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Window of Opportunity
Are you in the works of opening a coffee shop or do you know of anyone who is?!
If so, there is an opportunity to purchase equipment for sale from a local business that is closing.
Please contact Dr. Audrey Depelteau at (423) 439.8535 for additional information.
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HELP WANTED!
Looking for a few good men or women?
Send us your current job openings and we'll post it here for you.
- Business Name
- Position
- Job description (100 words or less OR link to description)
- Contact information
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The Number
A noteworthy business statistic!
2012 KOSBE/TSBDC
Key Indicators:
To date, we have met with 88 clients (cases).
Those 88 cases equate to over 191 counseling hours.
In total, we have trained through our events 264 small business owners or interested entrepreneurs!
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Veterans, Women & Minorities Take Note
VETERANS
ATTENTION!
Have you heard of Operation Boots to Business: From Service to Startup?
The Boots to Business program uses a multi-phased approach to introduce transitioning service members to the fundamentals of small business ownership and to the SBA tools and resources available to them.
Building on lessons learned from the Boots to Business pilot program, launched in the Spring of 2012, the SBA aims to ultimately provide entrepreneurship awareness and opt-in training nationwide to the 250,000 service members from all branches of the military that transition each year.
Click for more information about the program!
WOMEN
MINORITIES
Are you certified as an official Minority-Owned business?
Having a minority-owned business certification can help you tap into a bevy of public and private sector programs.
Corporations, federal government and state agencies all want to do business with minority-owned companies.
Many states and cities also have minority-owned business programs, which are often referred to as Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) programs.
Contact Aundrea Wilcox at (423) 392.8825 to get your certification process underway!
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Small Biz
Trends
Did you know that women are 18% more likely than the baseline American to follow a brand on Facebook or other social media sties?
Women are also 12% more likely to use the Internet to purchase a product featured on TV.
Learn 12 Social Media Strategies For Marketing To Women HERE!
Information provided by: BLUE - Powered by Cox Business.
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The Office Depot Program
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Kingsport Chamber Members receive DEEPER DISCOUNTS THAN EVER BEFORE with the Office Depot National Chamber Program.
No strings attached.
Contact Kim Jones at
(423) 392.8805 for details!
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Take 5 Series!
KOSBE's original
Take 5 Series was such a hit last year, we're doing them again!
Take a look back at our 2011 past KOSBE Award Winner's interviews before we start our new interviews for 2012!
WATCH NOW!
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Get To Know Us!
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Aundrea Wilcox
Executive Director, KOSBE
Senior Business Counselor, TSBDC @ ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office
 Marybeth McLain
Small Business Services Marketing Manager, KOSBE
Administrative Coordinator, TSBDC @ ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office
David SchoolsSmall Business Services Marketing Manager, KOSBE Administrative Coordinator, TSBDC @ ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office
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Issue #0002 - August 2012
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Greetings!
You are receiving this e-mail because of your relationship with either the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) or the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office.
Each issue will be distributed monthly and will shine a light on a successful small business located within our region.
Thank you for your interest in our local small businesses and small business-related events, issues and information.
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A Big Welcome!
Introducing new hire, David Schools
Please welcome David Schools to the KOSBE/TSBDC team as he will be working with KOSBE clients, Chamber members and non-members and staff starting August 1, 2012. Schools will take on a temporary position assisting KOSBE with the annual KOSBE Awards event and training programs as well as day to day activities. A native of Port Jervis, NY,Schools is a recent graduate of Grove City College, Grove City, Pa. and holds a degree in entrepreneurship and communication studies. He has a passion for helping small businesses overcome their challenges and succeed. Schools was an active member throughout his college career being a member of various student organizations and clubs including: Student Government Association, Crimson and White Society, Homecoming Committee, president of Sigma Phi Omicron, founder of Surrender, an on-campus religious group, and Inner City Outreach. Both Grove City graduates, he and his wife, Stephanie, re-located to our region after her acceptance into the Nursing Program at East Tennessee State University. The couple's long term goal is to join the Peace Corps where he will teach English and businesses courses and she will administer medicine in third world countries. Schools and his wife reside in Johnson City. |
THANK YOU TO OUR 2012 SPONSORS!
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The Hot Dog Hut Opens Another Location!
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Client and 2011 KOSBE Award Runner-Up for Under 10 Employees Award, Ken Carrigan started his professional journey as a chemical salesman for more than 18 years touting cleaners, solvents, greases, lubricants, etc.
He has always wanted to start a business for himself, so he saved money and kept his eyes open for the right opportunity. In 2004, he embarked on his first major entrepreneurial adventure-a state-of-the-art self-storage complex at the site of the former Paty Lumber Company on East Stone Drive, which had sat vacant for six years until that time. Over a two-year period, he took the business from zero dollars in revenue, to over $30,000 in revenue per month. He sold that business in 2007 for a profit, which put him in a position to acquire Hot Dog Hut in 2009.
Since acquiring Hot Dog Hut, sales have steadily increased every year; and Ken purchased a new building connected to the new parking garage in downtown Kingsport for a second location which opened June 20th, 2012.
What's new and different about this location? The Hut opens at 7:00am and closes at 7:00pm. The different hours are due to breakfast now being served. For those who are looking for a more health-conscious meal, the Hut implemented a salad bar for lunchtimes. Popular meals the Hot Dog Hut has introduced are the nacho salad, the bean soups and the fresh cornbread.
Customers can park in 8 reserved parking spots in the 300-space parking garage behind the Hot Dog Hut. For more information see below.
