America’s SBDC Blog

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What You Need to Know About Web Hosting for Your Small Business Website

August 26, 2015
Bill WattQ & A with Bill Watt

Q: Web hosting can be intimidating. Can you break it down? 

A: Hosting can be intimidating because the technology behind it is really complex. However, for small business owners, the part they need to understand is simple: Your website is made out of a bunch of files. Your hosting is simply the place where you upload those files so people can view them on the Internet. All of the techno-wizardry going on to make that happen is your hosting provider’s responsibility. 

Q: What options do small business owners have for hosting their websites?

A: That depends on how they want to build their site, which we’ll get into in a minute. Most do-it-yourself website builders have hosting baked right in. If, on the other hand, the small business owner hires a designer, that person might handle the hosting or recommend a shared hosting account from a third-party like GoDaddy. This means they share resources with other websites hosted on the same server, as opposed to buying a server that’s dedicated to their site alone (which is much more expensive and labor-intensive). They might even look into WordPress hosting. (more…)

Turning Passion Into Reality

August 24, 2015
Vermont-Fitness-UnboundSuccess Story: Vermont
  • Vermont SBDC
  • SBDC Counselor: Ross Hart
  • Client: Fitness Unbound

“We needed help with our financial proposal and business advice from someone with more experience. [VtSBDC] advisors were very, very helpful throughout the entire length of the process – over three years!” Matthew Wells, Co-Owner, Fitness Unbound

Impact of working with the Vermont SBDC: First and foremost, the company needed funding before anything else could get started. Wells said the advice he got from his VtSBDC advisor was pivotal in making that happen. The pair went to work drafting and revising a business plan and financial projections that lenders would be responsive to and were eventually able to secure and finalize start-up funding for the business. VtSBDC advisors also helped the company work through the other challenges they had encountered up to the day they opened their doors in late 2014.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the Vermont SBDC.

Moving From Employee To Franchisee

August 21, 2015

from-employee-to-franchiseeHow many of you have spent your career advancing to the Executive Suite, only to find out it was not what you really wanted? Or, perhaps the company to which you devoted the majority of your career was sold, merged… or just decided they did not need your position anymore?

That happened to me. I got the education I needed to be successful in Corporate America, and I worked my way up the career ladder. But, I have to tell you: I was not happy with what I found there. I had no work/life balance, and what good does it do to live in paradise if you can’t find the time to enjoy all it has to offer?

In 2007, I was downsized. It was the best thing that could have happened to me! While I started out looking for another job, I just could not get excited about anything I found. Fortunately, I was introduced to franchising. Like you, I once believed that franchises were all fast food or retail stores. I thought that I couldn’t afford to buy one. I was afraid to be a business owner because I didn’t think I had the experience to succeed as a business owner. I was very mistaken!  (more…)

Construction Company Builds With Government Contracting

August 20, 2015
Freeland_Construction-South-CarolinaSuccess Story: South Carolina

“As long as we are able to utilize the SC SBDC, I know we’ll have the business advice we need to make those all important connections, find good job prospects and move forward in a sound way. The Small Business Development Centers network is one of the most underutilized but most necessary services the government offers.” – Kenneth Cantey, CEO, Freeland Construction

Impact of working with the Charleston Area SBDC: Government procurement, maximizing 8(a) opportunities.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the South Carolina SBDC and Freeland Construction.

Louisiana #SBDC Network Shares Its Rebrand Story

August 19, 2015
LSBDC drops old suit and goes red, white and blue

You’re not part of the team until you put the uniform on, and you’re not part of the family unless you share the name. The Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) took note and dropped its old colors to join the America’s Small Business Development Center (America’s SBDC) network theme of red, white and blue, as part of a rebranding effort that was completed in May, 2015.

LouisianaSBDC-logoThe rebranding was designed to connect closely with the national network, but the LSBDC mission remains the same – to provide comprehensive, high-quality assistance to small businesses, and to business entrepreneurs.

“Our new brand serves as a visual representation of the strong connection that we have with our national network of SBDCs across the country,” said Rande Kessler, LSBDC State Director.

The LSBDC worked with several Louisiana-based small businesses including Branded Company of Louisiana, LLC, to develop its print and digital collateral; NMD, Inc. & eMerge enhanced its web and social media presence; and Elephant Quilt Productions developed a series of training tutorials.  (more…)