Invitation to Participate in #SBAChat – How to Find a Business Mentor, January 21st

In honor of National Mentoring Month @SBAgov will host a Twitter chat, “How to Find a Business Mentor,” on Tuesday, January 21, at 3:00 pm ET/Noon PT. The chat will last about 45 minutes – 1 hour. If your organization would like to participate, RSVP to Paul.Lester@sba.gov with your organizational handle by January 10 to be included in SBA’s promotional efforts and receive the chat questions. If you are going to use a personal Twitter handle, please also let SBA know your organizational handle so we can say “@Paul from @SBAgov” in our promotions. A sample promo blurb is available, and a shareable image as well. Questions will be shared ahead of time with organizations that RSVP.

America’s SBDC Semi-Annual Membership Meeting, February 7-13th

The Semi-Annual SBDC membership meeting will be taking place in Washington, D.C., this February. SBDC leadership will come together for a day-long meeting, as will the America’s SBDC Board of Directors. Attendees will also kick off the America’s SBDC 40th Anniversary at the Annual Client Showcase, happening February 11th on Capital Hill. To learn more about the client showcase, click here. For those who need to register, book a hotel room, etc., click here.

America’s #SBDCDay March 18th

SBDC Day is a national, collective proclamation of the success and impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have across the nation, in economic development and in the small businesses community. To learn more or to access the ever-growing SBDC Day promotional toolkit, click here.

America’s SBDC 40th Annual Conference, Sept. 29th – Oct. 2nd

The 40th Anniversary America’s SBDC Conference will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, at the beautiful Atlanta Marriott Marquis. This year’s theme, “Think Big. Start Small,” starts with the big ideas that float around the heads of would-be entrepreneurs at night as they try to fall asleep. The persistent itch they feel to get out and do something on their own. The innovative approach they take to do or make something better. The courage to walk into their local SBDC to get the assistance they need to turn that dream into a reality — a small business. To learn more about the Conference and Atlanta, click here.

The Call for Papers/Presentations is officially open. Tell your colleagues, friends, partners and clients we’re looking for workshop content for our 40th Anniversary conference! To learn more or submit now, click here.

We are now accepting 2020 State Star nominations! SBDC lead centers please contact marketing@americassbdc.org to access the submission form. The deadline for nominations is Friday, June 26th.

• Aromatherapy breathes new life into business ideas in Boise, Idaho
• SBDC Offers Workshop on How to Start a Business in Hawai’i
• MBA Student Creates Digital Platform to Facilitate Recycling for Stony Brook SBDC Pitch Competition
• Florida Small Business Development Center Helps Tampa Bay Business Owners Thrive
• Belknap Economic Development Council and Small Business Development Center celebrate partnership
• SBDC supports Tiny’s Party Rental opening in Edwardsville
• Wyoming Business Tips for the week of Dec. 23-29
• These 5 Myths Cause Small Businesses to Fail
• Idaho SBDC Helps Idaho Falls Dance Studio to Grow
• California SBDC consultant says now is the perfect time to conduct effective strategic planning
• Brittany Low named North Iowa Area SBDC Entrepreneur of the Month
• U.S. Air Force veteran launches Delaware’s first herbal apothecary with help from the Delaware SBDC
• Angelo State accounting students assist SBDC advisors in the San Angelo Business Plan Competition
• A basic guide to entering the franchises system and advice from a Florida SBDC consultant
• Roseville, Illinois Native Launches Window Treatment Consulting Business with Help of SBDC at WIU

Peer Exchange

Congratulations to Carla Holland who started last month as the State Director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center network! Carla has 14 years of SBDC experience, serving most recently as the director of the South San Diego California SBDC. Prior to that, she was with the Delaware SBDC. She received State Star recognition in each program.

“I am excited to be a part of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center team because providing resources to small business to move them forward in their endeavors of business success is my passion which aligns with the mission of Louisiana Small Business Development Center,” Holland said.

Please join us in welcoming Carla to her new role! She can be reached at 318.345.9350, cholland@lsbdc.org.

Resources & News

SBA SBDC State Director Calls

SBA has issued the dates for the monthly SBDC Director Calls in 2020. The calls are at 3:00 ET/2:00 CT/1:00 MT/12:00 PT/11:00 AK/10:00 HT and the phone number is the same for all calls. Please make plans to join them. Call Number – 202-765-1264 Conference ID -1177564
– January 23
– February 27
– March 26
– April 23
– May 28
– June 25
– July 23
– August 27
– September 24
– October 22

Regional SBDC Network Leadership Meetings

The Southeast SBDC network leaders will be meeting in Charleston, SC on January 22-23, 2020. Feel free to reach out to the host, South Carolina SBDC State Director Michele Abraham, for more information.

