BMW Supplier Diversity Conference and Matchmaker 2017

This B2B event is an opportunity for automotive-related OEM and Tier 1 companies to connect with potential Direct and Indirect suppliers for an afternoon of speed-dating. Please complete the requested information. Pre-registered companies will be reviewed to ensure a good cross-section of supplier representation, including a general South Carolina focus.

This list will also be given to all OEM/Tier 1 companies for their review. They will have first opportunity to select potential suppliers with whom they would like to meet. The remaining time slots will then be opened on a first come, first served basis. All pre-registered companies will be notified of their approval status. Those approved will be provided further instruction on how and when to register online for actual time slots. Approval does not guarantee a time slot, as there may be more registrants than available time slots. For registrants who obtain one or more time slots there will be a $95.00 registration fee.

There is no cost for pre-registration.  Click here to REGISTER.

If you need additional information, please contact Chuck Bundy, cbundy@sccommerce.com, 803-737-0440.  

Do You Know Your Return on Investment (ROI)?

Return on Investment (ROI) ..... Do you know your company's ROI on your marketing expense? Human Resources expense? Equipment expense? Or in general? Watch this 1-hour long video Webinar to truly understand benefits vs cost and be able to evaluate and correct where necessary.

Have an Agricultural Business? Enter the Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge!

This is a competition (which ends June 30^th, so you need to hurry) to win $30,000 from the Farm Bureau “Strengthening Rural America 2017 Challenge” …… you would have to join the Farm Bureau  
(http://www.scfb.org/ ) in order to enter if you’re not already a member, and then fill out the application online for the competition.   http://www.strongruralamerica.com 

SBA Free Webinars for National Small Business Week

In recognition of National Small Business Week, the Small Business Administration offers the following free Webinars throughout this first week of May.  Register to learn more about what you need to know this year!

Webinar: The Decline of Magstripe Cards—and What That Means for Your Business
Sponsor: Square, Inc.
Webinar Date/Time: Monday, May 2, 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT
Description: The payments landscape is changing. New security measures, a decline in the use of traditional magstripe cards, the switch to EMV chip cards and emerging technologies like contactless payments, are forcing a monumental shift in the way people pay. These changes have major implications for businesses of all sizes. Is your business prepared? Join Square’s Head of Business Intelligence Owen Britton Jennings and Head of Seller Education Erin Renzas for this can’t-miss webinar. They’ll break down all of the major changes in payments and what you need to do to ensure you’re ahead of the curve. In this webinar:

• Get need-to-know information on all the major payment changes
• Understand how consumer behavior is shifting and how to address their new needs
• Learn how to ensure your business is prepared for upcoming trends

Register: http://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1166555/BC3DA14B3572C0BB9EF0A8813FA76CB3?partnerref=sba

Webinar: Cloud, Mobile, and Social: Great Apps and Services That Will Grow Your Business
Sponsor: YP
Webinar Date/Time: Tuesday, May 3, 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT
Description: Watch and learn from small business experts, Gene Marks and Ramon Ray, as they discuss the latest trends, tips, and services to help you grow, manage, and increase your profits. You’ll discover how to leverage cloud, mobile, and social technologies that will allow you to stand out from your competition.

Register: http://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1166576/38AB60D7BBD7E48535F7C8FCEC57A6D9?partnerref=sba

Webinar: Access to Capital and Business Loans: Best Practices
Sponsor: Sam’s Club
Webinar Date/Time: Wednesday, May 4, 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT
Description: Cash is the lifeblood of any business yet access to capital, managing business finances, and navigating sources of finance are some of the most challenging areas for business owners and can make or break any enterprise. Sam’s Club has teamed up with Small Business Majority’s Rhea Aguinaldo to help entrepreneurs and small business owners bring finance into focus for long term success. Participants will learn background on the small business loan market and providers as well as how to identify the right type of financial product for the business need.

Register: http://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1166578/B65100047A3C6461EE4781F1A49D949E?partnerref=sba

Webinar: Tips for Getting Your Business Financially Fit
Sponsor: Intuit Quickbooks
Webinar Date/Time: Thursday, May 5, 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT
Description: Understanding the fiscal condition of your business is critical when managing daily duties, planning for the longterm and making consequential decisions. But that means more than simply knowing what’s in your bank account. Join Intuit QuickBooks in this interactive webinar, where you’ll learn practical, actionable tips for improving the financial fitness of your small business.

Register: http://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1166582/18C9865EF65B5576ED73B89A75D5F9B3?partnerref=sba

Business Success Extravaganza 2016 -- Don't Miss it!

The Florence Area SBDC 

wishes to invite you to attend 

Business Success Extravaganza 2016 ..... undoubtedly the

best value in a small business seminar you'll find!

Great speakers .... great topics .... great ideas!

And they'll even feed you!  This event will be held at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC .... well worth the drive!

Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-business-success-extravaganza-tickets-15949132284 

To see the great reviews on last year's Extravaganza, visit the reviews page

14 Reasons We’re Sweet on Small Business

The Small Business Administration sent us a Valentine this weekend to let us know why we should all love small businesses .... we thought you'd enjoy it too ..... isn't it nice to know that someone notices all you do?

14 Reasons We’re Sweet on Small Business

By ngoriel, SBA Official

 Published: February 12, 2016

Small businesses are the heart of America’s economy. This Valentine’s Day, the SBA is sending small business owners this valentine with 14 reasons why we love small business. Small businesses in the United States:


1) Care about their communities – The 28 million small businesses in the U.S. contribute directly to local communities.
2) Provide opportunities – Small businesses make up 99.7 percent of U.S. employer firms.
3) Create jobs – Two out of every three net new jobs created in the U.S. are from small businesses.
4) Grow the global economy – 97.7 percent of exporters are small firms.
5) Represent the diversity of America – Last year, SBA achieved record lending of $23.5 billion under our flagship 7(a) loan program, with loans up 23 percent to minorities.
6) Value military experience – One out of every 10 small business owners is a veteran.
7) Contribute to sales – Small businesses account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales.
8) Employ about half of the workforce – Small businesses employ about 56.1 million of the nation’s private workforce.
9) Produce goods and services for our government– In fiscal year 2014, $91.7 billion were awarded to small business contractors, resulting in the support of approximately 550,000 total jobs.
10) Lead the way for female entrepreneurs –According to Census data from December 2015, women’s ownership rates are up 27 percent, employing 8 million workers.
11) Direct local industries – Health care and social assistance; accommodation and food services; and retail trade were the three industries with the most small business employment.
12) Drive innovation – Small patenting firms produce 16 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms.
13) Create opportunities for flexible work and lifestyles – Home-based businesses account for 52 percent of all small businesses.
14) Inspire us – Small business owners work countless hours, sacrifice their personal time, improve their communities and follow their dreams.

Did your business suffer economic loss due to this summer's extreme heat and drought?

DISASTER NEWS

                                                   Economic Injury Loans for Small Businesses  

                                   S

BA Disaster Assistance – Field Operations Center- East – 101 Marietta Street, NW, Suite 700, Atlanta, GA 30303

---

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans available in South Carolina

Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration

ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in South Carolina as a result of excessive heat and drought beginning on May 1.

This disaster declaration includes the following counties: Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Marlboro, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, Williamsburg, and York in South Carolina.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible
farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.  With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA can not provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers. Nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.  These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.  The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster.  Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than May 9, 2016.

# # #

For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov/disaster.