Go ahead, share. Don't be shy.

Just what the title says. I can't wait to hear what you do!

This is the post I wish someone had handed me years ago. There is a whole network of free, legitimate, government-backed business advising in this country, and most business owners have never used any of it. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) Free, confidential, one-on-one business advising. Real advisors, no fee, in every state. They help with startup planning, financing, marketing, growth, operations. I work with the Vermont SBDC, so I'll say plainly: this is one of the best deals in business and almost nobody takes it. SCORE Free mentoring from experienced business people, many of them retired executives and owners. You get matched with a mentor. It's free. It stays free. The SBA (Small Business Administration) The federal umbrella. Loan programs, funding paths, and the resource partners above. Worth knowing what exists before you need it. Vocational Rehabilitation If you have a disability, your state's vocational rehabilitation agency can support you with employment services, and in many cases with self-employment and small business support. In Vermont it's HireAbility Vermont, formerly Voc Rehab. I chair the Vermont State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), so this one is close to me. Too many people assume these programs aren't for them. They are. They are for you. Use them. Outside the US? These particular programs won't apply to you, and I want to be straight about that. But most countries have an equivalent, and the digital marketing side of what we do here works no matter where you are. Tell me what state or country you're in and what you're trying to do, and I'll do my best to point you at the right door. Disclaimer: © 2026 Think Dynamic Digital. All rights reserved. For informational purposes only. This is not legal, financial, tax, or employment advice. Resources listed are United States programs. Eligibility and availability vary by state and change frequently. Verify all details directly with the administering agency.

Your Google Business Profile is the single most underrated free asset a small business has. It's the box that shows up on the right when someone Googles your name. It's what puts you on the map, literally. And for local businesses, it very often outperforms your website for actually getting the phone to ring. Here's what most people get wrong. - They claim it and never touch it again. Google rewards activity. A profile updated this month beats one updated in 2022. - They leave categories half-filled. Your primary category is one of the strongest signals you can send. - They ignore reviews, or they only ask for them when something goes well. Ask consistently, and respond to every one, including the bad ones. Especially the bad ones. - They never add photos. Profiles with photos get meaningfully more engagement. - They don't use Posts. It's a free content channel most businesses don't know exists. It costs nothing. Just a little time to get it up and running. And people can add Google Reviews which are GOLD! Do you have a Google Business Profile? If not, learn about how you can set it up here: https://support.google.com/business/answer/7039811?hl=en&ref_topic=4596754&sjid=4115015869556658600-NA (Note: it used to be called Google My Business. Same thing, new name.)

Be honest. We all have one. The email list you keep meaning to start. The website copy you wrote in 2019. The social account you post to twice a month and feel guilty about. The thing you know matters but you've never had a straight answer on. Tell me what yours is. I'm asking for a real reason. What you all say here is going to shape what I post, what I build, and what I dig up for you. So don't give me the polished version. Give me the one that actually nags at you.