The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is a business advisory service of the University of North Carolina System, administered by NC State University, and operated in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBTDC is also a strategic partner of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The primary focus of the SBTDC is to provide management counseling and educational services to help North Carolina businesses meet challenges, manage change, and plan for the future. SBTDC specialists assist small and mid-sized businesses throughout North Carolina from 16 offices across the state – each affiliated with a college or university. The SBTDC’s core mission is to help North Carolina businesses grow and create new jobs to benefit all North Carolinians. Most SBTDC services are free of charge, and all services are confidential. Management Education — The SBTDC also provides targeted, research-based educational products that are focused on change management, strategic performance, and leadership development for management teams, employees, and board members. Management Counseling — SBTDC counselors help business owners and managers with financing, marketing, human resources, operations, business planning, and feasibility assessment. In 2006, the SBTDC helped clients leverage over $170 million in capital with over one-half of this amount representing equity capital. Marketing & Research Services — SBTDC specialists provide research and marketing support services for SBTDC clients, primary research on small business needs and economic impact, and special projects such as small business incubator feasibility studies. Export Financing Services — SBTDC is North Carolina’s City-State Partner for the US Export-Import Bank. Technology Development and Commercialization – SBTDC technology specialists assist technology-based businesses to commercialize innovative technology. In 2006 SBIR/STTR funding in NC reached $44.2 million. Government Procurement (PTAC) — SBTDC procurement specialists help businesses secure contracts by providing comprehensive assistance in selling North Carolina products and services to federal, state, and local governments. In 2006, the SBTDC helped small businesses in-state obtain more than $1.2 billion in government contracts. Boating Industry Services – The SBTDC provides business and regulatory services to marinas, boatyards, boat dealers, boat builders, marine construction firms, and product/service providers. While owning a business may be a personal dream for many, managing a business may prove difficult because of a lack of prior business ownership, experience or manage- ment skills. An honest self evaluation will allow you to assess your personal characteristics and determine your willingness to meet the demands of owning your own business. Some of the questions below may be difficult to answer, but it is critical to evaluate your personal weaknesses along with your strengths. When Owner weaknesses are identified, partners, managers, staff members, other external resources or education and training may be found to balance strengths and offset weaknesses. This self-test is simply an overview of the personal characteristics and basic skills needed in small business ownership. The questions with a “Yes” answer indicate the presence of a strength or attribute needed to successfully manage a small business. Those not checked might indicate weaknesses or a lack of willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to run a small business. If you decide to continue with plans to establish a business, then you should resolve to change each blank to a “Yes.” A partner or other solution may provide balance for some weak areas, thus changing a few blanks to “Yes.” However, if there are a significant number of unchecked boxes, overcoming problems may require more development on your part.