America’s SBDC Blog

A “Forbes 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs”

Turning Passion Into Reality

August 24, 2015
Vermont-Fitness-UnboundSuccess Story: Vermont
  • Vermont SBDC
  • SBDC Counselor: Ross Hart
  • Client: Fitness Unbound

“We needed help with our financial proposal and business advice from someone with more experience. [VtSBDC] advisors were very, very helpful throughout the entire length of the process – over three years!” Matthew Wells, Co-Owner, Fitness Unbound

Impact of working with the Vermont SBDC: First and foremost, the company needed funding before anything else could get started. Wells said the advice he got from his VtSBDC advisor was pivotal in making that happen. The pair went to work drafting and revising a business plan and financial projections that lenders would be responsive to and were eventually able to secure and finalize start-up funding for the business. VtSBDC advisors also helped the company work through the other challenges they had encountered up to the day they opened their doors in late 2014.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the Vermont SBDC.

Construction Company Builds With Government Contracting

August 20, 2015
Freeland_Construction-South-CarolinaSuccess Story: South Carolina

“As long as we are able to utilize the SC SBDC, I know we’ll have the business advice we need to make those all important connections, find good job prospects and move forward in a sound way. The Small Business Development Centers network is one of the most underutilized but most necessary services the government offers.” – Kenneth Cantey, CEO, Freeland Construction

Impact of working with the Charleston Area SBDC: Government procurement, maximizing 8(a) opportunities.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the South Carolina SBDC and Freeland Construction.

Amped Apparel – Taking Your Brand to the Customer

August 17, 2015
Amped-ApparelSuccess Story: Pennsylvania

• Shippensburg University SBDC
• SBDC Counselor: Cheryl Young
• Client: Amped Apparel – SBDC client since 2013

“Try and go about it in the correct way. Consult with the SBDC. It’s easy to not want to spend as much money and time, but by taking the proper steps first, you’re establishing a brand that can grow.” – Adam Sitz, Owner, Amped Apparel

Impact of working with the Shippensburg University SBDC: Adam Sitz attended Shippensburg University to pursue a college education. While at Shippensburg, he continued to develop the Amped Apparel business that he started as a teen and that is celebrating its 6-year anniversary this year. Today, Amped Apparel is an action sport and lifestyle clothing brand. Amped also sponsors multiple athletes in various action sports. Amped Apparel’s products include t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, girls’ tanks, beanies, accessories, socks, bags, and eyewear.  (more…)

Doing Businesss the Environmentally Friendly Way

August 10, 2015
Premiere_Rubber_CompanySuccess Story: New York

“Doing business in an environmental and community friendly way can be very successful, especially when you add the SBDC to your team.”– Gail Walker, CEO, Premier Rubber Company, Inc.

Impact of working with the Farmingdale State College SBDC: Approved for an IDA PILOT program that assisted the company in moving into a new 18,000 SF building in Farmingdale, NY, expanded staff from six to 16, and increased sales to $5,400,000 in 2014.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the New York State SBDC and Premier Rubber Company, Inc.

Entrepreneur Found Calling, Now Calling on Others

August 7, 2015
Oregon-SBDC-FranNet-SuccessSandy, Oregon Woman Opens Oasis Senior Advisors with Help from the SBDC and FranNet

As many people do, Breanna Nickila geared her education toward a career in corporate America. After starting on her MBA, however, she began to realize her life might point in another direction, as the allure of business ownership and the struggle to find a quality job in eastern Portland created a new opportunity. Ultimately, her path landed her as one of the newest franchisees with Oasis Senior Advisors, a senior care advising company.

Nickila, a graduate of Portland State University, initially delayed her leap into the entrepreneurial world as she stayed at home for 11 years to raise her daughter. What she realized is that corporate life had changed and that her true calling was that of a business owner.  (more…)