America’s SBDC Blog

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Success Story: Washington State

March 2, 2015
Advisor Helps Business Continue as a Community Cornerstone

Washington State Success StoryWashington State, Economic Alliance for Okanogan County SBDC
Lew Blakeney, SBDC Advisor
NAPA Auto Parts Store, Twisp, WA, SBDC client since 2005

“He answered all of our questions and a lot more. It was really nice to have someone to walk us through it.” — Dwain Hutson, owner of NAPA Auto Parts, Twisp, WA

Impact of Working with the SBDC: Dwain Hutson, a NAPA store employee for nearly 30 years, was able to purchase the business with his wife in 2008 after working on financials with their SBDC advisor for several years. The Hutsons continued to work with their SBDC advisor and were able to purchase the building in January, 2015. (more…)

5 Ways To Increase Your Productivity

February 25, 2015
From the Google Small Business Community

As a small business owner, you juggle a lot of daily tasks. Making a concrete plan to achieve them can help you stay productive throughout the day. In addition to starting your day right with a morning ritual, increase your productivity by setting limits on meetings, and using technology and apps to streamline your business.

5 Ways to Increase Your ProductivityStart your day right with a quick agenda overview

Do you check your email or your calendar first thing in the morning? Why not do both at the same time? Mentally prepare for the day with a quick snapshot of your daily tasks every morning by having Google Calendar email you a snapshot of your full agenda at 5 a.m. Do this by accessing the Reminders and Notifications menu, and checking the box next to Daily Agenda. First access the Reminders and Notifications menu and then check the box next to Daily Agenda.

Be alerted of interruptions to your commute before you leave

Once you’ve set up your commute destinations in Google Maps, Google Now (part of the Google Search app) will send you a notification with real-time traffic updates, including incidents, before you hit the road. You can even sync Google Now with your Calendar to get traffic updates before your meetings, and make sure you’re not late for appointments with your vendors and customers.  (more…)

Success Story: Alaska

February 23, 2015
Knik Tire & AutoKnik Tire & Auto

– SBDC: Alaska, Mat-Su Valley SBDC
– SBDC Counselor: Julie Nolen
– Client: Knik Tire & Auto, SBDC client since 2014

“Working with the SBDC in Wasilla has been an enjoyable and invaluable learning experience. Julie Nolen has been a tremendous support and assisted us with so many things that we were very unfamiliar with as new business owners (how to advertise, how to register the business, how to obtain business license, how to work with QuickBooks, and the list goes on!). (more…)

Success Story: Illinois

February 9, 2015
Blind Chef Restaurant Startup

La Diosa restaurantIllinois SBDC at NORBIC
SBDC Advisor – Andrew Fogaty
SBDC Client – Chef Laura Martinez, La Diosa Restaurant

Chef Laura Martinez was born in Mexico and has been completely blind since infancy. She learned to love cooking in her grandmother’s kitchen and years later, through hard work and determination, became the first blind student at Chicago’s prestigious Le Cordon Bleu.

Shortly after graduation, while serving an internship at an area non-profit, local celebrity Chef Charlie Trotter tasted her cooking and immediately offered her a job in his restaurant.

Chef Martinez thrived in the position until August of 2012, when Trotter closed the restaurant and she found herself unemployed.  (more…)