Business Counseling

Business counseling is an integral part of the “one stop shop” of services we offer our clients.  Here are some examples of how business counselors can help you:

  • Acting as a sounding board to help you think through your basic idea regarding your business – to help you answer the questions, “Is it a good idea?” and “Is it viable?”
  • Brainstorming strategies for finding customers, obtaining financing, and managing money effectively
  • Helping you create a solid business plan that will help you get your company off the ground and persuade a local vendor to give you a loan through identifying the key elements of the business plan, providing guidance on market research resources, and reviewing and providing feedback as you work through your plan
  • Directing you to appropriate resources to help you in your business start-up or growth and connecting you with networks of business owners and service providers

Business counselors are trained to be good listeners; they know the right questions to ask and they hear both stated – and unstated – goals, objectives, concerns, and confusion.  A conversation with an objective listener who has heard many business ideas before can go a long way to help you think about your business more clearly.

Business counselors are expert at holding you accountable for your plans.  Starting and succeeding in a small business takes a great deal of discipline, focus and perseverance. We all have our habits, built over a lifetime of practice, that can distract us and encourage us to procrastinate.  Good business counselors recognize this human trait and if they see it in their clients, will tactfully identify it, and help them get back on track. 

Business counselors are also great cheerleaders; when you succeed, it brings them great personal and job-related satisfaction.  They see themselves as part of your team and everyone likes to be on a winning team.  Having played a part in your hard work that has paid off in your success, they feel as if they have won, too.  We all need cheerleaders in our lives and starting a small business certainly qualifies as one of those life-changing events that deserves a “hooray for you!” 

At BOI, we encourage those who aspire to becoming a small business owner in central Indiana to call for a free, exploratory meeting.  It costs nothing to sit down and explain your idea to one of our business counselors and discuss its viability.  Call today - (317) 917-3266.  It may turn out to be one of the best things you have done for you and your business!