SBDC Florence, SC

What the elite Small Business Entrepreneurs are saying about success.

2012-01-26T16:49:00.002-05:00

“Knock on a lot of doors, don't give up and build a great team around you. "I wanted to own a construction company. I wanted to be with the big boys. But I wanted to help first time homebuyers, single moms and single dads."

"In today's world, whether you like it or not, you are going to be an entrepreneur, the question is whether you are going to be a good one or a bad one. Whether you own a company or work for someone else, the key is to never have an employee mentality, always have an ownership mentality. Invest in yourself."

"In economies like this, a lot of companies cut down on their advertising budgets. My company has actually increased it."

-Entrepreneur Magazine

2012-01-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

"Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled."
- Howard Stevenson

We can help.

2012-01-20T16:07:00.002-05:00

"It appears entrepreneurs definitely visit the SBDCs -- more than 500,000 of them in 2010, the study found -- and the business owners report the resources there helped their businesses thrive. One of the biggest advantages users of SBDCs gained was knowledge of how to get a business loan. There's also good crossover with business education, as many of the centers are hosted on college campuses." - Entrepreneur

Here are some helpful YouTube tips for your business

2012-01-19T16:18:00.000-05:00

1. Make sure your content is not outdated, slowly your video will start working its way up the search engine rankings as potential customer will start watching it and sharing it with others.

2. Provide interesting and useful content for your small business to get noticed on YouTube.

3. When posting a video on Youtube, don’t use the video as a one-way medium to broadcast. Try to engage your customers by asking them to leave comments or provide input; feedback is always helpful.

4. People look at YouTube videos to find information and advice that is beneficial to them; do not use it to directly sell your products, people don’t want to see adds.

Small Buiness Development Center - This is how we can help.

2012-01-18T14:17:00.000-05:00

At the SBDC, we provide counseling, training, and financing through the SBA to support all small businesses. To find out more, stop by our offices today, call us at 803-323-2283 or visit us at http://winthropregionalsbdc.org/. We can help.

Face-lift your website into 2012

2012-01-17T12:16:00.000-05:00

4 Tips to Keep Your Website Ahead of the Curve in 2012

To learn more information on this click on the following link

http://www.openforum.com/articles/4-tips-to-keep-your-website-ahead-of-the-curve-in-2012

Imagine opening a franchise that suites your budget no matter the size.

2012-01-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

Might sound strange, but depending on the type of business, franchising without the restrictions could be a new way to starting a business.

This business owner took advantage of the opportunity. Here's what he has to say about the strategy. Read more about these entrepreneurs stories and why this approach was beneficial for them.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203513604577143320572640482.html

Thinking about starting a business? These tips can help!

2012-01-12T14:38:00.002-05:00

Believe in yourself.

Don't try to reinvent the wheel.
Use the Internet.
Seek the help and advice of willing professionals.
Meditate.
Be willing to share your business plan.
Be prepared to make sacrifices.
Do what you love to do.

To learn more on this, click here http://www.openforum.com/articles/yogitunes-co-founder-alex-king-harris-on-starting-a-business?intlink=us-openf-nav-homepagehero

Who Do We Help?

2012-01-10T16:45:00.002-05:00

As part of the Winthrop Region of the SC Small Business Development Centers, we're very proud of the wide variety of business types and sizes that our SBDC offices assist. Take a look at our new video and you'll see what we mean!

Just opened a Small Business? This may be helpful!

2012-01-10T10:52:00.000-05:00

Customers can be very skeptical at times. If they know you have a new business, they may be hesitant to buy from you – this is especially true of businesses that operate only online.

One way to overcome that fear is to research and learn all you can about your products/services – become an expert on what you do. Post articles on your blog about them, or put up an especially good FAQ page to answer questions about your product lines in depth. In a bricks and mortar store, make sure you can speak knowledgeably about what you do.

If the question of how long you’ve been in business should come up, you can then honestly say something like: “I had a special interest in this business for a long time, and I’ve done a lot of research and personal comparison of these products (or services). And a few months ago I finally decided to put all my knowledge to good use and opened the business. I know my product better than anyone!”

5 Small Business Tips for the New Year!

2012-01-09T16:06:00.002-05:00

1. You will have to do extensive research before owning your business, but try not to spend forever doing it. Every day you spend researching is another day you do not earn money or have your business.

2. Because starting your own business can be overwhelming, don’t be scared to seek out a mentor to guide you through the process.

3. Set goals for yourself and for the business and mark important milestones; this will help you see how far you have come. (e.g. $X,XX the first month)

4. Don’t wait to turn you ideas into reality. Don’t just assume something will work, get it done right away and start receiving feedback from customers.

5. Focus more on finding solutions rather than stressing over problems. You should be aware of what went wrong in 2011, now think of ways to do things better with a fresh start.

2011-12-09T16:04:00.001-05:00

"You must remain focused on your journey to greatness." – Les Brown

Marketing is a key component in your business.

2011-12-07T14:34:00.000-05:00

Are you a small business owner who needs help marketing and using social media but believes that there is no ROI on any of the two? Well, think again.

