Face-lift your website into 2012

4 Tips to Keep Your Website Ahead of the Curve in 2012

To learn more information on this click on the following link

http://www.openforum.com/articles/4-tips-to-keep-your-website-ahead-of-the-curve-in-2012

Imagine opening a franchise that suites your budget no matter the size.

Might sound strange, but depending on the type of business, franchising without the restrictions could be a new way to starting a business.

This business owner took advantage of the opportunity. Here's what he has to say about the strategy.

Read more about these entrepreneurs stories and why this approach was beneficial for them.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203513604577143320572640482.html

Thinking about starting a business? These tips can help!

Believe in yourself.

Don't try to reinvent the wheel.
Use the Internet.
Seek the help and advice of willing professionals.
Meditate.
Be willing to share your business plan.
Be prepared to make sacrifices.
Do what you love to do.

To learn more on this, click here http://www.openforum.com/articles/yogitunes-co-founder-alex-king-harris-on-starting-a-business?intlink=us-openf-nav-homepagehero

Who Do We Help?

As part of the Winthrop Region of the SC Small Business Development Centers, we're very proud of the wide variety of business types and sizes that our SBDC offices assist. Take a look at our new video and you'll see what we mean!

Just opened your Small Business? This may be helpful!

Customers can be very skeptical at times. If they know you have a new business, they may be hesitant to buy from you – this is especially true of businesses that operate only online.

One way to overcome that fear is to research and learn all you can about your products/services – become an expert on what you do. Post articles on your blog about them, or put up an especially good FAQ page to answer questions about your product lines in depth. In a bricks and mortar store, make sure you can speak knowledgeably about what you do.

If the question of how long you’ve been in business should come up, you can then honestly say something like: “I had a special interest in this business for a long time, and I’ve done a lot of research and personal comparison of these products (or services). And a few months ago I finally decided to put all my knowledge to good use and opened the business. I know my product better than anyone!”

5 Small Business Tips for a New Year!

1. You will have to do extensive research before owning your business, but try not to spend forever doing it. Every day you spend researching is another day you do not earn money or have your business.

2. Because starting your own business can be overwhelming, don’t be scared to seek out a mentor to guide you through the process.

3. Set goals for yourself and for the business and mark important milestones; this will help you see how far you have come. (e.g. $X,XX the first month)

4. Don’t wait to turn you ideas into reality. Don’t just assume something will work, get it done right away and start receiving feedback from customers.

5. Focus more on finding solutions rather than stressing over problems. You should be aware of what went wrong in 2011, now think of ways to do things better with a fresh start.

New Tool for Native American Small Business Owners!

SBA PRESS RELEASE


New Online Course Introduced for Native American Small Business Owners


WASHINGTON – Native American entrepreneurs have a new tool to help determine if they’re ready for business ownership and to help them get started.  Native American Small Business Primer: Strategies for Success is a free, self-paced online business course developed for Native American business owners.  The course provides an overview of basic business principles and  makes them aware of the programs and services available from the U.S. Small Business Administration.


“Native American Small Business Primer: Strategies for Success will enhance the agency’s effort to provide important resources for emerging Native American entrepreneurs,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “Our ultimate goal is to help create jobs and stimulate economic and business development in our Native American communities. This course is an essential business development tool for the entrepreneur’s toolbox.”


The new online course: emphasizes business planning and market research as essential steps to take before going into business; informs Native American entrepreneurs about the legal aspects of starting a business, including the type of ownership (legal structure) and licensing; and provides key information on seed money for starting up, raising capital, and borrowing money.  In addition, there is a section on how to estimate business start-up costs that can help assess the financial needs of going into business.


The course is available from the SBA’s Online Small Business Training web page under Online Courses for Starting Your Business at http://www.sba.gov/content/online-courses-starting-your-business.


SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs works to ensure that American Indian, Alaska
Natives and Native Hawaiian communities have full access to all SBA programs and services. Each year, more than 200,000 American Indian and Alaska Native and 29,000 Native Hawaiian-owned businesses add billions to the American economy.


Course participants completing the online training programs can earn a certificate of completion from the SBA, with their name, date and course title.  The Native American Small Business Primer course is one of nearly 30 online tutorials offered by the SBA’s Online Business Training (www.sba.gov/training).  Free courses are offered on Starting a Business, Managing a Business, Financing a Business, and Contracting.


SBA can also help pair new business owners with expert advisers, counseling and mentoring services through an SBA representative or resource partner about management assistance, financing options, or participating local SBA lenders.