Is Free Worth the Trouble…. Is it a profitable method to gain customer loyalty?
Smart business owners know that it costs more to gain a customer than to retain one. Hence, customer loyalty incentives are an important marketing strategy. How do you attract and gain customers? In a recent article in The New York Times by Damon Darlin, “Using ‘Free’ To Turn A Profit”, the author discussed how some company’s use a free approach to gain customers. This is often the case with technology-based businesses providing free web applications. The strategy: gain customers with the tactic to eventually upsell the need for more advanced products and services.
The article cited EverNote, a start-up company in Mountain View, CA that captures data for customers such as meeting notes, text memos, photos and scans that are then logged into one place. The company provides the free service for the basic services with a business goal of creating customer dependency and loyalty. They know that the longer the customers use the service, the greater likelihood that the free customer will result in a long term paying client.
Approximately 25% of this company’s client base becomes paying customers in a short period of time; 0.5% converting in the first month and 4% conversion rate within a year. They have keenly analyzed their customers buying patterns and needs. So the question becomes how can free become profitable and to what degree? EverNote started with a variable cost per customer of 50 cents a month which has dropped to 9 cents as mentioned in the article. They know their costs and their customers’ needs by continuously providing additional services and upgrades.
The strategy just illustrated is not new but one that is applied in a number of industries often seen as introductory offers, discounted or free memberships to gain clients. It’s about setting an agenda, building your customer to become dependent on your products and services. It’s about knowing your true costs of selling and breakeven points. Free can be a profitable marketing strategy if your strategy and price points are aligned with your customer needs and buying patterns.
Diane Howerton
Regional Director
UC Merced SBDC Network
Friday, October 9, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
SBA Resource Day – October 8th @ the Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield
Release Date: September 28, 2009
Contact: Melende Ward (559) 487-5791, ext 143
Release Number: 09-12 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA Resource Day – Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield
The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on October 8, 2009 at the Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Bakersfield area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is located at 2000 K Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield. Appointments will be held on October 8, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit http://www.sba.gov/ or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at http://www.sba.gov/.
Contact: Melende Ward (559) 487-5791, ext 143
Release Number: 09-12 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA Resource Day – Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield
The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on October 8, 2009 at the Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Bakersfield area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is located at 2000 K Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield. Appointments will be held on October 8, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit http://www.sba.gov/ or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at http://www.sba.gov/.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Small Business Tax Resources from the IRS
1. What kind of records should you keep?
Business transactions often require various documents to support the entries in your books and on your tax return.
IRS.gov has information on the types of records you should keep as supporting documents.
2. Retirement and savings initiatives
New guidance makes saving and choosing a retirement plan easier.
The IRS Retirement Plans Navigator also offers an easy retirement plan guide for small employers.
Related links:
Summer edition of Retirement News for Employers
Special edition of Employee Plans News
3. Small business tax workshops
Local workshops, sponsored and presented by IRS partners who are federal tax specialists, offer everything from a general overview of taxes to information on specific topics.
IRS.gov has more information and a state-by-state list of workshops.
4. SBTV.com’s weekly tax news for small businesses
Today, SBTV.com has information for small businesses that outsource payroll duties. Next Wednesday, learn about the tax implications of employing family members.
5. Recent IRS announcements
IR-2009-79, Deadlines Near for Business to Choose Expanded NOL Election; Sept. 15 for Many Corporations, Oct. 15 for Individuals
Special Edition Tax Tip 2009-07, Five Facts about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit
IR-2009-78, Special IRS Web Section Highlights Back-to-School Tax Breaks; Popular 529 Plans Expanded, New $2,500 College Credit Available
Business transactions often require various documents to support the entries in your books and on your tax return.
IRS.gov has information on the types of records you should keep as supporting documents.
2. Retirement and savings initiatives
New guidance makes saving and choosing a retirement plan easier.
The IRS Retirement Plans Navigator also offers an easy retirement plan guide for small employers.
Related links:
Summer edition of Retirement News for Employers
Special edition of Employee Plans News
3. Small business tax workshops
Local workshops, sponsored and presented by IRS partners who are federal tax specialists, offer everything from a general overview of taxes to information on specific topics.
IRS.gov has more information and a state-by-state list of workshops.
4. SBTV.com’s weekly tax news for small businesses
Today, SBTV.com has information for small businesses that outsource payroll duties. Next Wednesday, learn about the tax implications of employing family members.
5. Recent IRS announcements
IR-2009-79, Deadlines Near for Business to Choose Expanded NOL Election; Sept. 15 for Many Corporations, Oct. 15 for Individuals
Special Edition Tax Tip 2009-07, Five Facts about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit
IR-2009-78, Special IRS Web Section Highlights Back-to-School Tax Breaks; Popular 529 Plans Expanded, New $2,500 College Credit Available
Successful Small Business Export Strategies: Eight-City “Exports Live!” Seminar Series
OVERVIEW
WHAT: Six federal agencies have created a series of interactive seminars designed to educate small businesses about export opportunities and how they can be used to grow their businesses, grow the economy, and create jobs. At each event, attendees will learn about the government products and services that are available to help them succeed in the global marketplace.
(See ‘Agenda’ for sample program outline)
WHEN/WHERE: Each half-day seminar will begin at 8:30 AM and will conclude at 1:30 PM.
Optional one-on-one sessions for attendees will be available between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM.
Marketing efforts will target ‘export-ready’ small businesses that have either just begun to export or are looking to export in the future. A coordinated joint-marketing effort to reach these businesses is underway and will include all of the agencies listed above, federal/state/local government partners, third-party organizations, and paid advertising.
REGISTRATION: For more information or to register, please visit www.export.gov/exports_live or call toll-free 1-(888) 966-2009. (Space is limited)
MEDIA/PRESS: Events are ‘Open Press’. (Press inquiries please use registration contacts listed above)
WHAT: Six federal agencies have created a series of interactive seminars designed to educate small businesses about export opportunities and how they can be used to grow their businesses, grow the economy, and create jobs. At each event, attendees will learn about the government products and services that are available to help them succeed in the global marketplace.
(See ‘Agenda’ for sample program outline)
WHEN/WHERE: Each half-day seminar will begin at 8:30 AM and will conclude at 1:30 PM.
Optional one-on-one sessions for attendees will be available between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM.
- New York, NY Monday, Oct. 5
- Boston, MA Tuesday, Oct. 6
- Miami, FL Monday, Oct. 26
- Houston, TX Tuesday, Oct. 27
- Detroit, MI Monday, Nov. 9
- Chicago, IL Tuesday, Nov. 10
- Los Angeles, CA Monday, Nov. 16
- Seattle, WA Tuesday, Nov. 17
- Export-Import Bank of the U.S. - Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman and President
- U.S. Department of Commerce - Secretary Gary Locke
- Small Business Administration - Karen Mills, SBA Administrator
- U.S. Trade & Development Agency - Leocadia I. Zak, Acting Director
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative - Ambassador Ron Kirk
- Overseas Private Investment Corporation - Dr. Lawrence Spinelli, Acting President
Marketing efforts will target ‘export-ready’ small businesses that have either just begun to export or are looking to export in the future. A coordinated joint-marketing effort to reach these businesses is underway and will include all of the agencies listed above, federal/state/local government partners, third-party organizations, and paid advertising.
REGISTRATION: For more information or to register, please visit www.export.gov/exports_live or call toll-free 1-(888) 966-2009. (Space is limited)
MEDIA/PRESS: Events are ‘Open Press’. (Press inquiries please use registration contacts listed above)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
SBA Launches New Online Training Course: ‘How to Win Federal Contracts’
SBA Launches New Online Training Course:
‘How to Win Federal Contracts’
Online Course Part of Federal Government-wide Initiative
WASHINGTON ─ The U.S. Small Business Administration today launched a new online training course to help strengthen access to contracting opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women, minorities, disadvantaged individuals and veterans.
The training course, “Recovery Act Opportunities: How to Win Federal Contracts,” is part of a federal government-wide initiative announced last month by President Obama and being led by SBA and the Department of Commerce.
“Government contracts can play a key role in helping small businesses turn the corner in terms of expansion and job creation,” SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said. “But make no mistake, the benefits the government receives are equally as impressive – working with small businesses allows the federal government to work with some of the most innovative companies in America, often with direct contact with the CEO.”
“The SBA online training course can help businesses access the federal purchasing system and position themselves to compete for the commercial opportunities offered by government contracting,” Mills continued.
In announcing the government-wide initiative, President Obama reiterated his Administration’s commitment to providing “our Nation’s small businesses with maximum practicable opportunity to participate in federal government contracting.” As part of the initiative, federal agency procurement officers are participating in more than 200 events over the next several weeks to help connect small businesses with contracting opportunities. Additionally, SBA and Commerce are expanding their outreach to contracting officials across the federal government to ensure they have the tools to meet their annual contracting goals and increase opportunities to small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women and minorities, as well as those in designated HUBZones.
As part of the outreach to small businesses, the comprehensive online course uses both audio and script to provide information about the federal marketplace, contract rules and, most importantly, how to sell to the government and where to find contract and Recovery Act opportunities. The new training portal is a free online training course designed to assist entrepreneurs during this period of economic recovery. This self-paced, instructional guide provides an overview of the federal procurement process.
The Recovery Act Opportunities course is available on SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov or directly at www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining. The course is indexed by subject matter to allow ease of use, and it includes multiple direct links to additional contracting resources.
The Recovery Act Opportunities course includes direct links that highlight the best contracting resources and engages small business owners in the contracting process. The course also includes practical and fundamental steps to engage business owners in the federal contracting arena.
It is one of more than 24 online tutorials offered by the SBA, and is available 24/7.
For more information please visit www.sba.gov.
# # #
‘How to Win Federal Contracts’
Online Course Part of Federal Government-wide Initiative
WASHINGTON ─ The U.S. Small Business Administration today launched a new online training course to help strengthen access to contracting opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women, minorities, disadvantaged individuals and veterans.
The training course, “Recovery Act Opportunities: How to Win Federal Contracts,” is part of a federal government-wide initiative announced last month by President Obama and being led by SBA and the Department of Commerce.
“Government contracts can play a key role in helping small businesses turn the corner in terms of expansion and job creation,” SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said. “But make no mistake, the benefits the government receives are equally as impressive – working with small businesses allows the federal government to work with some of the most innovative companies in America, often with direct contact with the CEO.”
“The SBA online training course can help businesses access the federal purchasing system and position themselves to compete for the commercial opportunities offered by government contracting,” Mills continued.
In announcing the government-wide initiative, President Obama reiterated his Administration’s commitment to providing “our Nation’s small businesses with maximum practicable opportunity to participate in federal government contracting.” As part of the initiative, federal agency procurement officers are participating in more than 200 events over the next several weeks to help connect small businesses with contracting opportunities. Additionally, SBA and Commerce are expanding their outreach to contracting officials across the federal government to ensure they have the tools to meet their annual contracting goals and increase opportunities to small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women and minorities, as well as those in designated HUBZones.
As part of the outreach to small businesses, the comprehensive online course uses both audio and script to provide information about the federal marketplace, contract rules and, most importantly, how to sell to the government and where to find contract and Recovery Act opportunities. The new training portal is a free online training course designed to assist entrepreneurs during this period of economic recovery. This self-paced, instructional guide provides an overview of the federal procurement process.
The Recovery Act Opportunities course is available on SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov or directly at www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining. The course is indexed by subject matter to allow ease of use, and it includes multiple direct links to additional contracting resources.
The Recovery Act Opportunities course includes direct links that highlight the best contracting resources and engages small business owners in the contracting process. The course also includes practical and fundamental steps to engage business owners in the federal contracting arena.
It is one of more than 24 online tutorials offered by the SBA, and is available 24/7.
For more information please visit www.sba.gov.
# # #
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Small Business Resource Day - 9/25 in Atascadero, CA
Small Business Resource Day
Join us to learn about small business resources & SBA Guaranteed Loans!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Lake Pavilion
9315 Pismo Avenue – Atascadero
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Plus Stimulus Package Opportunities:
To register for this FREE event:Call 805.466.2044 or visit www.AtascaderoChamber.org
Individual Appointments Available with SBA and SBDC Consultants: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Call SBA:1.800.359.1833, option 6
Join us to learn about small business resources & SBA Guaranteed Loans!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Lake Pavilion
9315 Pismo Avenue – Atascadero
FEATURED SPEAKERS
- Atascadero Economic Development Office
- Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
- UC Merced Small Business Development Center
- U. S. Small Business Administration
Plus Stimulus Package Opportunities:
- City of Atascadero Opportunities
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Loan Programs
To register for this FREE event:Call 805.466.2044 or visit www.AtascaderoChamber.org
Individual Appointments Available with SBA and SBDC Consultants: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Call SBA:1.800.359.1833, option 6
Thursday, August 20, 2009
SBA Resource Day – Bakersfield Small Business Development Center
SBA Resource Day – Bakersfield Small Business Development Center
Bakersfield, CA - The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on September 10, 2009 at the Bakersfield Small Business Development Center to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Bakersfield area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is located at 2000 K Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield. Appointments will be held on September 10, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at www.sba.gov.
