America’s SBDC Blog

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America’s SBDCs Celebrate National Small Business Week #SBDC #DreamSmallBiz

May 4, 2015

America’s SBDC is excited to announce that the Louisiana SBDC center at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, and six SBDC clients from around the country, will be acknowledged and awarded at this year’s National Small Business Week. National Small Business Week honors America’s 28 million small businesses and their entrepreneurial, innovative and resilient spirit that serves as the backbone of the American economy.

“This year’s winners are dynamic trailblazers in their respective small business fields, contributing to their local economies and providing good jobs in their communities. It is an honor to celebrate their hard work and success,” said Maria Contreras-Sweet, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Small Business Development Centers don’t just help entrepreneurs and growing businesses — they help create success, they help people realize their dreams. SBDC impact can be seen in the number of businesses starting and growing and creating jobs all across America. National recognition of our clients’ success is just the icing on the cake. At America’s SBDC we are proud to represent a national network that does such great work, and especially proud of all the winners and finalists,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, America’s SBDC President & CEO.  (more…)

“Dream Big” This National Small Business Week, May 4-8

May 4, 2015
 By Maria Contreras-Sweet

Small Business Week 2015

With apologies to baseball and your mother’s apple pie, nothing is more American than National Small Business Week.

Our country was founded by risk-taking pioneers in search of new horizons. More than two centuries later, what sets America apart in the world is the willingness of our entrepreneurs to take risks. Small businesses allow Americans to be their own boss and improve their lot in life through hard work – a core American value.

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation declaring National Small Business Week to recognize the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs, who create nearly two out of every three net, new U.S. jobs each year. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said it was our small businesses that powered our recovery after the Great Recession.  (more…)

Restoring Hope

April 27, 2015
Success Story: Missouri
  • MO-success-story_restoring-hopeMissouri State University (MSU) – West Plains SBTDC
  • SBDC Counselors: Bronwen Madden and Darrell Hampsten
  • Client: Restoring Hope, LLC – SBTDC client since 2012

The SBTDC’s assistance “was vitally important to our success… I felt like Darrell was always 100 percent on our side, always excited about what we were doing.” – Charles (“Chuck”) Swift, co-owner and founder of Restoring Hope, LLC.

Impact of working with the SBTDC: Restoring Hope, LLC, a business that places people with developmental disabilities in caring homes, has grown to about 70 well-paid employees in one of the country’s very poorest Congressional districts. Revenues have also grown steadily, from $70,000 in 2008 to more than $1.5 million in 2012, and nearly $3 million today.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the Missouri SBTDC and Restoring Hope.

Surface Logix

April 23, 2015
Success Story: Florida
  • Surface Logix - Broward SBDCFlorida SBDC Fort Lauderdale
  • SBDC Counselor: Anil Chang, FSBDC International Trade Specialist
  • Client: Surface Logix, SBDC client since 2012

“Anil and Parbatee were a great help to me and our business with our new export plan. I participated in the seven-week course to set up our program properly. I would highly recommend this program to businesses interested in export exposure.” – John Daly, Owner, Surface Logix

Impact of working with the SBDC: As part of the FSBDC Fort Lauderdale’s Export Marketing Plan recommendations, Daly participated an export trade mission to the Dominican Republic, using the Gold Key Service provided by the U.S. Commercial Service and scholarship funding provided by Enterprise Florida. (more…)

Top 3 Intellectual Property Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

April 20, 2015

Intellectual_property_locksThere are so many elements and decisions that go into starting a business that it’s not uncommon for things to get overlooked. Unfortunately, one element that often gets overlooked is a company’s current and potential intangible assets, and that oversight can be costly. Failing to identify or even understand the value of these assets can put a business at risk of losing out on funding from investors or protecting that intellectual property. Consider getting help from an expert if you have been making any of these three common intellectual property mistakes.

  1. Not doing your homework before starting your business

One of the first mistakes any startup can make is to not do research on their idea to understand what similar companies or products exist, or on existing registered IP related to their own creation. Many don’t even establish any sort of IP strategy to address any issues that may arise, hoping that they never have to worry about it. Unfortunately, ignorance isn’t an excuse.

It is crucial to research existing IP to make sure your company will not infringe on someone else’s copyrights, trademarks, and patents. Thorough research will also allow you to understand what ideas are legally yours and therefore able to be protected. Clearly defining what your company owns and what belongs to another person or entity will help you accurately assess the value of your business venture.  (more…)