How to Assemble Your Team of Professional Small Business Advisors

The modern economy relies on small businesses. They’re sources of innovation and creativity, but they’re also the primary source of job growth. Over half of all new job openings happen because of small businesses.

People love becoming entrepreneurs for many reasons. Many do it because they want to be their own boss and live life on their own terms. Others do it just because opportunities don’t exist unless they create them on their own.

This DIY approach can do wonders for your lifestyle and the economy. However, no matter how much you do things alone at first, you still need help. Knowing how to assemble a team of professional small business advisors is a crucial thing to know.

Start with an attorney. The digital age has made it possible to find and even file quite a few legal documents online. However, this isn’t always the best idea. Cookie-cutter template forms may not cover every angle that your small business might face. Local and state laws can also get tricky, so a dedicated legal professional licensed to work in your market is someone that you need to have around.

Another professional you need is an accountant. Whether or not a small business even technically qualifies as such an establishment in the eyes of the IRS can be a matter of debate, and the tax implications between hobby income and an actual enterprise are a world of difference or trouble. Creating the right paper trails and ledger systems for cash flow and expenses is something that you need to get right from the start.

Don’t discount the value of having a personal banker you deal with regularly. A bank isn’t just a place to park your business money until you withdraw it for profit or use it for expenses. Credit lines and loans can go a long way towards getting your business off the ground in the first place.

An insurance agent can help you find the right coverage for your business. Protect your assets and employees, but also protect yourself from potential liability issues. Early on, even a small claims court matter might be a big enough judgment to put your fledgling enterprise under for good.

Above all else, a financial planner can help you map out the future growth for your business so it actually lasts long enough to take hold.

Originally published at https://omidchaman.net on November 4, 2021.