The SmartStart Navigator is an online community-based small business support platform that helps communities support entrepreneurs starting, growing, and strengthening local businesses.For business owners, the Navigator provides step-by-step business education, practical tools, and connections to trusted local resources.For community leaders, it brings local business resources together in one place, tracks entrepreneur progress and engagement, and helps identify gaps in the local business support system.

SmartStart gives aspiring entrepreneurs a clear, accessible place to start.The Navigator walks them through the steps of starting a business with easy-to-understand education, practical toolkits, and connections to local resources. Entrepreneurs can work at their own pace, building knowledge and confidence as they move toward opening their business.

Not every business owner starts with a business plan or formal training. Many learn as they go and discover they need help along the way.The Navigator helps existing business owners strengthen their business knowledge, identify areas where they need support, and connect with local professionals and organizations that can help them address challenges and make informed decisions.

A microbusiness is a small business typically employing fewer than 10 people. Most are run by one person with no employees at all.Microbusinesses include local service providers, makers, bakers, consultants, retailers, home-based businesses, and side hustles. They provide the goods, services, and experiences that make our communities unique and vibrant.Although microbusinesses make up approximately 96% of U.S. businesses, many traditional small business development programs are designed for larger businesses or high-growth startups. SmartStart helps fill this gap with education, tools, and resources designed around the practical needs of microbusiness owners.

Many communities already have valuable small business resources, but entrepreneurs don't always know where to find them, what help they need, or when to ask for it. When these resources are scattered among organizations and websites, getting help becomes very challenging.The SmartStart Navigator creates a front door to entrepreneurship. Instead of expecting entrepreneurs to navigate the support system on their own, it helps them understand their next step and connects them with the right local resources at the right time.

Most small business support programs offer classes, counseling, or lists of available resources. SmartStart brings education, practical tools, and local resource connections together in one guided experience.The Navigator recognizes that entrepreneurs don't always follow a linear path. Some are just exploring an idea, while others are already operating a business and need help.SmartStart meets business owners where they are while giving community leaders insight into how entrepreneurs engage with their local support system.

No. SmartStart is designed to strengthen and connect the resources a community already has, not replace them.The Navigator helps entrepreneurs recognize when they need assistance and connects them with appropriate local organizations and professionals, including Chambers, SBDCs, economic development organizations, lenders, mentors, accountants, and other service providers.This helps existing resources reach more entrepreneurs when their services are most relevant.

The Navigator helps communities identify and organize their local business support resources, including valuable resources that may have been overlooked.As entrepreneurs use the Navigator, community leaders can track progress and engagement to better understand which resources are being accessed and where additional support may be needed.These insights help communities make informed decisions about strengthening their entrepreneurial ecosystem instead of creating new programs without knowing what's missing.

SmartStart is typically led by a local economic development organization, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street organization, or other community partner.It works best with a team of two or three community leaders who share responsibility for promoting the Navigator, engaging local partners, and keeping resources current.Staff involvement is greatest during setup. After launch, ongoing management focuses primarily on outreach, partner engagement, and occasional updates.

SmartStart is a good fit for communities that want to help more people start businesses and strengthen the small businesses they already have.It works in communities with established business support networks as well as those still developing local resources.The most important ingredients are a lead organization willing to champion the effort and local partners or business advocates who want to make entrepreneurship more accessible.

Getting started begins with identifying a lead organization and a small team of local partners or business champions.SmartStart works with the community to identify and organize local resources, customize the Navigator, and prepare for launch.Once launched, the community promotes the Navigator as a central starting point for entrepreneurs and uses the insights it provides to strengthen local small business support over time.