J.K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 13 Strategies for How to Grow

1. Getting Certified
2. Getting a Mentor
3. Outsourcing
4. Using Technology
5. Continuing to Learn
6. What's Ahead

There's a Chinese proverb: Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. This sentiment is right on the mark for business. You need to find ways to continually improve yourself and grow your business, or you may find that you become obsolete and are out of business. But how can you devote time and attention to growth when you're focused on your day-to-day activities? It isn't easy. But there are some things you can do to move ahead, or at least stay current and not fall behind. Let's find out.

Getting Certified

Are you a caterer? Do you have special teaching skills? If you do these things or have other services that are needed by federal, state, or local governments or by large corporations, consider obtaining certification to show you fall into a special category. The federal government is required to give a certain percentage of its contracts to small businesses. And major corporations have procurement programs with diversity goals. So by being certified, you increase your marketing abilities and access to special contracting opportunities.

Types of Certifications

The U.S. Small Business Administration has the following certification programs:

• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program
• HUBZone Program
• 8(a) Business Development Program

Getting certified requires you to complete some paperwork. There's no fee for becoming ...