The City of Bridgeport continues to demonstrate strong support for the small business community by hosting the 2010 Small Business Expo and Multicultural Marketplace on Friday, February 26th. This is a most important step for small
business owners, entrepreneurs, retirees, veterans and others who are considering business ownership. Congratulations to Mayor Finch and his staff for creating this grand opportunity. Small businesses are the primary source of employment in the United States. A recent survey by the Kauffman Foundation indicated that 3 million jobs per year were created by startups. In Connecticut, over 90 per cent of businesses are small. As the economy slows, big companies continue to lay off valued employees. Laid off employees can contribute to the economy by starting their own business and being self-sufficient. The downside is that new entrepreneurs tend to question their ability.
Is business ownership for me? Can I do it? Do I have the skills? Where will the money come from to start the business? All of these are legitimate questions. However, it is the reason that you would want to attend the expo. At the expo, many of these questions can be answered by experts provided by the City.
Too often, entrepreneurs overlook this valuable opportunity because they are unable to see the marketing opportunities that business expos provide. Statistics show that 80 percent of exhibitors at a small business expo increase their visibility by 100 per cent. This is because for a home-based business as an example, there is no store front, the business visibility is limited, advertising dollars are limited, and more often than not, there is no marketing budget. Opportunities by exhibiting include press coverage, walk-by traffic, face-to-face contacts, and potential customers specifically looking for your product or service.
Attendees also benefit from attending business expos. Most people looking to get back into the workforce have unique skills and many years of experience. They spend an average of 50 hours looking for another job; but how many think about starting a business based on their experience? The Small Business Expo and Multicultural Marketplace is the ideal venue for anyone considering business ownership. The organizer of this event, Ms. Deborah Caviness said that she expects a 75% increase in foot traffic because people now realize how important it is to start and operate their own business. She said, “People will be coming to see what businesses they are likely to start and just how to go about starting it. We will have experts on hand to assist those people on the spot.”
Some Tips for Expo Participants
ATTENDEES
Make the most of your time at the expo. If you are thinking of starting a business, walk the exhibit floor and observe the various displays. See what people are excited about. Talk to the exhibitors and get a perspective on their products or service. Figure out what type of business you would like to own. Picture yourself in their position and doing what they do – but better.
EXHIBITORS
10 tips that will help you to get ready for a successful business expo
1. Decide what products(s) you will be exhibiting
2. Order promotional items as giveaways
3. Purchase an exhibit banner for your table or backdrop
4. Send an email to all of your existing customers to alert them about your exhibit
5. Plan to spend the entire day at the expo
6. Prepare props that attract attention or buzz at your booth
7. Plan to have an assistant at the booth so you can take breaks and walk around
8. Use PRWEB or PRLOG to send out a press release that you will be exhibiting
9. Send direct mail invitations to your best customers and suppliers
10. Use social media to promote your presence at the event – ask friends and associates to join you at your booth
SOME EXHIBIT DONT’S
1. Don’t try to sell anything at your booth. You will lose valuable marketing opportunities
2. Don’t try to leave the expo early – stay until the very end
3. Don’t have lunch or snacks at your booth in the presence of your customers
4. Don’t ignore anyone who stops at your booth
5. Don’t sit in your booth while talking with customers – unless it is a part of the demonstration
POST EVENT TIPS
1. Contact all of the names of people who visited your booth
2. Take a post event survey – send out a 10 question survey to your list
3. Determine which leads can be qualified as potential and follow up with a phone call within two days of the event
4. Try to attend the post event reception. You will be likely to meet other exhibitors that you missed earlier
For more business tips and information on how to maximize your exhibit time, start a business or develop your business model, contact Harland Henry at SunBiz Showcase Alliance. Our website is www.sunbizshowcasealliance.com. To attend the expo or register as an exhibitor, please contact Deborah Caviness at 203.576.8473.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Number of New Companies Created Annually Remains Remarkably Constant Across Time, According to Kauffman Foundation Study
Friday, January 01, 2010
It's the Year 2010
I am sure most of you(like me) did something special to mark the end of 2009; at the same time welcome the birth of a new millennium and the start of 2010.
As many of you, I struggled through the year but the difference is that I used each and every day as a day in school. There were challenges and ups and downs and I likened the days and every experience to the days in college when I struggled through a class and was able to breathe a sigh of relief when the final exam was over.
