Form Your own Small Business Association
A Home Business Article Contributed by Donna m. Brown
Feeling Alone? Form Your own Small Business Association
If a small business association doesn't exist where you live, form one! Technological advancements have created more opportunities than ever before for people to conduct small businesses from remote locations. One drawback to having a small business in an extremely rural area is the lack of networking opportunities that exist through local organizations such as a small business association.
If you live in a small community where there are many business owners tucked away within the confines of their own homes or in small shops isolated from big city types of exposure, rally the troops and start your own local small business association.
Getting Started with Your Small Business Association
Before you ask people to join a small business association, ask them what they most need from such an organization. Even if you live in a town of 2,500, it is important that your business community have a unified voice before local government. Contact the nearest local college or university and ask to speak to the chair of the education institution's business department chair.
Ask for the cooperation of students and faculty in surveying small business owners in your area to establish whether or not they will be willing participants in such an organization. Find out what they would expect from a local small business association and what they need help with very most. A student in the process of preparing a thesis or one who is in need of a graduate-level project might be more than willing to help you with your cause.
If you take the right approach, business owners will perceive you as being serious, capable and willing to look out for their best interests.
Consult with Professionals before You Sign on the Dotted Line to Join or Accept Members into Any Small Business Association
Once you determine there is a need for a small business association in your area and a willingness of small business owners to participate, create a plan that will guide you through the set up process. Establish an organizational chart and determine exactly who will be responsible for what within your small business association.
Just because you introduce the idea, you don't have to do it all alone - and shouldn't. Call a formal meeting of business owners who expressed interest and, with their help and approval, establish committees to research different topics including areas of membership, finances, benefits, legal liabilities, governmental affairs and any other topic that caters to your business owners' expressed needs.
Don't forget to seek the advice of a professional accountant and an attorney - hopefully you can find one in your area that will be willing to donate some services to the worthy cause. It is important that you establish the right kind of organization to get the best benefits for your members with the least amount of fiscal and tax liability. Research your best options and do not accept one membership until your strategy and formal organizational rules are in place.
Belonging to a small business association will allow you to get to know other members of your community and establishing the first of its kind where you live will let people know that you are a leader and will instill confidence in your potential customers.
