America’s SBDC Blog

A “Forbes 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs”

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…)

Great Harvest Bread

April 16, 2015
Harvest Bread Co.Success Story: New Mexico

“They believed in me which made me believe I could do it.” – Kim Bell, Owner

Impact of working with the SBDC: The entrepreneurs were granted an SBA guaranteed loan which enabled them to begin their 16-employees business.  Additionally, out of the 200+ Great Harvest stores, the Bells have won: Phenomenal Bread – New Store (2011), Top Sales – Young Store (2012), and Top 10 Sales Growth (2013), in addition to awards for customer service.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the New Mexico SBDC and the Great Harvest Bread Company of Farmington, NM.

Four Ways To Spot Online Fraud

April 13, 2015
By Cindy Bates

globe and computerMany will recall 2014 as the year of the data breach. From individuals to major brands, it seemed that no one was immune to the threat of a cyber attack. While 2014 was particularly worrisome, these types of breaches have been on the rise in recent years and are predicted to be a continued threat.

Between 2013 and 2014, nearly half of all U.S. adults had their information hacked and an estimated 432 million accounts were breached. In 2012, 29 percent of small businesses were victims of a cyber attacks. According to a recent study cited by the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Health and Technology, roughly 60 percent of small businesses close within six months of a cyber attack.

While the breaches making national headlines are often the result of sophisticated hacks, far greater and more common threats stem from much simpler causes including employee or contractor mistakes, lost or stolen hardware and procedural errors. Thankfully, there are ways to help protect yourself and your business, starting with learning how to identify potential symptoms of online fraud. Here are four easy-to-follow tips:  (more…)