Training Example: Small Business Administration – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

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[H1] Need funding for your small business?

Learn about SBA loans

Learn how to make a payment on your SBA loan or check your account balance and due date.

Make a payment

Check your account status, update your information, and get access to other portals.

Access your SBA login

SBA and our partners host virtual and in-person educational trainings to help start and grow your business.

Find upcoming events

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[H2] Make Onshoring Great Again
SBA's onshoring portal helps connect businesses with verified U.S. manufacturers, producers, and suppliers.

Find onshoring resources

[H2] Browse business topics

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[H3]
Plan your business

You've got a great idea. Now, make a plan to turn it into a great business.

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[H3]
Launch your business

Turn your business into a reality. Register, file, and start doing business.

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[H3]
Manage your business

Run your business like a boss. Master day-to-day operations and prepare for success.

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[H3]
Grow your business

When business is good, it's time to expand. Find new funding, locations and customers.

[H2] How we help small businesses

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Get business advice from our partnering organizations and experts.

Find counselors

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Find an SBA lender near you to help fund your business.

Use Lender Match

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Apply for a low-interest disaster loan to help recover from declared disasters.

Apply for assistance

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Learn how to find and win small business government contracts.

Find contracts

[H2]
Start and grow your business
Want to be an entrepreneur? Learn how to get started on your business in 10 steps.

Start a business

[H1] SBA Newsroom
Find SBA news releases, congressional testimony and op-eds, along with a list of our press office and media contacts.

Sign up to receive email updates about SBA news releases.

[H3] News release
See all
News release articles

SBA Celebrates Success of Detroit Supplier Matchmaking Expo
June 18, 2026

SBA Approves Siemens Financial Services as 7(a) Lender
June 17, 2026

SBA Launches Freedom 250 Small Business Pledge in Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary
June 16, 2026

Following White House Small Business Summit, SBA and GSA Take Action to Prioritize American-Made Products in Federal Purchasing
June 12, 2026

SBA and Office of Advocacy Applaud President Donald J. Trump’s Restoration of Pacific Fishing Grounds
June 12, 2026

[H3] Disaster news release
See all
Disaster news release articles

SBA Offers Relief to Massachusetts Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Blizzard
June 17, 2026

SBA Offers Relief to New Jersey Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by 12-Alarm Warehouse Fire
June 17, 2026

Final Deadline to Accept SBA Disaster Funds for Los Angeles Wildfires Approaching
June 16, 2026

SBA Opens Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Kihei
June 15, 2026

SBA Offers Relief to Rhode Island Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by 2026 Historic Snowstorm
June 11, 2026

[H3] OIG news release
See all
OIG news release articles

Coordinated Law Enforcement Actions Results in Arrests of Seven Men in Connection with Fraudulent COVID-19 Relief Loan Applications
June 12, 2026

Two Utah Men Charged with Conspiring to Defraud the IRS and the Small Business Administration of $5.5 Million
June 11, 2026

Government Contractor and Executives to Pay $21.3M to Resolve Fraud Scheme Involving Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Contracts
June 9, 2026

Orlando Resident Charged with Mortgage and COVID Relief Fraud
June 8, 2026

Fraud Division Announces Federal–State Partnership in Ohio to Prosecute Fraud
June 4, 2026

[H2]
National media contacts
[H3]
SBA Press Office

Name
Email address
SBA Press Office
press_office@sba.gov

[H3]
Other Headquarters media contacts

Name
Program area
Phone number
Email address
Chandler Baxter
Communications Outreach Specialist for the Office of Advocacy
202-205-6888
chandler.baxter@sba.gov
Oreoluwa (Ore) Fashola
Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Office
202-401-7793
oreoluwa.fashola@sba.gov

[H2]
Regional and local media contact information

[H3]
New England, Region 1

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist
Elizabeth MoisukNew England Regional OfficePhone: 617-565-8416
[H3] Public Information Officers
[H4] Connecticut
Moraima GutierrezConnecticut District OfficePhone: 860-240-4654
[H4] Maine
Keith LindMaine District OfficePhone: 207-622-8551
[H4] Massachusetts
Norman EngMassachusetts District OfficePhone: 617-565-8510
[H4] New Hampshire
Cheryl A CrotoNew Hampshire District OfficePhone: 603-225-1407
[H4] Rhode Island
Brian HopkinsRhode Island District OfficePhone: 401-528-4575
[H4] Vermont
Elizabeth MoisukVermont District OfficePhone: 617-565-5572

