When you own a small business, there's always a chance things won't go according to plan. (In my experience, they rarely do!) That's why it's so important to prepare for hiccups before disaster strikes. The easiest way to do this is to create a list of emergency contacts for your small business.
If you own your own business, these are the three people you need to build relationships with.

Why You Need These Contacts
I like to think that I take good care of my business, but even I wasn't prepared for COVID-19. When the pandemic hit, I immediately called my emergency business contacts for help. If I hadn't have built these relationships in advance, I would have been up a creek.
No one can predict a disaster - either global (like a pandemic) or close to home (like a fire in your storefront or a legal dilemma). The sooner you create these relationships, the sooner you'll be covered in case the worst happens.
Emergency Contacts For Small Businesses
1. A Banker
"A banker? Okay, Scrooge." Stick with me, here!
Without a bank, your business would be diminished to some crumpled bills in the bottom of your purse. Your bank manages all of your business income and expenses. It's a good idea to get to know them!
Plus, you never know when you might need a business loan or new line of credit to keep your business afloat. Plenty of my clients turned to their bankers to request loans when COVID hit. Those who already had connections got theirs quickly. Those who didn't were scrambling. Add your banker to your emergency business contact list before you need a loan to get by.
How to make the connection: Contact the bank you use for your business accounts, and tell them you'd like to introduce yourself to your banker. They'll put you in contact with the right person. Easy as that! Introduce yourself, talk about your business, and ask them about available resources for business owners.
2. An Attorney
Now before you say, "But I don't plan on getting sued," consider this: There are dozens of everyday reasons you might need an attorney on speed dial. Maybe you need a new contract written up. Maybe you want to leave an existing contract. Maybe you want to make sure all your ducks are in a row before you hire employees. Whatever it is, you'll be glad you had an attorney you could trust in the emergency contact list for your small business.
How to make the connection: Explore legal directories or ask friends in your industry for referrals. Once you find an attorney you're interested in, send them a message and ask about their experience with your particular industry. You want to find someone who's familiar with the issues that might pop up in your business.
3. An Accountant
Your money keeps the lights on. Why not get professional help making sure your money stays... you know... yours?
The right accountant can help you plan for the future of your business and tackle those out-of-the-blue financial issues. Whether you want to save for a big upgrade or just manage your payroll, an accountant can help!
How to make the connection: Just reach out! I'd love to hop on a call, chat about your business goals, and make a plan to protect you financially.
Do you have an emergency contact list for your small business?
If you've already built out your emergency contact list, I'd love to hear who you've included! These three ideas are just jumping-off point. The more trusted experts you have on your team, the better.
And if you're looking to get in touch with an accountant, you've come to the right place! Check out my services or shoot me a dm. Let's get to know each other!
Want more tips like these? Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter! (and don't forget to follow along on IG @prettypennyaccounting)
Feeling unsure or worried about the accounting side of your business? Download this free guide with 3 steps to financial confidence in your business.
Ready to hand over your accounting? Download my services guide and let's work together!
Comments