SBA Program Helps to Bridge the Small Business Gap

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s national network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) plays an essential role in the economic development of their states and local communities through their direct, face-to-face counseling for small businesses, according to a report released today by the SBA.  The report, produced by the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board, focuses on SBDCs’ impact on small business access to SBA’s programs and services, including access to SBA capital, procurement, disaster and international trade programs.  

The report confirms that SBA’s SBDC program remains an essential part of the agency’s mission to help small businesses. The report, The SBDC Program: An Indispensable Partner in America’s Economic Development, demonstrates statistically the prolonged impact that SBA-funded SBDCs have on the formation and growth of small businesses. 

Last year, more than 557,000 entrepreneurs received business advice and technical assistance through the SBDC program.  In its more than 30-year history, SBDCs have assisted millions of small business owners and entrepreneurs to successfully start and grow small firms by fostering entrepreneurship and growth through innovation and efficiency.

The report can be viewed online at: http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/White%20Paper%20-%20FINAL%20-%2007-15-2011.pdf

Veteran Women Entreprenuers.....This One Is For You!

Have You Heard About V-WISE? V-Wise is a new program that is open to all female Veterans with a passion for entrepreneurship and the desire to start their own business(or female spouses/partners of Veteran Business Owners - please email vwise@syr.edu for more information).

The program begins with an online course focused on the basic skills of entrepreneurship and the language of businesses. Once the online course is completed you are eligible to attenda three-day conference where participants are exposed to accomplished entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators from across the United States. The program includes a 'growth track' tailored to those participants already in business, and a 'startup' track focused on potential future entrepreneurs.

Thanks to SBA funding, the cost to the participant is only a $75.00 registration fee and transportation to and from the conference. Hotel, books and food costs are covered by the grant.

Admission is on a rolling basis, and early application is highly encouraged. Selection is based on proof of military status and demonstration of entrepreneurial passion on the application. Participants must be able to complete the online component of the program and be able to travel to one of the mandatory conferences held at numerous times from spring 2011 through fall 2013. The next conference will be held in Lake Mary on March 2-4, 2012.

For more information, go to http://www.whitman.syr.edu/VWISEApplication2/.

Federal Resources to Drive Economic Growth

As part of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida will host a Jacksonville Entrepreneurship and Small Business Summit on Tuesday, February 21 at 8:00 am at the Jacksonville Main Library Downtown.  Join top federal leaders to learn about policies and programs to support aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups, resources for small businesses interested in going global, and a discussion on innovation opportunities, including health IT.  The keynote speaker is Chris Lu, Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary. The afternoon session is a Business to Business Matchmaking and Networking event where attendees get the opportunity to meet with small and large businesses in the private sector and government.  For more information and to register go to: 

http://www.indousnefl.info/content.aspx?page_id=87&club_id=562732&item_id=205675.

Initiative Will Help Entrepreneurs Expand Business in Jacksonville

Mayor Alvin Brown has announced Mayor Brown’s Business Builder, a program designed to help small businesses gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed and to help connect entrepreneurs with capital and credit. It will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7 at noon at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.  The event will feature instructional speeches from U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills and Tom and Sue Bennett, the board chairman and senior vice president of First Oklahoma Bank.

Mayor Brown’s Business Builder will have useful information and networking opportunities for everyone from start-up entrepreneurs to more established small business people who are looking for avenues of growth.

Registration is free. To enroll, small business owners can fill out the registration form on http://www.coj.net/.

International Trade Workshops Return!

The International Trade Certificate Program - Export Series introduces companies to every aspect of exporting. It's designed for small businesses that are new to international ex¬porting as well as growth-oriented businesses that want a better understanding of the opportunities and resources available.

Attendees will learn about available resources when pursuing exporting opportunities, get the "nuts and bolts" information about export transactions, receive the Global Entrepreneur text, learn how to prepare for the "Certified Business Global Professional" exam and designation offered through the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators, and network with other professionals involved in international trade.

Topics include:
•Identifying markets: sources of information
•Finding partners: direct vs. indirect exporting
•Legal issues: regulations, contracts
•International marketing strategy: pricing, promotion
•Logistics: freight forwarders, documentation, port operations
•Financing: payment methods, credit risk management
•Cross-cultural communications

This program will be held on six (6) consecutive Friday mornings from January 27th through March 2nd, at the UNF University Center, with the last one held at JaxPort.

Dates: January 27 - 08:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: UNF University Center
Cost: $295.00
Registration & information: www.sbdc.unf.edu or 904.620.2476.

First Startup Weekend Event in Jacksonville

The Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida with the Indo-US and JAX Chambers is co-hosting the first Startup Weekend Event in Jacksonville.


Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skillsets - primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people - to build applications and develop a commercial case around them. With partners such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Twillio and the Kauffman Foundation, Startup Weekends occurred in 295 cities worldwide, engaged more than 35,000 entrepreneurs, and helped 2,450 startups launch.

The Jacksonville event begins Friday evening with aspiring entrepreneurs pitching ideas for possible businesses or products. All participants will vote on the top 10-15 ideas and form 10-15 teams to develop each idea. Saturday and Sunday, teams focus on customer development, validate ideas, practice LEAN Startup Methodologies and build a viable product. Teams are mentored by local tech experts and seasoned startup leaders. Sunday evening, the teams demo their prototypes and receive valuable feedback from a panel of experts and investors. Jacksonville Startup Weekend will announce the top three winners who will receive a package of in-kind services to help them launch their new business.

Jacksonville Startup Weekend
Friday, Jan. 20 through Sunday, Jan. 22
University of North Florida (UNF) Student Union Building.
http://jacksonville.startupweekend.org/
Registration before Dec. 21 is $75. After Dec. 21, the price is $99.

Thinking About Hiring Your 1st Employee?

Hiring an employee is a big step for any business owner. And you may have been thinking about it for a while. But do you get overwhelmed with the details? The SBDC has a workshop that can help you determine the steps you need to take to make hiring an employee an reality.

In this workshop, you will learn everything you need to know to make the decision to hire and find the right people! Attendees will receive step-by-step guidance on finding employees, how much to pay, navigating red tape like payroll taxes and benefits, and becoming the boss.

The cost to attend also includes a copy of Hire Your First Employee: The entrepreneur’s guide to finding, choosing, and leading great people. Pre-registration required to ensure all attendees order and receive their books by the day of the workshop.
Dates/Locations
January 25th, 2012 - 08:30 am to 10:30 am
UNF University Center
Cost: $20.00
To register go to www.sbdc.unf.edu or call 904.620.2476.

SBA Administrator Karen Mills Kudos to Small Business Development Centers

SBDC Counselors recently received some well earned praise and appreciation. Administrator Karen Mills was recently appointed to President Obama's cabinet. She's still making sure that everyone knows about counselors like ours. She just gave an interview to WNYC New York Public Radio.

She talks about the SBA, her Cabinet appointment, small business loan levels and mentorship with the SBDC's. Karen Mills was in Jacksonville yesterday and addressed over 400 attendees from the Jacksonville Small Business community...

You should definitely take the time to listen to it.

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/2012/feb/09/karen-mills-small-business-administration/