-the end-
Bakersfield, CA - The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on September 10, 2009 at the Bakersfield Small Business Development Center to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Bakersfield area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Bakersfield Small Business Development Center is located at 2000 K Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield. Appointments will be held on September 10, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at www.sba.gov.
-the end-
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
SBDC Client & UC Merced Alumnus Opens Local Tutoring Center
SBDC Client & UC Merced Alumnus Opens Local Tutoring Center –
Merced-
Uday Bali has been among the campus’ biggest fans since transferring here as an undergraduate in 2005 when the university opened. He’s served as student body president, graduated in 2008 with highest honors and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, and has returned here for graduate school, working in Professor Roland Winston’s solar energy lab.Now add “entrepreneur” to his list of accolades.Three months ago, Bali opened his own tutoring company. Bali Learning Center offers individual and group tutoring in all subjects for students from kindergarten through high school. The center will begin SAT exam preparation classes in August.
Link to Complete Article: http://www.ucmerced.edu/spotlightdetail.asp?spotlightid=183
Merced-
Uday Bali has been among the campus’ biggest fans since transferring here as an undergraduate in 2005 when the university opened. He’s served as student body president, graduated in 2008 with highest honors and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, and has returned here for graduate school, working in Professor Roland Winston’s solar energy lab.Now add “entrepreneur” to his list of accolades.Three months ago, Bali opened his own tutoring company. Bali Learning Center offers individual and group tutoring in all subjects for students from kindergarten through high school. The center will begin SAT exam preparation classes in August.
Link to Complete Article: http://www.ucmerced.edu/spotlightdetail.asp?spotlightid=183
Bakersfield Article - Small businesses finding help they need
Bakersfield - Small businesses finding help they need
http://www.bakersfield.com/archive/x944962572/Entrepreneurial-boom-led-by-well-boomers
http://www.bakersfield.com/archive/x944962572/Entrepreneurial-boom-led-by-well-boomers
Monday, July 20, 2009
SBA Resource Day – Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA - The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on August 12, 2009 at the Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Bakersfield area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center is located at 2000 K Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield. Appointments will be held on August 12, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit http://www.sba.gov/ or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at http://www.sba.gov/.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center in Bakersfield is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Bakersfield area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Kern Inyo Mono Small Business Development Center is located at 2000 K Street, Suite 300, Bakersfield. Appointments will be held on August 12, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit http://www.sba.gov/ or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at http://www.sba.gov/.
Central California SBDC Brings NxLeveL Entrepreneurs Course To Fresno!!
Central California SBDC Brings NxLeveL Entrepreneurs Course To Fresno!!
Would you like free cutting-edge, in-depth entrepreneurial training for you and your employees? If you have employees and pay into the California State employment tax, you qualify to take this course for free!! Why not take advantage of the tax dollars you have already paid?
NxLeveL™ for Existing Businesses also referred to as the "Entrepreneur Course" is a 13-session, 36-hour course designed for entrepreneurs who want to expand an existing business and need the skills to make it grow.It's been proven that the entrepreneur who plans is the entrepreneur who succeeds. For this reason, participants develop a comprehensive business plan during the course to act as the road map for future growth.
The topics in this course include:
The NxLeveL Business Plan: Plan and begin to develop your business mission statement, goals, and objectives.
Would you like free cutting-edge, in-depth entrepreneurial training for you and your employees? If you have employees and pay into the California State employment tax, you qualify to take this course for free!! Why not take advantage of the tax dollars you have already paid?
NxLeveL™ for Existing Businesses also referred to as the "Entrepreneur Course" is a 13-session, 36-hour course designed for entrepreneurs who want to expand an existing business and need the skills to make it grow.It's been proven that the entrepreneur who plans is the entrepreneur who succeeds. For this reason, participants develop a comprehensive business plan during the course to act as the road map for future growth.
The topics in this course include:
The NxLeveL Business Plan: Plan and begin to develop your business mission statement, goals, and objectives.
- Planning & Research: Entrepreneurial essentials; begin market/industry research through identification and usage of research resources.
- Organizational Matters: Management & legal structure; explore legal and organizational topics including: legal structures, government taxes and regulations, risk management, and employee issues.
- Marketing and "Behind the Scenes": Analysis & understanding; learn key concepts of analyzing your market, including customer profiling and competitive analysis.
- Marketing-"On Stage": Strategies, tactics & implementation; develop marketing strategies around the product, pricing, promotion, and distribution elements of your business.
- Financial Overview: Books, records & controls; examine how your books and records become the language of business.
- Managing Your Money: Financial planning, budgets & assumptions; understand how to develop and derive feedback from budgets.
- Managing Your Money: Developing and using cash flow projections; learn to prepare and use the ultimate "management tool," cash flow projections.
- Understanding and Using Your Financial Statements: Take the mystery out of the income statement, balance sheet, and other financial statements by learning how to use the numbers.
- Financing Your Business: Alternative sources of money; evaluate financing options and determine which are best for you.
- The Deal Making Process: Negotiating in the real world; developing and understanding the negotiating process and techniques.
- Your Business Future: Managing growth and plan completion; what's next? Growth expansion? What is your business future?
When: Every Tuesday & Thursday-Starting on July 28th 2009
Time: 6:00PM-9:00pm
Where: 3302 N. Blackstone #225 -(CCSBDC office)
Cost: Free!!*
To Register: Contact Joi Eubanks at 559-230-4056 or email joi@ccsbdc.org
Hurry seating is limited!!
Don't miss your opportunity to take your business to NX LeveL!!!!
*Class is free to those with Employees and a valid California Employer tax ID (CEAN)
Alliance SBDC Modesto - FREE! EMAIL MARKETING WORKSHOP
FREE! EMAIL MARKETING WORKSHOP
Tuesday, July 21st
"Email Marketing should be a key component of your overall marketing strategy"
Best Practices 10am-12pm
Getting Started 1pm-3pm
SPACE IS LIMITED REGISTER TODAY!
www.alliancesbdc.com or call 209 567 4910
The workshop will help you to:
• Reach more people with your message
• Create email campaigns that get results • Get your emails opened and read • Write compelling subject lines and copy
• Interpret email campaign results (open-rates, bounce-rates, click-thru rates, etc ...)
Alliance Free Enterprise Center
1020 10th Street, Suite 102
Modesto, California
The ALLIANCE Small Business Development Center is an affiliate of the UC Merced Small Business Development Center regional Network and is partially funded by: Stanislaus Economic Development & Workforce Alliance; University of California, Merced: and the U.S. Small Business Administration. This is a partnership program under the current Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of California, Merced. Reasonable accommodations will be made, upon request, for handicapped individuals.
Tuesday, July 21st
"Email Marketing should be a key component of your overall marketing strategy"
Best Practices 10am-12pm
Getting Started 1pm-3pm
SPACE IS LIMITED REGISTER TODAY!
www.alliancesbdc.com or call 209 567 4910
The workshop will help you to:
• Reach more people with your message
• Create email campaigns that get results • Get your emails opened and read • Write compelling subject lines and copy
• Interpret email campaign results (open-rates, bounce-rates, click-thru rates, etc ...)
Alliance Free Enterprise Center
1020 10th Street, Suite 102
Modesto, California
The ALLIANCE Small Business Development Center is an affiliate of the UC Merced Small Business Development Center regional Network and is partially funded by: Stanislaus Economic Development & Workforce Alliance; University of California, Merced: and the U.S. Small Business Administration. This is a partnership program under the current Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of California, Merced. Reasonable accommodations will be made, upon request, for handicapped individuals.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
SBDC in the News
Bankrate.com this week carried an article about SBA's ED programs with a focus on the SBDC national program. To access the article, click here.
Source: ASBDC Network Connection - July 9, 2009 (Vol. III, # 15)
Source: ASBDC Network Connection - July 9, 2009 (Vol. III, # 15)
"The Small Business Economy, a Report to the President"
SBA Office of Advocacy Releases 2009 Edition of "The Small Business Economy, a Report to the President"
SBA's Office of Advocacy last week released its 2009 edition of "The Small Business Economy, a Report to the President." To access a brief summary of the report, click here. To access the full 164-page report, click here.
SBA's Office of Advocacy last week released its 2009 edition of "The Small Business Economy, a Report to the President." To access a brief summary of the report, click here. To access the full 164-page report, click here.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Modesto - FREE Individual Sessions on SBA Guaranteed Loans
Appointments Available!
Tuesday July 14, 2009
8:00am - 4:00pm
Location: The Alliance SBDC - Modesto
FREE INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS ON SBA Guaranteed Loans
Mike Souza from the SBA will be available to answer
questions regarding:
Call For Your Appointment Today! 209.567.4910
Small Business Development Center Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of California, Merced. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do notnecessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All Federal and State funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Special arrangements for individuals with disability will be made if requested in advance.
Tuesday July 14, 2009
8:00am - 4:00pm
Location: The Alliance SBDC - Modesto
FREE INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS ON SBA Guaranteed Loans
Mike Souza from the SBA will be available to answer
questions regarding:
- 7(a) loans
- 504 loans
- Patriot Express loans
- Capline (line of credit)
Plus information regarding
New Loans Programs through:
- The Stimulus Package
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
- American Recovery Capital (ARC Loans)
- Dealers Floor Plan Financing (DFP)
Call For Your Appointment Today! 209.567.4910
Small Business Development Center Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of California, Merced. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do notnecessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All Federal and State funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Special arrangements for individuals with disability will be made if requested in advance.
Suncrest Bank Steps Up to Help Small Businesses in the Central San Joaquin Valley
Release Date: July 8, 2009
Contact: Melende Ward, (559) 487-5791
Release Number: 09-11
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Suncrest Bank Steps Up to Help Small Businesses in the Central San Joaquin Valley
Fresno – The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Suncrest Bank, headquartered in Visalia, California to make government backed SBA business loans. Suncrest Bank recently applied to the SBA and was approved to become a participant in the SBA's 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program.
Fresno District Director Carlos G. Mendoza said, "Cash flow is the life blood of all small businesses and a company’s ability to obtain business loans is paramount to the success in overcoming the credit crisis facing the nation. This approval comes at a time when small businesses and entrepreneurs are facing challenges in obtaining business loans. The approval of Suncrest Bank to be a lending partner with SBA programs will help the Fresno County community.”
A major concern today for small business owners is access to capital and credit. As a SBA resource lending partner, Suncrest Bank will be participating in SBA's 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program which provides several different financing options to small businesses. Loans made under the SBA 7(a) program include longer loan terms and lower interest rates than conventional loans along with broad eligibility and credit criteria to accommodate a wide range of financing needs. Small businesses may use SBA loan proceeds to expand or remodel a business, purchase machinery and equipment, working capital, finance seasonal lines of credit, construct commercial buildings and/or purchase land or buildings.
Mike Wilson, President of Suncrest Bank said, "As a relatively new bank located in the Central Valley we are excited about participating in the SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program. SBA lending is a large part of our small business focus and as a Community Bank we believe it is an excellent program to extend the Bank’s reach to more small business owners and borrowers."
Mendoza said, "SBA business loan programs are a win-win situation for the participating lender, the small business concern and the local community. SBA loans reduce the risk that lenders take on financing loans by guaranteeing major portions of the loan amount which in turn allows the business to borrow capital. SBA loans enable lenders to provide financing to small businesses when funding may otherwise be unavailable on reasonable terms.”
The presentation of the participation certificate will be held at Suncrest Bank during a board meeting in Visalia, California on July 15, 2009. For additional information please contact Melende Ward, Fresno SBA Office (559) 487-5791.
-the end-
Contact: Melende Ward, (559) 487-5791
Release Number: 09-11
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Suncrest Bank Steps Up to Help Small Businesses in the Central San Joaquin Valley
Fresno – The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved Suncrest Bank, headquartered in Visalia, California to make government backed SBA business loans. Suncrest Bank recently applied to the SBA and was approved to become a participant in the SBA's 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program.
Fresno District Director Carlos G. Mendoza said, "Cash flow is the life blood of all small businesses and a company’s ability to obtain business loans is paramount to the success in overcoming the credit crisis facing the nation. This approval comes at a time when small businesses and entrepreneurs are facing challenges in obtaining business loans. The approval of Suncrest Bank to be a lending partner with SBA programs will help the Fresno County community.”
A major concern today for small business owners is access to capital and credit. As a SBA resource lending partner, Suncrest Bank will be participating in SBA's 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program which provides several different financing options to small businesses. Loans made under the SBA 7(a) program include longer loan terms and lower interest rates than conventional loans along with broad eligibility and credit criteria to accommodate a wide range of financing needs. Small businesses may use SBA loan proceeds to expand or remodel a business, purchase machinery and equipment, working capital, finance seasonal lines of credit, construct commercial buildings and/or purchase land or buildings.
Mike Wilson, President of Suncrest Bank said, "As a relatively new bank located in the Central Valley we are excited about participating in the SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program. SBA lending is a large part of our small business focus and as a Community Bank we believe it is an excellent program to extend the Bank’s reach to more small business owners and borrowers."
