Success Stories

Butter Cloth (buttercloth.com | @Buttercloth1)
Countdown to the 2019 Client Showcase: #11

SBDC: Los Angeles SBDC Network, Long Beach SBDC Service Center (LongBeachSBDC.org)
SBDC Advisors: Joseph Jackson and Ed Von Leffern.

Danh Tran has always had a ferocious curiosity about fabrics and garment construction. Born in Vietnam, he grew up working in his family’s small tailor shop, making his own clothes by the time he was ten years old.

As a boy he dreamed of coming to America to become a famous fashion designer. Danh is proof that dreams really do come true. In 1994, his family immigrated to California. (more…)

America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are excited to announce the Client Showcase and Reception is back again this year! The following clients will be joining us on Capitol Hill on February 12th:

– California, Butter Cloth
– Florida, Atlantic Models, Inc.
– Kentucky, Nymbl Systems
– Maryland, Jordan Research and Development, LLC
– Michigan, Inductive Intelligence LLC
– New York, DogSpot
– Oklahoma, Whites Energy Services, LLC
– South Carolina, Extremiti3D
– Virginia, Port City Brewing Company
– Washington, FLEXHIBIT
– West Virginia, JesterLine (more…)

By Linsey Knerl –

Congrats! Your small business is growing, and you’re starting to consider if it’s the right time to add on to your talent pool with your first, real hire. Up until now, you may have been relying on your own hard work, independent contractors, or even family members to get all the necessary tasks in your company accomplished. So, how do you know when you’re ready to take the plunge and raise your status to legal employer? These guidelines may help.

Know if You Need an Employee Now

Many tasks related to your business could be done by working with another independent contractor instead of an employee. While the determination should be made by following the laws stated for your state or local area, it’s generally OK to hire a contractor for tasks not specific to your business. Having someone come in and clean your t-shirt printing facility, for example, could be a freelance opportunity. Requiring someone to run your shop, print t-shirts, and deal with customers, however, is more likely an employee situation. Before you look at hiring an employee, be certain that it is indeed an employee you need to hire.  (more…)

Success Story: Idaho –

Retrolux was founded by Leif Elgethun, a self-described serial clean energy entrepreneur and advocate for a world as a carbon neutral society. After building software and honing workflows that greatly reduced the time and cost required to sell and install commercial building lighting retrofits for a former employer, Leif decided to found Retrolux.

This company seeks to accelerate the adoption of market-ready technologies that decrease fossil fuel usage and toxic materials in the lighting market by providing software that brings products to consumers faster and cheaper than ever before. With his background in energy engineering and project management, the first major obstacle was learning how to build a software company. The next obstacle was raising the capital required to build enterprise-grade software and bring it to market. (more…)

Success Story: Vermont –

Two amazingly talented artists (Jessie makes exquisite jewelry and Michael makes eclectic furniture), plus a passion for their fellow Vermont artists’ works, plus an incredible shared eye for all things beautiful: for Jessie and Michael Alon that means not just one gallery, but two. One can’t contain their creativity and dedication.

Nestled in the quintessential village of Chester, Vermont, the downtown gallery, DaVallia Art Boutique, features Jessie’s work combined with arts and crafts from fifty artists. And on the way out of town, Davallia 39 North Gallery focuses on fine art, furniture and accessories for your home. (more…)