This link provides a snippet of what you are actually saying when you fail to include marketing into your budget.

http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/small-business-interviews/lois-geller-11810/popup

Importance of Social Media!!

2011-12-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

So ...... when we tell our clients that they NEED to be on FB and Twitter and LinkedIn, this is why. This is not your father's business climate. You not only need the customers you have now, you also need to prepare for the customers of the future, and they're on FB and Twitter!

Visit this website to learn why.... http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/02/us-media-summit-twitter-idUSTRE7B119G20111202

2011-12-02T16:41:00.001-05:00

"Our thought is the key which unlocks the doors of the world. ”- Samuel McC. Crothers

Facebook Fans...what are they?

2011-12-02T16:39:00.002-05:00

Have you been wondering as a business owner or marketer what the benefits of Facebook fans are? Also, how much more likely are they to do business with you than those who don't "like" you on Facebook. Click below to learn more about benefits of having Facebook fans.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/220796

10 Social Media Laws

2011-11-28T14:36:00.003-05:00

If you have a small business or are thinking about opening up one, it is vital for you to know how social media works. Nowadays social media is part of our life and one of the best ways to advertise your business. Knowing the following laws of social media, will help your business elevate its audience and take its customer base to a higher level.

1. The Law of Listening

2. The Law of Focus

3. The Law of Quality

4. The Law of Patience

5. The Law of Influence

6. The Law of Value

7. The Law of Compounding

8. The Law of Acknowledgment

9. The Law of Accessibility

10. The Law of Reciprocity

To learn more about these 10 laws, visit the following site http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/218160

Minority Outreach Program extends services of South Carolina Small Business Development Centers

2011-11-21T14:53:00.001-05:00

SC Small Business Development Centers is home to a new and much needed program created to assist minorities in starting or growing small companies. Leading this new initiative is Minority Outreach Manager Garry James.

"We can help walk you through the development of your business plan which will assist in determining whether your idea is feasible or not. We can also assist in exploring ways to expand existing businesses and help determine markets for your products that you may not realize exist. One amazing area where we help is in government contracting. This is called procurement. We have procurement specialists with a wealth of knowledge and experience who help small companies secure state and federal contracts." - Garry James
For more information on this, please visit - http://midlandsbiz.com/articles/9349/

If we all Shop Small, it will be Huge!

2011-11-09T14:05:00.002-05:00

This Saturday November 26th, will be the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday! This is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. So make the most of the day. From Twitter posts to posters, the link bellow has all sorts of tools to help your business get new customers and have a great Small Business Saturday!!

Small Business Saturday.com

BIG NEWS About the SBA 504 Refinance Program to Give Small Business Owners a Boost!

2011-10-21T13:01:00.004-04:00

This could be a huge benefit for small business owners who need to consolidate debt or refinance a loan in order to increase working capital.

The funding was approved last year, but it has taken a while to develop the program and set requirements to qualify. The criteria for qualifying for these loans for existing businesses has just been finalized. This video will give you the whole scoop! Click here for the 504 Refinance Program Video

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS (updated by 504LoanExperts as of October 12,2011):

Refinance proceeds to be used for:

1.Owner-occupied commercial real estate.
2.Machinery and equipment.
3.Itemized Business Expenses (such as salaries, rent, utilities, inventory, paying-down payables and other obligations of the business).
4.Closing costs associated with the project.

Loan being refinanced must have been current for the past year with no past dues more than 30 days (loan deferments and/or modifications are now eligible for refinancing as long as borrowers have not been past due on these newly modified terms).

Debt must be two (2) years or older prior to the date the application is received by the SBA.
Small business concern must have been in business for two years prior to the submission of the application.
In addition to a cash contribution, the borrower’s 10% contribution may be satisfied by its equity in the Eligible Fixed Asset(s) serving as collateral for the Refinancing Project or by the equity in any other fixed assets that are acceptable to SBA as collateral. (An independent appraisal of the fair market value of the project assets and any additional assets offered as additional collateral must be provided, dated within 6 months of application submission — we will engage the appraiser).

No refinancing of loans with an existing federal guaranty (includes 7(a), 504 and USDA loans).

Once the SBA has satisfied the immediate demand, it will open the program to the other small business that have balloon notes and ultimately to small businesses that would realize a substantial cash flow benefit as a result of this program.

ARE YOU READY?

2011-10-04T15:18:00.000-04:00

There are signs that things are improving every so slightly in the economy ... especially for small business. Jeffrey Gitomer (in spite of his unlikely wardrobe) is marketing "guru" focused on helping you improve your sales. He's proven himself over and over, and knows his subject well. Listen here while he tells you how to best take advantage of the little boom headed our way.

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance for NC and SC Counties

2011-09-23T10:50:00.000-04:00

SBA’s Deadline is October 18 for Physical Damage

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of the deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damages caused by the severe storms and flooding that occurred on Aug. 5, 2011. The deadline to file an SBA disaster loan application for physical damage is Oct. 18, 2011.

