Gregory Go and Glen Stansberry have pulled together a collection of recommended resources from various entrepreneurship writers and bloggers, which is posted at OPEN. My recommendation was:
How often are you working on building connections? Jeff Cornwall believes that connections are some of the most important resources you can have to help your small business.This is probably one of the most common pieces of advice I find myself giving to our students and alumni as they are developing their business plans or trying to get their ventures off the ground -- and it really works. All it usually takes is a phone call or an e-mail.
"An often overlooked resource for small business owners - and particularly aspiring small business owners- is entrepreneurs in the same industry whose businesses are further along in their development. Entrepreneurs are surprisingly willing to 'pay it forward' and help other entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs are usually very willing to offer information, advice and even mentoring because someone probably did the same for them when they were first starting up. And more often than not, all you have to do is ask."
I agree with this post. Building connections is really important for a business especially when you are just starting up. There are lots of ways to do this without having to spend so much. You can network with your local chamber of commerce or use the social media to do this. Also, you should make it a goal to build long term connections with fellow entrepreneurs rather than just a one time meeting.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
http://smallbusinessgrant.info