Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource

A row of small town shops

You Just Gotta Ask!

By

George Johnson

George Johnson

Anyone in business or thinking about going into business has a million questions. At least that was my experience and continue to hear it repeatedly from business owners.

There are so many things that have to be done and so little time to do them. Plus you didn’t start your business to understand the complexities of taxes or to understand the best business structure for your situation or even to know were to go for consumable supplies or the best places to find employees. Adding to this dilemma, as a startup, you rarely have a lot of excess cash floating around where you can just ask someone.

You are in business because of a passion. You aren’t in business because you love the search for suppliers. Your background didn’t prepare you for the variety of questions that face you.

So what happens? Quite often time is spent chasing answers. This isn’t what the owner wants to do nor does it use the skills and abilities they bring to the table.

So what can be done? The answer is simple. George Johnson, owner of George Paul’s Vinegar, offers it in this short video. Ask for advice and help. George notes that there are agencies available to help answer questions such as Cooperative Extension, Small Business Administration, http://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/osbdc/resources/11409 and SCORE. He notes that these resources are mostly free.

Getting help can be done with networking and engaging with other business owners and with agencies and individuals focused on helping small business owners. If you need help, take the first step – ASK!!

If you would like to participate in future chats (just 15 minutes in length), check out: powerofbusiness.net

About Glenn Muske

Glenn Muske is an independent expert on rural small business, working as GM Consulting – Your partner in achieving small business success. He provides consulting, and writes articles for county extension agents and newspapers across North Dakota. Previously, he was the Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist at the North Dakota State University Extension Service – Center for Community Vitality.

Filed Under: rural

Wondering what is and is not allowed in the comments?
Or how to get a nifty photo beside your name?
Check our commenting policy.
Use your real name, not a business name.


Don't see the comment form?
Comments are automatically closed on older posts, but you can send me your comment via this contact form and I'll add it manually for you. Thanks!

Howdy!

Glad you dropped in to the rural and small town business blog, established in 2006.

We want you to feel at home, so please take our guided tour.

Meet our authors on the About page.

Have something to say? You can give us a holler on the contact form.

If you would like permission to re-use an article you've read here, please make a Reprint Request.

Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.

Shop Local

Buy local buttonReady to set up a shop local campaign in your small town? You'll need a guide who understands how we're different and what really works: Shop Local Campaigns for Small Towns.

Best of Small Biz Survival

More of the best of Small Biz Survival