Anyone with insured losses should not wait for an insurance settlement before applying to the SBA. “If someone does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, the SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided they agree to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Low-interest disaster loans are available in Mecklenburg County, and the neighboring counties of Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union in North Carolina; Lancaster and York in South Carolina.

Interest rates are as low as 2.5 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets the loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

For additional information, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955; (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan application forms can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at http://www.sba.gov/. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical damage is October 18, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 19, 2012.

Kauffman Foundation Expands Global Scholars Program . . .

2011-09-22T14:45:00.000-04:00

U.S. Graduates Invited to Apply
Media Contacts:
Barb Pruitt, (816) 932-1288 or bpruitt@kauffman.org
Sarah Brewster, (816) 842-8111 or sarah@trozzolo.com

Applications available online, due Oct. 17, 2011

(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) Sept. 22, 2011 — A world-class opportunity awaits U.S. college graduates with innovative ideas for a new business. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expanding its successful Global Scholars Program to include up to 10 recent graduates from U.S. colleges and universities who will join Scholars from around the world.

During the first five years of the Global Scholars Program, Kauffman hosted students sponsored by governments and organizations from five countries representing 11 nationalities. In 2012, the expanded Program will enable selected U.S. Scholars to learn and network with an international group of fellow aspiring entrepreneurs.

"It is essential that countries seek to educate global citizens whose vision, knowledge and reach extend beyond their own national boundaries," said Wendy E.F. Torrance, Global Scholars Program director. "By inviting U.S. Scholars into this Program, we can engage our next generation of entrepreneurial talent at a global level."

The Global Scholars Program is now accepting applications from outstanding U.S. college students or recent graduates with business ideas in the science, technology and engineering fields who are U.S. citizens or legal U.S. residents. Applications can be submitted at www.kauffman.org/USglobalscholars, and must be completed by Oct. 17, 2011. The U.S. Scholars will be selected in November 2011 and will begin the six-month Program in January 2012.

The participants will ultimately develop their entrepreneurial skills, ideas, competencies, and capabilities to start a business.

"Steps to Starting a Business" Workshop

2011-09-06T15:24:00.008-04:00

Florence SBDC will be hosting the workshop "Steps to Starting a Business". This workshop provides the basic information needed to start a small business, write a business plan and apply for financing.

Cost: $10 per client
(make check out to Winthrop University - SBDC)

Dates Offered:
January 23, 2012 - 6pm – 9pm
February 13, 2012 - 3pm – 6pm
February 27, 2012 - 6pm – 9pm
March 12, 2012 - 3pm – 6pm
March 26, 2012 - 6pm – 9pm

The topics covered will be:

Entrepreneurial Spirit
What are the characteristics of an entrepreneur?
Do you have what it takes?
Feasibility Plan
What will starting a business cost me personally?
Marketing Research
Know your customer, competition and industry.
Financing your Business
How will this work and where will it come from?
Legal Implications
What kind of business do I want to be?
What does that mean for me legally?
Business Plan Outline
My business on paper.
Financial Statements
An overview of Startup Cost, Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Statements.
Final Checklist
Avoiding common pitfalls, keys to success and key takeaways.

To Register, call the Florence SBDC at (843) 661-8175.

2011 Emerging Business Opportunities Conference - September 20, 2011

2011-09-06T14:52:00.002-04:00

Hosted by: GE Healthcare – Florence, SC

Featuring: Progress Energy, Premier, Inc., Johnson Controls,

Sonoco, Monster, QVC, and others

Agenda:

 Registration/Breakfast

 Welcome (Lt. Governor Ken Ard)

 Welcome (Mike Eggleston, GE Healthcare)

 Session I – Panel (How to do business with)

 Session II – Panel (Supply Chain Strategy/Emerging Opportunities)

 Signup for Breakout Sessions – Lunch

 Breakout Sessions begin (15 minute matchmaking sessions – 5 min. rotation)

 Tours of GE
Who should attend? This event, hosted by GE Healthcare, will connect local businesses with global corporations including GE Healthcare, Progress Energy, Premier, Inc., Sonoco, Johnson Controls, Monster, QVC, Honda, McLeod Health, Carolinas Hospital System and the City of Florence. Throughout the day, participants will discuss the inclusion of minority, women, veteran and small businesses into their supply chains, emerging business opportunities and the future of procurement. The agenda was developed for local business owners and procurement professionals. LIMITED SEATING
Register for the conference by going to www.flochamber.com or complete the back of this flyer and fax to 843-662-2010.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: Gerry Madison 843-665-0515 ext. 128

Email: gmadison@flochamber.com

Nuclear Energy Supplier Training - September 15, 2011

2011-09-06T14:38:00.001-04:00

Export 101 – The Basics of Exporting

Summary: The global nuclear energy industry has opportunity for small companies as export suppliers. Companies interested in the exporting of their products and services need to understand the rules, regulations and customs that govern international trade. The SC Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in collaboration with The Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster, the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Commercial Service are offering a seminar to a limited number of small firms who seriously want to explore the potential to export their products.

