Resources for Business Owners

Connections to help you succeed

Believe it or not – we don’t have all the answers. Sure, we’re an excellent resource for financial knowledge, products, and services, but there’s more to running a business. Here are a few other resources and opportunities, unaffiliated with Visions, that you may want to consider to support your small business goals.

National resources for your business

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
  Don’t be fooled by the name. The CFPB doesn’t just help consumers – they support business owners, too! They work to help small businesses access the credit they need and deserve by increasing awareness in the small business lending marketplace.

  Explore the CFPB’s site to learn about equal credit opportunities, support for starting a business, and access additional resources for minority-, veteran-, and woman-owned small businesses.

• SCORE
  The nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with 10,000 volunteers serving all 50 U.S. states and territories – SCORE has helped more than 11 million current and aspiring entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business.

  The path to small business success is different for every entrepreneur. For some, access to small business funding and key resources is challenging. For others, increasing business knowledge is the key to success. Whatever your needs, see how SCORE could support you through free mentoring, resources, and education.

• America’s SBDCs
  “Nurturing dreams and growing futures,” America's SBDC is the association that represents America's nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). 

  Contact your local SBDC for no-cost business consulting and low-cost business training. Use their search feature to make the connection.

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  As a trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces.

  Ensure your human resource practices are up to date, develop your employee handbook, certify your hiring team, and more. Becoming a member of SHRM can provide access to tools and education that could help you build a better workplace. Learn more about SHRM to consider the benefits.

   

Trade associations and local networks

Want to connect with successful business owners, mentors, and tools that can help your business succeed? Tap into trade networks and invest your time in building key relationships. 

To start networking, look into local chapters, memberships, and events with:

• Chambers of commerce
• Emerging leaders or young professionals 
• Business incubators
• Trade associations
• Labor unions

Also, you could expand your network and open new doors to growth opportunities by joining a volunteer board or service organization, such as your local:

• United Way
• Rotary 
• Kiwanis
• Arts council
• Humane society
• Board of education

In addition to networking and giving back to your community, joining a service organization can provide an invigorating blend of new experiences, challenging enterprise, and personal interests. 

Understand your account options

Where you park your money is just as important as how you spend it. That’s why it’s critical to establish a banking relationship with an institution you trust.

Common items to look for include:

• Direct deposit for your employees
• Long-term planning for you
• Procesamiento para comerciantes
• Point of sale solutions
• Transaction costs

Visions offers a number of business account options that could suit your needs, and you can find out requirements for account opening and loan processing here.

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Visions Federal Credit Union no puede abrir cuentas para gobiernos locales ni empresas u organizaciones que depositen fondos públicos o municipales.