March 2014
Southern Oregon University
Small Business Development Center
The SOU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides in-depth, confidential, one-on-one guidance to businesses & prospective entrepreneurs at no fee. We can help you gather information, evaluate, plan, & create systems for your business that lead to greater profit, job creation, & job retention.

Call 541.552.8300 for more information or visit our website at:
 www.sou.edu/sbdc

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Happy March!
Jack at desk
 
Hello, everyone, 
 
In the next few weeks you will be hearing about the SOU Market Research Institute, which is having its official launch on March 7th. In brief, the mission of the Institute will be to provide market research to Oregon SBDC clients that are working with SBDC Advisors, and have clearly defined objective and strategy for expansion and growth. Follow this link for more information: SOU Market Research Institute
 
Enjoy!   

Jack
Client Spotlight
Zach Kuhlow
pOpCakes, LLC

 

 

Zach Kuhlow's idea for pOp Cakes was based on the treats he remembers having in his childhood. The bumper sticker, "Why be normal?" was the first that Zach was able to read as a kid and it left an impression. He spotted this phrase from the window of his family's "guacamole green" VW camper van in the conservative state of Florida where he spent his formative years. He remembers weekly trips to the local, grassroots co-op, where he would lather up rice cakes with freshly ground peanut butter and on special occasions drizzled honey. Zach said, "I missed those days of crunchy rice cakes and decided that I wanted to relive the memories as if I were a kid again". Fresh, crunchy and delicious with or without toppings pOp cakes are always an enjoyable treat. Zach takes pride in his rice cakes and the grains that go into them. The grains used are non-GMO certified, organic, and naturally gluten free. All rice cakes are handmade, packaged and labeled in Zach's local certified domestic kitchen.   

 

Zach learned about the Southern Oregon University Small Business Development Center and the services offered, while he was attending classes at the Higher Education Center, in Medford. He first registered for the free Smart Start Workshop where he gained valuable information on starting a business in Oregon. At the workshop he was introduced to his business advisor, Stephanie Hoffman, who has guided Zach through the major transitions in his business. Zach and Stephanie were able to pinpoint his target market and create a marketing plan tailored to his customers. Zach is in the final stages of completing pOp Cakes business plan and has utilized the input from Stephanie and Fred Arnett, one of the SOU SBDC volunteer advisors. Zach started distributing pOp Cakes at the local farmers markets in early 2013, and today you can find this tasty treats at the Ashland and Medford Food Co-ops, Shop'n Kart, and Harry and David. Zach's strategy is to distribute pOp Cakes along the west coast through local, quality food stores. Pick up a package and give them a try, today!     

        

pOp Cakes, LLC 
P.O. Box 813
Talent, OR 97540
(541) 227-1234
Southern Oregon University Market Research Institute 
 

Oregon businesses that are poised for growth and job creation have a new resource to inform their marketing strategies. The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDCN) has launched a market research service for established businesses in the state.

 

The Southern Oregon University Market Research Institute is sponsored by U.S. Bank and based at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. The Institute will help growth companies to add jobs in Oregon's distressed communities. The Institute's services will be available to established small businesses through OSBDCN's 19 Centers around the state. These Centers are hosted by all of Oregon's 17 community colleges plus Southern Oregon University and Eastern Oregon University.

The 2014 100 Best Companies Are Announced
 

The 21st annual 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon list was announced last week. There were 248 companies participating in this year's 100 Best survey, which analyzes Oregon companies' best practices toward creating great places to work. This year, more than 11,000 Oregon employees completed the survey.

 

The 100 Best list recognizes large, medium and small companies for excellence in work environment, management and communications, decision-making and trust, career development and learning, and benefits and compensation. The winners and their rankings were revealed at the 100 Best awards dinner and are published in the March 2014 issue of Oregon Business and online at OregonBusiness.com 

The 2014 Federal Contracting Success Series
 

The Government Contract Assistance Program (GCAP) and the Rogue Community College Small Business Development Center presents The 2014 Federal Contracting Success Series.

 

Eight courses in eight months to kick off the New Year and help you secure, grow, and diversify revenues through federal contracts. This FREE training is offered in cooperation with the Rogue Community College Small Business Development  Center. Classes will be held at the RCC SBDC location at 214 SW 4th Street, Grants Pass, in the 2nd floor conference room. Preregistration is required, and space is limited. Son't wait to register your seat today! 

