Finding a business mentor

BY MATT VARILEK

Finding a great mentor is one of the smartest moves an entrepreneur can make to boost their chances of success. If your New Year’s resolution involves starting a small business, or growing an existing one, SBA and its partners can help. Our partner network of business experts can boost your chances of success with free and confidential one-on-one counseling, training and mentorship. Last year, these efforts helped small firms throughout the nation secure more than $4.7 billion in capital, start more than 13,500 new companies, and create and retain more than 70,000 American jobs.

SBA’s business resource network is comprised of SCORE, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women Business Centers (WBCs), and in some states, Veterans Business Outreach Centers. Last year, SBDCs counseled and trained 485,487 clients, SCORE counseled and trained over 442,000 clients, and WBCs provided assistance to 140,037 clients.

In North Dakota, there are seven SBDC centers scattered across the state, four SCORE offices and a WBC located at the Center for Technology and Business in Bismarck. North Dakota entrepreneurs such as James Van Raden, founder of ICare Repair and Design in Fargo, and the owners of Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, also in Fargo, have all utilized SBA’s business mentors when building their companies.

In keeping with the evolution of the SBA itself, our vast network of resource partners works hard to be “smart, bold and accessible.” Together we serve and mentor the dynamic demographics of the United States, including women, entrepreneurs over the age of 50, veterans, and millennial entrepreneurs. So if your plans involve starting, growing or managing a small business, connect with one of SBA’s resources partners or your local SBA office by visiting www.sba.gov/nd. PB

Matt Varilek Region VIII Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration Matthew.varilek@sba.gov