What it is:

• A half-day session in which experts explain the basics of exporting to companies that have little to no experience in international trade.

• Learn about trade finance and how to limit your business risks.

• Gain a basic understanding of export logistics and payment methods.

• Hear overviews on international markets and learn the abc’s of export marketing.

• Participants are introduced to local trade experts who can help long term with export challenges and opportunities.

When/where:
• September 15 in Rock Hill at Winthrop University.

• The session runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free of charge.
Who:

• Who is managing this: The SC SBDC in collaboration with the Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster, under its SBA ‘Innovative Economies’ contract to enhance small business involvement with the nuclear energy industry. Government and industry experts will provide guidance and instruction on exporting.

• Who should consider enrolling: Small companies that have done some work or are considering work with nuclear utilities, engineering firms, or Department of Energy sites, and who are looking to expand into exporting. The sessions will accommodate 20-25 people in each class.

How to get more information:

• Contact: Beth Smith, Columbia Small Business Development Center at the USC Incubator, Columbia. Smithem6@mailbox.sc.edu 803-777-4550.

• The sessions are free to those companies who qualify and commit to attend. Companies will have post class follow-up and opportunity for additional assistance.

FANTASTIC! A Marketing Seminar for Small Businesses! - September 13, 2011

2011-08-03T14:03:00.005-04:00

Presenting . . .

“The 8 M's of Marketing” & “Facebook for Business”

Two Fantastic Workshops Wrapped Up in One Terrific Seminar!
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Time: 9:00 AM TO 3:00 PM

Event Description and Registration Information:

The Rock Hill Small Business Development Center at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC in partnership with the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce and York Technical College, are excited to present a one-day seminar with South Carolina native and international marketing speaker and business consultant, Jay Handler.

The seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Anne Springs Close Library, Room L100 at York Technical College, 452 S. Anderson Road, Rock Hill. Registration must be made in advance (see below). Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

Jay will focus on the following timely topics during the one day seminar:

The 8 M's of Marketing - Participants will learn a top-down filter for all their marketing efforts, ensuring a more efficient use of their time and Marketing budgets. Attendees will have the tools necessary to effect change immediately!
Facebook for Business - Anyone who needs to make use of the free (or nearly free) tools available on Facebook to market their businesses or themselves will benefit. You can use more business, can’t you? Participants will start with some basics to get everyone on a level playing field, and then graduate to more advanced tips and strategies that even the expert Facebooker will appreciate!
Jay’s career in marketing started in the radio industry where he served as Senior Account Manager and Automotive Marketing Specialist with ClearChannel, CBS, and Cox Radio. Jay was then recruited to become the original General Sales Manager of ESPN radio in Orlando and later was the first person to bill $1,000,000 in a single year in the history of 107.3 JAMZ in Greenville, SC. He started his text message marketing company, SellPhone Marketing, in 2008, and applied the marketing principles he’d learned in radio to the SMS world. To market his own company, he began utilizing social media platforms, experimented in how to best benefit from what they had to offer, and then began helping other business owners make the social networks work for them. From there it was a short journey to fulfilling his passion of teaching small business-owners the principles that make marketing effective and how to make the most of today’s technology in their marketing. He works with a variety of SBDC offices and Chambers of Commerce throughout NC and SC, as well as national and international conferences on social marketing.

If you have a business to market, you do NOT want to miss this energetic and enthusiastic marketing guru! Register now (through the York County Chamber) for the early bird special of $75 per person for the full one day seminar, to include lunch. This special price ends on Aug. 31. Starting Sept. 1, the registration price will be $99 per person. Please note that your credit card will reflect a charge to the York County Regional Chamber for this event.

For more information about this seminar, contact Carol Daly at the Rock Hill SBDC at (803) 323-2283

Export 101 – The Basics of Exporting Workshop

2011-07-26T10:22:00.002-04:00

Nuclear Energy Supplier Training

Export 101 – The Basics of Exporting

Summary: The global nuclear energy industry for small companies to be export suppliers. Those companies interested in pursuing exporting of their products and services need to understand the rules, regulations and customs that govern international trade. The SC Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in collaboration with The Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster, the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Commercial Service are offering three seminars to a limited number of small firms who want to seriously explore the potential to export their products.

What it is:

A ½ day session in which experts explain the basics of exporting to companies with little to no experience in international trade.
-- Learn about trade finance and how to limit your risks.
-- Gain a basic understanding of logistics and payment methods.
-- Hear overviews on international markets and the abc’s of export marketing.
-- Most importantly, participants are introduced to local trade experts who can help you long term with export challenges and opportunities.

When/where (three stand alone sessions):

-- August 23rd in Columbia at the USC Incubator.
-- August 25th in Greenville at Clemson’s River Walk campus.
-- September 15th in Rock Hill at Winthrop University

Each session runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free of charge

Who:

Who is managing this: The SC SBDC in collaboration with the Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster, under its SBA ‘Innovative Economies’ contract to enhance small business involvement with the nuclear energy industry. Government and industry experts will provide guidance and instruction on exporting.
Who should consider enrolling: Small companies that have done some work with nuclear utilities, engineering firms or Department of Energy sites, and who are looking to expand into exporting. The sessions will accommodate 20-25 people in each class.
How to get more information and qualify for the class:

This is not an open class for the general business public. Our ‘Innovative Economies’ project team will qualify interested companies for enrollment. The sessions are free to those companies who qualify and commit to attend. Companies will have post class follow-up and opportunity for additional assistance.

