Starting a Business along SC's Grand Strand? Need a financial boost to make it happen? Have you done your homework. Have a well-thought-out written business and marketing plan? You may qualify to win this one-time start-up grant.
The grant is being funded by a generous reader of The Sun News and being handled by the Grand Strand chapter of SCORE. The grant of $10,000 is open to entrepreneurs seeking to start small businesses. A reader of the Sun News asked them to find someone who wouldn't squander a $10,000 gift. She thought it was a good idea after a relative asked her for money. She wanted to help someone who didn't have relatives who could provide that kind of monetary assistance.
She's serious about helping an individual strike out on their own in a fragile economy that is only now producing enough jobs to reduce the high unemployment rate. She also wants to inspire others to follow their dreams, and encourage those in positions to do so to also provide hands up to those who could benefit. The Sun News and Coastal Carolina National Bank have agreed to partner with SCORE to select the recipient; company and that it can become an annual event with the support of more sponsors.
But for those looking to go into business for themselves, here's what you need to know:
• The grant is limited to businesses in Horry and Georgetown counties.
• Grant applications will be judged by SCORE professionals and a panel of select local business leaders. It must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2011.
• Need a Business Plan that should include:
-- A marketing plan
-- A three-year financial plan
-- Describe the business and detail how the grant money would be used.• The business must be scheduled to open by Jan. 1, 2012.
SCORE will be offering a number of courses around the Grand Strand focused on "How to Really Start a Business."They will be offered through the Conway Library, Georgetown County Library System, and a few others to be announced.
Visit www.thesunnews.com or www.mbscore.org to download the application. They can be dropped off at The Sun News or mailed to SCORE Chapter 381, P.O. Box 2468, Myrtle Beach, SC 29578. Applications can also be obtained directly from the SCORE office. Call 843-918-1079.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Export 101 – The Basics of Exporting Workshop
Nuclear Energy Supplier Training
Export 101 – The Basics of Exporting
Summary: The global nuclear energy industry for small companies to be export suppliers. Those companies interested in pursuing exporting of their products and services need to understand the rules, regulations and customs that govern international trade. The SC Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in collaboration with The Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster, the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Commercial Service are offering three seminars to a limited number of small firms who want to seriously explore the potential to export their products.
What it is:
A ½ day session in which experts explain the basics of exporting to companies with little to no experience in international trade.
-- Learn about trade finance and how to limit your risks.
-- Gain a basic understanding of logistics and payment methods.
-- Hear overviews on international markets and the abc’s of export marketing.
-- Most importantly, participants are introduced to local trade experts who can help you long term with export challenges and opportunities.
When/where (three stand alone sessions):
-- August 23rd in Columbia at the USC Incubator.
-- August 25th in Greenville at Clemson’s River Walk campus.
-- September 15th in Rock Hill at Winthrop University
Each session runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free of charge
Who:
Who is managing this: The SC SBDC in collaboration with the Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster, under its SBA ‘Innovative Economies’ contract to enhance small business involvement with the nuclear energy industry. Government and industry experts will provide guidance and instruction on exporting.
Who should consider enrolling: Small companies that have done some work with nuclear utilities, engineering firms or Department of Energy sites, and who are looking to expand into exporting. The sessions will accommodate 20-25 people in each class.
How to get more information and qualify for the class:
This is not an open class for the general business public. Our ‘Innovative Economies’ project team will qualify interested companies for enrollment. The sessions are free to those companies who qualify and commit to attend. Companies will have post class follow-up and opportunity for additional assistance.
Contact: Beth Smith, Smithem6@mailbox.sc.edu Columbia Small Business Development Center at the USC Incubator, Columbia. 803-777-4550.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Webinar on Disaster Recovery Best Practices
SBA and Agility Recovery Solutions Host Webinar on Disaster Recovery Best Practices
Date: July 12, 2011
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
WASHINGTON – Find out what business owners learned after nearly losing their companies to small scale disasters like a sprinkler system malfunction or catastrophic events like widespread flooding during a free webinar on July 19 hosted by Agility Recovery Solutions and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Agility Recovery CEO Bob Boyd will share real stories of entrepreneurs whose business continuity strategies emerged while recovering from major disasters. He’ll also outline some practical applications of disaster preparedness tips, focusing on the concept of not only putting a plan together, but testing it periodically.