SBDC Network Leadership Opportunity in ND

The University of North Dakota is seeking applicants for the North Dakota SBDC State Director position. Applications are due January 13. Please share this exciting opportunity with your networks. Apply Now

Sector Spotlight: Specialized Food Start-Up Programs

The Ohio SBDC and Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC networks have developed specialized services to help launch new food businesses. They both also focus on underserved markets and contribute to each network’s Business Start metrics. Please feel free to reach out to Jim Laipply, Ohio SBDC State Director, or Mike Daniel, OC/IE SBDC Region Director for additional information.

Spreading Tech Innovation Centers

The Brookings Institution recently published a study calling for proactive policies to disperse tech jobs across the country. The study is summarized in this Washington Post article.

Leadership and Professional Development Opportunities

2020 Core SBDC Leadership Professional Development Programs

Each year, America’s SBDC offers professional development for SBDC network leadership in four recurring areas: State Director Roundtables at the Annual Conference, Accreditation Training, Orientation to Managing an SBDC Network, and New SBDC Network Leaders Peer Exchange. Please note: There will not be an Orientation at the Annual Conference.

Click here for a list of National Conferences

SBDC Network Director Roundtables

SBDC Network Directors Only
– America’s SBDC Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA, September 29 – October 2, 2020

Managing an SBDC: Orientation for New SBDC Network Leadership

New SBDC Network Directors and any other SBDC staff with the approval of the SBDC Network Director
– February 12-13, 2020 – Crystal City, VA; in conjunction with the semi-annual Membership Meeting
– June 22-23, 2020 (tentative) – Denver, CO; in conjunction with the America’s SBDC Board Meeting

New SBDC Network Director Peer Exchange

New SBDC Network Directors only, who have between 2 – 14 months of experience as SBDC Network Director. Participation is by invitation.
– November 2020 – Ohio

Accreditation – Standards

SBDC Network Directors, Associate SBDC Network Directors and SBDC staff in networks preparing for an accreditation review
– February 2020 – in conjunction with the semi-annual Membership Meeting
– September 2020 – in conjunction with the Annual Conference

Accreditation – Process and Best Practices

SBDC Network Directors, Associate SBDC Network Directors and SBDC staff in networks preparing for an accreditation review
– February 2020 – in conjunction with the semi-annual Membership Meeting
– September 2020 – in conjunction with the Annual Conference

SBDC Network LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE

New SBDC Network Directors who attend the Orientation to Managing an SBDC Network, the New SBDC Network Director Peer Exchange, a minimum of two SBDC Network Director Roundtables, and engage with a mentor, will receive an SBDC Network Leadership Certificate.

Funding Opportunities

• USDA Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants
• Economic Opportunity Challenge
• USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program
• USDA Agriculture Innovation Center Program
• EDA Accelerate R2 Network Challenge

Amazon Academy

Amazon is hosting a series of webinars designed for small business owners and their employees to hear best practices for successful selling in Amazon store. Each webinar will include an interactive Q&A session. Learn more here.

Is Time Tracking the Business Solution to the New Overtime Rule?

On January 1, over a million more American workers became eligible for overtime pay. Today, salaried employees earning $35,568 annually ($684 per week) are eligible for overtime pay. Previously, the overtime eligibility threshold was $23,660 annually ($455 per week).

With this major change, it’s more important than ever for employees to track their time efficiently and accurately.

TSheets by QuickBooks surveyed 1,067 U.S. business owners and 1,319 U.S. employees—both hourly and salaried—to learn more about how they track time at work. And the results were surprising.

60% of Small Businesses that are Hacked Never Recover

Cybersecurity First Steps is offered as an online questionnaire to help small businesses understand how to protect themselves from cyber threats. First Steps utilizes a secure environment to protect cyber hygiene information while providing a consistent standards-based way to share good practices associated with cybersecurity and data protection with third parties and SBDC advisors. Learn more here.

Cash Flow Gets Thanks to Partnership with Moody’s Corporation

The Foundation for Small Business Development has partnered with Moody’s Corporation, a global provider of credit ratings, research, tools and analysis, to collectively provide education, certifications, and tools on cash-flow management and forecasting. The three-year grant will provide training & certification by cash-flow expert Finagraph Corporation, the maker of CashFlowTool. This includes in-person and online training courses, as well as certification that will be delivered at national, regional and state SBDC events, plus e-learning training & certification opportunities. Visit the website.

We have new special offers from our supporters on the website

SBDC advisors, markerters and leaders, We have so many useful resources for you, available in the password-protected members area of our website —

• Committee and Special Interest Group Info
• Meeting Minutes
• Marketing Resources
• Best Practices
• Member-Only Event Info
• Specialized Offers
• Training Materials
• and more!

Access the Members Area