Contact: Beth Smith, Smithem6@mailbox.sc.edu Columbia Small Business Development Center at the USC Incubator, Columbia. 803-777-4550.

Do You Know What the SBDC Does? Or how?

2011-06-29T11:33:00.004-04:00

With constant budget cuts nationally and in our states, we think it's important for people to understand exactly what Small Business Development Centers do ..... and specifically what our South Carolina SBDCs do. We have a significant positive impact on the South Carolina economy, even in the worst of economic times. Read on for more information:

Who We Are:
The S.C. Small Business Development Center network (SBDC) is part of a national economic development program that helps start and grow small businesses in order to create jobs and revenue. The S.C. SBDC operates under a Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Small Business Administration and a consortium of four host universities (USC, Clemson, Winthrop and South Carolina State).

How We Are Funded:
South Carolina’s SBDC is financed primarily by the U.S. Small Business Administration with additional support provided by state funds. The SBA requires a match for receipt of Federal funding. The state matching funds are necessary to keep the program in operation.

What We Do:
SBDC provides private management consulting services at no charge to small businesses statewide, as well as affordable educational programs targeted to the specific needs of entrepreneurs. These services directly result in job creation and retention, creation of new businesses, access to financing, increased sales and resulting taxes into the economy.

The S.C. SBDC provides specialized services that are not duplicated by the Department of Commerce, other SBA programs or other service providers.

Where We Are Located:
The South Carolina SBDC has 17 offices strategically located in both urban and rural communities throughout the state with 40 trained professionals who provide convenient, accessible services to all small businesses in any industry segment. The SBDC serves constituents in all 46 counties.

Our Five Year Results (2006 to 6/2011):

• Jobs created & retained: 6,304
• Government contract awards: More than $1 Billion
• Financing obtained: $815 million
• Businesses started: 506
• Small businesses served: 26,109

2010 Statewide Return on Investment: $89.2 million statewide *
In 2010, for every $1 invested by the state of South Carolina, over $5.85 are invested by the federal government, universities and local partners.

Our Partners:
The SBDC collaborates with university partners to offer student instruction in entrepreneurship, finance and other courses relevant to small-business development. We also partner with organizations like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), SC Launch, the Women’s Business Center, SCORE, local Chambers of Commerce, Department of Commerce and many others to provide a well rounded offering of complimentary services to our clients

* (2008 per capita personal income figures obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis at www.bea.gov/regional/rels)

Can Your Company Win the Start-Up Open?

2011-05-30T09:38:00.001-04:00

http://startupopen.com/ .......

Is your new company ready to compete? Would you like to enter a competition that could win you the opportunity to grow your business with a once-in-a-lifetime experience?

Startup Open is a competition to recognize and reward startups and the entrepreneurs behind them. Held as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Startup Open will recognize the top 50 startups in 2011 and award prizes to help them grow their business.

Registration for Startup Open is open until September 15, 2011. Just click on the link above, create and account, and answer some questions about your company. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

SBA Introduces New Mobile Application for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs

2011-05-24T10:19:00.002-04:00

New SBA mobile application brings enhanced access to
information and resources ...

WASHINGTON – Smart phone users interested in starting or growing a small business can now find helpful resources at their fingertips via a new SBA mobile application from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Increasingly, smart phones are the vehicle through which Americans access information. This is certainly true of many entrepreneurs and small business owners and this new application ensures they will have access to SBA’s resources and programs – literally at their fingertips,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “Greater mobility fits with the new user-focused SBA.gov launched recently, and is another example of the steps we are taking to do a better job of connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools to help them start or grow their businesses and create jobs.”

Developed and donated as a gift by Palo Alto Software, Inc., the SBA mobile app will make the search for extensive resources more efficient, whether users are starting a new business or taking an existing business to a new level. The app will first be available for the Apple iPhone®, with future versions for other smart phone platforms.

“Palo Alto Software’s mission is to help small businesses succeed. We’ve developed this mobile application for the SBA because we understand the importance of having the right tools and resources when starting or growing a business,” said Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software. “Ideas can strike entrepreneurs at any moment, and having useful resources available through mobile devices could be the impetus that begins the next big company.”

The mobile app will help users connect with SBA district office staff and SBA-affiliated counselors and mentors who can provide free, personalized small business assistance. The user-friendly format of the app will help answer questions such as: How do I start a business? Where can I go in my area to get free help with writing a business plan? And where do I begin finding funding for my business?

The SBA mobile app also features a built-in startup cost calculator to help estimate the costs associated with getting a business off the ground, plus an SBA partner locator to help users find SBA offices, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE.