[H3]
Atlantic, Region 2

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist (Acting)
Lola KressAtlantic Regional OfficePhone: 202-280-8021
Covering New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

[H3]
Mid-Atlantic, Region 3

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist
Nikki BowmarWest Virginia District OfficePhone: 304-623-7445
[H3] Public Information Officers
[H4] Delaware
Austen ColledgeDelaware District OfficePhone: 410-244-3321
[H4] Maryland
Rachel SkinnerBaltimore District OfficePhone: 410-244-3337
[H4] Pennsylvania
Sonia SmithEastern Pennsylvania District OfficePhone: 610-382-3085
Angela MarschikPittsburgh District OfficePhone: 412-376-5354
[H4] Virginia
Martin Short Jr.Richmond District OfficePhone: 804-253-8270Cell: 803-626-2143
[H4] Washington, D.C.
DCInfo@sba.govWashington Metropolitan Area District OfficePhone: 202-205-8800
[H4] West Virginia
Nikki BowmarWest Virginia District OfficePhone: 304-623-7445

[H3]
Southeast, Region 4

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist
Lola KressSoutheast Regional OfficePhone: 202-280-8021

[H3]
Great Lakes, Region 5

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist
Laura SchafsnitzIndiana District OfficePhone: 317-226-7254
[H3] Public Information Officers
[H4] Illinois
Willette LeGrantIllinois District Office
[H4] Indiana
Laura SchafsnitzIndiana District OfficePhone: 317-226-7254
[H4] Michigan
Laketa HendersonMichigan District Office
[H4] Minnesota
Don JacksonMinnesota District Office
[H4] Ohio
Niah DuncanCleveland District Office
Terry BoldenColumbus District Office
[H4] Wisconsin
Frank Demarest, Jr.Wisconsin District Office

[H3]
South Central, Region 6

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist (Acting)
Nina RamonPhone: 210-403-5920
[H3] Public Information Officers
[H4] Arkansas
Adriene BrownArkansas District Office Phone: 501-404-7746
[H4] Louisiana
Marjorae Ball Louisiana District Office Phone: 504-589-2037
[H4] New Mexico
Mercedes ChavezNew Mexico District OfficePhone: 505-248-8234
[H4] Oklahoma
Larry Weatherford Oklahoma District Office Phone: 405-609-8012
[H4] Texas
Kristy CouchDallas/Fort Worth District OfficePhone: 903-385-3365
Lee Anne Vega El Paso District Office Phone: 915-834-4601
Valerie MaherHouston District Office Phone: 713-773-6541
Angela Burton Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office Phone: 956-427-8533 Ext. 231
Kim Voss Lubbock District Office Phone: 806-472-7466
Georgia Gabriella San Antonio District Office Phone: 210-403-5905

[H3]
Great Plains, Region 7

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist
Luis A. SantosGreat Plains Regional OfficePhone: 202-619-0456
[H3] Public Information Officers
[H4] Iowa
Thomas "Dave" LentellDes Moines District Office Phone: 515-284-4522
[H4] Kansas
Michael AumackWichita District Office Phone: 316-269-6275
[H4] Missouri
Sheila ForresterKansas City District OfficePhone: 816-426-4908
Nicholson MassieSt. Louis District OfficePhone: 314-539-6608
[H4] Nebraska
Jo EckertNebraska District OfficePhone: 402-221-7200

[H3]
Rocky Mountain, Region 8

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist
Christopher Chavez Rocky Mountain Regional OfficePhone: 303-844-0508
[H3] Public Information Officers
[H4] Colorado
Stephen CollierColorado District OfficePhone: 303-844-3607
[H4] Montana
Christopher ChavezRegional Communications SpecialistMontana District OfficePhone: 303-844-0508
[H4] North Dakota
Sheri WestonNorth Dakota District OfficePhone: 701-239-5044
[H4] South Dakota
Kayla RogebergSouth Dakota District OfficePhone: 605-330-4243 Ext 13
[H4] Utah
Siobhan CarlileUtah District OfficePhone: 385-414-8563
[H4] Wyoming
Jordan BelserWyoming District OfficePhone: 307-441-1192

[H3]
Pacific, Region 9

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist
Miryam Mora BarajasPacific Regional OfficePhone: 916-735-1703
Covering Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada.

