[akg_67]

Most US States and Canadian Provinces have Self-employment programs (SEPs) that provide 8-12 weeks of extensive training using their framework followed by 6-12 months of one-on-one mentoring and guidance. They also hold networking events for you to network with past and present members of the program. These programs are primarily funded and supported by state and federal small business initiatives.

I went through a similar SEP program in Toronto. I am again considering similar program in WA state for my bootstrapped business. From my experience, these programs are better once you have already started your business and have gone past initial excitement and need some external insights and influence to develop business further.

Some of these resources may help you identify appropriate programs and mentoring: Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-ma..., SCORE http://www.score.org, Small Business Development Center http://www.wsbdc.org (if you are WA state, I am sure other states have similar program).

There are a few VC type funds who invest in businesses with potential for steady cash flow and not looking for moonshot. These funds typically expect regular distributions/dividend/return of principal from your business. I believe a few years ago, Andy Sack in Seattle was raising a similar fund. I am sure there may be some in your geographical area.

If your business is an established segment, you may be able to find someone who already started another business in same/similar segment who may be interested in mentoring and guiding you. Typically, these people tend to be older age, founders themselves, started from nothing and now want to help someone else do the same. Clicking with them and chemistry is much more important here. I have a friend who started an industrial equipment company who was taken under wing by a guy who was already very successful in industrial equipment space with his own group of companies. My friend took his company to $70 million in revenue with guidance from the guy.