In this case, regardless of the results, we have to be thankful that we are able to see another year. So we need to begin with blessings for 2010. All that we have learned and experienced during 2009 (good, bad or indifferent), we should chalk it up as "experience counted." As we emerge out of the ashes of 2009, let us remember the lessons and not repeat them again. Let us look forward, help someone, volunteer with an organization, join a board and make a difference.
I hold fast to my ideals that for us to survive the recession, we have to all look inward. The governments need to take care of its infrastructure that will support the small businesses. The small business owners need to take care of its employees and customers; and teachers need to teach, coach and instruct. If all of these elements would take place in synchrony we would expect that jobs would be created, students would want to stay local, shops and stores and all business transactions would be interrelated and people would prosper again. If several communities could be interrelated and share information and expertise, we would not have the problem of some communities receiving the bulk of stimulus funds while others have an abundance without a complete plan to execute the funds.
Let us hope that in 2010, the activity picks up so that everyone who needs a job can find one and excel in it.
All the Best to you.
As many of you, I struggled through the year but the difference is that I used each and every day as a day in school. There were challenges and ups and downs and I likened the days and every experience to the days in college when I struggled through a class and was able to breathe a sigh of relief when the final exam was over.
In this case, regardless of the results, we have to be thankful that we are able to see another year. So we need to begin with blessings for 2010. All that we have learned and experienced during 2009 (good, bad or indifferent), we should chalk it up as "experience counted." As we emerge out of the ashes of 2009, let us remember the lessons and not repeat them again. Let us look forward, help someone, volunteer with an organization, join a board and make a difference.
I hold fast to my ideals that for us to survive the recession, we have to all look inward. The governments need to take care of its infrastructure that will support the small businesses. The small business owners need to take care of its employees and customers; and teachers need to teach, coach and instruct. If all of these elements would take place in synchrony we would expect that jobs would be created, students would want to stay local, shops and stores and all business transactions would be interrelated and people would prosper again. If several communities could be interrelated and share information and expertise, we would not have the problem of some communities receiving the bulk of stimulus funds while others have an abundance without a complete plan to execute the funds.
Let us hope that in 2010, the activity picks up so that everyone who needs a job can find one and excel in it.
All the Best to you.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Let's Hope For A Happy 2010
Here is an article that may bring some hope to my last blog entry. It is entitled,
"Enhanced small business loan funding increased as Obama signs bill"
12:00 AM CST on Wednesday, December 23, 2009
By SHERYL JEAN / The Dallas Morning News
The U.S. Small Business Administration said Tuesday that it has received additional funding to support $4.5 billion in enhanced small business lending through Feb. 28.
Federal stimulus funding that let the SBA increase its guarantee and lower fees on its two most popular loans ran out Nov. 23. As of Tuesday, 1,070 small businesses were waiting to borrow $562 million, according to the SBA's Web site.
President Barack Obama signed an appropriations bill Saturday that included $125 million to extend the SBA's enhanced loans.
The SBA plans to begin new loan approvals by Monday. It first will fund applications in its Recovery Loan Queue, which began Nov. 23 for small businesses that wanted an enhanced loan and could wait for funding.
As part of the federal stimulus package, the SBA received $375 million to increase the guarantee on its 7a loans to 90 percent from 75 percent and to waive borrower fees on 7a and 504 loans.
Since February, the funding supported more than $16 billion in SBA loans nationwide.
The SBA's Dallas-Fort Worth office approved 1,327 loans amounting to $541.7 million from February through last Friday. The extended loan programs "mean thousands more small business owners have access to the credit they need," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. She said she'll continue to work with Congress to meet Obama's goal of giving small businesses more access to credit to help drive the U.S. economic recovery through job creation.
The extension doesn't affect the SBA's America's Recovery Capital loan program, microloans, or 7a and 504 loans with standard guarantees and fees.
"Enhanced small business loan funding increased as Obama signs bill"
12:00 AM CST on Wednesday, December 23, 2009
By SHERYL JEAN / The Dallas Morning News
The U.S. Small Business Administration said Tuesday that it has received additional funding to support $4.5 billion in enhanced small business lending through Feb. 28.
Federal stimulus funding that let the SBA increase its guarantee and lower fees on its two most popular loans ran out Nov. 23. As of Tuesday, 1,070 small businesses were waiting to borrow $562 million, according to the SBA's Web site.
