About The Entrepreneur Network

The Entrepreneur Network (TEN) is a program of the Zimmer Foundation, a 501(c)3 Michigan non-profit corporation.  Since 1988, we've been providing free counseling to inventors and entrepreneurs through both TEN and SCORE.  Our credentials are outlined in the attached bio.

Our strengths are in the pre-startup and early stage phases -- we can help with later-stage operational and expansion problems, but so can many others -- SCORE, the SBDCs, independent business consultants, etc.

We differ from most of the other entrepreneur websites in that our interests tend toward the inexperienced who are trying to start and develop "life-style" businesses.  Those who are looking to bet big bucks on big results are well served by the other sites.  While "making money" is essential in every business, we feel that enjoying it -- having fun doing it -- is just as important -- and not everyone finds the tensions that come with chasing "big" business enjoyable.

We work best with those who have creative skills -- who simply want to use those skills to do their "own thing" -- not someone else's.  Our specialty is in helping individuals find creative ways to do "what you want with what you've got". Examples:

• Inventors -- How to get your invention to market (if in fact it can be) without getting taken at every step along the way.

• Entrepreneurs -- How to find business opportunities that fit your skills and "bootstrap" your way into them.

• Artists & craftspeople -- How to start selling your work without leaving your day job.

• Technical service providers (aka freelancing scientists, engineers, technicians) -- How to broaden your client base and start realizing your true market value.

The information on this site comes from a newsletter we published and distributed in the eastern Great Lakes region.  You'll find many of your answers in the articles we've posted.  If you still have questions, need clarifications, or just want personal attention, email us at edzimmer@TENonline.org.