Starting a business doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or high-tech. There are great online marketing platforms, bookkeeping software, and other tools to manage a business. But some of the best ways to get inspiration for your business (and find new clients, partners, and investors) can happen in real life.
Before (or after) you start a business, here are a few real-life places, spaces, and gatherings where new entrepreneurs should start hanging out.
1. Chamber of Commerce events
Your local Chamber of Commerce might be the best place to start looking for real-life contacts, inspiration, information, and live events for new entrepreneurs. Many local Chambers host lunch-and-learns, guest speakers, and other helpful resources for small businesses in your community.
2. SCORE business mentoring and events
SCORE is a small business education organization that provides free mentoring, business training, and other resources to help people like you start a business and grow your business. Go to SCORE.org and enter your ZIP code to find local events, mentoring from business experts, and other help to start your business — online or at real-life locations near you.
3. Coworking spaces
Coworking studios can be an ideal place to save money on office space while getting free coffee, but they’re so much more: the best coworking spaces also offer a community of entrepreneurs. Look for coworking spaces near you. Many offer networking events, investor pitch days, lunch and learns, and other great ways to connect with open-minded, innovative thinkers in your local business community.
4. Industry association events
No matter what industry your business is in, chances are there are associations representing your industry at the national and state level. Industry associations can be a great way for you to quickly learn the who’s who of your business vertical and find ideas for potential clients. You can also pick up marketing strategies and find industry conferences that are worth attending.
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Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular: |
5. Networking events
Availability will vary based on where you live and the size of your city, but you can try local meetups, entrepreneur events, cultural festivals, nonprofit fundraisers, and any other community events where people gather in real life. Sponsor a table and talk about your business. Go meet with people in person, introduce yourself to 20 new contacts, and hand out some business cards.
For example, if you want to start a pet care business, go to a local dog park and hand out marketing swag. Want to start a food truck? Go to the local farmer’s market and see what kinds of food is being offered by other mobile food businesses in your city. Starting a graphic design firm? Go to a fundraising dinner for your favorite nonprofit and offer to do some work for free to build your portfolio — and introduce yourself to the nonprofit’s board members, who might hire you to do for-profit projects for their companies.
Bottom line
Going to networking events in real life can be a great way to promote your business, and it won’t hurt your bank account balance. By meeting more people in real life, you can quickly get feedback about your business ideas, and get comfortable giving your business’s “elevator pitch.”
Talking with other entrepreneurs and people in your local business community or industry will help you generate ideas, make connections, and even find people who will hire you or invest in your business. Business people are always looking for new ideas, and the best local start-up scenes will support each other and help the community grow.
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