President Barack Obama signed an appropriations bill Saturday that included $125 million to extend the SBA's enhanced loans.
The SBA plans to begin new loan approvals by Monday. It first will fund applications in its Recovery Loan Queue, which began Nov. 23 for small businesses that wanted an enhanced loan and could wait for funding.
As part of the federal stimulus package, the SBA received $375 million to increase the guarantee on its 7a loans to 90 percent from 75 percent and to waive borrower fees on 7a and 504 loans.
Since February, the funding supported more than $16 billion in SBA loans nationwide.
The SBA's Dallas-Fort Worth office approved 1,327 loans amounting to $541.7 million from February through last Friday. The extended loan programs "mean thousands more small business owners have access to the credit they need," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. She said she'll continue to work with Congress to meet Obama's goal of giving small businesses more access to credit to help drive the U.S. economic recovery through job creation.
The extension doesn't affect the SBA's America's Recovery Capital loan program, microloans, or 7a and 504 loans with standard guarantees and fees.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Small Businesses and the Economy
Talk with any small business owner and you will probably hear the same cry from 80 % of them, "We need access to capital." But the unfortunate thing is that no one seems to be listening. Okay, I agree that there is a lot going on in the world. The leaders, politicians or whomever they may be that make the decisions are very very busy looking at how to screw everyone else out of heathcare, spend more money on the war; and worrying about their 401 k that just lost a few hundred thousand dollars.
The President this week (December 3, 2009) invited a large number of CEO's and business leaders to the White House to discuss the dilemma faced by the small business community. We look forward to seeing the result of that meeting. But first, I have some questions and opinions about the meeting (since everyone else has an opinion on everything these days). Were most of the guests really small business owners? When we think about a "small business" are we using the SBA's definition, or the main street definition? Because there is a vast difference in catering to an SBA type small business of 10 million dollars in annual revenues and the main street small business that is struggling to make 25 thousand dollars at the end of the year. That said, I wonder who was at that meeting to represent those guys?
What I hope would come out of that meeting is the President doing a few things:
1. Mandate every community based bank (all banks) to lend up to 75% of their profits to locally established businesses; and provide a 10% grant to non-profits (within a 30 mile geographic radius)
2. Mandate the banks to provide a representative or contractor to support the business. This will ensure that the money is spent and managed effectively
3. Mandate the credit reporting agencies and D&B to relax their reporting to allow for those who now are defined as poor credit risks the opportunity to rebuild their credit
4. Encourage every state to create a division to monitor and manage the distribution of funds and facilitate the growth of small businesses
5. Any business that was created before June 2009 should be eligible for the minimum loan amount
6. Any home based business should be given a credit of up to $500 by the state (county) to assist in paying for fees and licences
7. New small businesses and entrepreneurs (after June 2009) with a valid business plan should be given $500 at the launch of their business
8. A quarterly business showcase designed for small businesses should be manged by the state, or county so that all of the businesses that were created within the last quarter would have an opportunity to be known seen, and displayed
9. For every new employee acquired by any of these businesses for six months or more, their business gets tax credits and incentives like reduced utility rates (electricity, telephone etc).
10. For those guests that attended that nice big event at the White House, each of them contribute 25% of their profits to two businesses or organizations in their community or an organization of their choice, plus register to be a mentor for a designated entrepreneur or business owner
Okay, I know that I may be dreaming aloud but just imagine what would happen if all of this were to be manifested. The growth of communities would be sustainable, businesses would be able to employ additional help, and the non-profit organizations that are struggling with their outreach would be supported. But this is just a start to get things rolling. By including the utility companies in this true public-private partnership, everybody wins.
I hope that this week, I will hear some good news about the help for small businesses, because the only way (my opinion) that we are going to get out of this economic slump is by some creative economic development strategy as outlined above.
What I have outlined about is not too difficult to initiate. It just takes the President to articulate it and then act like he means it. Would you please, Sir?
Now, Mr or Ms Small Business Owner it is up to you to Register to Vote - NOW! It is up to you and your family to hold every politician accountable for this mess. Find out who your locate, state, county and federal representatives are and let them know that you exist.
