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If you develop a good, long-term relationship with your banker, you can get important business advice from her. Ask your banker to give you her definition of a healthy business. Ask her to describe the telltale signs of a business that’s getting into financial trouble. Remember that bankers make a career of determining which businesses are good credit risks and which aren’t. Ask them what ratios they like to see on small business balance sheets. Forge a relationship with not only a bank but also the people who run the bank: the branch manager, a loan officer, the person in charge of credit card services. Greet them by name when you come in to make a deposit. Make them your allies.

Other Consultants

The SBA supports several organizations whose purpose is to foster small business growth. Throughout the United States, this federal government agency has local offices whose sole purpose is helping small business owners.

For example, the SBA’s Small Business Development Centers offer free counseling, training, and technical assistance to small business owners. These centers are staffed by a mix of government and private sector consultants, mentors, and teachers. Their purpose is to direct you to experienced professionals who can teach you how to put together a business plan, find financing, or set up a profitable business. SBA consultants are available to small business owners who can’t afford to pay a private consultant to help them begin or expand their first small business. The SBA has at least one Small Business Development Center in each state. SBA offices are in the telephone directory under “U.S. Government,” you can check their Web site at www.sba.gov, or you can call the Small Business Answer Desk at 1-800-8-ASK-SBA.