So you want to start a business, or maybe you are already underway. Either way, you need every bit of help you can get. That is normal, and it is smart.

The good news is this. There is a lot of help out there.

Here are 10 resources that can help take you from idea to startup to a growing business.

1. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

You paid your taxes. Now it is time to take advantage of the benefits.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a wide range of resources for small business owners, including:

• Loans and funding programs
• Training and educational resources
• Guidance on legal and compliance basics
• Disaster assistance and recovery programs

If you are looking for help with financing, regulations, or long-term planning, the SBA is a great place to start.

2. SCORE

Wish you had a good friend with real business experience who could give you honest, practical advice?

That is exactly what SCORE offers. And the price is right for any startup budget. It is free.

SCORE provides:

• Free, confidential one-on-one mentoring
• Workshops and webinars
• Templates, tools, and business guides

SCORE mentors are experienced professionals who volunteer their time to help small business owners succeed.

3. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

There are more than 1,000 Small Business Development Centers across the United States.

They help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses every year by offering support with:

• Business planning
• Financial projections
• Market research
• Funding preparation

SBDCs are especially helpful if you want hands-on, local assistance.

4. A Directory of Business Incubators and Accelerators

Wondering if there is a business incubator or accelerator near you?

The International Business Innovation Association maintains a directory of incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs across the country. These programs can provide mentoring, workspace, and access to valuable networks, especially for high-growth startups.

You can explore their directory here:
https://inbia.org/resources/incubator-accelerator-directory

5. A User Testing Tool

Need an honest opinion about your website, app, or product?

Friends and family often mean well, but they may not give you completely objective feedback. User testing tools help solve that problem.

Popular options include:

• UserTesting for recorded user feedback
• Maze for testing ideas and prototypes
• Hotjar to see how visitors actually use your website

Catching issues early can save time, money, and frustration.

6. A Way to Validate Your Market

Many business ideas look great on paper but struggle in the real world. That is why market validation matters.

Useful tools include:

• SurveyMonkey to gather customer feedback
• Google Trends to see what people are searching for
• Statista for industry and consumer data

These tools are most effective when combined with direct conversations with potential customers.

7. A Good Designer

Design plays a bigger role in credibility than many founders expect.

You do not need a big agency to get started. Here are a few accessible options:

• 99designs for logos and branding
• Fiverr for freelance design services
• Canva for do-it-yourself marketing materials

The goal is not perfection. The goal is clarity and trust.

8. Help With Accounting, Payroll, and Taxes

This is one of the most common areas for outsourcing, and for good reason. Accounting and payroll require specialized knowledge, take time, and mistakes can be expensive.

Popular solutions include:

• Gusto for payroll and basic HR
• Bench for bookkeeping services
• QuickBooks for small business accounting

A solid financial setup makes everything else easier.

9. A Virtual Assistant

Not quite ready to hire your first employee? A virtual assistant can help.

A good virtual assistant can handle administrative tasks, customer communication, and even basic marketing support.

Well-known services include:

• Boldly
• Time Etc
• Upwork

Pay for quality. A capable assistant saves time instead of creating more work.

10. A Lawyer

At some point, you will need legal help. Contracts, hiring, and compliance issues are all part of running a business.

If traditional legal services feel out of reach, here are more affordable options:

• Rocket Lawyer for documents and contracts
• Nolo for plain-language legal guidance
• Avvo to find attorneys and book short consultations

Many SCORE mentors can also help you understand when legal advice is necessary.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business can feel lonely, but the reality is that there is an entire support system built to help you succeed.

Many of these resources are free or low cost. Others are designed to save you time and prevent costly mistakes. You do not need to use all of them at once. Start with what you need most right now and build from there.

And if you ever need a place to start, SCORE is here to help.