Innovation & Entrepreneurship Conference
Alabama built the rockets that took man to the moon. Life-saving
discoveries are being made in Alabama institutions. New patents are
being filed across the state. So where do we go from here?
Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation, presents the second annual Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference, a "Launchpad" to bring together and engage the various groups seeking to grow Alabama's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. The keynote speaker is Peter Goodman, executive business editor of The Huffington Post, where he supervises business, economic and technology coverage.
Innovation and entrepreneurship is vital to Alabama's economic development efforts, and the Alabama SBDC Network is committed to facilitating forward momentum for the development of these activities within the state.
National "Encore Entrepreneur" Mentor Day - October 2, 2012
For
many Baby Boomers, entrepreneurship training is the toolkit that empowers
them to use their experience, knowledge, and skills to become business
owners and job creators. National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day is an
opportunity to introduce existing and future encore entrepreneurs to the
many resources provided by SBA and the Alabama SBDC Network.
New research found that one in four Americans between the ages 44 and 70 are interested in starting their own a business or nonprofit venture in the next five to ten years. Nearly half of these aspiring entrepreneurs reported a desire to start a business with a positive social impact. Join SBA and SCORE from 8:15 - Noon on October 2nd at 801 Tom Martin Drive in Birmingham.
Disaster Assistance & Business Continuity
Alabama companies turn to the skilled business counselors at the
Alabama SBDC Network to help them prepare for and recover from
hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and other disasters (oil spills).
Counselors will always be available after a disaster, but we would
rather work with you today to make sure your business is prepared.
What did you forget to do?
Can your business survive a disaster?
Call a business counselor today for a no-cost assessment. 877-825-7232
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Sample Business Emergency Plan
Do you have a plan to Stay in Business? How will you handle employees, communications, records, cyber-security? Do you have an evacuation plan or will you shelter in place? When was the last time you looked at your insurance policy? - Small Business Disaster Preparation: What you can do before a disaster
- Alabama SBDC Network Locations
- Managing Employees After a Disaster
- IRS Publication: Disaster Loss Kit for Businesses
Veterans Turn to Alabama's SBDC Counselors for Business Success
Over the last two years, the Alabama SBDC Network has assisted over 900
veterans
with their small businesses. Whether you want to start a new business,
acquire financing through the Patriot Express program, or pursue government
contracts, the Alabama SBDC
Network gives you direct access to a team of experienced and certified
professionals.
July 10-Aug 16: Operation
JumpStart, Livingston
August 2:
Veteran Business Matchmaker Event, Opelika
August 16:
Maxwell AFB Small Business Network Event, Montgomery
August 30:
Veterans Supplier Diversity Conference & Matchmaker,
Montgomery
July-September: NxLevel
Veteran Training Program, Enterprise
Free Website, Free Domain, Free Training
Did you miss
Google's one-day-only event in Birmingham?
Contact your local SBDC
to learn how you can take advantage of the free website, free
domain, and training made possible by Google, the Small Business Development
Center, and Intuit.
Interested in "Internationalizing" your current website"? Contact a
Trade Specialist at AITC.
SBA recognizes Alabama's Small Business of the Year:
Country Gables Assisted Living, Mobile
On
her way to becoming Alabama's SBA Small Business Person of the Year
2012, Robin DuBrock Gregorius survived seven bank-loan rejections and
spent six years waiting for her business plan to bloom. With help
from the SBA and the Small Business Development Center at the University
of South Alabama, Gregorius now operates a
13,000-square-foot assisted living facility on 3 acres off Dawes Road in
Grand Bay; The facility can house 24 residents, employs 24 people, and
is usually full. To learn how they did it,
read their story on AL.com, or
download a copy of their success story.
SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Now Available to Drought-Impacted Businesses
Federal
economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small
agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most
private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in Alabama as a result
of drought that began Jan. 1, 2012. These loans, which are available
up to $2 million and have 3% to 4% interest rates, are available in 45
counties; Applications must be submitted by March 12, 2013.
Download the map and information sheet for more information. Call
877-825-7232 for assistance with any financing questions.
