Put your expertise to work for small businesses.
Give entrepreneurs access to the legal and financial guidance they need to make important decisions and build stronger businesses — all on a schedule that works for you.
The right guidance can change the trajectory of a business.
Legal and financial expertise can make an enormous difference for a small business. But for many entrepreneurs, the cost of professional services can put that expertise out of reach.
By volunteering with Start Small, you can provide the kind of guidance businesses rely on every day and work directly with entrepreneurs building something of their own.
Volunteer in a way that works for you.
Choose how you'd like to contribute based on your expertise, interests, and availability. We identify business challenges, make thoughtful matches, and support you throughout the engagement — so you can focus on sharing your expertise.
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Consultations
1 hour
Help an entrepreneur address a focused legal or financial question during a one-hour consultation.
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Workshops
1–2 hours
Share your expertise with groups of entrepreneurs through practical workshops on essential business topics.
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Projects
A few hours, on your schedule
Work with an entrepreneur on a more complex legal or financial challenge, with meetings scheduled around your availability.
Share the expertise you use every day.
Legal
Advice and assistance with formalizing the legal structure of your business — forming LLCs or corporations, drafting operating agreements or bylaws, and creating partnership terms.
A "knockout" search of your business or product name, logo, or slogan — with review of results and basic advice on trademark registration advantages and process.
Review of your website plus editing of existing or template terms of use and privacy policy for your online presence.
Review and update of your existing contracts or assistance drafting new agreements for your business.
One-on-one counsel for businesses facing challenging legal decisions related to their first hires.
Financial
Assistance calculating the cost of production and understanding how much a product or service contributes to paying overhead and owner's salary at various price and sales levels.
Assistance understanding whether the business can afford a new expense — hiring, a loan, or a new commercial lease.
Assistance setting prices and understanding which existing or proposed revenue streams are the most profitable.
Assistance developing 1–3 year financial forecasts for a business plan or raising capital.
Assistance choosing an appropriate system, support to implement it, and training to understand how to classify financial transactions.
Not sure whether your expertise is a fit?
Tell us about your background and we'll help identify opportunities where you can make the greatest contribution.
See what our volunteers make possible.
Every year, thousands of entrepreneurs gain access to legal and financial expertise through professionals who choose to share theirs. In 2025, our volunteers helped make possible:
- 1,344 Business challenges solved with expert support
- 541 Entrepreneurs completed one-on-one services
- 68 Expert-led workshops delivered
- 3,591 Workshop attendances
Looking to engage your company or firm?
We work with law firms, financial institutions, and companies to create meaningful skills-based volunteer opportunities for their employees.
See what it's like to volunteer with Start Small.
Help put expertise within reach.
Join a network of professionals helping entrepreneurs get the legal and financial guidance they need to build stronger businesses.