Mendoza said, "SBA business loan programs are a win-win situation for the participating lender, the small business concern and the local community. SBA loans reduce the risk that lenders take on financing loans by guaranteeing major portions of the loan amount which in turn allows the business to borrow capital. SBA loans enable lenders to provide financing to small businesses when funding may otherwise be unavailable on reasonable terms.”
The presentation of the participation certificate will be held at Suncrest Bank during a board meeting in Visalia, California on July 15, 2009. For additional information please contact Melende Ward, Fresno SBA Office (559) 487-5791.
-the end-
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
EMAIL MARKETING WORKSHOPS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO JULY 16
FREE EMAIL MARKETING WORKSHOPS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO JULY 16
Presented by Constant Contact and the UC Merced SBDC
San Luis Obispo, CA, July 6, 2009 — — Constant Contact, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTCT), a leading provider of email marketing and online surveys for small organizations, will present two free Email Marketing workshops in San Luis Obispo on July 16 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in partnership with the UC Merced SBDC (Small Business Development Center).
What:
10:00am – 12:00pm The Power of Email Marketing
This workshop will demonstrate how to design and execute email campaigns aimed at achieving better results and build lasting, positive reputations. Participants will learn best practices for building a quality list, increasing email open rates, encouraging readers to take action, and analyzing click-behavior to improve results. The program will showcase success stories and practical applications to teach email senders how to match their communications to customer preferences.
1:00pm - 3:00pm Getting Started with Constant Contact
More than 250,000 businesses use Constant Contact to help grow their repeat and referral business. This interactive workshop saves you time by allowing you to quickly and easily master the entire Constant Contact Email Marketing system. We’ll provide tips and techniques and guide you through the tools and features of the system. Learn how to set up account options, add signup boxes to your website and emails, load a list, build a campaign, and brand your email to match websites and logos.
Meet your SBDC live at this special event. Your SBDC empowers small business owners with the management, marketing, and financial skills needed to compete in today's challenging economy.
Where:
Embassy Suites Hotel
333 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Who:
Kelly Flint, Regional Development Director, Constant Contact
In partnership with the UC Merced SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
When:
July 16, 2009
10:00am – 12:00pm
(break for lunch on your own)
1:00pm -3:00pm.
How:
Reserve your seat now at www.losangeles.constantcontact.com
About Constant Contact, Inc. Launched in 1998, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing and online survey tools for small organizations, including small businesses, associations, and nonprofits. To learn more, please visit www.constantcontact.com or call 781-472-8100.
About UC Merced SBDC
The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network assists Central California entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling, training and business information. The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network is a partnership between UC Merced and the U.S. Small Business Administration. To learn more, please visit sbdc.ucmerced.edu or call 559-241-7406
###
Presented by Constant Contact and the UC Merced SBDC
San Luis Obispo, CA, July 6, 2009 — — Constant Contact, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTCT), a leading provider of email marketing and online surveys for small organizations, will present two free Email Marketing workshops in San Luis Obispo on July 16 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in partnership with the UC Merced SBDC (Small Business Development Center).
What:
10:00am – 12:00pm The Power of Email Marketing
This workshop will demonstrate how to design and execute email campaigns aimed at achieving better results and build lasting, positive reputations. Participants will learn best practices for building a quality list, increasing email open rates, encouraging readers to take action, and analyzing click-behavior to improve results. The program will showcase success stories and practical applications to teach email senders how to match their communications to customer preferences.
1:00pm - 3:00pm Getting Started with Constant Contact
More than 250,000 businesses use Constant Contact to help grow their repeat and referral business. This interactive workshop saves you time by allowing you to quickly and easily master the entire Constant Contact Email Marketing system. We’ll provide tips and techniques and guide you through the tools and features of the system. Learn how to set up account options, add signup boxes to your website and emails, load a list, build a campaign, and brand your email to match websites and logos.
Meet your SBDC live at this special event. Your SBDC empowers small business owners with the management, marketing, and financial skills needed to compete in today's challenging economy.
Where:
Embassy Suites Hotel
333 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Who:
Kelly Flint, Regional Development Director, Constant Contact
In partnership with the UC Merced SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
When:
July 16, 2009
10:00am – 12:00pm
(break for lunch on your own)
1:00pm -3:00pm.
How:
Reserve your seat now at www.losangeles.constantcontact.com
About Constant Contact, Inc. Launched in 1998, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing and online survey tools for small organizations, including small businesses, associations, and nonprofits. To learn more, please visit www.constantcontact.com or call 781-472-8100.
About UC Merced SBDC
The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network assists Central California entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling, training and business information. The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network is a partnership between UC Merced and the U.S. Small Business Administration. To learn more, please visit sbdc.ucmerced.edu or call 559-241-7406
###
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
SBDC Workshop in Fresno - State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar
The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network and the California Employment Development Department Present:
State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar - Free
July 28, 2009
9:30am to 3:30pm
Recordkeeping, reporting and payment requirements, and employer obligations. Common wage and hour law application. Employer and employee rights and responsibilities. Basics of how to distinguish between employees and independent contractors.
Location:
550 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
In the UC Center, Fresno Building
Please register for this workshop @ http://www.edd.ca.gov/payroll_tax_seminars/
For more information about this workshop, contact: (866) 873-6083
For more info on SBDC workshops, check out our list of events at: http://ucmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/conferencelist.asp
State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar - Free
July 28, 2009
9:30am to 3:30pm
Recordkeeping, reporting and payment requirements, and employer obligations. Common wage and hour law application. Employer and employee rights and responsibilities. Basics of how to distinguish between employees and independent contractors.
Location:
550 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
In the UC Center, Fresno Building
Please register for this workshop @ http://www.edd.ca.gov/payroll_tax_seminars/
For more information about this workshop, contact: (866) 873-6083
For more info on SBDC workshops, check out our list of events at: http://ucmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/conferencelist.asp
SBDC Workshop in Clovis - Importing into the United States
Central California SBDC and the Center for International Trade Development Present:
Importing into the United States
August 18, 2009
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Are you familiar with the legal aspects of importing? Know when and how to use A custom house broker? Is U.S. Customs causing delays in your shipment? Can your product be imported quickly economically and legally? This workshop will help you learn the basic steps involved when importing products into the United States.
Location: 390 W. Fir Ave Bldg. B Ste 303, Clovis, CA 93611-0244
Cost: $40
Click here to sign-up for this workshop!
For more information about this workshop, contact: (559) 324-6401 or E-mail: info@exportcenter.net
For more info on SBDC workshops, check out our list of events at: http://ucmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/conferencelist.asp
Importing into the United States
August 18, 2009
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Are you familiar with the legal aspects of importing? Know when and how to use A custom house broker? Is U.S. Customs causing delays in your shipment? Can your product be imported quickly economically and legally? This workshop will help you learn the basic steps involved when importing products into the United States.
Location: 390 W. Fir Ave Bldg. B Ste 303, Clovis, CA 93611-0244
Cost: $40
Click here to sign-up for this workshop!
For more information about this workshop, contact: (559) 324-6401 or E-mail: info@exportcenter.net
For more info on SBDC workshops, check out our list of events at: http://ucmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/conferencelist.asp
SBA’s New Pilot Loan Program for Dealer Floor Plan Financing
Release Date: July 1, 2009
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-46
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA’s New Pilot Loan Program for Dealer Floor Plan Financing Begins Today
WASHINGTON – Beginning today, auto, RV and other dealerships can apply for SBA-guaranteed floor plan financing, which will make it easier for these small businesses to borrow against their inventory and increase their cash flow.
The new pilot program is one of the many tools SBA is making available to help increase access to capital and technical assistance to small business, and complements other steps already taken under the Recovery Act to help small businesses at this critical time.
"In recent months, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in the availability of credit for financing dealership inventories," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "We want to be a partner for these small businesses and help ensure they have the resources they need to help keep their businesses open, save jobs and survive these tough economic times."
Floor plan financing is a revolving line of credit that allows a dealership to obtain financing through SBA’s 7(a) program for inventory that can be titled, such as autos, RVs, manufactured homes, boats and trailers. As each piece of collateral is sold by the dealer, the loan advance against that piece of collateral is repaid. As the loan is repaid, the dealer can borrow against the line of credit to add new inventory.
The DFP pilot program will run through Sept. 30, 2010, after which SBA will determine whether to extend it further. DFP loans can be made by any lender already participating in SBA loan programs. Lenders who are not already participating in SBA lending, can become an approved SBA lender if they are interested in offering DFP loans.
Since the DFP pilot program is a new initiative that provides a guarantee for a specialized product, the agency is working with and training lenders who may be interested in offering this type of financing. SBA expects there will be a ramp-up period for these lenders.
DFP loans will be available for a minimum of $500,000 up to the $2 million allowable under the 7(a) program. With a maximum repayment term of five years, the loans will come with a 60-75 percent government guarantee, depending on the type of collateral and the lenders advance rate against the wholesale price of the inventory. Borrowers will also benefit from the temporary elimination of fees on 7(a) loans made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Borrowers interested in obtaining a DFP loan should contact their lender or their nearest SBA field office to get a list of SBA-approved lenders in their area who may be participating in the program. Local district offices and contact information can be obtained at the SBA Web site at http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html.
For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, call
the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640, or visit the
SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-46
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA’s New Pilot Loan Program for Dealer Floor Plan Financing Begins Today
WASHINGTON – Beginning today, auto, RV and other dealerships can apply for SBA-guaranteed floor plan financing, which will make it easier for these small businesses to borrow against their inventory and increase their cash flow.
The new pilot program is one of the many tools SBA is making available to help increase access to capital and technical assistance to small business, and complements other steps already taken under the Recovery Act to help small businesses at this critical time.
"In recent months, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in the availability of credit for financing dealership inventories," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "We want to be a partner for these small businesses and help ensure they have the resources they need to help keep their businesses open, save jobs and survive these tough economic times."
Floor plan financing is a revolving line of credit that allows a dealership to obtain financing through SBA’s 7(a) program for inventory that can be titled, such as autos, RVs, manufactured homes, boats and trailers. As each piece of collateral is sold by the dealer, the loan advance against that piece of collateral is repaid. As the loan is repaid, the dealer can borrow against the line of credit to add new inventory.
The DFP pilot program will run through Sept. 30, 2010, after which SBA will determine whether to extend it further. DFP loans can be made by any lender already participating in SBA loan programs. Lenders who are not already participating in SBA lending, can become an approved SBA lender if they are interested in offering DFP loans.
Since the DFP pilot program is a new initiative that provides a guarantee for a specialized product, the agency is working with and training lenders who may be interested in offering this type of financing. SBA expects there will be a ramp-up period for these lenders.
DFP loans will be available for a minimum of $500,000 up to the $2 million allowable under the 7(a) program. With a maximum repayment term of five years, the loans will come with a 60-75 percent government guarantee, depending on the type of collateral and the lenders advance rate against the wholesale price of the inventory. Borrowers will also benefit from the temporary elimination of fees on 7(a) loans made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Borrowers interested in obtaining a DFP loan should contact their lender or their nearest SBA field office to get a list of SBA-approved lenders in their area who may be participating in the program. Local district offices and contact information can be obtained at the SBA Web site at http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html.
For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, call
the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640, or visit the
SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov
Small Business Advocate - July Issue Released
U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Advocacy
--The Advocate--
Release Date: July 2009
Volume 28, number 6
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/advo/july_09.pdf
The Small Business Advocate is a periodic newsletter that details economic developments and regulatory trends related to small business as well as the latest initiatives of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.
IN THIS ISSUE
Message from the Acting Chief Counsel
When We All Work Together, Good Things Happen, 3
Regulatory News
Small Business Review Panel on Diacetyl Exposure, 4
Proposed Critical Habitat for the California Red-Legged Frog, 4
Advocacy Officials Get High Tech Education, 8
Legislative News
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Update, 5
Advocacy Blog Features Capitol Hill Updates, 2
Economic News
Small Businesses Most Likely to Lead Economic Recovery, 1
An Interview with Charles Ou, Senior Economist, 6
If you are having difficulty viewing this document, the following Adobe viewer for PDF files is available for download - http://www.adobe.com/downloads/.
Adobe also offers a handicapped accessibility site for the visually disabled at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html.
For more information about the Office of Advocacy, please visit our website at http://www.sba.gov/advo/ or telephone 202-205-6532.
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
To sign up for Advocacy updates via RSS feed, visit http://feeds.feedburner.com/sba/rAIO
Visit Advocacy's Regulatory Alerts page to learn about and comment on proposed federal rules that may affect small business: http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_regalerts.html.
In order to receive e-mail notices of Advocacy's news releases, monthly newsletter, small business research, statistics, and regulatory news visit http://web.sba.gov/list.
Office of Advocacy
--The Advocate--
Release Date: July 2009
Volume 28, number 6
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/advo/july_09.pdf
The Small Business Advocate is a periodic newsletter that details economic developments and regulatory trends related to small business as well as the latest initiatives of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.