Online Training Modules Now Available
Alabama's small business community now has 24/7 access to a variety of online training and business start-up classes thanks to the Alabama SBDC Network.
SmallBizU: A
collection of twenty-two online courses designed to teach entrepreneurs
the “3Ms"—Money, Marketing, and Management. This is done through a
no-frills curriculum that provides small businesses with real world
tools and information.
It provides you with the management fundamentals needed to fund, market,
and grow a business. Its online delivery method allows you to progress
at your own pace and is delivered just when you need it.
Pitch-Then-Plan:
A business planning technique that quickly translates business ideas
into business plans. The process starts with a
ten-slide business “pitch” which covers the essentials of the business
and how it operates. The next step is to complete the “plan.” The plan
takes each slide of the ten-step pitch and drills down to the next layer
of detail. Finally, the process is completed by taking the money
assumptions from each of the slides and creating a financial projection
for the business. It provides you
with a sense of clarity about the few things that matter most. By
limiting the discussion about the business, the process forces you to be
clear, concise, and concrete about what know and what you will do.
Money
Training Academy: This certificate training program teaches
new small business owners the basics of money—where to find it, how to
get it, and how to manage it. After each course is
completed you have the opportunity to take two practice quizzes and one
test. The test must be passed with an 80% or higher in order to pass the
course. This training provides you with an increased level
financial literacy. You will receive a certificate of completion when
you complete four of the seven courses and their respective tests (which
are favorably viewed by banks and investors).
Disaster Assistance & Business Continuity:
Preparedness, Recovery, Financing Options
If your small business or private, nonprofit organization has suffered economic injury (lost customers, lost contracts, etc), regardless of physical damage, and is located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Alabama SBDC Network counselors can help you with disaster loans and recovery plans.
- Overview, Fact Sheet, Filing Deadlines
- Fact Sheet for Businesses of All Sizes
- Fact Sheet for Homeowners and Renters
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Allowable use of proceeds
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan Overview
- NEW: Disaster Resource Guidebook
- Disaster Assistance Resources
- Alabama SBDC Network Locations
- Managing Employees After a Disaster
- IRS Publication: Disaster Loss Kit for Businesses
- Small Business Disaster Preparation: What you can do before a disaster
- Sample Business Emergency Plan
2012 State Star Award & Counselor Accolades
Procurement Specialist Mary Jane Fleming, SBDC at UAHuntsville, was named the 2012 State Star for the Alabama SBDC Network. This award is given annually to a business counselor with exemplary performance and significant contribution to the small business community. (Press release coming soon!)
One of the most valuable assets that the Alabama SBDC Network has is our talented and experienced staff of counselors, and we'd like to share a few of their recent accolades with you. To tap into the wealth of knowledge that our business counselors, procurement specialists, and international trade specialists have to offer, contact the center nearest to you.
Is Franchising for You?
Do you want the freedom and control of owning your own business? Have you
ever thought about hte advantages of operating your own franchise?
The Alabama SBDC Network has partnered with FranNet to provide a variety of
workshop and matchmakers for potential franchisees. Our
consultants can help prospective owners find a brand that best suits their
financing, skills and goals.
Want to learn more about franchising opportunities? Contact the
Alabama SBDC Network's State Office at 205-348-1582 or email
ASBDC@ua.edu Review our
calendar for a list of upcoming events.
New Technology Guide Helps Entrepreneurs Grow Their Businesses, Create Jobs
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Microsoft have teamed up to
develop this free, comprehensive guide on how technology can improve the
small business owner’s chances for success. The Business Technology
Simplified guidebook includes fundamentals on the importance of technology,
and on how it can be used to achieve a business’s goals. In the guidebook’s
foreword, Earvin “Magic” Johnson writes about his
journey in developing a multimillion dollar company and the value of
technology to remain competitive.
Learn more about the
SBA/Microsoft Technology Guide, and how your small business can take advantage. >>>>
Are You Export-Ready?
- Take the free Export Readiness Assessment from the Alabama International Trade Center to find out! Are you ready to tap into export markets to find additional sales in this down economy? Need guidance on do's and don'ts of international trade? Take the Export Readiness Assessment today, or contact one of our trade specialists.
- Export Readiness Assessment
