Starting a business can be overwhelming. It can be physically, mentally and financially exhausting. Growing a business doesn’t usually decrease the stress. Even after a business is running smoothly, proper management of resources, particularly money, is critical for the success.

One way to conserve finances is to — remember to never pay for that which is available, for free. North Carolina has very valuable resources available, which are free to business owners willing to simply ask for help. These resources are available for new and existing businesses. The value of these resources is limited only by the business owner’s desire to tap them.

Many entrepreneurs are concerned that seeking outside help is equivalent to giving up control of their business. Rest assured these state agencies leave control entirely with the business owner. The business counselors can be considered the equivalent of private business consultants. In this article, we’ll focus on two state agencies.

Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) offices are located across the state at various universities. SBTDC is “committed to providing knowledge, education and other supportive resources that enable existing small and mid-sized businesses, emerging entrepreneurs and local/state leaders to innovate and succeed.” Most SBTDC services are free. All SBTDC services are confidential.

In other words, SBTDC provides general consulting services, at no cost to the business owner. The counselors are all generally knowledgeable concerning the requirements for business growth. Each counselor also specializes in certain areas of business in order to provide expert advice to the other counselors or business owners in other areas. More in-depth services, such as manufacturing process evaluations are available for prices far lower than comparable services offered by private consultants.

To tap into this valuable resource, a business owner needs only to contact their local SBTDC counselor. The link to find local counselors and the address to the central office are provided at the end of this article. The counselor will meet with the business owner and together they will decide which services are needed. SBTDC counselors are friendly, courteous and professional.

Planning a business is generally the most difficult part of business start-up. Nearly everyone is familiar with the saying, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” The most important part of any business plan is the planning that happens before the writing begins. Outside advice can be extremely helpful. Expert advice for free is a rare commodity and SBTDC counselors provide advice tailored to the individual business.

SBTDC services include: Business Counseling, Management Education, Technology Development and Commercialization, Government Procurement, Export Financing Services, Boating Industry Services and Marketing & Research Services. SBTDC also offers online training including modules focused specifically on starting a business.

SBTDC has helped more than 100,000 businesses start or grow. Everyone that is considering starting a new business or needs help growing their existing business should contact their local SBTDC counselor for free, expert business advice.

The second free resource available to business owners in North Carolina is the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). PTACs are funded by the US Department of Defense. NC PTAC is managed by SBTDC.

NC PTAC “helps businesses obtain contracts by providing comprehensive assistance in selling products and services to local, state and federal government entities.” PTAC provides procurement technical assistance by offering no-fee and confidential counseling on selling products and/or services to the appropriate government agency. PTAC group services include: Basics of government contracting, GSA/VA contracts & schedules, how to prepare bids/proposals, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), finding government contracts on the Internet and government preference programs.

NC PTAC counselors primarily focus on providing assistance directly to business in areas such as: Identifying preference eligibility and complete applicable certifications, researching contract award histories, understanding solicitation requirements and terminology, locating specifications and standards, reviewing bids and proposals, assisting in completing, mandatory/beneficial registrations, explaining how the government uses electronic transactions, searching government databases to identify opportunities and providing “up to the minute” information on government procurement processes and procedures.

Take advantage of these free resources to start or grow your business to success. Contact your local counselor today.

Glen Coleman is an indoor environmental specialist with Healthy Technologies, Inc. Questions or comments can be directed to coleman@healthyti.com.

The link to a local office locator is http://www.sbtdc.org/offices/index.asp. SBTDC Headquarters is at 5 W. Hargett St., Suite 600, Raleigh, NC 27601-1348, (919) 715-7272 or (800) 258-0862.

The Surry County BNI Chapter has recently moved its weekly networking meetings to 308 Bistro in the Old North State Winery on Main Street, Mount Airy. To learn more about this Business Network International organization, entrepreneurs and businesses are invited to attend any Wednesday from 8:30 to 10 a.m.