 

Click here for Registration 

 or call GCAP at (541) 736-1088

Networking Share Fair:
 

The 12th annual WESO Networking Share Fair is right around the corner but you still can get a vendor/exhibitor table, donate prizes, and get your information into our Gift Bags. But act fast because it's only about a week away!

This fair is our annual trade show and networking event for women in business in the Rogue Valley. It's your chance to network, showcase your business, make new contacts, win prizes and make sales.

 

WHEN: Thursday, March 6th, 2013, 5-8 p.m.

WHERE: Inn at the Commons (formerly Red Lion Inn), 200 N. Riverside, Medford

FREE ADMISSION! (Vendor tables at additional cost)

 

To sign up and for further details, Click Here

Career Transformation:
A Day That Could Change Your Life 

  

Career Transformations is a one-day event for mid-career people ready for significant career change. Hear from people who have made successful career transitions.

  • Learn about growth areas in the Rogue Valley.
  • Explore resources for starting your own business.
  • Listen in on employers discussing mid-level hiring needs.
  • Resources for You

Talk directly with representatives from regional sources to help you assess and improve your skills, market yourself, create a business, finance your education, and much more.  This is not a commercial event; all organizations are non-profit or government providers of service here to let you know about services available to help you re-career.

 

Click Here for more information. 










March 
2014 SBDC Workshops: 
March 28, 2014
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Get the important information you need to know before you start your business in southern Oregon. This 3-hour workshop provides the "nuts and bolts" and more to help you succeed.

Business Plan Workshop
March 20, 2014
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
 
This 3-hour workshop will address the question, "Why write a Business Plan?"  Topics covered include the executive summary, management, business description, services/products offered, market strategy and more.  For additional information, contact the SOU Small Business Development Center at 541-552-8300.  Space is limited, advance registration is strongly advised.

Business XPress:
Oregon's Business Portal
This "one stop shopping" website has everything a person needs to get started doing business in Oregon.

Small Business
Networking Opportunities


Ashland Chamber Greeters
Every Friday, 
8:15-9:30 am


Medford Chamber Greeters
Every Thursday, 
8:00-9:00 am

Phoenix Chamber Greeters
Every Third Wednesday, 
8:30-9:30 am
Click here for more information. 

Talent Chamber Greeters
Third Wednesday,
8:30-9:30 am


Heart of Medford Association
Bi-Annually in May & October

Jefferson Grapevine
Bi-monthly, 
5:00-7:30 pm


BizCenter Dashboard
 

Have you accessed your dashboard on BizCenter.org?


International Trade
 
 
Are you looking to global markets to export or import goods and services? We resources to help you connect to and conduct business around the world.


Hispano Resources
 
 
The  OSBDCN Hispano Web Resources website provides Hispanic small businesses with business development services, business tools and access to partners also interested in the development and support of the Hispanic business community.
 
Women Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon (WESO)


WESO is a not-for-profit association dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners. Whether you are a business owner, commissioned salesperson, franchisee, or other entrepreneur, your success depends on YOU and WESO can help! WESO offers ongoing support, networking and education in a dynamic monthly forum.
 
U.S. Bank Connect
 
U.S. Bank Connect
Connect from U.S. Bank provides business owners with the tools and resources they need to help start, run and grow their businesses. We strive to demystify the whole range of financial issues business owners face, and offer real, practical solutions that entrepreneurs at any stage can use.
 
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT 


The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , otherwise known as the ACA, enacted comprehensive health insurance reforms designed to improve Americans access to affordable health insurance. Will these new laws and mandates affect your small business?
 
or
Made in America Grants


Many U.S. companies are eligible to receive up to $75,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program, to help fund projects of their choice.

Click Here to read more about this exciting program.
Cover Oregon Free Webinar


Join Small Business Majority and the Oregon Microenterprise Network to learn what the new healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, means for Oregon small businesses. This webinar will focus on both federal and state provisions to help local small business owners understand how the law will affect them.
 
Click Here for more information
SBDC Online Training 
Click on workshop title for registration information. 
Biz Center 3D
Available until December 31 
This course covers the basics of the many Google products including Documents, Google Chrome, Calendar, Gmail, and how to search Google images and shopping products.  Such things as invoicing clients in the field, providing clients with estimates on site, making appointments, sharing your schedule with key people, and having access to important documents anywhere and anytime are among the advantages of using Google products.

