Northeastern California SBDC Newsletter

March 20th, 2012 Issue #66

In This Issue

GOOGLE OFFERS CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESSES FREE WEBSITES

CHICK-FIL-A LEADERCAST SUMMIT

SENATE TO INTRODUCE BILL TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES

NEC SBDC Service Centers

Director's Corner

Dear ,

As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2012, signs continue to show the economy has strong indications of recovery. However, these signs are overshadowed by the impact of federal and state budget cuts. As further cuts continue to draw down services it is essential for consumers to continue supporting small businesses in shopping your local communities.

Steps in helping grow a strong economy through entrepreneurship are one-on-one support to entrepreneurs. Business creation and expansion is the best means of growing the economy in a sustainable manner. The final stages of starting a business (e.g. commitment of capital) expose the inexperienced entrepreneur to risks.

Our local SBDC offices continue to provide workshops and one-on-one business consulting services to meet the needs of growing businesses. It is a frequent misperception that the SBDC program only helps start-up businesses. In fact, the majority of our clients are existing businesses who are seeking technical assistance in their expansion plans. Other business owners simply come for an "annual business check-up" to help identify problems before they arise. Contact your local SBDC office to learn more.

Eileen Chavez-Aiello

Associate Director

Northeastern California SBDC

California State University, Chico

CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Google offers California small businesses free websites

Hey, small businesses of California, Google wants to help you build a website.

On Thursday the company launched a program called "California Get Your Business Online" that offers small businesses in the Golden State the opportunity to get a free customizable website, as well as access to in-person training on how to build a successful online business.

Google will spring for the domain name and provide free Web hosting for the first year, then businesses will pay $2 monthly for the domain name and $4.99 monthly for Web hosting.

Not a bad deal. READ MORE

REGIONAL SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Chick-fil-A Leadercast Summit

The Northeastern California SBDC is making plans to host its 1st Annual:

Chick-fil-A Leadercast Summit

"Micro Decisions Lead to Macro Results"

Friday, May 4, 2012

8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Chico Masonic Center

1110 West East Avenue
Chico, California 95926

This professional development Simulcast, broadcast live from Atlanta, is chocked full of nationally recognized authors, business leaders and inspirational personalities. This event affords hundreds of area business professionals, from CEOs to mid-management, the opportunity to get their teams together to be inspired for 2012 and beyond.

For more information and a sneak peek at the celebrity speakers, click on the Chick-fil-A website:

Chick-fil-A Leadercast

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Senate to introduce bill to help small businesses

WASHINGTON-The Senate is set to come out with its version of legislation to help small businesses raise capital, paralleling a measure that cleared the House in a somewhat different form last week by a large bipartisan margin.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday he planned to work with his Republican counterpart, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, "to finalize a path forward" on the legislation, which primarily relaxes Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to make it easier for small businesses and startups to attract investors.

Both Republicans and Democrats are eager to show that Congress is capable of coming together on legislation to boost the economy and promote job growth, and President Barack Obama supported the House bill which passed on a 390-23 vote. READ MORE

Sincerely,

Dan Ripke

Regional Lead Center Director

Northeastern California Small

Business Development Center