Through a network of 24 regional centers, the New York State Small Business Development Center delivers high quality business counseling and training to New Yorkers who want to start a business or improve the performance of an existing business. Thanks to our partners in the public and private sectors, our services are free of charge.

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New publication! Mature Entrepreneur Planning Guide, a resource for those in the mature stages of their life who are considering starting or purchasing a small business

Recession Survival Guide for Small Business

August 2009

No one should become a small business owner and expect it to be easy -  that the business will grow on its own with little or no effort while the owner sits back and relaxes.  Owning and operating a small business takes more time and energy than most full-time jobs.  A small business owner must be 100% dedicated to making it succeed, and this is in the best of times.  When the country falls into a recession (like right now), even the most successful small business will feel the challenges of the rough economic conditions.  Here, you will find helpful topic-specific advice that can help any small business owner weather tough financial times.  While every business is unique, we present tips, techniques, and experiences from our SBDC business advisors (many of whom are small business owners as well).  These can be applied to any type or sized business. 

Table of Contents:

• Advertising
• The Internet and Your Website
• Doing Business with the Government
• Labor Force
• Economizing
• Going Green
• Recovery

Download the guide as a PDF