IN THIS ISSUE
Message from the Acting Chief Counsel
When We All Work Together, Good Things Happen, 3
Regulatory News
Small Business Review Panel on Diacetyl Exposure, 4
Proposed Critical Habitat for the California Red-Legged Frog, 4
Advocacy Officials Get High Tech Education, 8
Legislative News
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act Update, 5
Advocacy Blog Features Capitol Hill Updates, 2
Economic News
Small Businesses Most Likely to Lead Economic Recovery, 1
An Interview with Charles Ou, Senior Economist, 6
If you are having difficulty viewing this document, the following Adobe viewer for PDF files is available for download - http://www.adobe.com/downloads/.
Adobe also offers a handicapped accessibility site for the visually disabled at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html.
For more information about the Office of Advocacy, please visit our website at http://www.sba.gov/advo/ or telephone 202-205-6532.
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
To sign up for Advocacy updates via RSS feed, visit http://feeds.feedburner.com/sba/rAIO
Visit Advocacy's Regulatory Alerts page to learn about and comment on proposed federal rules that may affect small business: http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_regalerts.html.
In order to receive e-mail notices of Advocacy's news releases, monthly newsletter, small business research, statistics, and regulatory news visit http://web.sba.gov/list.
Friday, June 26, 2009
SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Initiative Delivers $315 Million to 3,750 Vets, Military Community
-- News Release --
Release Date: June 26, 2009
Contact: Dennis Byrne (202) 205-6567
Release Number: 09-45
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Initiative Delivers $315 Million to 3,750 Vets, Military Community
WASHINGTON – In just two year’s time, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative has supported more than $315 million in loans to more than 3,750 veterans and their spouses who are using the SBA-guaranteed funds to establish and expand their small businesses. As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which raised loan guarantees to 90 percent, and eliminated fees temporarily, the number of Patriot Express loans increased to record levels in April and May of 2009.
Patriot Express, launched June 28, 2007, builds on the more than $1 billion in loans SBA guarantees annually for veteran-owned businesses, and the counseling assistance and procurement support it provides each year to more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and Reserve members.
"This commitment to more than 25 million veterans across the country, and the thousands returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is something we at SBA take seriously," SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said. "The Patriot Express initiative, in conjunction with other SBA programs, goes directly to the needs of our veterans who want to start, or already have their own businesses. This critical access to capital helps them grow their businesses and create good paying jobs in their communities."
Patriot Express is a streamlined loan product based on the agency’s highly successful SBA Express Program, but with an enhanced guaranty and interest rate. The Patriot Express loan is offered by SBA’s network of participating lenders nationwide and features one of SBA’s fastest turnaround times for loan approvals. Loans are available up to $500,000 and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of up to 90 percent.
The Patriot Express loan can be used for most business purposes, including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real-estate purchases. Local SBA district offices will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in their areas. Details on the initiative can be found at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.
Interest rate maximums for Patriot Express loans are the same as those for regular 7(a) loans: a maximum of Prime + 2.25 percent for maturities under seven years; Prime + 2.75 percent for seven years or more. Interest rates can be higher by two percent for loans of $25,000 or less; and one percent for loans between $25,000 and $50,000.
Patriot Express is available to military community members including veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty service members participating in the military’s Transition Assistance Program, Reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of any of the above, and the widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service, or of a service-connected disability.
Patriot Express loans have been approved in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam and generally range from $5,000 to $375,000 in individual loan amounts. The average loan amount is almost $85,000. Nearly 15 percent of those loans have gone to military spouses. After loan applications are approved by the bank, they are submitted to SBA for approval. Most applications are approved by SBA within 24 hours.
SBA has veterans’ business development officers in district offices in every state and territory able to provide military community members full access to the SBA’s range of programs and services. There are also eight Veterans Business Outreach Centers located in: Albany, N.Y; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Lynn Haven, Fla.; Edinburg, Texas; Sacramento, Calif.; St. Louis, Mo.; Boston, Mass.; and Flint, Mich.
In addition to district offices, SBA’s resource partners SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, Small Business Development Centers, and Women’s Business Centers provide local and online assistance with: writing a business plan, financing options to start or grow your business, managing the business, expanding the business and selling goods and services to the government.
For those who are already small business owners and who expect call-up, the SBA and its resource partners have expertise to assist with preparing their businesses before deployment, managing their businesses, selling goods and services to the government, obtaining other SBA financing and financial assistance, and obtaining loans for economic injury – Military Reserve Economic Injury Disaster Loans (MREIDL) – Loans of up to $2 million are available for small businesses sustaining economic injury because an owner or essential employee has been called to active duty as a military reservist.
The SBA and its Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) provides comprehensive assistance, outreach and support to veterans. Each year the SBA assists more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and reservists. Go to www.sba.gov/vets.
Release Date: June 26, 2009
Contact: Dennis Byrne (202) 205-6567
Release Number: 09-45
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Initiative Delivers $315 Million to 3,750 Vets, Military Community
WASHINGTON – In just two year’s time, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative has supported more than $315 million in loans to more than 3,750 veterans and their spouses who are using the SBA-guaranteed funds to establish and expand their small businesses. As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which raised loan guarantees to 90 percent, and eliminated fees temporarily, the number of Patriot Express loans increased to record levels in April and May of 2009.
Patriot Express, launched June 28, 2007, builds on the more than $1 billion in loans SBA guarantees annually for veteran-owned businesses, and the counseling assistance and procurement support it provides each year to more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and Reserve members.
"This commitment to more than 25 million veterans across the country, and the thousands returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is something we at SBA take seriously," SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills said. "The Patriot Express initiative, in conjunction with other SBA programs, goes directly to the needs of our veterans who want to start, or already have their own businesses. This critical access to capital helps them grow their businesses and create good paying jobs in their communities."
Patriot Express is a streamlined loan product based on the agency’s highly successful SBA Express Program, but with an enhanced guaranty and interest rate. The Patriot Express loan is offered by SBA’s network of participating lenders nationwide and features one of SBA’s fastest turnaround times for loan approvals. Loans are available up to $500,000 and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of up to 90 percent.
The Patriot Express loan can be used for most business purposes, including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real-estate purchases. Local SBA district offices will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in their areas. Details on the initiative can be found at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.
Interest rate maximums for Patriot Express loans are the same as those for regular 7(a) loans: a maximum of Prime + 2.25 percent for maturities under seven years; Prime + 2.75 percent for seven years or more. Interest rates can be higher by two percent for loans of $25,000 or less; and one percent for loans between $25,000 and $50,000.
Patriot Express is available to military community members including veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty service members participating in the military’s Transition Assistance Program, Reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of any of the above, and the widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service, or of a service-connected disability.
Patriot Express loans have been approved in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam and generally range from $5,000 to $375,000 in individual loan amounts. The average loan amount is almost $85,000. Nearly 15 percent of those loans have gone to military spouses. After loan applications are approved by the bank, they are submitted to SBA for approval. Most applications are approved by SBA within 24 hours.
SBA has veterans’ business development officers in district offices in every state and territory able to provide military community members full access to the SBA’s range of programs and services. There are also eight Veterans Business Outreach Centers located in: Albany, N.Y; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Lynn Haven, Fla.; Edinburg, Texas; Sacramento, Calif.; St. Louis, Mo.; Boston, Mass.; and Flint, Mich.
In addition to district offices, SBA’s resource partners SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, Small Business Development Centers, and Women’s Business Centers provide local and online assistance with: writing a business plan, financing options to start or grow your business, managing the business, expanding the business and selling goods and services to the government.
For those who are already small business owners and who expect call-up, the SBA and its resource partners have expertise to assist with preparing their businesses before deployment, managing their businesses, selling goods and services to the government, obtaining other SBA financing and financial assistance, and obtaining loans for economic injury – Military Reserve Economic Injury Disaster Loans (MREIDL) – Loans of up to $2 million are available for small businesses sustaining economic injury because an owner or essential employee has been called to active duty as a military reservist.
The SBA and its Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) provides comprehensive assistance, outreach and support to veterans. Each year the SBA assists more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and reservists. Go to www.sba.gov/vets.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Small Business can Apply for ARC Loans Beginning Today
Small Business can Apply for ARC Loans Beginning Today
WASHINGTON – Starting today, June 15, SBA will begin accepting loans for a temporary new program called America’s Recovery Capital. "ARC" loans of up to $35,000 are designed to provide a "bridge" for viable small businesses with immediate financial hardship – to keep their doors open until they get back on track.
"These ARC loans are another tool in the SBA toolkit which will provide critical support to small businesses struggling to make it through these tough economic times," said Administrator Karen G. Mills.
ARC loans are deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000, available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that need short-term help to make their principal and interest payments on existing and qualifying business debt. ARC loans are 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA and have no SBA fees associated with them.
ARC loans will be disbursed over a period of up to six months and will provide funds to be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debt including mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities. SBA will pay the interest on ARC loans to the lenders at the variable rate of Prime plus two percent.
Repayment will not begin until 12 months after the final disbursement. After the 12-month deferral period, borrowers will pay back the loan principal over a period of five years.
ARC loans will be made by commercial lenders, not SBA directly. For more information on ARC loans, visit www.sba.gov
For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640, or visit the SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov.
Release Date: June 15, 2009
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-41
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
WASHINGTON – Starting today, June 15, SBA will begin accepting loans for a temporary new program called America’s Recovery Capital. "ARC" loans of up to $35,000 are designed to provide a "bridge" for viable small businesses with immediate financial hardship – to keep their doors open until they get back on track.
"These ARC loans are another tool in the SBA toolkit which will provide critical support to small businesses struggling to make it through these tough economic times," said Administrator Karen G. Mills.
ARC loans are deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000, available to established, viable, for-profit small businesses that need short-term help to make their principal and interest payments on existing and qualifying business debt. ARC loans are 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA and have no SBA fees associated with them.
ARC loans will be disbursed over a period of up to six months and will provide funds to be used for payments of principal and interest for existing, qualifying small business debt including mortgages, term and revolving lines of credit, capital leases, credit card obligations and notes payable to vendors, suppliers and utilities. SBA will pay the interest on ARC loans to the lenders at the variable rate of Prime plus two percent.
Repayment will not begin until 12 months after the final disbursement. After the 12-month deferral period, borrowers will pay back the loan principal over a period of five years.
ARC loans will be made by commercial lenders, not SBA directly. For more information on ARC loans, visit www.sba.gov
For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800 U ASK SBA or TDD 704-344-6640, or visit the SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov.
Release Date: June 15, 2009
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-41
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Hispanic Businesses Recognized at National Small Business Week - Oklahoma Firm Wins Top Award; 11 More Acknowledged
***********************************************
U.S. Small Business Administration
-- News Release --
***********************************************
Release Date: May 21, 2009
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-36
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Hispanic Businesses Recognized at National Small Business Week
Oklahoma Firm Wins Top Award; 11 More Acknowledged
WASHINGTON – The growing strength and contributions of Hispanic-owned businesses to the national economy were in display at National Small Business Week as 12 companies whose owners are of Hispanic background were recognized during the annual event sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, including one who was named National Small Business Person of the Year.
Businesses receiving the awards are a cross section of the American industry, from cleaning services to construction to high-tech science and engineering support, and represent states and territories from Alabama to Connecticut, and Puerto Rico to New Mexico.
The National Small Business Person of the Year Award went to Jeanna Sellmeyer, an Oklahoma native of Venezuelan descent. The awards were presented during the celebration of National Small Business Week, May 17 -19 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington D.C., to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of American small businesses.
"Hispanic-owned small businesses make important contributions to the American economy. We salute the many Hispanic-owned firms among our winners, and are pleased to present them with these awards in recognition of their entrepreneurial spirit and hard-won success," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "We applaud that in the midst of a difficult economic period, these businesses have continued to grow and preserve or create jobs in their communities."
According to the Census Bureau, in the United Sates there are more than 1.6 million Hispanic-owned businesses; they employ more than 1.5 million people and generate more than $220 billion in gross receipts.
The Hispanic award winners at National Small Business Week were:
National Small Business Person of the Year – Jeanna Sellmeyer, CEO, ASSET Group, Inc. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
National Prime Contractor of the Year – A. R. (Rey) Almodóvar, co-founder and CEO, Intuitive Research and Technology Corp. of Huntsville, Alabama.
Prime Contractor of the Year, Region VI – Ricardo and Renee Araiza, founders, R-con Construction, Inc. of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Prime Contractor of the Year, Region VII – Michael Zambrana, president and CEO, Pangea Group of St. Louis, Missouri.
Sub-contractor of the Year, Region I – Lorenzo J. Cabrera, owner, Cabrera Services of East Hartford, Connecticut.
State Small Business Person of the Year, Kentucky – Thomas E. Masterson, president, T.E.M. Electric, Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky.
State Small Business Person of the Year, North Carolina - Lisa Anne Piñeiro, president, Technical Services, Inc. of Durham, North Carolina.
State Small Business Person of the Year, New Mexico – Michele E. Justice, president & CEO, Personnel Security Consultants, Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
State Small Business Person of the Year, New York – Teresa Ward, owner and president, Teresa’s Family Cleaning of Rocky Point, New York.
State Small Business Person of the Year, Pennsylvania – Paul de la Torre, chairman, and Edward de la Torre, president, De La Torre Orthotics and Prosthetics of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Small Business Person of the Year, Puerto Rico – Edward Feliciano, president, KCS Cleaning & Staffing Solutions Corp. of Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery РJuan Carlos Y̩pez, president, and Luis Enrique Y̩pez, Jr., vice president, Mainstream Global, Inc.
of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
For additional details on Small Business Week 2009, including information on all
award winners, visit http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/.
