“You’ll Always Miss 100% of the Shots You Don’t Take” – Wayne Gretzky
With the tsunami of oil development in the Bakken oil field, many Montanans and North Dakotans are taking their shot at entrepreneurship. While it’s true that there are over 18,000 unfilled, well paying positions in the oil patch; opportunities abound for individuals to launch their own businesses, and supply the ever increasing marketplace needs being fueled by the energy wave from Billings to Bismarck to the Bakken.
But where do you start? How do you evaluate the quality of your business idea? Who’s there to help you get through the start up bumps and bruises? How do you cash flow your business? How do I obtain financing? Where do I find the most profitable customers?
These are just a few of the many questions existing and aspiring entrepreneurs ask. What complicates the issue are the unique obstacles and challenges business owners face in the Bakken.
Fortunately, there exists an organization to not only help you “take the shot”, but to help you SCORE !
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They have been doing this for nearly fifty years. Because their work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to a network of 13,000+ volunteers, SCORE is able to deliver their services at no charge or at very low cost.
They can provide:
- Volunteer mentors who share their expertise across 62 industries.
- Free, confidential business counseling in person or via online.
- Free business tools, templates, and tips – online and on DEMAND
- Inexpensive or free business workshops locally or online webinars (24/7)
Start with SCORE.org