[H3]
Pacific Northwest, Region 10

[H3] Regional Communications Specialist (Acting)
Miryam Mora BarajasPhone: 916-735-1703
[H3] Public Information Officers
[H4] Alaska
Erica RiveraAlaska District OfficePhone: 907-308-5741
[H4] Idaho
Shannon MadsenBoise District OfficePhone: 208-334-9635
[H4] Oregon
Miryam Mora BarajasPhone: 916-735-1703
[H4] Washington
Neil SubhashSeattle District OfficePhone: 206-553-7355

[H2]
News release archives

View 2024 to 2011 releasesView older releases

[H1] Loans
Find out which SBA-guaranteed loan program is best for your business, then use Lender Match to be matched to lenders.

Find lenders

[H2]
How SBA helps small businesses get loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. These SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need.
[H3] To get an SBA-backed loan:
Read on to see the kinds of loans available
Enter basic information about what you’re looking for on Lender Match
Create an account to start talking to interested lenders
Lenders will approve and help you manage your loan
SBA only makes direct loans in the case of businesses and homeowners recovering from a declared disaster. Already have an SBA loan? Find out how to make a payment.

[H2]
SBA partners with lenders to help increase small business access to loans

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[H2]
Loans for borrowers

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SBA's primary program for providing long-term financing for a variety of purposes. 7(a) loans are delivered by SBA 7(a) lenders.

Fund or grow your small business

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Long-term, fixed-rate financing available through mission-oriented, community-based SBA Certified Development Companies.

Finance your business's growth

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Loans of $50,000 or less to help businesses and certain non-profit childcare centers. Microloans are provided by intermediary lenders.

Get funding for small improvements

[H2]
Benefits of SBA-guaranteed loans

Competitive terms: SBA-guaranteed loans generally have rates and fees that are comparable to non-guaranteed loans.
Counseling and education: Some loans come with continued support to help you start and run your business.
Unique benefits: Lower down payments, flexible overhead requirements, and no collateral needed for some loans.

[H2]
Get $500 to $5.5 million to fund your business

Loans guaranteed by SBA range from small to large and can be used for most business purposes, including long-term fixed assets and operating capital. Some loan programs set restrictions on how you can use the funds, so check with an SBA-approved lender when requesting a loan. Your lender can match you with the right loan for your business needs.

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Like seasonal financing, export loans, revolving credit, and refinanced business debt.

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Like furniture, real estate, machinery, equipment, construction, and remodeling.

[H2]
Eligibility requirements

Lenders and loan programs have unique eligibility requirements. In general, eligibility is based on what a business does to receive its income, the character of its ownership, and where the business operates. Normally, businesses must meet SBA size standards, be able to repay, and have a sound business purpose. Even those with bad credit may qualify for startup funding. The lender will provide you with a full list of eligibility requirements for your loan.

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The business is officially registered and operates legally.

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The business is physically located and operates in the United States or its territories.

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The business's credit must be sound enough to assure loan repayment.

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The requested loan is unavailable on reasonable terms from non-government sources.

[H3]
Stay safe

Protect yourself from predatory lenders by looking for warning signs. Some lenders impose unfair and abusive terms on borrowers through deception and coercion. Watch out for interest rates that are significantly higher than competitors’ rates, or fees that are more than 5% of the loan value. Make sure the lender discloses the annual percentage rate and full payment schedule. A lender should never ask you to lie on paperwork or leave signature boxes blank. Don’t get pressured into taking a loan. Survey competing offers and consider speaking with a financial planner, accountant, or attorney before signing for your next loan.

