Free Business Tools & Resources for Second-Chance Entrepreneurs
Look like a million-dollar company on a zero-dollar budget.
You don't need expensive software to start a business. Everything on this page is free or low-cost — and none of it requires a background check.
From Felon Friendly Jobs Now — serving 70+ million Americans with records.
Jump to: Planning Tools • Financial Calculators • Branding & Design • Tech Stack • Free Education • Second-Chance Networks • Legal Resources
Planning & Strategy Tools
These tools help you organize your business idea and create a plan — without staring at a blank page.
Business Model Canvas
Visualize your entire business on one screen using a fillable grid with drag-and-drop "sticky notes."
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Lucidspark — Free template, collaborative, works in browser
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Miro — Free tier available, great for visual thinkers
AI-Powered Business Plan Generator
Overcome "blank page syndrome" with guided prompts that help you draft a professional plan in under an hour.
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Upmetrics — AI-assisted, step-by-step guidance
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IdeaBuddy — Beginner-friendly, includes financial projections
Free Sample Business Plans
Bplans.com
Hundreds of free sample business plans. See exactly how someone else wrote a plan for landscaping, cleaning, trucking, or any industry.
→ bplans.com
Pro tip: Use the "Browse by Industry" filter to find plans similar to your business idea.
Financial Calculators
Financial anxiety is the #1 reason entrepreneurs quit. These calculators provide clarity before you spend a dollar.
SBA Break-Even Calculator
Free, authoritative calculator from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Enter your costs and pricing to see exactly when you'll start making money.
→ sba.gov → Tools → Break-Even Calculator
Branding & Design Tools
You don't need a graphic designer to look professional. These tools let you create logos, business cards, and websites in minutes.
Canva
The gold standard for DIY design. Create logos, business cards, flyers, and social media graphics. The 2026 AI version (Magic Studio) can generate designs from a simple text description.
→ canva.com
Free tier is generous. Most entrepreneurs never need to upgrade.
Carrd
The easiest way to build a simple, professional one-page website. Perfect for service businesses that just need contact info and a description.
→ carrd.co
Free for basic sites. Pro version is $19/year.
Doola
Full business formation + website bundles. Good if you want LLC registration and a basic website handled together.
→ doola.com
Operations & Productivity
Stay organized with free tools that track tasks, deadlines, and finances.
Task Managers
Keep track of customer follow-ups, vendor deadlines, and appointments in one place.
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Asana — Free tier, great for project tracking
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Trello — Visual boards, simple to learn
Accounting & Invoicing
Wave Accounting
Completely free software for sending professional invoices and tracking expenses. No credit card required, no hidden fees.
→ waveapps.com
Recommended for solopreneurs and small service businesses.
Planning & Strategy Tools
These tools help you organize your business idea and create a plan — without staring at a blank page.
Business Model Canvas
Visualize your entire business on one screen using a fillable grid with drag-and-drop "sticky notes."
-
Lucidspark — Free template, collaborative, works in browser
-
Miro — Free tier available, great for visual thinkers
AI-Powered Business Plan Generator
Overcome "blank page syndrome" with guided prompts that help you draft a professional plan in under an hour.
-
Upmetrics — AI-assisted, step-by-step guidance
-
IdeaBuddy — Beginner-friendly, includes financial projections
Free Sample Business Plans
Bplans.com
Hundreds of free sample business plans. See exactly how someone else wrote a plan for landscaping, cleaning, trucking, or any industry.
→ bplans.com
Pro tip: Use the "Browse by Industry" filter to find plans similar to your business idea.
The 2026 Solopreneur Tech Stack
If you're starting from scratch, here's the recommended "starter pack" — everything you need to run a real business.
What we see working: Start with banking + payments. Add email marketing once you have customers to email.
📌 Need Help Opening a Business Bank Account?
Our Banking Hub shows which banks are second-chance friendly and what documents you need.
Free Education & Mentorship
Get the knowledge of a business degree without the cost. These resources are 100% free.
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
Free business mentoring from retired executives. Get paired with someone who's built businesses before — they'll review your plan, answer questions, and offer guidance.
→ score.org
One of the best free resources available. Highly recommended.
SBA Learning Center
Free courses from the Small Business Administration on marketing, federal contracting, taxes, and more. Self-paced, no cost.
→ sba.gov → Learning Center
MOBI (My Own Business Institute)
Free online entrepreneurship course from Santa Clara University. Structured curriculum with a certificate upon completion.
→ scu.edu/mobi
Great for people who learn better with structure and deadlines.
Coursera (Audit Mode)
"Audit" business courses from Wharton, Yale, and other top schools for free. You don't get the certificate unless you pay, but the knowledge is identical.
→ coursera.org
Search for "Entrepreneurship" or "Small Business" courses.
Second-Chance Specific Networks
These organizations are built specifically for people with justice-impacted backgrounds.
Dream.Org (Dream Entrepreneurs Network)
Supports BIPOC and justice-impacted founders with technical assistance and connections to investors. Real support from people who understand the challenges.
→ dream.org
Inmates to Entrepreneurs
8-week "Barbed Wire to Business" course designed specifically for people after reentry. Highly recommended for those just starting out.
→ inmatestoentrepreneurs.org
One of the few programs built entirely for justice-impacted founders.
Justice Fund of Georgia
Example of state-specific grant programs. Provides $10K–$25K specifically for justice-impacted leadership. Check your state for similar programs.
→ unitedwayatlanta.org → Justice Fund Georgia
Georgia-based, but a model for what to look for in other states.
📌 Looking for Grant Money?
Our Business Grants Guide lists funding specifically available to justice-impacted entrepreneurs — searchable by state and demographic.
Legal & Tax Resources
Navigate the "red tape" without paying a lawyer for basic questions.
LawHelp.org
Free legal information and help finding civil legal aid in your state. Essential if you have questions about how your record affects business licenses.
→ lawhelp.org
Use the state filter to find local resources.
IRS Small Business Tax Center
Official resource for understanding your tax obligations. Includes a "Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop" that explains everything in plain English.
→ irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed
Bookmark this. You'll need it at tax time.
💡 Pro Tip: When visiting any of these sites, look for the "Resources" or "Blog" section. That's where the hidden gems — free contract templates, grant alerts, checklists — are usually buried.
How to Start an LLC with a Felony: The Complete 2026 Guide to Business Registration and EIN
Start Simple
You don't need to master every tool on this page. Pick one thing — maybe creating a business plan or setting up a professional email — and do that today.
The entrepreneurs who succeed aren't the ones with the fanciest tools. They're the ones who start.
Pick one tool. Open it. Begin.
Related Guides
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[Link: How to Start an LLC with a Felony] — Get your business registered
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[Link: Banking Hub] — Open a business bank account
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[Link: Business Grants Guide] — Find free funding
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[Link: Business Credit 101] — Build credit with your EIN
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[Link: State Employment Guides] — Find work while you build