Mentors 

These resources will assist you in counseling, training and leadership development. Click on them to guide you on your path to business ownership.

COUNSELING AND TRAINING

Small Business Development Centers: http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/700
The Office of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provides management assistance to current and prospective small business owners. SBDCs offer one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations.

Women's Business Centers (WBCs: http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/2895
Through the management and technical assistance provided by the Women's Business Centers (WBCs), entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged, are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a vast array of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.

SCORE: http://www.score.org/index.html
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small business start, grow and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

National Academy Foundation: http://www.naf.org
The National Academy Foundation sustains a nationwide network of career academies to support the development of America's youth through personal and professional success in high school, in higher education, and throughout their careers. NAF Academies represent business/school partnerships that prepare young people for future careers through a combination of school-based curricula and work-based experiences.

The W.E.B. Dubois Scholars Institute: http://www.webduboisscholars.org
The Institute cultivates scholarship, leadership potential and community service among high-achieving African-American and Latino-American adolescents.

Mentoring: http://www.mentoring.org
The National Mentoring Partnership is a resource for mentors and mentoring initiatives nationwide. Here are ideas to help you find a mentor.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS RESOURCES

Junior Achievement (JA): http://www.ja.org
Junior Achievement empowers young people to own their economic success by acquiring financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work-readiness skills.

Future Business Leaders of America: http://www.fbla-pbl.org
Future Business Leaders of America brings business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovation, leadership and career development programs.

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA): http://www.deca.org
DECA is the association for students of marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA sponsors a competitive awards program; provides scholarships, leadership training and classroom support; and hosts conferences.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE): http://www.sife.org
SIFE offers students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, thereby improving the standard of living for millions in the process.

Boy Scouts of America: http://www.scouting.org
Boy Scouts of America prepares young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the scout oath and law. Leadership training focuses on character development and values.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America: http://www.bgca.org
Boys and Girls Clubs of America teach young people the skills they need to succeed in life. The Education and Career programs, for ages 13-18, expand knowledge of money management and teach skills that lead to financial independence.

Girl Scouts of America: http://www.girlscouts.org
Girl Scouts of America teaches the importance of personal responsibility, the value of goal-setting, teamwork and accomplishment. Scouting provides an opportunity for girls ages 11-17 to practice decision-making skills and relating to others with understanding and respect.

4-H: http://www.4-h.org
4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning about leadership, citizenship and life skills.

Entrepreneur Magazine: http://www.teenstartups.com

Entrepreneur U: http://www.entrepreneuru.org
This site was created for the purpose of informing students, administrators and parents about the opportunities for studying entrepreneurship beyond high school.

Young America's Business Trust: http://www.ybiz.net
Believing the talents and prospects of young entrepreneurs of the Americas and the Caribbean today will determine the hemisphere's potential for future economic growth and democratic stability, Young America's Business Trust combines the energy of talented young people with the experience and prestige of the Organization of American States, an international organization of the 34 countries of the Americas.

Young Entrepreneur Chats: http://studentcenter.ja.org/Business/Pages/Mentor.aspx
Junior Achievement and the Entrepreneurs' Organization recently joined forces to conduct a series of online chats between a few young stars of the business world and aspiring entrepreneurs just like you! You'd be amazed at some of the great questions posed by students, as they gained firsthand knowledge on what it takes to be a young entrepreneur.