FAQs

The North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC) have a staff of professional business advisors that assist people looking to start a business or those that are currently in business. Services range from start-up logistics and feasibility to growth planning, turn-around work, or exit and succession planning. All services are provided at no-cost to the business owner. 

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In an SBDC advising session, clients can expect personalized guidance tailored to their business goals and challenges. Advisors provide expert advice on topics such as business planning, financial management, marketing, and access to funding, while offering resources like templates and tools to support success. Sessions often include setting actionable goals, reviewing progress, and accessing ongoing support, including follow-ups and networking opportunities. Clients should come prepared with relevant documents, questions, and a willingness to learn. Advisors won't do the work for you, but will help guide you through the process and answer all of your questions along the way. 

Typically not, SBDC's are charged with assisting and supporting for-profit businesses. However, there are few exceptions. If the non-profit directly benefits for-profit small businesses, they can be assisted. A prime example of this is childcare. 

Other non-profits can seek assistance and support from the North Dakota Association of Non-profit Organizations (NDANO).

The SBDC advising process varies in length depending on the client's needs, goals, and the complexity of their business. An initial session typically lasts 1-2 hours, during which advisor assess the client's situation and outlines an action plan. Follow-up sessions are scheduled as needed and can continue over weeks, months, or even years, depending on the level of support required. For short-term goals, the process might take just a few sessions, while long-term business planning, growth strategies, or complex challenges may involve ongoing advising. Ultimately, the timeline is flexible and designed to adapt to each client's unique journey. 

es, the ND SBDC can likely assist you if you plan to do business in North Dakota, such as opening a location, hiring employees, or serving customers in the state. While our services are focused on businesses operating within North Dakota, we’re happy to help you navigate local requirements, connect with resources, and plan for a successful entry into the market.

Yes, we provide access to various tools and resources to analyze market trends, identify target customers, and understand competitors. Advisors can assist with demographic data, industry reports, and economic trends to help you make informed decisions. We also offer guidance on interpreting this data to refine your business strategy and identify growth opportunities.

Yes, we can help with your business plan. Advisors provide expert feedback to ensure your plan is clear, comprehensive, and aligned with your business goals. They can help refine key sections like the executive summary, market analysis, financial projections, and marketing strategies. If you’re starting from scratch or need help organizing your ideas, advisors can guide you through the writing process, offering templates, tools, and step-by-step support. Whether you're preparing your plan for internal use, funding applications, or presentations to investors, the ND SBDC can offer practical suggestions to strengthen it.

Yes, we can help you get started with QuickBooks and answer many common questions. Our network includes advisors who are trained and certified in QuickBooks and can assist with setup, navigation, and general troubleshooting. They can guide you on how to use QuickBooks to track income and expenses, generate reports, and manage basic financial tasks.

However, for in-depth accounting support or complex bookkeeping issues, we may refer you to a certified accountant. Our goal is to help you feel confident using QuickBooks as a tool to better understand and manage your business finances.

While both mentors and advisors support business owners, their roles differ slightly in focus and approach. Mentors often provide ongoing personal and professional guidance, sharing their experience to help you grow over time. Advisors, like those at the ND SBDC, bring targeted expertise to help you navigate specific challenges, but that doesn’t mean the relationship is short-term.

SBDC advisors are professional staff who offer in-depth, data-driven support tailored to your business, from market research and financial analysis to strategic planning and operations. Many of our North Dakota advisors are also business owners themselves, so they combine real-world insight with tools and resources to guide you over the long haul.

We’re here not just for one-off questions, but to be a trusted partner in your business journey.

A business plan helps you fully develop and evaluate your business idea to ensure it’s realistic and achievable. It serves as a roadmap, guiding your decisions and helping you anticipate challenges and opportunities. A well-crafted plan also acts as a formal tool to clearly communicate your business concept, goals, and strategy to potential partners, lenders, or investors. Whether you're just starting out or planning to grow, a business plan helps keep your vision focused and on track.

Yes. A marketing plan is a critical part of your overall business strategy. It helps you define your value proposition, understand your target market, and determine how to position your product or service effectively. Beyond just choosing promotional channels, a good marketing plan outlines your goals, messaging, budget, and how you’ll measure results. Our advisors can help you build a clear, focused plan tailored to your business, using strategies and tools that make sense for your goals and resources.

We offer a business plan template that our advisors can walk through with you, along with access to tools and technology to help you build your plan step by step. You can also find sample business plans through trusted sources like the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or local libraries and business resource websites. That said, it’s important to create a plan that reflects your unique business goals, market, and strategy. Our team is here to help you craft a personalized plan that’s both practical and effective.

Validating market potential means researching your target audience, industry trends, and competitors to determine if there’s real demand for your product or service. This can include analyzing market data, conducting surveys or interviews, testing your idea with a small group, and reviewing pricing and buying behavior. Our advisors can help you access research tools and guide you through this process. In addition, we’re connected to other programs and partner organizations that specialize in supporting entrepreneurs during the early ideation stage—so you don’t have to go it alone.

