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Giving It Your Best Shot: Five Photo Tips For Your Small Business

December 9, 2015
By Nancy Jeng

Creating a business listing on Google is one of the best ways to make sure your small business gets found online. For most business owners, this means covering the basics—updating store hours, adding a website and verifying the location. But one frequently overlooked feature is the ability to add photos to your business listing on Google.

Studies show that Google business listings with photos get 42 percent more requests for directions and 35 percent more clicks than those without (Google/Oxera). It’s true that a photo is worth a thousand words and in the case of small businesses, it could also be worth more customers. Check out our five tips for making the most of your business photos:

Get inspired. We visited three different small businesses to see how they’re using photos to put their best foot forward for the holidays. Find out what a toy store, a salon and a Chinese restaurant have in common when it comes to showcasing their businesses. (more…)

Interest in Holistic Healthcare Leads to Business Growth

December 7, 2015
Vt-Success-Atlas-AcupunctureSuccess Story: Vermont

When it comes to curing what ails you, more and more Vermonters are opting for paths to wellness that do not rely on the pharmaceutical industry, instead exploring more natural holistic remedies.

Burlington Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist Montana Burns was well aware of this growing trend as she watched her practice grow out of its co-opted space in early 2015. She knew it was time to open her own practice in a non-shared location in order to better meet client demand and better serve her existing clients. In July 2015, Atlas Acupuncture at 127 Main Street in Burlington was born.

As the many client testimonies on the practice’s website attest, Atlas Acupuncture clients continue to be pleased with the results Montana’s expertise provides, but transitioning the practice out of the original co-op proved to be a challenge within itself. With the help of Vermont Small Business Development Center Area Business Advisor Steve Densham, Montana was able to meet that challenge.  (more…)

Floating Success

November 30, 2015
Success Story: Illinois

“If it were not for Jo Ann and the SBDC, I would not be where I am today.  Jo Ann and Patrick were pivotal in helping to refine and strengthen the Float Rooms USA business plan, so we could secure a line of credit. The SBDC also connected us to SIUE marketing students who performed valuable market research for our business.” – Cheri Koene, Co-Owner, Float Rooms USA

Impact of Working with the Metro East SBDC:

• Shortly after Float Rooms USA incorporated in 2013, Ms. Koene met with the Illinois Metro East SBDC staff in East St. Louis for business plan assistance and location data. SBDC staff also connected Ms. Koene with America’s Central Port in Granite City (IL) and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, for detailed insight on how to seamlessly receive product into the United States. (more…)

Young Entrepreneur Trades Job Search for Fashion Dreams

November 18, 2015

defeliceAs a recent college graduate, Sarah DeFelice was committed to a career that fulfilled both her passion for fashion and her love for life in the Green Mountain State. But as she researched the local job market, few opportunities matched her criteria for happiness.

“In short, my motivation to starting my own was that my dream job didn’t exist unless I created myself,” DeFelice said. And that’s exactly what she did.

Earlier this year, the 26-year-old fashion maven opened the Bailey Road boutique at 44 Main Street in Montpelier. The store offers elevated clothing, handbags and jewelry at accessible prices.

“We are dedicated to helping our customers achieve both professionally and personally,” Defelice said. “Whether you are on the hunt for that knock ‘em dead outfit, want help updating your wardrobe or are just looking for some retail therapy, Bailey Road can be your personalized fashion expert every step of the way.”

But long before DeFelice could make her dream become a reality, she encountered many challenges along the way. First and foremost, having little financial history and assets, DeFelice struggled to prove her business was viable to lenders. “One of the hardest parts of starting a small business as a young entrepreneur is that most traditional lending opportunities look only at the numbers and not your business plan,” she said.  (more…)