May 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 May!
Jack at desk

Hello, everyone, 
 
As usual, we have a lot going on here at the SOU SBDC. Besides our core service of providing one-to-one business advising at no-fee, we offer workshops and training to fit your business needs. And, we can help to point you to the right resources in the Valley and the State. Enjoy our current Monthly Update, and of course, feel free to forward it to your business associates. Together, we make a difference toward a healthy, sustainable Rogue Valley economy!
 
Be well!   

Jack
Client Spotlight
Shannon Schnibbe
Sister River Foods, Inc
 

Sister River Foods was founded with the belief that eating healthful, minimally processed foods, is a major key to feeling our best. Co-Founder and C.E.O. Shannon Schnibbe first learned about the SOU SBDC when she attended the Rogue Valley Business Resource Fair, having been referred by Peoples Bank. She has since attended many workshops and has taken advantage of the one-on-one business advising. The SOU SBDC had been able to assist Shannon with her QuickBooks program, financial projections, and the development of her marketing plan. She is looking forward to taking advantage of the SOU Market Research Institute and the Social Media and Marketing workshops being offered this year.      

Shannon's family owned business started making what is now Parma! while trying to figure out how to deal with severe allergies and "going raw." Using only the highest quality ingredients and nothing you can't pronounce, their recipes are simple, nutritious, and great tasting. They enjoyed sharing it with friends and family and everyone loved it! It is delicious, nutritious, and makes a cool gift. Parma! boosts your savory foods to the next level and can spice up your popcorn, pizza, pasta, soup, and salad. It's also an excellent source of Omega 3's, B vitamins, protein, and trace minerals. Parma! is currently sold in stores stretching from Canada to Western Europe and locally at Food4Less, Shop n Kart, Natural Grocers and the Medford and Ashland Food Co-ops. 

      

Sister River Foods, Inc 
P.O.Box 5563
Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 665-0348

 

SOU Small Business Development Center Hosting Phoenix/Talent Chamber of Commerce Greeter's:
 
 

The SOU Small Business Development Center is going to be hosting the Phoenix/Talent Chamber of Commerce Greeter's Meeting at the Higher Education Center in downtown Medford, on Wednesday May 21st. Please join us in the presentation hall (Room 132) at 8:30 a.m. to learn more about the services that we offer and to hear from other small business owners in our area. Food & beverages will be provided by the SOU SBDC along with a prize drawing.  

SOU Small Business Development Center 
KOBI Five on 5 interview 
 

The SOU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides in-depth, one-on-one guidance to businesses and prospective entrepreneurs at no fee. The SBDC business advisors have expertise in a broad spectrum of business issues. Click here to meet our staff. We can help you gather information, evaluate, plan, and create systems for your business that lead to greater profit, job creation, and job retention. Team counseling and on-site visits are available, as well as customized business assistance focused on your business needs. You can get more information by visiting our website at www.sou.edu/sbdc. 

 

Watch KOBI Five on 5 interview with our own business advisor Stephanie Hoffman, Friday May 9th.  
 
 

 

Lunch and Learn:
Research & Development Grants for Small Businesses 
 
Date: May 29, 2014
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm  
Location: Higher Education Center
Cost: $12  

  

Are you a small business with a potential technology-oriented product and in need of funding for Research and Development? Have you been curious about how to apply for federal funding to help you develop your product? Learn how to compete for SBIR/STTR funding at this lunchtime workshop.

 
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a competitive program that offers over $2 billion in annual funding to domestic small businesses to engage in Research and Development that has the potential for commercialization. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is another program that offers Federal funding for research and development through collaboration with university researchers.    

 

This "Lunch-and-Learn" workshop is being offered by the SOU SBDC in Medford. Registration includes the cost of lunch. 

 

 Click Here for more information and to register.

 

Decisions, Decisions-Making Daily Choices with Confidence:
 
May 8, 2014 5:30 PM
Speaker: Gus Janeway, Co-Owner, Piccadelly Cycles 
Rogue Regency Inn, 2300 Biddle Rd, Medford (lower level) 
 
 
Decision-making in three easy steps, sort of:
 
1.Figure out what you know for sure
2.Define what decisions need to be made
3.Use (1) to  solve (3)
 
Daily decision-making can be exhausting and difficult for everyone from the sole proprietor to the CEO. In this month's talk, Gus Janeway will discuss how building a solid foundation of information based on what you already know can serve as an indispensable resource for decision-making at any stage of your business' development. He will share the story of Piccadilly Cycles' first months, the decisions they faced along the path to opening, and how they made and continue to make their daily decisions.

 

To sign up and for further details,  Click Here. 

Social Media and Marketing Seminar:
'A Savvy Marketer's Guide to Advertising' 

 

Date: May 22, 2014
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm  
Location: Higher Education Center  
Cost: $20

  

In partnership with Southern Oregon University's Small Business Development Center, the Oregon Employer Council is pleased to bring you an information packed seminar regarding the utilization of Social Media and Marketing. The Presenters, Paradux Media Group is a full service advertising agency specializing in delivering a message that will help your business stand out from the crowd.

  • Learn the best way to draw customers to your business.
  • Traditional Marketing - Branding, Advertising, Radio, TV, Print, Business Cards etc.
  • Decipher which online channel is best for your business - Social Media, Website, Google+
  • Learn the secret to marketing that will generate more leads - today.

 

 Click Here for more information and to register. 

 

 









May 
2014 SBDC Workshops: 
May 8,2014
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM 

May 30, 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
May 15, 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 & Talent 
Chamber Greeters
Every Third Wednesday, 
8:30-9:30 am
Click here for more information. 

Metro Medford 
 Downtown 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
Oregon OSHA FREE safety and health education:


Oregon OSHA offers 

FREE safety and health education Online and in-person. The Public Education Section offers a growing catalog of online and in-person workshops throughout the state. Our instructors introduce the values of safety and health management to anyone responsible for occupational safety and health in their workplace.

 

Go to www.orosha.org and click on the "Education" link. 

 
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! 

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.