[H2]
Loans for exporters

Most U.S. banks view loans for exporters as risky. This can make it harder for you to get loans for things like day-to-day operations, advance orders with suppliers, and debt refinancing. That’s why SBA created programs to make it easier for U.S. small businesses to get export loans.
To learn how SBA can help you get an export loan, contact your local SBA Export Finance Manager or SBA's Office of Manufacturing and Trade.

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[H2] Fund your business with an SBA-guaranteed loan
Get matched to an SBA-approved lender and find the best loans to start and grow your small business.

Find lenders

[H3] Need help? Get free business counseling

Find counselors

[H1]
Market research and competitive analysis

Market research helps you find customers for your business. Competitive analysis helps you make your business unique. Combine them to find a competitive advantage for your small business.

[H2] Content

[H2]
Use market research to find customers

Market research blends consumer behavior and economic trends to confirm and improve your business idea.
It’s crucial to understand your consumer base from the outset. Market research lets you reduce risks even while your business is still just a gleam in your eye.
Gather demographic information to better understand opportunities and limitations for gaining customers. This could include population data on age, wealth, family, interests, or anything else that’s relevant for your business.
Then answer the following questions to get a good sense of your market:
Demand: Is there a desire for your product or service?
Market size: How many people would be interested in your offering?
Economic indicators: What is the income range and employment rate?
Location: Where do your customers live and where can your business reach?
Market saturation: How many similar options are already available to consumers?
Pricing: What do potential customers pay for these alternatives?
You’ll also want to keep up with the latest small business trends. It’s important to gain a sense of the specific market share that will impact your profits.
You can do market research using existing sources, or you can do the research yourself and go direct to consumers.
Existing sources can save you a lot of time and energy, but the information might not be as specific to your audience as you’d like. Use it to answer questions that are both general and quantifiable, like industry trends, demographics, and household incomes. Check online or start with our list of market research resources.
Asking consumers yourself can give you a nuanced understanding of your specific target audience. But, direct research can be time consuming and expensive. Use it to answer questions about your specific business or customers, like reactions to your logo, improvements you could make to buying experience, and where customers might go instead of your business.
Here are a few methods you can use to do direct research:
Surveys
Questionnaires
Focus groups
In-depth interviews
For guidance on deciding which methods are worthwhile for your small business, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides counseling services through our resource partner network.

[H2]
Use competitive analysis to find a market advantage

Competitive analysis helps you learn from businesses competing for your potential customers. This is key to defining a competitive edge that creates sustainable revenue.
Your competitive analysis should identify your competition by product line or service and market segment. Assess the following characteristics of the competitive landscape:
Market share
Strengths and weaknesses
Your window of opportunity to enter the market
The importance of your target market to your competitors
Any barriers that may hinder you as you enter the market
Indirect or secondary competitors who may impact your success
Several industries might be competing to serve the same market you’re targeting. Important factors to consider include level of competition, threat of new competitors or services, and the effect of suppliers and customers on price. Learn more in the Strategic Marketing Journey on MySBA Learning.

[H2]
Free small business data and trends

There are many reliable sources that provide customer and market information at no cost. Free statistics are readily available to help prospective small business owners.
Consider the following federal business statistics in your market research and competitive analysis:
Focus
Goal
Reference
General business statistics
Find information about business classifications and get data about your potential business market.
NAICS
U.S. Census Business Builder
Consumer statistics
Get info on current and past consumer credit statistics, and browse product safety reports from various industries.
Consumer Credit Data
Consumer Product Safety
Demographics
Segment the population for targeting customers.
U.S. Census Bureau
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Economic indicators
Stay aware of current unemployment rates, loans granted, and more.
Consumer Price Index
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Employment statistics
Dig deeper into employment trends for your market.
Employment and Unemployment Statistics
Income statistics
Pay your employees fair rates based on earnings data.
Earnings by Occupation and Education
Income Statistics
Money and interest rates
Keep money by mastering exchange and interest rates.
Daily Interest Rates
Money Statistics via Federal Reserve
Production and sales statistics
Understand demand, costs, and consumer spending.
Consumer Spending
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Trade statistics
Track indicators of sales and market performance.
Balance of Payments
International Trade
Statistics of specific industries
Use a wealth of federal agency data on industries.
Statistics of U.S. Businesses

[H3] Need help? Get free business counseling

Find counselors