Users will also have mobile access to SBA video content and social media alerts to provide them with tips on the go. This will include live updates from the SBA’s YouTube channel and from SBA’s Twitter feeds. The free mobile app can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/content/sba-mobile-app.

Competition invites entrepreneurs to express what being a founder means to them.

2011-04-22T09:26:00.001-04:00

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is inviting entrepreneurs to read its "Entrepreneur's Pledge," and express what it means to them for a chance to win a ticket to Big Omaha, a sold-out event billed as "the nation's most ambitious conference on innovation and entrepreneurship," to be held May 11-13, 2011 in Omaha, Neb.

The Foundation created the "Pledge" for entrepreneurs to not only publicly express their enthusiasm for being a business owner, but also to show their support for entrepreneurship as a cause. Big Omaha's "Express Your Pledge" competition asks entrepreneurs to review the Pledge and explain in 300 words or less what it means to them and at least two ways they could do a better job fulfilling it.

"Like the Pledge itself, Big Omaha's competition gives founders a chance to voice what it means to contribute to our communities and the economy every day, and to have an opportunity to win a seat at Big Omaha," said Nick Seguin, manager of entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation.

More than 500 innovators and entrepreneurs are expected to attend Big Omaha, which will feature speakers such as Shervin Pishevar, founder and CEO of Social Gaming Network, and Sarah Lacy, senior editor at TechCrunch.

Competition entrants each must complete an application at http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Entrepreneurs-Movement/Contest.aspx. Entries are due by April 29, 2011, and the winner will be announced the week of May 2. The winning entrant will be responsible for all travel expenses.

SBA To Honor Contractors

2011-04-19T09:11:00.000-04:00

National Prime Contractor & Subcontractor of the Year to be Named During National Small Business Week

WASHINGTON – More than twenty small business contractors, federal acquisition executives and business and industry leaders from around the country will come to Washington, D.C., in mid May 2011 to accept awards for excellence in the federal contracting arena.

Two small businesses from among regional prime contractors and subcontractors of the year will receive the National Prime and Subcontractor of the Year awards honoring small businesses that have provided outstanding goods and services as contractors.

They are among the nation’s top entrepreneurs who will be honored at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week events May 18-20 in Washington, D.C. Under the theme, “Empowering Entrepreneurs,” a series of events and educational forums will mark the 58th anniversary of the agency and the 48th annual National Small Business Week.

The procurement award small business winners provide a broad range of products and services to the federal government and private industry including environmental remediation services, the construction of transmission lines, aviation management and staffing services, and they hail from 18 states from Massachusetts to Alaska.

The three-day event in Washington, D.C., will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Events can be viewed virtually through SBA’s free, live webcasting, which will be accessible at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/. Business owners, business organizations, other individuals and the news media can register online at www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com where additional information is available.

Other procurement awards that will be given out during the 2011 National Small Business Week award events include:
• The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence, recognizing large prime contractors who have excelled in their utilization of small businesses as suppliers and subcontractors.
• The Gold Star Award, recognizing exemplary performance of federal staff who manage the aggressive goals and strategic initiatives that help ensure a role for small business in the federal marketplace.
• The Frances Perkins Vanguard Award, honoring government and industry for excellence in the use of women-owned small businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors.

A complete list of all award winners will be available on the National Small Business Week Web site at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com

What Every American Should Know

2011-04-08T15:06:00.009-04:00

History Strips

Peter Robyn met Mike Bell in the spring of 2007 to seek professional assistance in writing a business plan for HistoryStrips.

Having never written a business plan and realizing that it was necessary to the success of a new business, Mr. Robyn worked diligently under Mike Bell's tutelage.

Mike Bell's expert advice and experience proved invaluable to the development of the HistoryStrips' business plan, which included an executive summary, a sales and marketing plan, product development plan and five-year projections.

The finished business plan was the essential component that lead to an approved Community Express Small Business Loan that was secured in 2009, through Mr. Bell's contacts, at a time when it was very difficult to get a loan.

Mike's commitment to HistoryStrips did not end when the business plan was finished, however. Mr. Robyn has frequently called upon Mike Bell for consultation. Mike has been a tremendous asset in launching HistoryStrips.

After three years time, in which a business plan was written, necessary research and development conducted, procurement of services achieved, TradeMark and copyright secured and capital acquired, HistoryStrips was launched, with a functioning website and product in hand.

Since February 2010, HistoryStrips has shipped over 300 prints to 28 states, as well as, Washington, DC; been written about in numerous publications including the NY Times and has been featured on WBTW News Channel 13, Myrtle Beach, SC, a division of CBS News. HistoryStrips were on display in schools from New York City to Florence, SC. They are now on display across the country.

It should be noted that the development of HistoryStrips has brought work to a printer in Georgia that had recently laid-off over a hundred employees and four graphic designers (three of whom were themselves launching their own businesses and needed work).

Mr. Robyn has become a frequent speaker to Veterans and Civic organizations.

The most important aspect of the success of HistoryStrips is that for every customer, there is a child who is learning more about our wonderful country!

Why Export?

