Don’t Do It Alone: How to Find the Right Support for Your Business Journey

Running a small business can be rewarding, but also challenging. Sometimes you may feel like you have to do everything by yourself – from accounting to marketing to customer service. But you don’t have to go it alone. There are many sources of support that can help you succeed in your business journey. Here are some of them:

Emotional support. As a small business owner, you need emotional and mental health support as much as financial support. It can be stressful and lonely to deal with the ups and downs of running a business. That’s why it’s important to have a network of people who understand what you’re going through and can offer advice and encouragement. You can find emotional support from your friends and family, but also from other small business owners and entrepreneurs. You can join social media groups, online forums, or local associations that cater to your industry or niche. You can also attend events, workshops, or webinars where you can meet and learn from other business owners.

Educational support. Starting or growing a business often requires you to learn new skills and knowledge. You may need to update your technical skills, learn about new trends and opportunities, or improve your business management skills. Investing in yourself and your education can help you grow your business and stay competitive. There are many ways to access educational support for your business. You can use apps that offer free courses or blogs that provide useful tips and information. You can also visit your local library and take advantage of their free programs and classes for entrepreneurs. You can also enroll in online courses, webinars, or podcasts that cover topics relevant to your business.

Logistical support. Technology can make your life as a small business owner easier and more efficient. There are many apps and tools that can help you with various aspects of running your business, such as payroll, social media, credit card payments, scheduling, and more. These apps and tools can help you save time, money, and resources, as well as improve your customer service and satisfaction. You can find logistical support for your business by searching online for the best apps and tools for your industry or niche. You can also read reviews, compare features, or ask for recommendations from other business owners.

Financial support. One of the biggest challenges for small businesses is finding enough money to start or grow their business. You may need money to buy equipment, hire staff, expand your market, or innovate your products or services. Fortunately, there are various sources of financial support for small businesses in the Philippines. Some of them are:

• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Small Business Corp. (SBC) Loans. This is a government initiative to help micro-entrepreneurs by providing low-interest rates and grace periods. The loan amount ranges from PHP 5,000 to PHP5M depending on the business size and needs.
• P2P Lending. This is an alternative way of borrowing money online from individual lenders or investors who are willing to fund your business idea. You can choose from different platforms that offer P2P lending services in the Philippines, such as Blend.ph, FundKo, Acudeen, and others. The interest rates and loan terms vary depending on the platform and your credit profile.
• Crowdfunding. This is another way of raising funds online from people who are interested in supporting your business idea. You can create a campaign on various crowdfunding platforms such as The Spark Project, Gava Gives, Cropital, and others. You can offer rewards or incentives to your backers in exchange for their donations or investments.