---
The U.S. Small Business Administration thanks the cosponsors of National Small Business Week and related events: SCORE, Sam’s Club, Symantec Corporation , Ford , Raytheon, Administaff, Visa, Sage, IBM, HP, Trend Micro, Lockheed Martin, Verio, Moran Media Group, D&B, Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), National Small Business Association (NSBA), Small Business Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC), Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s, donor’s, grantee’s, contractor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov.
Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2009
U.S. Small Business Administration
-- News Release --
***********************************************
Release Date: May 21, 2009
Contact: David J. Hall (202) 205-6697
Release Number: 09-36
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Hispanic Businesses Recognized at National Small Business Week
Oklahoma Firm Wins Top Award; 11 More Acknowledged
WASHINGTON – The growing strength and contributions of Hispanic-owned businesses to the national economy were in display at National Small Business Week as 12 companies whose owners are of Hispanic background were recognized during the annual event sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, including one who was named National Small Business Person of the Year.
Businesses receiving the awards are a cross section of the American industry, from cleaning services to construction to high-tech science and engineering support, and represent states and territories from Alabama to Connecticut, and Puerto Rico to New Mexico.
The National Small Business Person of the Year Award went to Jeanna Sellmeyer, an Oklahoma native of Venezuelan descent. The awards were presented during the celebration of National Small Business Week, May 17 -19 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington D.C., to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of American small businesses.
"Hispanic-owned small businesses make important contributions to the American economy. We salute the many Hispanic-owned firms among our winners, and are pleased to present them with these awards in recognition of their entrepreneurial spirit and hard-won success," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. "We applaud that in the midst of a difficult economic period, these businesses have continued to grow and preserve or create jobs in their communities."
According to the Census Bureau, in the United Sates there are more than 1.6 million Hispanic-owned businesses; they employ more than 1.5 million people and generate more than $220 billion in gross receipts.
The Hispanic award winners at National Small Business Week were:
National Small Business Person of the Year – Jeanna Sellmeyer, CEO, ASSET Group, Inc. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
National Prime Contractor of the Year – A. R. (Rey) Almodóvar, co-founder and CEO, Intuitive Research and Technology Corp. of Huntsville, Alabama.
Prime Contractor of the Year, Region VI – Ricardo and Renee Araiza, founders, R-con Construction, Inc. of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Prime Contractor of the Year, Region VII – Michael Zambrana, president and CEO, Pangea Group of St. Louis, Missouri.
Sub-contractor of the Year, Region I – Lorenzo J. Cabrera, owner, Cabrera Services of East Hartford, Connecticut.
State Small Business Person of the Year, Kentucky – Thomas E. Masterson, president, T.E.M. Electric, Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky.
State Small Business Person of the Year, North Carolina - Lisa Anne Piñeiro, president, Technical Services, Inc. of Durham, North Carolina.
State Small Business Person of the Year, New Mexico – Michele E. Justice, president & CEO, Personnel Security Consultants, Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
State Small Business Person of the Year, New York – Teresa Ward, owner and president, Teresa’s Family Cleaning of Rocky Point, New York.
State Small Business Person of the Year, Pennsylvania – Paul de la Torre, chairman, and Edward de la Torre, president, De La Torre Orthotics and Prosthetics of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Small Business Person of the Year, Puerto Rico – Edward Feliciano, president, KCS Cleaning & Staffing Solutions Corp. of Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery РJuan Carlos Y̩pez, president, and Luis Enrique Y̩pez, Jr., vice president, Mainstream Global, Inc.
of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
For additional details on Small Business Week 2009, including information on all
award winners, visit http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/.
---
The U.S. Small Business Administration thanks the cosponsors of National Small Business Week and related events: SCORE, Sam’s Club, Symantec Corporation , Ford , Raytheon, Administaff, Visa, Sage, IBM, HP, Trend Micro, Lockheed Martin, Verio, Moran Media Group, D&B, Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), National Small Business Association (NSBA), Small Business Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC), Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s, donor’s, grantee’s, contractor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov.
Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
UC Merced Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Receives Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) Accreditation
Release Date: Immediate Release
Contact: Diane Howerton, Regional Director, dhowerton@ucmerced.edu
UC Merced Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Receives Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) Accreditation
Fresno, CA: The UC Merced SBDC Network lead center in Central California representing 15 counties is poised to celebrate. They received notification from the Chair of the national ASBDC Accreditation Committee that the administration and staff have achieved an important milestone - recommendation to accredit by the visiting team and an affirmative vote at the ASBDC meeting in March 2009.
Diane Howerton, Regional State Director, UC Merced Small Business Development Center Network said, "This is a long, but extremely important process, and it is imperative for our funding and the Network's movement toward achieving a world-class delivery system for small business counseling and training needs." The Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) accreditation standards are based upon the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for performance excellence. Diane said further that "the internal review that supported the report was an arduous but positive experience; one that will serve as a roadmap for continuous improvement of the SBDC Network."
UC Merced was awarded the SBA contract in 2003 to serve 15 counties in Central California: San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Sana Clara (south of Bernal Road), Monterey (east of the Salinas River), Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Kern, Mono and Inyo. The mission of the network is to promote the development and growth of small businesses by providing high quality business assistance throughout Central California thereby enhancing regional prosperity. This mission has resulted in consulting more than 9,672 clients, creating and/or retaining 2,912 jobs and has worked with business clients and entrepreneurs to generate $125,694,251in new capital investment.
The California SBDC Network is part of a national delivery system that assists more than 1.3 million business owners annually. The SBDC was established by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and operates throughout the U.S. with 63 regional Lead Centers overseeing operations in more than 1,100 SBDC service centers. Most states have one SBDC Lead Center operating under a university or college that administers the service centers in the region. California, due to its extensive geographical reach and expansive entrepreneurial spirit - has six regional Lead Centers of which the UC Merced is one.
Contact: Diane Howerton, Regional Director, dhowerton@ucmerced.edu
UC Merced Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Receives Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) Accreditation
Fresno, CA: The UC Merced SBDC Network lead center in Central California representing 15 counties is poised to celebrate. They received notification from the Chair of the national ASBDC Accreditation Committee that the administration and staff have achieved an important milestone - recommendation to accredit by the visiting team and an affirmative vote at the ASBDC meeting in March 2009.
Diane Howerton, Regional State Director, UC Merced Small Business Development Center Network said, "This is a long, but extremely important process, and it is imperative for our funding and the Network's movement toward achieving a world-class delivery system for small business counseling and training needs." The Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) accreditation standards are based upon the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for performance excellence. Diane said further that "the internal review that supported the report was an arduous but positive experience; one that will serve as a roadmap for continuous improvement of the SBDC Network."
UC Merced was awarded the SBA contract in 2003 to serve 15 counties in Central California: San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Sana Clara (south of Bernal Road), Monterey (east of the Salinas River), Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Kern, Mono and Inyo. The mission of the network is to promote the development and growth of small businesses by providing high quality business assistance throughout Central California thereby enhancing regional prosperity. This mission has resulted in consulting more than 9,672 clients, creating and/or retaining 2,912 jobs and has worked with business clients and entrepreneurs to generate $125,694,251in new capital investment.
The California SBDC Network is part of a national delivery system that assists more than 1.3 million business owners annually. The SBDC was established by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and operates throughout the U.S. with 63 regional Lead Centers overseeing operations in more than 1,100 SBDC service centers. Most states have one SBDC Lead Center operating under a university or college that administers the service centers in the region. California, due to its extensive geographical reach and expansive entrepreneurial spirit - has six regional Lead Centers of which the UC Merced is one.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Recovery Act Contracting Opportunities Q & A
Recovery Act Contracting Opportunities
Questions and Answers
Q. Is there an opportunity for small businesses to get contracts under the Recovery Act?
A. Yes. The SBA is committed to helping small businesses get connected with contracting opportunities as a result of the Recovery Act. SBA’s Procurement Center Representatives are working with federal agencies to ensure that small businesses get their fair share of the prime and subcontracting opportunities stemming from the Recovery funds. The Recovery Act requires agencies to provide maximum opportunities for small businesses to compete for contracts.
The SBA is working with its district offices and resource partners to make small businesses aware of the contract dollars and information to pursue registration/certification at the state/local levels.
Small businesses seeking contract opportunities as a result of the Recovery Act should visit Recovery.gov, an online portal with links to Recovery Act informational pages on federal agencies’ web pages and their weekly update reports. At Recovery.gov, small businesses can get an idea of the areas that federal agencies are targeting for Recovery Act contracts as well as opportunities at the state and local level.
Federal agencies are expected to submit program specific Recovery Act plans with contracting opportunities for small businesses by May 1, 2009. Federal agencies will report contracts awarded using Recovery Act funding to the General Service Administration’s Federal Procurement Data
System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG) database, which is the government’s official source for federal contracting data. Contracting data will also be available on Recovery.gov.
Q. How do small businesses learn about contracting opportunities at the state and local level under the Recovery Act?
A. Although these will be federal dollars, they will in many cases be provided directly to the states and localities. The State and local governments, municipal utility and school districts will award contracts using their currently established procedures. Each State’s recovery website can be reached through Recovery.gov. The priority will be for projects that are “shovel/project ready;” those that can be rolled-out quickly, putting individuals back to work. This means that small businesses must be “contract ready,” i.e., registered/certified to do business with the State and local governmental entities which will most likely be the primary contracting agencies for these projects.
Q. Is there a central location where federal contracting opportunities and requests for proposals are located?
A. All federal government contracting opportunities over $25,000 will be posted to FedBizOpps. Small businesses can access this site at: www.fbo.gov. They can also learn about possible subcontracting opportunities by the prime contractor (large or small) that receive the contract award. Small businesses can identify prime contractors for subcontracting opportunities through the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) at www.esrs.gov.
Q. Does the SBA offer other tools and services for small businesses seeking federal contracting opportunities?
A. The SBA and its resource partners, including Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers and Veteran Outreach Centers can provide technical, financial and contracting assistance to small businesses. For more information on these organizations visit www.sba.gov. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, funded by the Department of Defense, are also good sources of procurement assistance. A listing of PTAC organizations is located at: www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm.
Some of the government contracting tools currently available to small businesses include a free online course, Business Opportunities: A Guide to Winning Federal Contracts, which is a self-paced guide and easy-to-follow training course that can be accessed by visiting www.sba.gov/training, clicking on the menu of free online courses and selecting the first course listed under Government Contracting. Participants will receive a certificate of completion upon completing the 30-minute tutorial. Other tools include a brochure entitled Opening Doors to Federal Government Contracting Opportunities
available at www.sba.gov/openingdoors and three fact sheets – Federal Contracting Opportunities for HUBZone Entrepreneurs, Federal Contracting Opportunities for Women-Owned Small Businesses and Federal Contracting Opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses available at: http://www.sba.gov/tools/resourcelibrary/publications/index.html
Small businesses seeking contract opportunities can also contact the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in any of the procuring federal agencies. These offices assist small businesses with obtaining contracts and subcontracts with federal agencies and prime contractors.
For a list of OSDBUs in the procuring federal agencies and their contact information, visit http://www.osdbu.gov/offices.html.
The Recovery Act provides entrepreneurs and lenders financial relief from the current economic crisis that will help encourage borrowing and lending to all small businesses, including start-ups.
For small businesses, the Recovery Act temporarily eliminates SBA guaranteed 7(a) and 504 loan fees and offers tax benefits. For lenders, it temporarily eliminates 504 loan fees. The fee eliminations are retroactive to February 17, 2009, the day the Recovery Act was signed. Also under the Act, small businesses that need surety bonds to compete for construction and service contracts can qualify for SBA-backed surety bonds of up to $5 million (and in some cases, $10 million), more than double the previous $2 million maximum. Visit www.sba.gov/recovery for more information on small business and the Recovery Act.
SBA Expands Eligibility for 7(a) Loans To Spur Recovery Opportunities for Small Businesses
Release Date: May 1, 2009
Contact: Tiffani Clements (202) 401 0035
Release Number: 09-25
http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA Expands Eligibility for 7(a) Loans
To Spur Recovery Opportunities for Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – More small businesses will be eligible for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans, meaning greater access to much-needed capital in this tough economy, as a result of a temporary alternate size standard for the agency's largest lending program.
SBA’s alternate size standard for its 7(a) loan program will go into effect early next week through Sept. 30, 2010. As a result of the temporary change, more than 70,000 additional small businesses – including auto and RV dealerships, auto industry suppliers and others – could be eligible to apply for SBA 7(a) loan.
“This is just one more step we are taking to make sure small businesses have access to capital to keep their doors open and employees working during these tough economic times,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. “We have seen signs that small businesses that are just outside the traditional 7(a) size standard are being shut out of the conventional lending market. This temporary change will help those businesses weather these tough times and help move our nation closer to economic recovery.”
The temporary 7(a) loan size standard will parallel the standard for the agency’s 504 Certified Development Company loan, and will allow businesses to qualify based on net worth and average income. The net worth for the company and its affiliates can’t be in excess of $8.5 million and average net income after federal income taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal years can’t be more than $3 million. The alternate size standard is available at the offices of The Federal Register today and will be published as an interim final rule early next week.
