Ep 2: Free Business and Career Resources for Your Food Business or Food Job

Your public library, the Small Business Administration, and your local food community are great resources for your food business and food career.

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Timestamps 

0:38 - 1:00: Episode 1 recap.

1:11 - 1:41: Why an episode on free career and business resources?

1:42 - 2:26: Resource name, availability, and cost vary by location.

2:51 - 4:34: 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 - 5:40: Mock (practice) job interviews may be a service available at your library.

5:41 -  7:17: 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 - 8:40: 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 - 9:37: General business workshops at the local library about how to start a business, marketing, funding, etc.

9:42 - 11:44: 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 - 12:47: 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 - 13:24: Introduction to the SBA’s free and confidential business advising.

13:25 - 13:42: How often do you meet with your business advisor? Depends on schedules and needs.

13:42:06 -14:04: 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 - 15:41: 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 - 17:02: 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 - 17:21: 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 - 18:43: 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 - 19:17: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t give up. 

19:42 - 20:12: What did I miss in regards to free business and career resources? Let me know!

20:13 - 20:21: The next episode is about my business advising experience.

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