2011-04-07T09:31:00.003-04:00

Watch this series of videos at Taking Your Business Global to get answers to the "why" and the "how" of expanding your business through exporting.

Nation’s First Crowdfunding Business Grant Provides Innovative Solution For Mom Business Owners

2011-04-04T10:00:00.001-04:00

Moms In Business Grant Helps Relieve #1 Pain Point for Women Entrepreneurs

Henderson, NV March 2, 2011 — The National Association For Moms In Business (NAFMIB), the leading association representing the fifteen million entrepreneur, executive and CEO moms in the United States is launching an innovative business grant using the internet phenomenon of “crowdfunding” to give mom business owners a better chance at launching a new business or current business project. It’s the first business grant competition to utilize crowdfunding.

"Crowdfunding" is a platform to raise money by attracting many small donations from a large group (friends, family, professional contacts) to meet a funding goal. "Backers" give contributions in exchange for rewards or perks offered by the grant applicant - rewards can be any product, service or experience to which the grant applicant has access.

The National Association For Moms In Business has partnered with peerbackers.com - a crowdfunding site dedicated to helping entrepreneurs fund their projects - to provide the grant’s crowdfunding technology platform. “We are tackling the # 1 pain point for millions of entrepreneurs – raising the capital they need to start or grow their business. Good business ideas don’t always attract the cash they need from traditional financing sources”, says Sally Outlaw, Co-Founder of peerbackers and mom of two. According to the SBA, Women own over 9 million businesses yet they receive the least amount of financing from traditional sources. Women traditionally own smaller types of businesses that don't meet financial assistance minimums of banks and venture capital firms.

“Moms In Business is giving a crowdfunding business grant rather than using the traditional grant-giving model for three reasons,” says founder and CEO of National Association For Moms In Business, Gina Robison-Billups, “We wanted to provide an innovative way to motivate moms to kick start or grow their businesses. In addition, it's an "everybody wins" scenario where all those that participate have the opportunity to raise money, create exposure and build a following for their business, and lastly, due to the promotional requirements to be successful via crowdfunding, it's a good way to identify those entrepreneurs who will go the extra mile to publicize and build their ventures therefore making them ideal candidates for our grand prize grant of $10,000 in business growth tools.”
The Moms In Business Grant is now accepting grant sign ups. Grant competitors must be a member of the National Association For Moms In Business.

Each grant competitor (whether they raise crowdfunding support or not) receives a hefty prize package just for participating.

Each grant competitor will receive:
• a half-page feature article about their business in Moms In Business Magazine,
• all the money they raise in the crowdfunding competition (less the processing fees),
• publicity on both peerbackers.com and momsinbusinessgrant.com
• and a publicity toolkit from PRNewswire valued at $2000

The grant’s crowdfunding competition runs from May 1st through June 15th. At that point, when the Crowdfunding competition portion ends, all grant applicants who raised 80% or more of their funding goal will move on to the semi-finalist round where a team of mom executives and entrepreneurs will judge each application on a point system to decide the $10,000 Grand Prize Grant Package winner.

More information about the grant can be found at momsinbusinessgrant.com or mibn.org.

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About National Association For Moms In Business

The National Association for Moms in Business (NAFMIB) is the leading national association representing and serving the needs of 15 million entrepreneur, executive and CEO moms. NAFMIB’s outreach exceeds 500,000 moms in business every year. Founded on the core values of Growth, Balance, Wisdom, and Enrichment, NAFMIB programs offer free education, networking, support and advocacy for moms in business. NAFMIB is viewed as the national expert and recognized voice of the 15 million moms in business in the United States. Go to www.MIBN.org

About peerbackers.com

peerbackers is a new way to fund entrepreneurs. It is an online funding platform that allows business owners to raise capital from their “peers” – in small increments – in exchange for tangible rewards to those who contribute. It was founded by Sally Miller Outlaw and Andrew Rachmell of Palm Beach County, Florida.

SBA Re-launches Dealer Floor Plan Pilot Loan Program

2011-02-07T10:10:00.002-05:00

New maximum loan size increased to $5 million by Small Business Jobs Act . . .

WASHINGTON – A pilot loan program aimed at increasing access to inventory financing for auto, boat, RV and other dealerships will be re-launched Tuesday (2/8) and will be effective through Sept. 30, 2013, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today.

The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 included a provision for re-launching SBA’s Dealer Floor Plan (DFP) Pilot Loan program, which first became available in July 2009. The pilot is part of the SBA’s overall 7(a) loan guarantee program. The Jobs Act also increased the maximum size for 7(a) loans to $5 million, up from $2 million, which includes loans made through the DFP pilot program.

“As a result of the credit crunch in late 2008 and early 2009, dealerships saw a significant decline in the availability of this type of inventory financing,” SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns said. “SBA’s original DFP pilot program was launched as a way to expand the availability of floor plan financing and the Jobs Act added further enhancements to that program, including allowing for larger loan sizes.

“Dealerships are a cornerstone of local business communities,” Johns continued. “As we continue to see our economy recover, the re-launch of this pilot provides another tool, alongside SBA’s other programs, to help them succeed and create jobs in their local communities.”