The temporary change to the 7(a) loan size standard is not unprecedented. SBA took similar actions in 1993, as a result of the recession of the early 1990s, and again in 2005 as part of a program aimed at helping small businesses in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
This change also means more small businesses can take advantage of benefits made possible through the Recovery Act. On March 16, the SBA implemented two key provisions of the Recovery Act that raised the guarantee on 7(a) loans to 90 percent and reduced fees for borrowers. Since then, the agency has seen average weekly 7(a) loan volume increase by more than 25 percent and new SBA loans made by nearly 450 lenders who had not made loans since October 2008.
For more information about SBA’s revisions to its small business size standards, visit http://www.sba.gov/size/indexwhatsnew.html and click on “What’s New about Small Business Size Standards.”
Contact: Tiffani Clements (202) 401 0035
Release Number: 09-25
http://www.sba.gov/news
SBA Expands Eligibility for 7(a) Loans
To Spur Recovery Opportunities for Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – More small businesses will be eligible for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans, meaning greater access to much-needed capital in this tough economy, as a result of a temporary alternate size standard for the agency's largest lending program.
SBA’s alternate size standard for its 7(a) loan program will go into effect early next week through Sept. 30, 2010. As a result of the temporary change, more than 70,000 additional small businesses – including auto and RV dealerships, auto industry suppliers and others – could be eligible to apply for SBA 7(a) loan.
“This is just one more step we are taking to make sure small businesses have access to capital to keep their doors open and employees working during these tough economic times,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. “We have seen signs that small businesses that are just outside the traditional 7(a) size standard are being shut out of the conventional lending market. This temporary change will help those businesses weather these tough times and help move our nation closer to economic recovery.”
The temporary 7(a) loan size standard will parallel the standard for the agency’s 504 Certified Development Company loan, and will allow businesses to qualify based on net worth and average income. The net worth for the company and its affiliates can’t be in excess of $8.5 million and average net income after federal income taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal years can’t be more than $3 million. The alternate size standard is available at the offices of The Federal Register today and will be published as an interim final rule early next week.
The temporary change to the 7(a) loan size standard is not unprecedented. SBA took similar actions in 1993, as a result of the recession of the early 1990s, and again in 2005 as part of a program aimed at helping small businesses in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
This change also means more small businesses can take advantage of benefits made possible through the Recovery Act. On March 16, the SBA implemented two key provisions of the Recovery Act that raised the guarantee on 7(a) loans to 90 percent and reduced fees for borrowers. Since then, the agency has seen average weekly 7(a) loan volume increase by more than 25 percent and new SBA loans made by nearly 450 lenders who had not made loans since October 2008.
For more information about SBA’s revisions to its small business size standards, visit http://www.sba.gov/size/indexwhatsnew.html and click on “What’s New about Small Business Size Standards.”
MINDBODY, Inc. Selected as the Central California 2009 Small Business Person of the Year
MINDBODY, Inc. Selected as the Central California
2009 Small Business Person of the Year
National Small Business Week May 17-23, 2009
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Fresno District Office announced today that Rick Stollmeyer owner of MINDBODY, Inc. has been selected as the 2009 Central California Small Business Person of the Year.
The award presentation for MINDBODY, Inc. will be held on May 21, 2009, 10 a.m., at the Creekside Career Center located at 4111 Broad Street in San Luis Obispo. For additional information regarding the award presentation, please contact Melende Ward at (559) 487-5791.
This year marks the 46th annual proclamation by the President calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. The award recognizes a business owner who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and honors his or her individual contributions to the community. MINDBODY, Inc. was selected after a competition held among businesses located within the 15 Central California counties served by the Fresno SBA office. Mission Community Women’s Business Services of San Luis Obispo nominated the business for the award.
"The Small Business Administration is very proud of the tremendous growth and success that MINDBODY, Inc. has achieved. This company serves as a role model for other small business entrepreneurs,” said Carlos G. Mendoza, District Director for the Fresno SBA Office.
Upon notification that he was selected for the award Stollmeyer said, “I feel humbled by this award, and fortunate to be at the helm of a business that is growing rapidly and improving the world. The MINDBODY mission is to leverage the power of the internet to improve the health and wellness of the world. The principle way we do this is by helping thousands of wellness professionals serve millions of people. Our success to date has stemmed entirely from the talents and passion of our amazing MINDBODY Team, and it is on their behalf that I accept this award.”
Born into the fourth generation of a family retail business, Stollmeyer started MINDBODY Inc. in his garage in 2001. Stollmeyer, a U.S. veteran and a graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy with an engineering background, focuses on helping people achieve and maintain healthier lifestyles. The company provides business management software to service providers in the health and wellness industry.
Stollmeyer, with a vast technology background, knew that business software could be less expensive and more reliable if it was delivered over the internet giving small businesses the operational advantages and marketing power previously enjoyed by other large companies. In 2003 the company began migrating to SaaS technology. Upon completion of the software development effort, they released their first online edition in February 2005. This product proved an instant success, saving their business owner clients money and improving their bottom lines. It instantly surpassed and rendered their desktop software product obsolete. The last desktop license was sold one month later. Sales of online software have continued to grow for the company. Company clients range from self-employed working from home to managers of large multi-location enterprises and from line dance studios to health center inventory management.
The company has grown from an employee base of one (Stollmeyer) to over 100 employees. Today, MINDBODY Inc. serves more than 5,000 small to medium business clients in 50 countries and continues to grow. Recently, the company was named as one of the fastest growing top software companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine. MINDBODY, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in San Luis Obispo, California and offices are located in Long Island, London, Singapore, Dubai and China.
Anita Robinson, Mission Community Bank CEO said, "MINDBODY shows how innovation and success can be achieved locally, while modeling strong social responsibility and respect for the environment at the same time."
Small Business Person of the Year nominations are judged on seven basic criteria: staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volume, current and past financial reports, innovativeness of product or service, response to adversity and evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects.
Release Date: May 8, 2009
Contact: Melende Ward
Release Number: 09-08
(559) 487-5791
2009 Small Business Person of the Year
National Small Business Week May 17-23, 2009
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Fresno District Office announced today that Rick Stollmeyer owner of MINDBODY, Inc. has been selected as the 2009 Central California Small Business Person of the Year.
The award presentation for MINDBODY, Inc. will be held on May 21, 2009, 10 a.m., at the Creekside Career Center located at 4111 Broad Street in San Luis Obispo. For additional information regarding the award presentation, please contact Melende Ward at (559) 487-5791.
This year marks the 46th annual proclamation by the President calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. The award recognizes a business owner who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and honors his or her individual contributions to the community. MINDBODY, Inc. was selected after a competition held among businesses located within the 15 Central California counties served by the Fresno SBA office. Mission Community Women’s Business Services of San Luis Obispo nominated the business for the award.
"The Small Business Administration is very proud of the tremendous growth and success that MINDBODY, Inc. has achieved. This company serves as a role model for other small business entrepreneurs,” said Carlos G. Mendoza, District Director for the Fresno SBA Office.
Upon notification that he was selected for the award Stollmeyer said, “I feel humbled by this award, and fortunate to be at the helm of a business that is growing rapidly and improving the world. The MINDBODY mission is to leverage the power of the internet to improve the health and wellness of the world. The principle way we do this is by helping thousands of wellness professionals serve millions of people. Our success to date has stemmed entirely from the talents and passion of our amazing MINDBODY Team, and it is on their behalf that I accept this award.”
Born into the fourth generation of a family retail business, Stollmeyer started MINDBODY Inc. in his garage in 2001. Stollmeyer, a U.S. veteran and a graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy with an engineering background, focuses on helping people achieve and maintain healthier lifestyles. The company provides business management software to service providers in the health and wellness industry.
Stollmeyer, with a vast technology background, knew that business software could be less expensive and more reliable if it was delivered over the internet giving small businesses the operational advantages and marketing power previously enjoyed by other large companies. In 2003 the company began migrating to SaaS technology. Upon completion of the software development effort, they released their first online edition in February 2005. This product proved an instant success, saving their business owner clients money and improving their bottom lines. It instantly surpassed and rendered their desktop software product obsolete. The last desktop license was sold one month later. Sales of online software have continued to grow for the company. Company clients range from self-employed working from home to managers of large multi-location enterprises and from line dance studios to health center inventory management.
The company has grown from an employee base of one (Stollmeyer) to over 100 employees. Today, MINDBODY Inc. serves more than 5,000 small to medium business clients in 50 countries and continues to grow. Recently, the company was named as one of the fastest growing top software companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine. MINDBODY, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in San Luis Obispo, California and offices are located in Long Island, London, Singapore, Dubai and China.
Anita Robinson, Mission Community Bank CEO said, "MINDBODY shows how innovation and success can be achieved locally, while modeling strong social responsibility and respect for the environment at the same time."
Small Business Person of the Year nominations are judged on seven basic criteria: staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volume, current and past financial reports, innovativeness of product or service, response to adversity and evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects.
Release Date: May 8, 2009
Contact: Melende Ward
Release Number: 09-08
(559) 487-5791
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Bakersfield SCORE to Host FREE "Business Plan Workshop"
Bakersfield SCORE to Host FREE "Business Plan Workshop"
Kern County - The Bakersfield SCORE Chapter will host a free Writing a Good Business Plan Workshop on May 21, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at 1731 Chester Avenue, Second Floor in Bakersfield.
Guest speaker at the workshop will be Kay Mardon, SBA Fresno District Office Lender Relations Specialist. During the question and answer portion of the workshop, you will have the opportunity to speak directly to an SBA loan officer.
A business plan is one of the most important elements in any loan application. Having a well-written business plan will certainly enhance your chance of getting the necessary financing. By attending this workshop, you will gain the essential knowledge and insight required to write a successful business plan.
"Having adequate financing for a small business is one of the most difficult problems that new and growing small business owners face. Having a well written business plan is the first step for small business success in obtaining financing. SCORE is pleased to offer the Business Plan Workshop to help entrepreneurs start and grow their business," said Mort Brown, Bakersfield SCORE Chairperson.
The workshop is free. To register please send your name, email address, mailing address and phone number to Paul Leung at paulleung@earthlink.net
Since 1964, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" has assisted more than 8 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneurial education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.
The Bakersfield SCORE Chapter counsels at the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. Advance counseling appointments are required and may be made by calling the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce or (661) 861-9249. For additional information and assistance please check out the SCORE website at www.score.org.
SCORE Contact: Paul Leung
(661) 304-5399
# # #
"The material in this publication is based on work supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration under cooperative agreement SBAHQ-09-S-0001. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE services are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age and disability. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations with a two-week advance notice."
Kern County - The Bakersfield SCORE Chapter will host a free Writing a Good Business Plan Workshop on May 21, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at 1731 Chester Avenue, Second Floor in Bakersfield.
Guest speaker at the workshop will be Kay Mardon, SBA Fresno District Office Lender Relations Specialist. During the question and answer portion of the workshop, you will have the opportunity to speak directly to an SBA loan officer.
A business plan is one of the most important elements in any loan application. Having a well-written business plan will certainly enhance your chance of getting the necessary financing. By attending this workshop, you will gain the essential knowledge and insight required to write a successful business plan.
"Having adequate financing for a small business is one of the most difficult problems that new and growing small business owners face. Having a well written business plan is the first step for small business success in obtaining financing. SCORE is pleased to offer the Business Plan Workshop to help entrepreneurs start and grow their business," said Mort Brown, Bakersfield SCORE Chairperson.
The workshop is free. To register please send your name, email address, mailing address and phone number to Paul Leung at paulleung@earthlink.net
Since 1964, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" has assisted more than 8 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneurial education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.
The Bakersfield SCORE Chapter counsels at the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. Advance counseling appointments are required and may be made by calling the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce or (661) 861-9249. For additional information and assistance please check out the SCORE website at www.score.org.
SCORE Contact: Paul Leung
(661) 304-5399
# # #
"The material in this publication is based on work supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration under cooperative agreement SBAHQ-09-S-0001. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE services are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age and disability. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations with a two-week advance notice."
Third Annual Business Matchmaking & Networking Event
Third Annual Business Matchmaking and Networking Event
Register Today- Early Bird registration ends May 15th, 2009 Friday, August 14, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fresno Radisson Hotel & Conference Center
The City of Fresno, along with organizing partners, is hosting the 3rd Annual Business Matchmaking and Networking Event on August 14, 2009 in Fresno. The focus of this event is to match large private companies and government buyers with minority-owned, woman-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and locally-owned business vendors who are limited in their ability to gain exposure to contracts.
The event will feature one-on-one meetings between the buyers from large corporations and public agencies, and representatives from a pool of small businesses. In the twelve-minute face-to-face meetings, these small businesses focus on presenting information about their products and services to the local, state, federal, and private buying organizations.
In addition to the actual event there will be a training session available on June 10th for registered Sellers. In this training session small businesses will learn about certifications often required to do business with large entities and learn effective matchmaking techniques. The small businesses attending the workshop will have the opportunity to choose 2 out of 5 of their one-on-one appointments depending upon matching their products and services with buyers.