At a minimum, you should keep all records related to employment taxes for at least four years, and retain any documents needed to support income, expenses, or deductions reported on your tax return. This includes receipts, invoices, payroll records, bank statements, contracts, and any financial statements. Good recordkeeping is essential not only for tax compliance, but also for tracking business performance, securing financing, and making informed decisions. Our advisors can help you understand what records are required for your specific business and how to keep them organized.

An annual report is a document that businesses must file each year with the state to update key company information, such as ownership, address, and registered agent details, in order to remain in good standing. In North Dakota, annual reports are typically due by November 15 for most business entities, although due dates can vary based on business type and formation date. Filing on time helps you avoid late fees or administrative dissolution. Be cautious of third-party companies that offer to file your report for a fee. These services are often unnecessary, and some may be misleading or scams. You can file directly through the Secretary of State’s official website, and our advisors are available to guide you through the process at no cost.

A registered agent is an individual or company designated by your business to receive legal documents, official notices, and service of process on behalf of the business. They also help ensure that important filings and compliance requirements are handled in a timely manner. In North Dakota, a registered agent can be an individual who resides in the state or a registered business authorized to act in this role. To learn more about registered agent requirements, visit the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website. 

Changing your legal structure, such as moving from a sole proprietorship to an LLC or corporation, involves several steps. You will need to register the new entity with the North Dakota Secretary of State, update your EIN if required, and notify agencies like the IRS, state tax department, and any relevant licensing authorities. You may also need to open new bank accounts and update contracts or agreements. Our advisors can walk you through the steps, explain the pros and cons of each structure, and help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.

North Dakota does not require a general statewide business license, but many businesses need to register and may need specific licenses or permits depending on their industry and location. The first step is to register your business through the FirstStop Portal on the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website. From there, you may need to apply for additional licenses, such as sales tax permits, professional licenses, or local city or county permits. Our advisors can help you identify which licenses apply to your business and guide you through the registration and compliance process.

While there are some grants available for small businesses, they are often limited and targeted toward specific industries or purposes. Programs like Innovate ND or Automate ND focus on areas like market research or automation, while USDA Rural Business Development Grants support rural enterprises. These opportunities typically have strict eligibility criteria and are competitive. To explore options, we recommend subscribing to a grant research database such as grants.gov or check with your community's economic development office for local or regional program options.

It depends. Different lenders have different requirements based on the type of loan, the lender's policies, and your overall financial profile. That said, a higher personal credit score generally improves your chances of approval and better terms. We recommend knowing your credit score and working to strengthen your personal financial situation before seeking business financing. The SBDC can help you understand what lenders look for and guide you in preparing for loan readiness.

While most lenders do require a down payment or some form of owner investment, there may be options available if you don’t have the full amount. We recommend checking with your local Regional Council, as many of them manage revolving loan funds designed to assist with gap financing - which can help bridge the difference between what a lender will finance and what you’re able to contribute. Our advisors can help you explore these options, connect you with the right contacts, and determine how to strengthen your financial position to improve your funding chances. Starting early and understanding your financing options is key.

It depends on your individual situation. We move at the pace you’re comfortable with, helping you prepare the necessary documents and strengthen your application. Some clients may be ready in a few days or weeks, while others may need more time to get financially prepared. Keep in mind that once you apply, the review and approval process, especially for loans or competitive grants, can take several weeks or longer. It’s best to start early and allow plenty of time before any funding or payment deadline.

While the SBDC cannot recommend or endorse specific vendors, we often maintain lists of local or regional service providers in areas like legal, accounting, marketing, and more. We encourage clients to review multiple options, speak with providers directly, and determine which one best fits their needs and budget. Our goal is to empower you with information so you can make the most informed choice for your business.

Yes! We have checklists and step-by-step guidance in our Resource Guide to help you navigate the hiring process, from registering with the appropriate agencies to setting up payroll and understanding employer responsibilities. Our advisors can also work with you to evaluate whether hiring makes sense financially and help you plan for that growth. We’re here to support you as you build your team with confidence.

AI tools can boost efficiency in many areas of your business—like automating customer service, streamlining marketing, analyzing data, or managing inventory. Our advisors can help you explore AI options that align with your goals and operations. That said, it’s important to keep a human in the loop to ensure the information you’re relying on is accurate, relevant, and used wisely. AI can be a powerful support tool, but your judgment and oversight are key to making it work for your business.

Securing a federal contract involves several steps, including registering your business in the proper systems (like SAM.gov), understanding contract requirements, and identifying opportunities that match your capabilities. To help you navigate this process, we recommend working with the ND APEX Accelerator, which provides no-cost assistance with government contracting at the local, state, and federal levels. Their team can guide you through registration, certifications, finding bid opportunities, and preparing proposals. Partnering with the APEX Accelerator can greatly increase your chances of success in the government marketplace.

Register for our services and get an appointment scheduled with one of our advisors. You can get personalized answers to your small business questions at no-cost.