When you were a new business owner, what was one resource that was extremely helpful in educating you and guiding you on how to run your company? Would you recommend it to anyone?
These answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue and create tens of thousands of jobs each year.Click here for details yec.co.
1. Industry Experts
In 2007-2008, interviewing experts on my YouTube channel was a time before vlogs were common and podcasts didn’t exist. I still recommend this one. Start a podcast or channel, interview people you admire and pick out their brains. Be resourceful instead of waiting for resources.
– Debesh Dwivedi, Debesh Dwivedi
2. Online education platform
Online education platforms such as Udemy are great resources for entrepreneurs. From the early stages of establishing your brand to expanding your business with the latest technology and software, we have a wealth of useful information. They can help you develop strategies that fit your assets and budget, keep up with trends, and stay ahead of the competition.
– Bryce Welker, Four major accounting firms
3. Business book
I love books and encourage new and aspiring entrepreneurs to make reading a successful habit. One of the greatest influences was Power, for All. It power maps the workplace and shows how to work with individuals who can influence real change in the work environment. This is extremely helpful in navigating team dynamics.
– tonica blues, Lead Nicely Co., Ltd.
4. Hubspot
HubSpot is a great resource for business owners (experienced and new). There are articles and free tools to help you learn about marketing and good business practices. You can also take online marketing courses that teach you the basics and beyond of digital marketing, sales, SEO, and other important topics.
5. My personal network
The best resource you need for your work is your network. talk to people Have a conversation and see how you handled the issue. You can grow and learn by relying on your relationships.
– Zane Stevens, Protea Financial
6. Small Business Administration
When I was just starting out in business, I found the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be very helpful. We have a wealth of resources and information to help entrepreneurs understand the basics of starting and running a business. That information includes business plans, financing, marketing and sales, taxes, and more. There are also many free services and training programs. I strongly recommend it.
– Thomas Griffin, optin monster
7. Score
SCORE is a non-profit organization that provides free business mentoring and education to small business owners. I highly recommend this for budding entrepreneurs. Comprised of a network of volunteer business professionals, he offers one-on-one mentoring as well as workshops and seminars on a variety of business he topics. SCORE mentors have extensive business experience.
– Kelly Richardson, infobrands
8. LinkedIn
When I started my business, I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn. There are many helpful people and resources on this platform. Create (or access) an account to connect with people in your industry and successful leaders. You can get a lot of practical advice and knowledge by browsing LinkedIn for an hour or two every day.
9. Incubators
We participated in the incubator program and it helped us a lot. They had office equipment we could use until we were big enough to invest in ourselves. Incubators connect you to loans, grants and other available funding. They can teach you about marketing, getting government contracts, and setting up business plans.
– Baruch Rabunski, Safe ranking
10. Personal Mentor
I could benefit from learning from a personal mentor. For those who have the choice, I believe it provides one of the best foundations you can expect in business. We recommend hiring a second-in-command who can specifically provide years of experience.
11. Podcasts
I listen to a lot of podcasts about running an agency and being an entrepreneur. This was not a formal training, but the interviews and content were completely free, and the speakers’ stories of how they learned from their mistakes helped me plan my business. Think without thinking, and be aware that all the incredibly free content is out there!
12. RELATED COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
My business is based on the WordPress core software, so it helps me to be part of the WordPress community and organizations. We encourage you to identify your niche and industry and join groups, networks, and nonprofits in that area. Connect with your peers, stay informed about industry events, and learn more from relevant sources.
– Blair Williams, member press