If you are a local business that could benefit from increased exposure and networking opportunities, then this event is for you.
Registration Rate Options:
Early Bird Rate: $99
Rates after May 15th, 2009: $175
For more information, call (559) 621-8367, email Dawn.Steele@Fresno.Gov, or check out the Business Matchmaking Website.
Register Today- Early Bird registration ends May 15th, 2009 Friday, August 14, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fresno Radisson Hotel & Conference Center
The City of Fresno, along with organizing partners, is hosting the 3rd Annual Business Matchmaking and Networking Event on August 14, 2009 in Fresno. The focus of this event is to match large private companies and government buyers with minority-owned, woman-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and locally-owned business vendors who are limited in their ability to gain exposure to contracts.
The event will feature one-on-one meetings between the buyers from large corporations and public agencies, and representatives from a pool of small businesses. In the twelve-minute face-to-face meetings, these small businesses focus on presenting information about their products and services to the local, state, federal, and private buying organizations.
In addition to the actual event there will be a training session available on June 10th for registered Sellers. In this training session small businesses will learn about certifications often required to do business with large entities and learn effective matchmaking techniques. The small businesses attending the workshop will have the opportunity to choose 2 out of 5 of their one-on-one appointments depending upon matching their products and services with buyers.
If you are a local business that could benefit from increased exposure and networking opportunities, then this event is for you.
Registration Rate Options:
Early Bird Rate: $99
Rates after May 15th, 2009: $175
For more information, call (559) 621-8367, email Dawn.Steele@Fresno.Gov, or check out the Business Matchmaking Website.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Gabriela Mello Honored as Central California 2009 Financial Services Champion of the Year
Gabriela Mello Honored as Central California
2009 Financial Services Champion of the Year
National Small Business Week May 17-23, 2009
Fresno, CA – The Fresno District Office of the U. S. Small Business Administration has named Gabriela Mello as the 2009 Central California Financial Services Champion of the Year. Champion awards are presented by SBA as part of National Small Business Week celebrated nationally May 17-23, 2009.
The award presentation and reception for Gabriela Mello will be held at the Developing Hispanic Leaders Gala 2009 on Friday, May 8th beginning at 6:30 pm at the Fresno Convention Center. For additional information regarding the presentation ceremony please contact Melende Ward at (559) 487-5791, ext 143. For information regarding the Gala contact Anna Medina at the Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (559) 222-8705.
Mello was selected for this prestigious award because of her outstanding advocacy efforts and commitment to support entrepreneurs in business entrepreneurship and was nominated for the award by the Fresno Area, Kern County and Tulare Kings Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Nominations for this award were solicited from throughout the 15-county Central California area.
Carlos G. Mendoza, District Director of the Fresno SBA Office, said, "Gabriela is a role model for all small business owners. Not only is she a tremendous asset as a mentor, but she is also a leader in our business community. We are honored to present Gabriela Mello with the Central California Financial Services Champion of the Year Award."
Upon hearing of her selection for the award, Gabriela said, "I’m honored by the recognition as the Financial Services Champion of the Year. I will continue to work hard to advocate for small businesses and to support entrepreneurs in our communities. I am so grateful to the SBA for helping our small business owners and for the partnership we have developed throughout the years."
Mello has an extensive background in business lending. Starting as a bank teller she worked her way up in the financial world to manage several Wells Fargo branches. She currently is the Community Relations Officer for Citibank and covers the area from Central and South San Joaquin Valley through the Silicon Valley to promote programs for small business assistance.
As a long time advocate for small business Mello believes that education is the key to success. Financing is critical for the overall success of small business entrepreneurs. Mello takes the time and effort to see that each and every one of her clients is provided with opportunities to access the necessary capital in order to succeed. She has been instrumental in promoting financing literacy for small, emerging minority owned businesses and volunteers as a business instructor for many Hispanic Chamber of Commerce events and workshops throughout the State.
Mello volunteers her time and expertise to several organizations such as Junior Achievement, Kern Action Partnership Community Food Bank, Workforce Connection, Fresno Housing Authority and many more.
Dora Westerlund, President of the Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said, “Gabriela Mello is a great leader in our community; it is through her commitment and determination that businesses can achieve their goals”.
Financial Services Champion of the Year Award nominations are evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Outside of regular business duties, the amount and quality of assistance given small businesses to obtain financing.
2. Advocacy for changes in the financial services industry to assist small companies.
3. Encouragement of the flow of investment capital to small ventures.
4. Active support for legislative or regulatory action designed to help small firms.
5. Other significant contributions through the advocacy efforts of the financial services or accounting industries to advance small business interests.
This year marks the 46th annual proclamation by the President calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. National Small Business Week recognizes outstanding small business owners for their personal achievements and contributions to the nation’s economy.
-the end-
2009 Financial Services Champion of the Year
National Small Business Week May 17-23, 2009
Fresno, CA – The Fresno District Office of the U. S. Small Business Administration has named Gabriela Mello as the 2009 Central California Financial Services Champion of the Year. Champion awards are presented by SBA as part of National Small Business Week celebrated nationally May 17-23, 2009.
The award presentation and reception for Gabriela Mello will be held at the Developing Hispanic Leaders Gala 2009 on Friday, May 8th beginning at 6:30 pm at the Fresno Convention Center. For additional information regarding the presentation ceremony please contact Melende Ward at (559) 487-5791, ext 143. For information regarding the Gala contact Anna Medina at the Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (559) 222-8705.
Mello was selected for this prestigious award because of her outstanding advocacy efforts and commitment to support entrepreneurs in business entrepreneurship and was nominated for the award by the Fresno Area, Kern County and Tulare Kings Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Nominations for this award were solicited from throughout the 15-county Central California area.
Carlos G. Mendoza, District Director of the Fresno SBA Office, said, "Gabriela is a role model for all small business owners. Not only is she a tremendous asset as a mentor, but she is also a leader in our business community. We are honored to present Gabriela Mello with the Central California Financial Services Champion of the Year Award."
Upon hearing of her selection for the award, Gabriela said, "I’m honored by the recognition as the Financial Services Champion of the Year. I will continue to work hard to advocate for small businesses and to support entrepreneurs in our communities. I am so grateful to the SBA for helping our small business owners and for the partnership we have developed throughout the years."
Mello has an extensive background in business lending. Starting as a bank teller she worked her way up in the financial world to manage several Wells Fargo branches. She currently is the Community Relations Officer for Citibank and covers the area from Central and South San Joaquin Valley through the Silicon Valley to promote programs for small business assistance.
As a long time advocate for small business Mello believes that education is the key to success. Financing is critical for the overall success of small business entrepreneurs. Mello takes the time and effort to see that each and every one of her clients is provided with opportunities to access the necessary capital in order to succeed. She has been instrumental in promoting financing literacy for small, emerging minority owned businesses and volunteers as a business instructor for many Hispanic Chamber of Commerce events and workshops throughout the State.
Mello volunteers her time and expertise to several organizations such as Junior Achievement, Kern Action Partnership Community Food Bank, Workforce Connection, Fresno Housing Authority and many more.
Dora Westerlund, President of the Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said, “Gabriela Mello is a great leader in our community; it is through her commitment and determination that businesses can achieve their goals”.
Financial Services Champion of the Year Award nominations are evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Outside of regular business duties, the amount and quality of assistance given small businesses to obtain financing.
2. Advocacy for changes in the financial services industry to assist small companies.
3. Encouragement of the flow of investment capital to small ventures.
4. Active support for legislative or regulatory action designed to help small firms.
5. Other significant contributions through the advocacy efforts of the financial services or accounting industries to advance small business interests.
This year marks the 46th annual proclamation by the President calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. National Small Business Week recognizes outstanding small business owners for their personal achievements and contributions to the nation’s economy.
-the end-
Thursday, April 30, 2009
SBA Resource Day – Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce
SBA Resource Day – Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce
Salinas, CA - The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on May 19, 2009 at the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Salinas area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 119 E. Alisal Street in Salinas. Appointments will be held on May 19, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or call (559) 487-5791.
Salinas, CA - The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on May 19, 2009 at the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Salinas area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 119 E. Alisal Street in Salinas. Appointments will be held on May 19, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or call (559) 487-5791.
San Luis Obispo County SBDC Resource Day!
San Luis Obispo, California
UC Merced Small Business Development Center
Resource Day – Economic Vitality Corporation Offices
Fresno, CA - The University of California Merced Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs beginning April 30, 2009 at the Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC) “Creekside Center” www.sloevc.org to provide information on how the SBDC business consultants can help you in the growth and development of your small business.
During the SBDC visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, request research assistance, selling to the federal government and an overview of our technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBDC consultants realize that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The EVC is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and UC Merced SBDC leadership appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions. A UC Merced SBDC business consultant will be available for appointments at the EVC on April 30, May 15, May 28, June 11 and June 25, 2009 in Interview Room 2.
Entrepreneurs often find that discussing questions in a confidential and unbiased setting can help identify and clarify key decisions in order to strengthen their strategic direction.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the UC Merced SBDC Regional Office at (877) UCM-SBDC (877.826.7232) or by emailing the office casbdc@ucmerced.edu. The EVC is located at 4111 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo. Appointments will be held from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
For more information on the UC Merced SBDC Regional Network, please visit http://sbdc.ucmerced.edu or call (877) UCM-SBDC.
UC Merced Small Business Development Center
Resource Day – Economic Vitality Corporation Offices
Fresno, CA - The University of California Merced Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs beginning April 30, 2009 at the Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC) “Creekside Center” www.sloevc.org to provide information on how the SBDC business consultants can help you in the growth and development of your small business.
During the SBDC visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, request research assistance, selling to the federal government and an overview of our technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBDC consultants realize that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The EVC is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and UC Merced SBDC leadership appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions. A UC Merced SBDC business consultant will be available for appointments at the EVC on April 30, May 15, May 28, June 11 and June 25, 2009 in Interview Room 2.
Entrepreneurs often find that discussing questions in a confidential and unbiased setting can help identify and clarify key decisions in order to strengthen their strategic direction.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the UC Merced SBDC Regional Office at (877) UCM-SBDC (877.826.7232) or by emailing the office casbdc@ucmerced.edu. The EVC is located at 4111 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo. Appointments will be held from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
For more information on the UC Merced SBDC Regional Network, please visit http://sbdc.ucmerced.edu or call (877) UCM-SBDC.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thriving Business Owner to Share Tips and Advice During SBA’s April 30th Web Chat
Release Date: April 23, 2009
Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Release Number: MA09-04
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Thriving Business Owner to Share Tips and Advice During SBA’s April Web Chat
WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Small Business Week, SBA’s Web chat series will shine a spotlight on 2009 Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year Thomas E. Masterson, owner of T.E.M. Electric, Inc. of Lexington.
Masterson started his business 10 years ago, branching out on his own after more than 30 years in the electrical industry. Since then, the company has experienced success and growth, with the help of the SBA and its resource partners.
Masterson at first ran the company from his living room, using business management skills he received through the SBA’s Small Business Development Center Program. T.E.M. later became 8(a) and HUBZone-certified as a minority-owned business, which opened the doors to government contracting opportunities. Masterson has built a solid reputation in the government contracting arena as a subcontractor, and today is a prime contractor on federal contracts.
National Small Business Week will take place in Washington, D.C, May 17-23.
The National Small Business Person of the Year and runners-up will be selected from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. More than 100 outstanding small business owners will be honored. For more information, including a schedule and registration information, visit www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com.
WHO: Small business owner Thomas E. Masterson will host the April Web chat on "Entrepreneur's Spotlight: Maintaining Business Success," to share his story of success, and provide helpful insights on the successes and challenges of entrepreneurship. Chat participants can receive helpful tips and advice on how to maintain business success.
WHAT: SBA’s Web chat series, provides small business owners an opportunity to chat about relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the Web chats via questions they submit online, both in advance and during the live session.
WHEN: April 30, 2009, 1 – 2 p.m. ET
HOW: Participants can join the live Web chat by visiting www.sba.gov, and clicking the "Online Business Chat" icon. Web chat participants may post questions for Masterson before the April 30th chat at http://app1.sba.gov/livemeeting/apr09/.
Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Release Number: MA09-04
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Thriving Business Owner to Share Tips and Advice During SBA’s April Web Chat
WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Small Business Week, SBA’s Web chat series will shine a spotlight on 2009 Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year Thomas E. Masterson, owner of T.E.M. Electric, Inc. of Lexington.
Masterson started his business 10 years ago, branching out on his own after more than 30 years in the electrical industry. Since then, the company has experienced success and growth, with the help of the SBA and its resource partners.
Masterson at first ran the company from his living room, using business management skills he received through the SBA’s Small Business Development Center Program. T.E.M. later became 8(a) and HUBZone-certified as a minority-owned business, which opened the doors to government contracting opportunities. Masterson has built a solid reputation in the government contracting arena as a subcontractor, and today is a prime contractor on federal contracts.
National Small Business Week will take place in Washington, D.C, May 17-23.
