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Plan + Start

Planning and starting a small business can be overwhelming. Whether you have a business idea or you’ve just started selling your first products or services, SCORE can help you find your footing. Get matched with an expert business mentor, complete the Startup Roadmap course, and check out our educational resources designed to help you get your business up and running.
Resources to Start Your Business Journey
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Business Plan Template for a Startup Business
To increase your odds of a successful business startup, download this step-by-step business plan template you can use to plan for your new business.
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Financial Projections Template
Download this financial projections template to calculate your small business expenses, sales forecast, cash flow, income statement, break-even analysis & more.
Entrepreneurs reviewing financing options together at table in home
Simple Steps to Choosing the Right Financing
Here we explore the differences between the traditional and online lending processes to help you select the best option for your small businesses
A SCORE mentor with short gray hair wearing a light blue SCORE Quad Cities shirt provides guidance to a smiling woman in a yellow M.A.D. Bakery shirt. They are seated at a desk with a laptop covered in colorful stickers, books, pens, and notes. Shelves filled with baking supplies, books, and decorations are visible in the background.
Startup Roadmap

Need help getting headed in the right direction? Use the Startup Road map to get your footing as you start your business.

Startup Road Map
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Employee to Entrepreneur Resource Hub

Discover tools, guides, and expert advice to help you confidently shift from employee to entrepreneur. This hub connects you with the critical resources, strategies, and support you need to turn your business idea into reality. Let SCORE show you the path forward—every step of the way.

Visit the Employee to Entrepreneur Resource Hub
On-Demand Startup Training
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business: Startup Basics
If you’re thinking about starting your own business, this module will teach you the basics. You will learn whether business ownership is right for you.
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Understanding the 5 Most Common Legal Forms of Business
Learn the pros and cons of the 5 common legal forms of business and which one aligns best with your business goals.
View Recorded Webinar
How To Start A Business Using A Free Score Mentor
How To Start A Business Using A Free SCORE Mentor
Learn how you can start a business with the help of a free SCORE mentor. In this webinar, you'll hear real success stories from SCORE clients and the SCORE mentors who helped them.
View Recorded Webinar
Finding retail space for your business
Strategies and Tips for Finding a Retail Space for Your Business
In this webinar, you'll learn how to evaluate potential locations, negotiate leasing terms and ensure that your business plan and budget align with your goal of finding a retail space.
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Loans, Grants and Other Funding Options for Small Businesses
Loans, Grants and Other Funding Options for Small Businesses
We will explore various funding options, including traditional loans, competitive grants, and innovative alternative financing methods tailored to your needs.
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Branding, brand, design, logo, marketing
Budget-Friendly Branding: Create a High-Value Brand for Less
Learn how to create a high-value brand using free and low-cost tools, along with simple DIY marketing strategies you can put into action right away.
View Recorded Webinar
Pricing
How to Price Your Product or Service With Confidence
Learn how to choose a pricing method, set a starting price, and avoid common underpricing mistakes.
View Recorded Webinar
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How to Pitch Your Startup to Investors - A Step-by-Step Guide
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to craft a captivating business pitch to help you secure funding from investors.
View Recorded Webinar
Business decisions, starting a business
The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Business Owner - Resale, Start-up or Franchise
Join our upcoming webinar and learn the three key avenues to business ownership: buying an existing business, investing in a franchise or creating your own startup from scratch.
View Recorded Webinar
Get Personalized Advice and Guidance for Your Startup

SCORE is here to help you make a smart start. We can help you avoid common startup challenges and once you start, we can help you increase sales and revenue to ensure you stay successful. Enter your zip code then complete the mentoring request form to get your free business mentor today.
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712 H St NE PMB 98848
Washington, DC 20002
1-800-634-0245

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Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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