Wells Fargo Provides Tools to Help Small Businesses Prosper in Challenging Economy

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), more than half of Americans own or work for small businesses. They drive the creation of new jobs and are key to the economic health of communities throughout the country.

In these challenging economic times, it is critical that business owners effectively navigate the environment. To help small businesses succeed, Wells Fargo has launched a free online resource center called the Business Insight Resource Center.

The Resource Center offers business owners a free and easy way to access multi-media content with tips and strategies on how to start, grow, manage, expand and transition businesses.

It was created to address the unique needs of business owners in all stages of development from start-up to transition.

"During any phase of business ownership, both opportunities and challenges arise and we want to be there to provide the support business owners need," said Doug Case, manager of Wells Fargo’s Small Business Segment. "We created the Wells Fargo Business Insight Resource Center to provide a destination where business owners can easily and confidently access relevant content — videos, articles, podcasts, webinars — that specifically addresses real business issues."

Visitors to the Resource Center will find hundreds of videos, articles, podcasts and webinars addressing the various aspects of owning and operating a business.

Website features allow users to access information by topic, business type or business stage and can be customized to showcase information most relevant to a small business owner’s interests. Business owners also can share their opinions through online polls and surveys or share valuable content through social media platforms.

"Nothing is more helpful than real-world, practical knowledge being shared by fellow experts and business owners,” said Rich Sloan, co-founder and CEO of StartupNation and host of many videos on the site. “Wells Fargo has done a great service to my fellow business owners by producing valuable, timely videos with tips and strategies that are easy to apply. The Business Insight Resource Center is filled with great advice that helps owners solve problems and move their businesses forward."

More than 100 videos address a wide range of topics. In less than three minutes, business owners can learn tips to apply for an SBA loan or read an article to gain deeper understanding of what lenders look for from prospective borrowers.

Those interested in learning about survey results measuring small business owner sentiment can listen to a quarterly podcast from Scott Anderson, Wells Fargo senior economist.

For more information, visit the Resource Center at www.wellsfargobusinessinsights.com.