Available until December 31

This introductory course walks you through the steps to create a Facebook page and a Twitter account. This course consists of two sections, Facebook and Twitter.

  

Better, Smarter, Richer 

If you work as a solopreneur - an author, web designer, financial planner, or massage therapist - YOU ARE the business.

 

That's why traditional business advice, which focuses on managing employees, just won't work for you. This online workshop has audio guidance, valuable content, tips, and activities to help solos of all stripes, including creative and encore entrepreneurs, "be the business"...and achieve success. You don't have to be a starving artist! Or a starving retiree! If you have been struggling with how much to charge, who to sell to, or how to find enough time in your day, we'll help you get straight. We'll even help you fire clients who just aren't worth your precious time!

 

We structured this new business advice around stories from people who did what you want to do, just to show that whether you take photographs or provide financial advice, your passion can make you Better, Smarter and Richer. The price includes a downloadable workbook, and the course includes seven modules, each of which is about one hour in length.

 

Tim Berry, business-planning expert and course creator, will talk about his own history as a small-business owner, and provide examples and feedback on common questions for new business start-ups.

  

Learn the difference between "start-up" and "ongoing" expenses, how expenses vs. assets are treated for tax purposes, how to create a sales forecast for your business, how to create an expense budget for your business and the important difference between profits and cash.     

 

Learn what a target market is and what it means for your business, what is it that makes your customers buy from you, how is marketing different from sales, and how do you create a brand for your product or service? Course will also cover what to think about when developing a website for your business.

Learn about the different methods to finance a new business, how to build your management team and how to hire new employees, the difference between a business "pitch" and a business "plan," and how to create and use Plan vs. Actual forecasts for your business. 
Small Business Taxes: Virtual Workshop 

 

This virtual workshop is designed to help a new business owner understand and meet federal tax obligations.

The first 3 lessons are
for everyone, no matter what kind of business you have or whether you have employees. The next 2 lessons will discuss information that may be relevant now-- or that may become relevant once your business has become established. The final 4 lessons are for those employers who already have, or who are thinking about hiring, employees.

Because this is a virtual workshop, 
you can choose the lessons that apply to you.
Free SBA Webinars
http://www.sba.gov/events/

SBA Logo    

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers various online trainings for small businesses. Most of which are free or low cost. 

Alternative Financing: Dream$avers

Dream$avers is an individual development account (IDA) program that encourages participants to build assets. This program encompasses 3 important branches of development: education, savings and the purchase of an asset.  

 

Dream$avers is administered by ACCESS in Jackson and Josephine Counties in partnership with Neighborworks Umpqua.

 

If you can answer YES to any of the following questions, you may qualify for this exciting opportunity! 

  1. Do you live in Jackson or Josephine counties?
  2. Is your GROSS household income at or below the income limits for the program? Income limits are listed by household size at the bottom of this flyer
  3. Does your total household net worth equal less than $20,000 (not counting your home if you own one and one vehicle)?
  4. Are you eighteen years of age or older and an Oregon resident?
  5. Can you afford to save money and commit to making a deposit monthly for one to three years?
  6. Would you like to save for first time homeownership, starting or expanding a small business, getting your post secondary education?

To learn more or to request an application contact ACCESS at 541-779-6691 ext 355


Dream$avers allows eligible participants to save up to $2000 over the course of 1 to 3 years, and will match it 3:1. That's like receiving 300% interest! Participants receive financial education and additional training and support specific to their savings goal so that when they reach their savings goal and are eligible to make a purchase, they are prepared! 

Accounting Alternatives to Private Companies for Goodwill and Interest Rate Swaps  
By Amanda Moore, MOSS ADAMS LLP 
 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, the organization responsible for establishing accounting standards in the United States, has issued two updates to generally accepted accounting principles intended to reduce the cost and complexity of financial statement preparation for private companies that elect either or both of the alternatives. As outlined in the relevant Accounting Standards Updates, the alternatives streamline the method for accounting for goodwill impairment and make it easier for certain interest rate swaps to qualify for hedge accounting. Both of these new alternatives will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted and may be desirable for your organization. If you have questions about how these updates will affect the preparation of your financial statements, or for help determining whether you should adopt either of the new alternatives, contact your Moss Adams professional. For the full article, go to: 

SBA Logo The Small Business Development Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute or express an implied endorsement of any of the cosponsors; or participants' opinions, products, or services. Special arrangement for disabled individuals will be made if requested in advance.