Support for Small Businesses

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides excellent resources and support for small businesses as does SCORE, an organization made up of retired volunteers who advise small business owners.

This Escape from Cubicle Nation blog entry suggests that every entrepreneur needs the following four professionals:

* Lawyer
* Banker
* Accountant
* Insurance specialist

The entry also provides suggestions on where to find these four professionals. One thing I’ve learned from others as I don’t want to learn the hard way: Stay on top of your money even if you have an accountant. People have seen their trusted accountants steal from them because they didn’t watch the books. I’m not sure those with a spouse who has health benefits covering the family need an insurance specialist.

Those with no children may want to investigate insurance because it could be cheaper for the spouse to not add you to the insurance plan as adding a spouse can up the numbers for some health plans.

Freelancers and small businesses, what professionals do you use and how?