Recent events serve as a reminder that disasters have a far-reaching effect in terms of undermining small business success and the revival of local economies. Being prepared for any worst-case scenario will lessen the financial losses and business failures that typically accompany a natural or man-made emergency.
SBA has partnered with Agility to offer business continuity strategies for entrepreneurs via their “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access previous webinars and for more preparedness tips.
Since 1953, the SBA has provided more than $48 billion in disaster recovery funds to 1.9 million homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in the form of low-interest loans. To learn more about the disaster assistance program, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.
WHO: SBA, Agility Recovery Solutions
WHAT: “Disaster Recovery Best Practices & Lessons Learned” will be presented by Bob Boyd, CEO, Agility Recovery Solutions. A question and answer session will follow.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
HOW: Space is limited. Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/799917864
Date: July 12, 2011
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
WASHINGTON – Find out what business owners learned after nearly losing their companies to small scale disasters like a sprinkler system malfunction or catastrophic events like widespread flooding during a free webinar on July 19 hosted by Agility Recovery Solutions and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Agility Recovery CEO Bob Boyd will share real stories of entrepreneurs whose business continuity strategies emerged while recovering from major disasters. He’ll also outline some practical applications of disaster preparedness tips, focusing on the concept of not only putting a plan together, but testing it periodically.
Recent events serve as a reminder that disasters have a far-reaching effect in terms of undermining small business success and the revival of local economies. Being prepared for any worst-case scenario will lessen the financial losses and business failures that typically accompany a natural or man-made emergency.
SBA has partnered with Agility to offer business continuity strategies for entrepreneurs via their “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access previous webinars and for more preparedness tips.
Since 1953, the SBA has provided more than $48 billion in disaster recovery funds to 1.9 million homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in the form of low-interest loans. To learn more about the disaster assistance program, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.
WHO: SBA, Agility Recovery Solutions
WHAT: “Disaster Recovery Best Practices & Lessons Learned” will be presented by Bob Boyd, CEO, Agility Recovery Solutions. A question and answer session will follow.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
HOW: Space is limited. Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/799917864
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Do You Know What the SBDC Does? Or how?
With constant budget cuts nationally and in our states, we think it's important for people to understand exactly what Small Business Development Centers do ..... and specifically what our South Carolina SBDCs do. We have a significant positive impact on the South Carolina economy, even in the worst of economic times. Read on for more information:
Who We Are:
The S.C. Small Business Development Center network (SBDC) is part of a national economic development program that helps start and grow small businesses in order to create jobs and revenue. The S.C. SBDC operates under a Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Small Business Administration and a consortium of four host universities (USC, Clemson, Winthrop and South Carolina State).
How We Are Funded:
South Carolina’s SBDC is financed primarily by the U.S. Small Business Administration with additional support provided by state funds. The SBA requires a match for receipt of Federal funding. The state matching funds are necessary to keep the program in operation.
What We Do:
SBDC provides private management consulting services at no charge to small businesses statewide, as well as affordable educational programs targeted to the specific needs of entrepreneurs. These services directly result in job creation and retention, creation of new businesses, access to financing, increased sales and resulting taxes into the economy.
The S.C. SBDC provides specialized services that are not duplicated by the Department of Commerce, other SBA programs or other service providers.
Where We Are Located:
The South Carolina SBDC has 17 offices strategically located in both urban and rural communities throughout the state with 40 trained professionals who provide convenient, accessible services to all small businesses in any industry segment. The SBDC serves constituents in all 46 counties.
Our Five Year Results (2006 to 6/2011):
• Jobs created & retained: 6,304
• Government contract awards: More than $1 Billion
• Financing obtained: $815 million
• Businesses started: 506
• Small businesses served: 26,109
2010 Statewide Return on Investment: $89.2 million statewide *
In 2010, for every $1 invested by the state of South Carolina, over $5.85 are invested by the federal government, universities and local partners.
