|
|
|
Small Business Connections March 2011 |
|
|
Welcome to Small Business Connections!
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College is here to serve your small business needs. We offer free business counseling to entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as a variety of small business workshops.
Call us today at (630) 906-4143 to learn how we can help you start or grow your business. |
| Small Business Spotlight | |
Fish Window Cleaning - "Brighten your World"
Chuck and his wife Cathy own a Fish Window Cleaning franchise that covers the local Fox Valley territory. You might have seen them driving around the Fox Valley in a shiny red Fish cargo van. Their goal is to become the most recognizable company in Illinois.
Prior to becoming a franchise owner, Chuck worked for a major national bank as a senior treasury VP. Cathy was a stay-at-home mom. When the economy eliminated Chuck's position, he decided to look into investing some of their savings in a business that would give them more control over their lifestyle.
After considering both independent businesses and franchises, they decided to go the franchise route. Working with the Entrepreneur's Source, they evaluated fourteen different franchises before choosing Fish. Next they worked with the IL SBDC at Waubonsee to prepare their business plan. They completed the purchase of the Fish Window Cleaning franchise in May 2010, and reached profitability after their fifth month in business, six months ahead of plan.
Window cleaning may seem like a far cry from treasury banking, but both Chuck and Cathy enjoy the door to door sales routine, and the opportunity to meet people. Cathy was initially hesitant about making cold calls, but once she got started, she realized it was the same as talking with her friends: "I'm proud of the quality of service we provide, and I know we are meeting a need, so it makes it easy." One in seven contacts becomes a sale, and they hardly ever get turned down for a quote. Just last week they signed 16 new accounts.
Chuck emphasizes customer service and good communication skills when training his employees, which pays off in the many compliments he gets from his customers. Chuck says his journey from "Wall Street to Main Street" has presented him with different challenges. He misses some of the people interaction from his corporate days, but feels more in control of his life.
Their Fox Valley territory includes Naperville, Aurora, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, and Warrenville, as well as other sections of the Fox Valley. To share Chuck and Cathy's bright outlook on life, call Fish Window Cleaning at (630) 326-9941, or visit them online. |
| IL SBDC News and Events | |
Industry Clusters: Key to Economic Vitality Workshop
The IL SBDC at Elgin Community College and the Center for Business Education, Innovation and Development (CBEiD) will host a FREE workshop. This event will cover topics surrounding industry clusters in the Fox River Valley including: how they effect your business and community, the opportunities they may offer to your business, and the manifestation of new industry clusters.
Wednesday, March 2nd 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Advance reservations are required. For more information or to reserve your seat, please call Inga Nuener at 847-214-7488. Government Contracting Workshop Wonder what it takes to do business with the government? The Valley Industrial Assocation is hosting an upcoming workshop on government contracting. This session will cover the basics of governmental contracting, identifying opportunities, registering as a vendor, and understanding differences in certifications. The workshop fee is $45 for members and $60 for non-members (this includes materials and certificate). Friday, March 18th 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. Advanced registration is required. Click here for location and registration information. Export Market Workshops The Illinois International Trade Center at College of Dupage will host a series of workshops on the global market and exporting opportunies this Spring. There are a wide variety of seminars available to not only those exploring the idea of going global, but also businesses who are currently exporting and want to expand. View the workshop flier for topic, date, and registration information. |
| Biz Buzz | |
Barcode of the Future
These little two-dimensional codes are starting to pop up everywhere. A QR code is a symbol that is read by the camera on a smartphone and directs the device to a specific destination coordinated with the code. "Essentially, you point your camera at the image and get a message, website, or other peice of content beamed directly to your smartphone or computer," says mashable.com. For example, the device can be taken to a particular website, store card, coupon, survey, contest, or a virtual address book. The possibilites are endless!
This 2D "Quick Response" has been largely untapped in the United States, but are now set to become much more popular as a business marketing tactic. QR barcodes can be placed virtually anywhere the customer can access it with their smartphone. The QR code provides infinite opportunities for marketing a small business.
Not sure how to put QR codes to use in your business? Check out these QR code tips and make yourself familiar with these mysterious little squares.
Why Your Customers Unsubscribe/Unlike You
Today businesses are using email and social media to keep in contact with their customers more than ever. Consumers have the option not only to subscribe or like a business, but also to opt out of communication. If this is frequently happening to your business, you may need to adjust your approach. Here are some common reasons that customers are hitting the unsubscribe or 'unlike' button. | |
| Biz Bitz | |
Recipe to Reality Workshop
 The "Recipe to Reality" seminar provides entrepreneurs with an understanding of the key factors to consider when starting a food manufacturing business. Topics include market research, product development, packaging, labeling, pricing, product introduction, promotional materials, food safety, legal and business structure issues.
Following the seminar, participants may choose to enter the "Product to Profit" phase of the program. During this phase, entrepreneurs will receive comprehensive, individualized and confidential assistance from food scientists with the development of their own business venture.
The "Recipe to Reality" seminar will be presented in Chicago on Friday April 15th, 2011. To learn more, visit the program website.
For additional information and a registration packet, please contact Jill Gifford of the Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program at (402)-472-2819 or jgifford@unl.edu
Census Data and Hiring Trends
The U.S. Census Bureau is releasing population change data state by state. The Illinois census numbers showing population and diversity trends are now available.
The Society of Human Resource Management recently released their Line Employment Report showing an increase in demand for manufacturing and service jobs. This report gives an overview on what's happening in the job market.
Entrepreneur Mentor Program - Win 1 Year Free Office Space
Allied First Bank in Oswego, IL is rolling out a mentor program to promote and support local entrepreneurship. The successful applicant will be provided with FREE office space and business services, as well as guidance and consulting for a period of one year. Deadline to apply is April 15th. Check out the full program and apply on their website. | |
| Get Smart: Small Business Workshops at Waubonsee | |
Starting Your Business in Illinois
Thursday, Mar. 10, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Sugar Grove)
Wednesday, Apr. 13, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Aurora)
Thursday, Apr. 28, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Plano)
Tuesday, May 10, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Sugar Grove)
Marketing for Small Business
Tuesday, Mar. 22, 6 - 9 p.m., $30 (Aurora)
Is Franchising Right for You?
Wednesday, Apr. 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (Aurora)
Marketing in the 21st Century
Thursday, Apr. 21, 6 - 8 p.m., $30 (Sugar Grove)
Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law
Thursday, Apr. 14, 6 - 8:30 p.m., $30 (Aurora)
Check seminar details for the full list, class descriptions, locations, ticket numbers, and pricing. To sign up, complete and submit the registration form. For additional information call the Illinois SBDC office at (630) 906-4143. |
A variety of QuickBooks and Excel classes are available to meet your small business accounting needs. Click here for complete class descriptions, locations, dates, times and costs. |
|
|
|
|
Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or DCEO.
|  |
|
|
