small businesses in our local communities.

SCORE provides knowledge building services to small businesses in the form of educational resources through in-person presentations, webinars, print materials, blogs and “chat” opportunities. It is the ultimate opportunity to learn about designing and running a successful business at one’s own pace. This knowledge resource is designed to be augmented by the SCORE Mentor Program. Working most often with members of their local community (SCORE mentors), business owners have the opportunity to learn how to refine an idea, create a business plan, identify legal and regulatory requirements, fund, market, open the doors, and operate successful businesses while also working closely with subject matter experts from a multitude of related fields of expertise. And importantly, it is a safe space to try out ideas and to evaluate the owner’s skills, vision, and suitability to run a successful business. SCORE resources are free and completely confidential.

At a time when we all are adjusting to the ever-changing business landscape, The Start Up Roadmap and a SCORE mentor, are resources that can help business owners develop or expand the business of their dreams. Anyone interested can go to www.score.org to find both The Startup Roadmap and locate a mentor (click on the “Find a Mentor” tab). Mentoring is flexible and available by phone, text, email, video and on-line chat.

How do you evaluate whether these challenging times are the right time for your idea or your expansion? Informational resources on national economic trends and business responses were addressed during the virtual National Small Business Week Summit. The primary focus of the Summit was to bring together experts to address the resiliency of, in the face of COVID, the small business community. Recordings of the presentations and discussions are available on score.org. It is an opportunity to hear how about such matters as the US economic outlook, how others are charting a course in these difficult times, how to be successful selling on-line, integrating brick and mortar with e-commerce and more. This resource provides real time background for your considerations.

Finally, entrepreneurs face legal, financial, physical plant considerations at year-end such as tax planning, closing out a calendar year, and winter weatherization. See score.org for helpful resources.

Sue Smith is a volunteer business mentor with SCORE's Tip of the Mitt chapter. To request the free and confidential mentoring services which SCORE offers to small businesses, call (231) 347-4150 in the Petoskey area or (989) 731-0287 in the Gaylord area.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Sue Smith: December is National Business Plan Month