Frequently asked questions

General

What is 5 Wards Services?

5 Wards Services is a resource and support platform for small businesses, solopreneurs, and any local service providers. We offer tools, content, interviews and connections to help members start, grow, and manage their businesses more effectively, mitigating the need for expensive consultants or large teams or hiring full time staff. We give our members answers to business questions that empower them to grow revenue, save time and money and make better decisions every day.

Who is 5 Wards Services for?

Our platform and services and membership are built for small business owners across various sectors, including trades, personal services, financial services, food service, healthcare, and more. We serve every small business owner regardless of industry or stage of growth, franchise or locally-owned. Whether you have a physical location or operate virtually, there’s insight here you can use.

How do I get started?

It’s easy! Visit 5wardsservices.com, create an account, and explore the free resources available based on the membership that fits your needs. You can upgrade anytime for access to a Pro or Premier membership with expanded content, more interviews, interaction and Q&A led by Premier members.

*Disclaimer: we do not guarantee any services nor are we responsible for disputes or outcome

of services with our preferred vendor list.

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Membership

What is 5 Wards Services?

We are the first platform to empower small business owners with access to experts that understand your dream and budget, and believe in you, like we do. We aren’t a “once a month let’s chat over a donut and share leads” business referral network-you need more than that. After years of ownership and operations in multiple businesses, we’ve created a community of business owners sharing real challenges and we are committed to getting you answers. Our provider partners (experts) live in the most critical areas of business (HR/Operations, Marketing, Technology, Health & Wellness, and Legal among others). Three options for membership provide peace of mind that you’ll have access to top notch professionals ready to help address concerns in every aspect of your business. Our promise is simple: to support Small Business owners with expert insight that can give you answers to tough topics that could make or break your business, in a variety of ways. Whether you need an attorney to review a lease or handle a collections issue, HR to handle a sticky employee situation or finally get your policies written, there is a way! 5 Wards Services Members count on us to deliver the connections you need via interviews, a 1:1 introduction, or downloadable content that will save and/or make you money. We are dedicated to providing the support your business needs through those seasons of uncertainty and you pick the level of membership that suits you best. That’s it!

Who are the Provider Partners (Experts)?

5 Wards Services is constantly vetting Experts that want to provide accessible and affordable options for you in any area of your business . Our provider partners have been screened and are ready to handle your business matters with the care and concern you deserve. It’s all here, whether it’s by way of newsletter case studies, Q&A interviews, or 1:1 direct services, YOU pick your team based on your needs and budget. It’s easy…no surprises. With any paid membership you’ll receive an invitation and we’ll welcome you into our Small Business Community to share challenges and solutions among other members, and our experts! You curate your profile as a community member based on your stage of growth, and industry, and share ideas among your peers. This is REAL game-changing dialogue.

Does 5 Wards Services only provide memberships to certain geographies?

Our team is U.S.-based and are committed to helping our members thrive beyond that at some point. We are intentionally selecting partner providers to serve you where YOU do business based on membership data. The same way it’s impossible for you to do it all alone, we can’t provide direct answers to every specific question in every specific state/country, but will do all we can to get you resources as your needs evolve. We are growing with you!

What does the membership include?

Given that we offer three options for membership to meet your individual needs, each category has its own benefits. See more info here: Our most comprehensive membership gives you access to monthly Q&A sessions with our experts (based on topic suggestions from premier members), small business monthly newsletters with success stories and tips from our expert provider partners, unlimited access to our robust library of ongoing education, interviews (including everything you missed before you joined!) all in one super affordable membership. Imagine having a consultant in a variety of specialties available for hours each month, and reviewing ideas and recommendations when it suits you, IF it suits you. That’s what we’re bringing you. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Membership fees support our team’s efforts in consistently vetting expert connections, tackling your ever-evolving questions, delivering new and robust podcasts and interviews, business coaching content, negotiating perks and discounts on your behalf, and SO much more!

How can I pay for my membership?

On a monthly basis, OR with an annual membership grab a discount that is basically two months on us!

We offer the following payment methods for your membership:

Monthly bank draft

Annual bank draft

Monthly credit card

Annual credit card

Due to the subscription nature of our business, we cannot accept prepaid creditcards.

How does membership benefit me and my business?

Those of us in business for ourselves know it’s virtually impossible to permanently retain a dedicated attorney, HR executive, Marketing guru or Technology pro to be available when we need to navigate tough situations. We found our own team, and now you can have one too. Business owners like you get answers to your questions from professionals that understand your business. Isn’t that what we all want? Catch our expert interviews, newsletters and content, or take a minute to visit your Member library and you’ll find a wealth of info! What’s more, you can always contact us for a 1:1 introduction to an expert if you’d like to talk about a budget-friendly way to have them available to you and your business, exclusively.

Membership & Access

Is 5 Wards free to use?

