Ep 2: Free Business & Career Resources for Your Food Business & Career
Last updated on September 1st, 2023 at 11:56 pm
Your public library, the Small Business Administration, and your local food community are great resources for your food business and food career.
Listen to this episode
Apple Podcasts | Libsyn | Soundcloud | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify
Timestamps
0:38: Episode 1 recap.
1:11: Why an episode on free career and business resources?
1:42: Resource name, availability, and cost vary by location.
2:51: Librarians are expert researchers and can help you with your market, customer, and competitor research. Can also help you with your job search.
4:35: Mock (practice) job interviews may be a service available at your library.
5:41: Notes on interviews being a two-way street. Work on making interviews a conversation so that you can ask your questions throughout a job interview instead of waiting until the end of the job interview.
7:24: My personal experience on shifting my mindset when it comes to job interviews. I stopped taking the first job offer I received and paid attention to whether or not I actually wanted the job during the interview.
8:41: General business workshops at the local library about how to start a business, marketing, funding, etc.
9:42: Free search tools (ReferenceUSA, Demographics Now) used through your local library (if available). Use Reference USA for job & internship searches and competitor research. Use Demographics Now to search demographics information to help your market research and customer research.
11:51: Introduction to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA helps you start and grow your business, navigate laws and taxes, secure funding, government contracting, and more.
12:48: Introduction to the SBA’s free and confidential business advising.
13:25: How often do you meet with your business advisor? Depends on schedules and needs.
13:42:06: Do you have to meet your business advisor in-person? Usually, no. Phone calls, emails, and video conferencing are options, however, the first session is usually done in-person.
14:05: Why is it important to get a business advisor or business coach? They can help you work through business problems, brainstorm ideas, avoid pitfalls, etc.
16:04: Think of an athlete who is the best in their field. They are incredibly talented and may possess several medals and trophies. Guess what? They have a coach. And their coach(es) were likely a crucial part of their success.
17:03: Business advisors/coaches can be expensive. They are worth the investment, but if you don’t have the funds yet, free business advising through the Small Business Administration can be a great option for you.
17:24: Connect and network with your local food community (restaurant owners and staff, food truck owners and staff, commercial kitchens, food career and business Meetups, food professional organizations).
18:44: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t give up.
19:42: What did I miss in regards to free business and career resources? Let me know!
20:13: The next episode is about my business advising experience.
Mentioned in this episode
Pro Food Maker on social media
Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