The rules and regulations for the pilot will be available Tuesday on the website of The Federal Register, and in print editions on Wednesday. A procedural guide to the program will be posted on the SBA website at: http://www.sba.gov/content/dealer-floor-plan-financing-program-0.

Floor plan financing is a revolving line of credit that allows a dealership to obtain financing through SBA’s 7(a) program for inventory that can be titled, such as autos, RVs, manufactured homes, boats and trailers. As each piece of collateral is sold by the dealer, the loan advance against that piece of collateral is repaid. As the loan is repaid, the dealer can borrow against the line of credit to add new inventory.

The program is available to qualifying small businesses, including new and used automobile, motorcycle, RV, manufactured homes and boat dealers. SBA has issued a new maximum alternative size standard to allow businesses with $15 million net worth and $5 million in net income measured over two years to have access to the program.

All SBA-approved lenders may make DFP loans. Lenders with more than $1 billion of floor plan lines of credit in their current portfolios may apply for delegated authority, which would expedite the lending process.

Borrowers interested in obtaining a DFP loan should contact their lender or their nearest SBA field office to get a list of SBA-approved lenders in their area who may be participating in the program. Local district offices and contact information, as well as information on this and other SBA programs and resources, can be found at www.sba.gov or by calling the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA or TDD 704-344-6640.

IRS Tax Workshop for Small Businesses

2010-09-13T11:31:00.005-04:00

Whether you are planning a business or already in business, plan now to attend our October 18th IRS Tax Workshop to make sure you’re doing all the right things for your small business!

The Winthrop Regional Small Business Development Center in Rock Hill, SC is offering a FREE tax workshop for prospective and new small business owners. The workshop will be held from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on October 18, 2010, in Room 415 of the Thurmond Building (College of Business) on the campus of Winthrop University.

The Small Business IRS Tax Workshop contains general information about different types of business organizations, record keeping requirements and business tax returns. This workshop is one of two taxpayer education programs sponsored by the Winthrop Small Business Development Center each year, along with a CPA and representatives of the SC Employment Security and the SC Department of Revenue. It is directed toward the small businessperson who is starting a business or has recently started a small business in the service, retail or manufacturing area. Existing businesses are also welcome.

The morning session will cover federal tax requirements for small businesses and the afternoon session will cover state tax and employment security obligations. A packet of helpful reference publications is given to each participant.

To register for the workshop or for more information, please register online at http://www.winthropregionalsbdc.org , or contact the SBDC by calling (803) 323-2283.

Small Business Advocacy

2009-12-08T12:40:00.001-05:00

We thought you might be interested in knowing about a site where you can read more about the SBA Office of Advocacy's activities and efforts on behalf of small business. You can also ask questions about small business and its contribution to the economy, discuss the impact of regulations on your own business or industry, and connect with the small business community in your state or your region in particular.

Visit The Small Business Watchdog at http://weblog.sba.gov/blog-advo

A Small Business Success Story

2009-10-22T11:35:00.003-04:00

Just three years ago, South Carolina resident Buddy Richardson was where many of you are today .... wanting to start a business of his own, with all the technical specifics of his particular business idea in place, but confused by the process of how to pull it all together into a cohesive, operational, successful business that would become his livelihood.

But with planning assistance from the Florence SBDC and the FastTrac program, he's made his dream a reality.

Read his story on our main web site at http://www.florencesbdc.org/html/small_business_success_stories.html

Interested in a Franchise Business?

2009-08-31T13:19:00.004-04:00

Entrepreneur's Source is sponsoring a Franchise Expo at the Hilton Hotel at 5624 Westpark Drive, Charlotte, NC on October 23rd & 24th.

From Entrepreneur's Source:
"Remember You are Only Getting Your Feet Wet.

You may be thinking, I am not ready to go into business right now! You are right. For most people, that would be premature. A little uncertainty is normal. Change usually isn't comfortable, even when it’s positive change. It is natural to see obstacles and avoid risk.

We are Here to Help Minimize the Risk

Let us put it another way: What is the cost of doing nothing about your dream? We have worked with thousands of people just like you, individuals considering business ownership. We have helped them discover businesses that led them to achieving their goals and objectives. As coaches, we guide you through a process of education about opportunities in business ownership."

Some of the questions that you may get answered at this Expo include:
Why choose a franchise rather than starting or buying an independent business?What are the best franchises for you?How do you fund the investment in a franchise?

Register online for FREE participation. If you do not register online, there will be a $10 charge at the door. http://www.carolinates.com/events/registration

Florence Area SBDC Welcomes Entrepreneurs!

2009-07-30T11:28:00.000-04:00

We're happy to announce the opening of our new Florence Area Small Business Development Center web site and blog! We hope our new presence online will make it easier for entrepreneurs in the South Carolina Counties of Florence, Marion, Dillon, Darlington, Marlboro, Chesterfield and Lee to get the assistance they need in opening or expanding their small businesses.

Please go to our site for more information, and contact us today to make an appointment. We're here to serve you!