Chad Green was inspired by the care his grandmother received when she was in an assisted living facility, and he wanted to start his own. Green went to the Billings, Montana Regional SBDC for help. This is the second in a series of videos by the Montana SBDCs, showcasing businesses that worked with their local SBDCs to jumpstart business success!
Logging and forestry work is a quintessential Vermont industry, but today’s loggers face challenges that those of yesteryear probably never imagined. The days of low-cost tools like hatchets and hand saws that required manpower instead of costly equipment are largely behind us. Today’s loggers need heavy equipment to be relevant in a highly competitive lumber market.
Few know that better than Everett Thurston, owner of Thurston Forestry in Clarendon, Vermont, which began operations last fall. The company utilizes a rubber tired cut-to-length logging machine that is highly efficient in processing timber from the woods.
“I have always wanted my own business and enjoy the logging industry and being around heavy equipment,” Thurston said. But as one might expect, obtaining an expensive piece of equipment of this size can be a challenge. (more…)
The Montana SBDCs have created a series of videos showcasing businesses that worked with their local SBDCs to achieve success. This is the first video in the series. See how the Montana SBDCs jumpstart business success!
Don’t wait for foot traffic to slow down or your new business pipeline to dry up before figuring out that your customers just aren’t that into your business anymore. Before they reach that point, customers often leave clues that their feelings are starting to change.
At first, the signs are subtle. Customers are less responsive to your marketing efforts, they come in less frequently, and they stop referring new business. When you ask them if everything is okay, they tell you everything is fine. Still, you know something is off but you can’t put your finger on it. While you can’t read their minds, you can read the signs they leave behind, most often in the way they respond to your email marketing campaigns.
Three Subtle Signs Customers Are Pulling Away
By digging into your email marketing results, you can see the subtle cues that customers are starting to pull away. The three areas you want to pay closest attention to are: (more…)
A lot of people have good ideas, but most aren’t able to cash in on them. That’s not the case for Ieshea Jones, owner of Direnzic Technology & Consulting, LLC, in Monroe, Louisiana.
Jones was able to create the first and only cyber security solutions and digital forensic company to provide dedicated, hands-on personalized services to both government and non-government agencies in Northeast Louisiana, with the help of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Since 2011, Jones has been coming to the LSBDC for initial start-up assistance, and now that her company is running, she has been able to bring attention to a growing need in the market.
“The LSBDC was instrumental in helping me plan and make game changing decisions,” Jones said, who is a Certified Project Manager Professional (PMP) and Silicone Bayou Top 100. (more…)