Our Partners:
The SBDC collaborates with university partners to offer student instruction in entrepreneurship, finance and other courses relevant to small-business development. We also partner with organizations like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), SC Launch, the Women’s Business Center, SCORE, local Chambers of Commerce, Department of Commerce and many others to provide a well rounded offering of complimentary services to our clients
* (2008 per capita personal income figures obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis at www.bea.gov/regional/rels)
Who We Are:
The S.C. Small Business Development Center network (SBDC) is part of a national economic development program that helps start and grow small businesses in order to create jobs and revenue. The S.C. SBDC operates under a Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Small Business Administration and a consortium of four host universities (USC, Clemson, Winthrop and South Carolina State).
How We Are Funded:
South Carolina’s SBDC is financed primarily by the U.S. Small Business Administration with additional support provided by state funds. The SBA requires a match for receipt of Federal funding. The state matching funds are necessary to keep the program in operation.
What We Do:
SBDC provides private management consulting services at no charge to small businesses statewide, as well as affordable educational programs targeted to the specific needs of entrepreneurs. These services directly result in job creation and retention, creation of new businesses, access to financing, increased sales and resulting taxes into the economy.
The S.C. SBDC provides specialized services that are not duplicated by the Department of Commerce, other SBA programs or other service providers.
Where We Are Located:
The South Carolina SBDC has 17 offices strategically located in both urban and rural communities throughout the state with 40 trained professionals who provide convenient, accessible services to all small businesses in any industry segment. The SBDC serves constituents in all 46 counties.
Our Five Year Results (2006 to 6/2011):
• Jobs created & retained: 6,304
• Government contract awards: More than $1 Billion
• Financing obtained: $815 million
• Businesses started: 506
• Small businesses served: 26,109
2010 Statewide Return on Investment: $89.2 million statewide *
In 2010, for every $1 invested by the state of South Carolina, over $5.85 are invested by the federal government, universities and local partners.
Our Partners:
The SBDC collaborates with university partners to offer student instruction in entrepreneurship, finance and other courses relevant to small-business development. We also partner with organizations like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), SC Launch, the Women’s Business Center, SCORE, local Chambers of Commerce, Department of Commerce and many others to provide a well rounded offering of complimentary services to our clients
* (2008 per capita personal income figures obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis at www.bea.gov/regional/rels)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Is Your Business Prepared to Ride Out A Disaster?
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions are offering a free hour-long webinar at 2 p.m. June 21 on “Crisis Communications Planning — The Keystone of Disaster Recovery Response.”
A question and answer session follows the presentation by Bob Boyd, vice president of Agility Recovery Solutions.
SBA has partnered with Agility Recovery Solutions to offer business continuity strategies for entrepreneurs via their “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access previous webinars and for more preparedness tips.
Space is limited for Tuesday’s webinar.
Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/748002384.
A question and answer session follows the presentation by Bob Boyd, vice president of Agility Recovery Solutions.
SBA has partnered with Agility Recovery Solutions to offer business continuity strategies for entrepreneurs via their “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access previous webinars and for more preparedness tips.
Space is limited for Tuesday’s webinar.
Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/748002384.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Coastal SC Area Small Business Forum
Location: Wall College of Business, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC
Date: June 22, 2011
Time: 8am - 5pm
Fee: $75 - Registration ends June 17, 2011 - Someone from the Conway SBDC office will be contacting you with payment processing within 1-2 business days
Details: Interactive workshops for current and potential small business owners - Business Plan Basics - Business Financing - SBA Loan Products – including Women-Owned Small Business set-asides, USDA Loan Products - Using Google to Enhance Web Presence - Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Intellectual Property - Using QuickBooks - Grants - Going Green (4-hour session) - Doing Business with CCU - Social Media Marketing - Search Engine Optimization - 8 (a) Certification, incentives for Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB)
Don't wait -- 6/17 registration deadline is fast approaching!
REGISTER NOW!
Date: June 22, 2011
Time: 8am - 5pm
Fee: $75 - Registration ends June 17, 2011 - Someone from the Conway SBDC office will be contacting you with payment processing within 1-2 business days
Details: Interactive workshops for current and potential small business owners - Business Plan Basics - Business Financing - SBA Loan Products – including Women-Owned Small Business set-asides, USDA Loan Products - Using Google to Enhance Web Presence - Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Intellectual Property - Using QuickBooks - Grants - Going Green (4-hour session) - Doing Business with CCU - Social Media Marketing - Search Engine Optimization - 8 (a) Certification, incentives for Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB)
Don't wait -- 6/17 registration deadline is fast approaching!
REGISTER NOW!
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