With three options for membership, we do offer an option that is free, our Starter membership. A Starter membership provides business-building content and access to our monthly newsletter to keep you in the loop about upcoming topics affecting our businesses as well as insider answers to other owner’s questions. Next is our Pro membership with expanded content and access to our member community to share and learn from others at your stage of growth and maybe even in your industry. The third tier, a Premier membership is the most comprehensive membership and provides access to all content, interviews, buying discounts and the ability to present their business questions and topics for our expert interviews several times a month.

What’s included with free membership access?

Our free (“Starter”) membership includes startup checklists, templates, guides, and how-to information as well as our newsletter library.

What’s included with the next level of membership access, Pro membership?

Pro membership provides access to our Member community platform with engagement and insight based on their selections for stages of growth and industry. Pro members have access to view interviews with experts past and future.

Does 5 Wards Services offer promo codes or discounts for membership?

We are committed to you and your business and welcome members that are, too. To thank you for being a strategic member of 5 Wards Services we happily offer a discount of two months of Membership for an annual one-time payment. Both Pro and Premier memberships offer a two month discount on an annual payment. Stand by for even more perks for those strategic annual members that opt-in to more cost savings as we continue to create them.

What do I get with a Premier membership?

Premium content includes advanced tools, interactive courses, Q&A interviews with operational experts (HR, Finance, Technology, Marketing, Wellness, Real estate, among others) answering Premier members’ questions, business buying discounts, direct communication with others in your industry for brainstorming ideas and getting answers among your peers, and access to our vetted partner network of small business experts. You’ll get every bit of what 5 Wards Services has to offer!

Can I cancel or pause my membership?

Yes, you can cancel or pause your membership with 30 days written notice ([email protected] or through your account settings) at any time, also 30 days written notice for an annual membership and its renewal.

Content & Tools

What types of businesses do you support?

We support almost any small business, but as examples, here are 8 specific categories: Trades & Technicians, Food & Beverage, Retail & Consumer, Professional Services, Health & Wellness, Financial Services, Education & Training, Real Estate & Property Services. Whether you have a brick and mortar operation, virtual business, franchise or are locally-owned, there is always something to learn (and share!) by being a part of our 5 Wards Services community.

Does the size, age or revenue of my business matter as far as becoming a Member?

Every business started somewhere, and whether you are in startup mode or further along and ready to sell what you’ve worked so hard to build, we’ve got you covered among other business owners that are in your shoes. From startup legal and accounting checklists and experts to assure you have what you need to lay the groundwork, or a referral to a business broker to optimize the sale of your business, every stage matters to you, so it matters to us.

What kind of content is available?

We offer foundational downloadable material and newsletters for our Starter Members, and even more expansive checklists, calculators, courses, templates, video tutorials, industry guides, interviews, Q&A sessions, forms, guides, newsletters and discounts for our active Pro and Premier members.

Can I access everything on a mobile device?

Yes, the platform is fully responsive and mobile-friendly. You’ll have access to your 5 Wards Services anywhere you need it.

How often is content updated?

New content is added daily. Our 5 Wards Services Members deserve the most up-to-date tips and tricks, and as business owners we know economic considerations, challenges, legislation, vendor info and cost savings opportunities can change at any time and so we will, too. Newsletters, interviews, Q&A sessions and your robust library of archived info and new content are dynamic and always evolving…just like you and your business are!

Support & Consulting

Can I get personalized business support?

Yes, any active member can get a referral to our network of vetted provider partners, experts and consultants for more 1:1 support based on your business need. The terms and scope of services you determine are most appropriate for your needs and budget are between you and the expert and not professional nor legal advice on behalf of 5 Wards Services. Alternatively, for 1:1 business coaching, we can pursue this in one of two ways. First things first, let’s get to know each other and where you are in your business. 1) We can do an introduction to a specific Expert that does consulting on a specific topic as one option. 2) Alternatively, having launched and operated several businesses of our own, consulting with countless others and the perspective we gain through our incredible community of Members and Experts, the 5 Wards Services team is available on a consulting basis to talk through general topics, challenges and opportunities. Contact us directly at our website or via email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to coordinate the best resource to meet your specific topic.

Does 5 Wards provide legal or financial advice?

We provide templates and guides, but legal and financial decisions should be made with your own licensed advisor.

Can I request new content or features?

Yes, we welcome feedback and content requests from members. Our goal is always to address topics that will make an impact in your business and your ideas are welcome. Please know we make updates to services based on the greatest demand and priorities for our overall membership.

Partnerships & Community

How do I become a featured service provider?

We’d love to hear from you. Please email us via our contact form if you offer small-business-friendly services. We'll follow up to evaluate your fit in terms of capabilities, pricing and experience supporting businesses with similar needs to those of our our valued members.

Is there a community or networking feature?

Absolutely. Our active Pro and Premier members can participate in peer groups, events, and networking forums according to their stage of growth and even your industry.

Can I promote my business on the platform?

Select partners and contributors may be highlighted through case studies, interviews, or co-marketing. Contact us directly for more information on how we can grow together to bring as much value to our members as possible.