An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Free resources to start a business

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Pilch
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  While the cleaning begins from the holidays and the relatives depart, individuals are left to ponder the upcoming New Year.

As a reservist, there are many things to think about such as choosing between an employer sponsored healthcare plan or Tricare, personal finances, advancing one's education, family needs or perhaps the crazy idea of starting a business.

Starting a business may seem out of reach or an impossible task for most individuals, but there are many free tools to help a person get started. Keep in mind becoming a business owner/entrepreneur may not be for everyone. The days are long and the nights even longer. Decisions made can affect an entrepreneur both personally and financially.

However, if an individual possesses a passion to call their own shots and create a product or service from their imagination,  spending countless hours managing their business from the ground up, then this adventure may be just the ticket.

To get started, an individual should jump online and point their browser to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The website provides individuals the basics of starting a business from the planning stages to the type of business desired - home-based, franchise, self-employed, environmental, etc.

This government sponsored website is chock-full of helpful information and resources that are complimentary to those who seek them.

Reservists who reside in South Carolina have access to state sponsored resources such as the South Carolina Business One Stop (www.scbos.sc.gov) . The SCBOS is the official state business web portal, and enables anyone with an existing business or starting a new business to file permits, licenses, registrations, or pay taxes online. The site even boasts information about hiring employees and provides a forms directory for filing and submitting documentation to the various state government agencies.

Locally, entrepreneurs have access to the Service Corps of Retired Executives, otherwise referred to as SCORE (www.score.org) . The SCORE Association is a nonprofit association comprised of 11,500 volunteer business counselors throughout the United States and its territories. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are offered at no fee, as a community service.

So, for individuals who want to explore their talents and put their knowledge to work for themselves...what are you waiting for?

For additional information about the SCORE office in Charleston, S.C., visit www.score285.org or call (843) 727-4778.


Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/. Follow the 315th on Facebook and Twitter.