Hot Dog Hut
Ken Carrigan, Owner
145 West Center Street
Kingsport, TN 37660
New Website: www.hotdoghutkpt.com
423.246.DOGS
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The Cash Corner
Seeking capital for your business?
Good... great news! SBA has a microloan program through the Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) for entrepreneurs and small businesses in rural Tennessee for amounts of $500 - $10,000. This loan is easier to secure, does not require much capital, but is meant only for rural-located small businesses. To see if your businesses qualifies as rural, visit this link and click 'Accept' on the 'Property Eligibility Disclaimer' and enter your business address. Also, if you want to meet these lenders face-to-face, save these important dates or register for one of our upcoming borrower events below: Tuesday, November 13: FREE Small Business Fall Night School in Kingsport. (Borrego Springs) SBA Small Loan Advantage Fact Sheet
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SAVE THE DATE!
Upcoming Events & Training Classes
Find all upcoming events at kosbe.org
and register for the below events by clicking on each!
KOSBE AWARD APPLICATIONS DEADLINE
Download your 2012 KOSBE Awards Application Now!
Friday, September 7 at midnight
DROP OFF completed applications at your Kingsport Chamber
FAX to (423) 392.8834 or E-MAIL application awilcox@kosbe.org.
Free Small Group Hands-On Training: Facebook for Business
Tuesday, September 18, 9 - 11 a.m., Kingsport Chamber
Free Small Business Product Packaging Class
Tuesday, September 25, 9 - 11 a.m., Kingsport Chamber
Tennessee Main Street & Tennessee Downtowns
Creative Community Summits
Thursday, September 27, 2012, Greeneville, TN
A statewide series presenting innovative solutions for Home Grown
Economic Development. Visit www.tennesseemainstreet.org for
registration and more details!
Contracting Counseling with Paul Middlebrooks
Wednesday, October 10, 2012, TBD
Call (423) 392.8825 to schedule your free appointment.
Free Small Group Hands-On Training: Search Engine Optimization
Thursday, October 11, 2012, 9 - 11 a.m., Kingsport Chamber
Free Small Group Hands-On Training: Facebook for Business
Tuesday, October 23, 9 - 11 a.m. Kingsport Chamber
Small Business Counseling in Hamblen County
Thursday, October 25, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Morristown Chamber
Call (423) 392.8825 to schedule your free appointment.
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Problem Solved!
The Importance of Business Certifications...
The benefits of business certification are enumerable, including access/inclusion, education,opportunity fairs/networking, and working capital loans. One such certification is the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification which ensures a "level playing field" when competing for DOT-assisted contracts. PROBLEM: Client, Mr. John Harrison owner of Ford Janitorial System in downtown Kingsport wanted to attain the Small, Women-Owned, and Minority certification in Virginia. However, before he could do so, he needed to secure his DBE business certification in Tennessee.
SOLUTION: Harrison turned to KOSBE/TSBDC for assistance after learning we helped past KOSBE Award Winner, Dykes Trucking secure a TDOT DBE certification in December 2011.
After working with Aundrea, Ford Janitorial System now has received their Tennessee Governor's Office DBE certification and can now apply for the SWaM certification in the State of Virginia to contract out work. Contact Ford Janitorial System for janitorial supplies and services at (423) 247.4107, visit them in person at 402 East Sullivan Street, downtown Kingsport or online at www.fordjanitorialsystem.com..
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PR Rx  By: Marybeth McLainKOSBE Marketing Manager
Did you know that small businesses often make the mistake of not putting effort into their powerhouse team?
Sure, I still have Olympic fever... don't judge. What is the powerhouse team you ask? Easy, that's public relations, marketing and advertising... essentially, COMMUNICATIONS!
Communicating one's self is just as important to small businesses as it is to the big dogs. Why do you think those Fortune 500 companies are where they are today? Now, your budget, creativity and man-power may be limited, but it is critical that you promote your daily business by being engaged in your community and with your clients/customers.
Shine the light on yourself for once and let others know about your core values, products/services, uniqueness, successes, new hires, specials/promotions and anything else that makes your business stand out from the rest. You may have a mascot or pet that everyone identifies with your business... work it!
TV, radio and print ads can be costly and add up over time, so look into more creative vehicles such as social media and even the traditional news release and media spots.
Social media has amazing power to promote a brand for free, but do it right; be sure to create a Facebook Business Page and not a profile and keep your posts relevant to your business and engage with those who follow/like you. Remember, it's a two way conversation. Also, take an hour out of your day and contact your local paper, radio and TV stations and ask who your contact would be to send news releases to. Another free service you might not be aware of is that most radio stations offer certain spots where you can plug your business - take advantage of these free opportunities.
Another thing, get involved in your community! Community service is a great way to get your name out there. If your not already a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, consider joining. There are a multitude of networking opportunities available. The more effort you put in (irregardless if you paid for it or not) the more you get out of it.
Remember, just because you know how great your business is, doesn't mean everyone does. It's your job to educate them through communication - go for the gold!
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New Business Stand-Out
KOSBE/TSBDC Client Profile
Quality, Professionalism and Dependability!
Kingsport owner, Richard Keen prides himself on the quality of painting and restoration services he provides his customers and guarantees your satisfaction.
Available to work both commercial and residential jobs!
Contact Xtreme Painting for your estimate today at (423) 967.2925, email rickkeen2005@gmail.com or visit http://tricitiesxtremepainting.com.
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We hope you enjoyed this issue of The Business Beacon and found it informational. We are always looking for new ideas and welcome your feedback.
Feel free to forward this issue to your friends, family, employees and/or colleagues. Sincerely, Your KOSBE and TSBDC at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office Staff |
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