The President this week (December 3, 2009) invited a large number of CEO's and business leaders to the White House to discuss the dilemma faced by the small business community. We look forward to seeing the result of that meeting. But first, I have some questions and opinions about the meeting (since everyone else has an opinion on everything these days). Were most of the guests really small business owners? When we think about a "small business" are we using the SBA's definition, or the main street definition? Because there is a vast difference in catering to an SBA type small business of 10 million dollars in annual revenues and the main street small business that is struggling to make 25 thousand dollars at the end of the year. That said, I wonder who was at that meeting to represent those guys?
What I hope would come out of that meeting is the President doing a few things:
1. Mandate every community based bank (all banks) to lend up to 75% of their profits to locally established businesses; and provide a 10% grant to non-profits (within a 30 mile geographic radius)
2. Mandate the banks to provide a representative or contractor to support the business. This will ensure that the money is spent and managed effectively
3. Mandate the credit reporting agencies and D&B to relax their reporting to allow for those who now are defined as poor credit risks the opportunity to rebuild their credit
4. Encourage every state to create a division to monitor and manage the distribution of funds and facilitate the growth of small businesses
5. Any business that was created before June 2009 should be eligible for the minimum loan amount
6. Any home based business should be given a credit of up to $500 by the state (county) to assist in paying for fees and licences
7. New small businesses and entrepreneurs (after June 2009) with a valid business plan should be given $500 at the launch of their business
8. A quarterly business showcase designed for small businesses should be manged by the state, or county so that all of the businesses that were created within the last quarter would have an opportunity to be known seen, and displayed
9. For every new employee acquired by any of these businesses for six months or more, their business gets tax credits and incentives like reduced utility rates (electricity, telephone etc).
10. For those guests that attended that nice big event at the White House, each of them contribute 25% of their profits to two businesses or organizations in their community or an organization of their choice, plus register to be a mentor for a designated entrepreneur or business owner
Okay, I know that I may be dreaming aloud but just imagine what would happen if all of this were to be manifested. The growth of communities would be sustainable, businesses would be able to employ additional help, and the non-profit organizations that are struggling with their outreach would be supported. But this is just a start to get things rolling. By including the utility companies in this true public-private partnership, everybody wins.
I hope that this week, I will hear some good news about the help for small businesses, because the only way (my opinion) that we are going to get out of this economic slump is by some creative economic development strategy as outlined above.
What I have outlined about is not too difficult to initiate. It just takes the President to articulate it and then act like he means it. Would you please, Sir?
Now, Mr or Ms Small Business Owner it is up to you to Register to Vote - NOW! It is up to you and your family to hold every politician accountable for this mess. Find out who your locate, state, county and federal representatives are and let them know that you exist.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
7 Days of BizTips From SunBizShowcase Alliance for GEW - Sunday, Day 7
It is Sunday, November 22, BIZ TIP 7
Pay close attention to your Carbon Footprint. Buy Smart - before buying or renting a vehicle, check out EPA's Green Vehicle Guide at: www.epa.gov/greenvehicle. This resource provides information on emissions, fuel economy, and performance.Please continue to visit our website www.sunbizshowcasealliance.com for smart business information. If you are in need of a business coach, consultant, or economic development strategist, please contact Harland Henry at 239.243.9701.
Watch Sir Richard Branson speak about Global Entrepreneurship Week.
7 Days of BizTips From SunBizShowcase Alliance for GEW - Saturday, Day 6
Friday, Day 6 BIZ TIP 6
http://www.votesmart.org/ or you may also visit your state's Office of the Secretary of the State's website.
7 Days of BizTips From SunBizShowcase Alliance for GEW - Friday, Day 5
Friday, Day 5 BIZ TIP 5
Did you know that large businesses, federal and state agencies, colleges, even foreign governments post subcontracting opportunities on the internet? Hundreds of bids and proposals are posted on SUB-Net each day. To find these opportunities, visit http://web.sba.gov/subnet or email us for assistance at iamurbizadvocate@gmail.com. This is one of the services that SunBiz Showcase Alliance provides. Wednesday, November 18, 2009
7 Days of BizTips From SunBizShowcase Alliance for GEW - Thursday, Day 4
7 Days of BizTips From SunBiz Showcase Alliance for GEW - Wednesday, Day 3
Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment, such as computers, copiers, and printers, as well as lighting, heating and cooling equipment. These products use 30-75% less electricity.
Please visit www.sunbizshowcasealliance.com and click on the eco-smart link to purchase all of your energy efficient lighting and accessories.
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