The advice, counsel and support of an advisory board is required to accomplish substantive objectives of a scaling startup.

There are four major sources that the entrepreneur and startup can utilize to identify advisory board candidates. Most experienced CEOs will tell you to begin close by, with who you know. Your personal network and your company are a great place to start.

Advisory board members can provide significant leverage to grow and scale, so it’s important to choose the right people. Here’s how to assess potential candidates for your startup venture.

The Sunshine State’s third largest city, Tampa, is gaining momentum as one of the Top 25 Best Big Cities to Start a Business.