The National Small Business Person of the Year and runners-up will be selected from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. More than 100 outstanding small business owners will be honored. For more information, including a schedule and registration information, visit www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com.
WHO: Small business owner Thomas E. Masterson will host the April Web chat on "Entrepreneur's Spotlight: Maintaining Business Success," to share his story of success, and provide helpful insights on the successes and challenges of entrepreneurship. Chat participants can receive helpful tips and advice on how to maintain business success.
WHAT: SBA’s Web chat series, provides small business owners an opportunity to chat about relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the Web chats via questions they submit online, both in advance and during the live session.
WHEN: April 30, 2009, 1 – 2 p.m. ET
HOW: Participants can join the live Web chat by visiting www.sba.gov, and clicking the "Online Business Chat" icon. Web chat participants may post questions for Masterson before the April 30th chat at http://app1.sba.gov/livemeeting/apr09/.
Friday, April 3, 2009
SBA Resource Day – Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce
SBA Resource Day – Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce
Salinas, CA - The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on April 21, 2009 at the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions. SBA will hold the SBA Resource Day at the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce on the third Tuesday of each month thru April.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Salinas area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 119 E. Alisal Street in Salinas. Appointments will be held on April 21, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at www.sba.gov.
Salinas, CA - The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be meeting with small business entrepreneurs on April 21, 2009 at the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce to provide information on how the SBA and our many resource partners can help you in the growth and development of your own small business.
During the SBA visit, entrepreneurs, startup companies and even seasoned firms can confidentially discuss and review business strategies. Topics of discussion may include how to start a small business, how to apply for a SBA loan, selling to the federal government and an overview of the many SBA management and technical assistance programs that are available to assist small business entrepreneurs.
SBA realizes that business entrepreneurs are very busy and to leave their businesses for any length of time can be difficult. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is a tremendous resource for entrepreneurs and SBA appreciates the donation of their convenient location for holding the appointment sessions. SBA will hold the SBA Resource Day at the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce on the third Tuesday of each month thru April.
Entrepreneurs often find that running questions, concerns and ideas past a seasoned small business counselor or an individual outside of their own business can help in offering support and guidance. Information on the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE programs, both of which are local resources available in the Salinas area, will be provided during the day.
Advance appointments are necessary and can be arranged by contacting the Fresno SBA District Office at 800-359-1833, option 6, or (559) 487-5791, or by emailing the Fresno SBA office at william.hori@sba.gov. The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 119 E. Alisal Street in Salinas. Appointments will be held on April 21, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
SBA has many programs and services to offer to new and existing small business owners. For more information on SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or call (559) 487-5791.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is good news for America’s small business. The Act will provide several tools to make small businesses more competitive. For additional Recovery information including information on SBA products and services please contact the Fresno District Office at (559) 487-5791 or visit us at www.sba.gov.
Karen Gordon Mills Confirmed By Senate as SBA Administrator
Karen Gordon Mills Confirmed By Senate as SBA Administrator
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today confirmed by unanimous consent President Barack Obama’s nomination of Karen Gordon Mills as the 23rd Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Small business is the backbone of the American economy,” Mills said upon her confirmation. “The SBA has a vital role to play in supporting our nation’s small businesses so that they can be the key driver in getting our economy moving again. I look forward to leading this critical agency at this important time.
“I want to thank President Obama for this opportunity to serve as a voice for our nation’s small business owners and entrepreneurs,” Mills said. “I would also like to express my appreciation to Darryl Hairston for his leadership as Acting Administrator during this transition, along with everyone at the SBA for the hard work they are doing to implement the important programs of the Recovery Act.”
In testimony on April 1 before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Mills discussed her hands-on experience managing and helping to grow small businesses.
“I was there on the factory floor in Arkansas and Ohio working to weather the recession of the early ‘90s,” she said. “Those experiences give me a deep understanding of what our small businesses need today to survive this downturn and to prosper in the years ahead. Since then, I have helped grow companies in organic food, and women’s media, and spent time in rural Maine working with our boat builders and composite technology to help them compete throughout the globe.
“The sum of my experience is this: I am a believer in American small business. I am a believer in America’s ability to manufacture goods and services that are world class, and I am a believer in America’s spirit of entrepreneurship. This spirit is one of our country’s greatest assets and we need to cultivate it today, more than ever.”
As Administrator of the SBA, Mills will direct a federal agency with more than 2,000 full-time employees, with a leading role in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs secure financing, technical assistance and training, and federal contracts. SBA also plays a leading role in disaster recovery by making low interest loans.
Mills, of Brunswick, Maine, was president of MMP Group and has a 25-year career of investing in and growing small businesses. In 2007, she was appointed by Maine Gov. John Baldacci as chair of the state’s Council on Competitiveness and the Economy, where she focused on attracting investment in rural and regional development initiatives. She also co-authored a Brookings Institute paper on competitive clusters.
Mills is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has served as vice chairman of the Harvard Overseers. She holds a degree in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar. Mills and her husband Barry Mills, president of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, have three sons.
Link to Mills’ Statement to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
http://sbc.senate.gov/hearings/testimony/09_04_01_Mills_hearing/Mills_statement.pdf
Release Date: April 3, 2009
Contact: Jonathan Swain (202) 205-6740
Release Number: 09-20 FRESNO
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today confirmed by unanimous consent President Barack Obama’s nomination of Karen Gordon Mills as the 23rd Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Small business is the backbone of the American economy,” Mills said upon her confirmation. “The SBA has a vital role to play in supporting our nation’s small businesses so that they can be the key driver in getting our economy moving again. I look forward to leading this critical agency at this important time.
“I want to thank President Obama for this opportunity to serve as a voice for our nation’s small business owners and entrepreneurs,” Mills said. “I would also like to express my appreciation to Darryl Hairston for his leadership as Acting Administrator during this transition, along with everyone at the SBA for the hard work they are doing to implement the important programs of the Recovery Act.”
In testimony on April 1 before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Mills discussed her hands-on experience managing and helping to grow small businesses.
“I was there on the factory floor in Arkansas and Ohio working to weather the recession of the early ‘90s,” she said. “Those experiences give me a deep understanding of what our small businesses need today to survive this downturn and to prosper in the years ahead. Since then, I have helped grow companies in organic food, and women’s media, and spent time in rural Maine working with our boat builders and composite technology to help them compete throughout the globe.
“The sum of my experience is this: I am a believer in American small business. I am a believer in America’s ability to manufacture goods and services that are world class, and I am a believer in America’s spirit of entrepreneurship. This spirit is one of our country’s greatest assets and we need to cultivate it today, more than ever.”
As Administrator of the SBA, Mills will direct a federal agency with more than 2,000 full-time employees, with a leading role in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs secure financing, technical assistance and training, and federal contracts. SBA also plays a leading role in disaster recovery by making low interest loans.
Mills, of Brunswick, Maine, was president of MMP Group and has a 25-year career of investing in and growing small businesses. In 2007, she was appointed by Maine Gov. John Baldacci as chair of the state’s Council on Competitiveness and the Economy, where she focused on attracting investment in rural and regional development initiatives. She also co-authored a Brookings Institute paper on competitive clusters.
Mills is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has served as vice chairman of the Harvard Overseers. She holds a degree in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar. Mills and her husband Barry Mills, president of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, have three sons.
Link to Mills’ Statement to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
http://sbc.senate.gov/hearings/testimony/09_04_01_Mills_hearing/Mills_statement.pdf
Release Date: April 3, 2009
Contact: Jonathan Swain (202) 205-6740
Release Number: 09-20 FRESNO
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
SBDC Service Center Program Announcement
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
The University of California Merced Small Business Development Center (UC Merced SBDC) requests for proposals (RFP) for the following regions: Kern County Region; Salinas Valley Region; and, San Luis Obispo County Region. The purpose of the RFP is to solicit proposals for the selection of a contractor to operate a Small Business Development Center in the areas listed.
The mission of the SBDC is to provide quality management and technical assistance for existing and potential small businesses resulting in success for the entrepreneur and sustainable economic growth and prosperity for all Central Californians.
The benefits for serving as a SBDC include the following:
The University of California Merced Small Business Development Center (UC Merced SBDC) requests for proposals (RFP) for the following regions: Kern County Region; Salinas Valley Region; and, San Luis Obispo County Region. The purpose of the RFP is to solicit proposals for the selection of a contractor to operate a Small Business Development Center in the areas listed.
The mission of the SBDC is to provide quality management and technical assistance for existing and potential small businesses resulting in success for the entrepreneur and sustainable economic growth and prosperity for all Central Californians.
The benefits for serving as a SBDC include the following:
- Direct and measureable economic impact in the local community
- Visibility for the organization within the community and region
- Opportunity to provide outreach from the organization to small business in the service area
- Increased partnership opportunities between the organization, other academic institutions and economic development organizations in the state and service area
- Opportunity to strengthen learning opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs
Funding from federal sources
Recovery Act More Than Doubles Surety Bond Guarantee Ceiling for Small Businesses 3-27-09
Recovery Act More Than Doubles Surety Bond Guarantee
Ceiling for Small Businesses 3-27-09
Move Could Help Spur Much Needed Construction Growth
WASHINGTON – Effective today, small businesses that need surety bonds to compete for construction and service contracts can qualify for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed surety bonds of up to $5 million. The higher amount, a result of the Recovery Act, is more than double the previous $2 million maximum surety bond guaranteed by SBA.
Through SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program, SBA guarantees bid, payment and performance bonds. Surety bonds protect the project owner against financial loss if contractors default or fail to perform.
SBA partners with the surety industry to help small businesses that would otherwise be unable to obtain bonding in the traditional commercial marketplace. Under the partnership, SBA provides a guarantee to a participating surety company of between 70 and 90 percent of the bond amount.
“During these difficult economic times,” said Acting SBA Administrator Darryl K. Hairston, “these changes are particularly helpful to small and emerging contractors who need access to surety bonds so they can bid on public construction and service projects. These changes will support small and emerging businesses nationwide, particularly construction contractors who have seen their markets hurt by a poor economy and lagging construction environment.”
Additional program enhancements contained in the stimulus bill will be announced soon in the Federal Register. Among these changes is a provision that will allow SBA to guarantee a bond on a federal contract up to $10 million following certification by the contracting officer that the bond guarantee is required.
In recent years SBA has taken a number of steps to reinvigorate its Surety Bond Guarantee Program and make it easier for small businesses to obtain bonds. In 2007, SBA established a more flexible pricing structure, allowing Preferred Surety Bond Sureties to charge current state rates rather than being locked into rates that were established several years ago.
Industry associations have commended SBA for these new changes and SBA continues to encourage surety bond providers and agents to actively participate in the program.
In the past year, SBA also implemented a new electronic bond application process. Small businesses and surety companies participating in the SBA prior approval program are able to transmit application forms electronically to help expedite review and approval processes. The SBA also re-engineered the claims reimbursement process to shorten the cycle time between submission of a claim for reimbursement by a surety company and payment by the government.
SBA assistance in locating a participating surety company or agent and completing application forms is available online. For more information on SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program, go online to http://www.sba.gov/osg/ or call 1-800-U ASK SBA.
Ceiling for Small Businesses 3-27-09
Move Could Help Spur Much Needed Construction Growth
WASHINGTON – Effective today, small businesses that need surety bonds to compete for construction and service contracts can qualify for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed surety bonds of up to $5 million. The higher amount, a result of the Recovery Act, is more than double the previous $2 million maximum surety bond guaranteed by SBA.
Through SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program, SBA guarantees bid, payment and performance bonds. Surety bonds protect the project owner against financial loss if contractors default or fail to perform.
SBA partners with the surety industry to help small businesses that would otherwise be unable to obtain bonding in the traditional commercial marketplace. Under the partnership, SBA provides a guarantee to a participating surety company of between 70 and 90 percent of the bond amount.
“During these difficult economic times,” said Acting SBA Administrator Darryl K. Hairston, “these changes are particularly helpful to small and emerging contractors who need access to surety bonds so they can bid on public construction and service projects. These changes will support small and emerging businesses nationwide, particularly construction contractors who have seen their markets hurt by a poor economy and lagging construction environment.”
Additional program enhancements contained in the stimulus bill will be announced soon in the Federal Register. Among these changes is a provision that will allow SBA to guarantee a bond on a federal contract up to $10 million following certification by the contracting officer that the bond guarantee is required.
In recent years SBA has taken a number of steps to reinvigorate its Surety Bond Guarantee Program and make it easier for small businesses to obtain bonds. In 2007, SBA established a more flexible pricing structure, allowing Preferred Surety Bond Sureties to charge current state rates rather than being locked into rates that were established several years ago.
Industry associations have commended SBA for these new changes and SBA continues to encourage surety bond providers and agents to actively participate in the program.
In the past year, SBA also implemented a new electronic bond application process. Small businesses and surety companies participating in the SBA prior approval program are able to transmit application forms electronically to help expedite review and approval processes. The SBA also re-engineered the claims reimbursement process to shorten the cycle time between submission of a claim for reimbursement by a surety company and payment by the government.
SBA assistance in locating a participating surety company or agent and completing application forms is available online. For more information on SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program, go online to http://www.sba.gov/osg/ or call 1-800-U ASK SBA.
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