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Southern Oregon University
Small Business Development Center
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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.
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Happy September!
Hello, everyone,
Here is something to think about. What is a solopreneur?
Want to find out? Scroll down the page and check out the September 30, seminar, "Better, Smarter, Richer" presented by our colleague from the Portland Community College SBDC, Jackie B. Peterson. We are delighted that Jackie is making this valuable program available to our community and hope that you will attend.
Also, be sure to check our Lunch, Learn & Launch series of monthly brown bag lunch presentations for business owners. Local experts will be addressing various elements of small business management, and you can be confident that they will offer dynamic content to help start, run, or grow your business.
Check it out! There's a lot to learn but the resources are plentiful!
Enjoy the rest of summer!
Jack
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Client Spotlight
Mike & Genie Gilliam
Owners of Nut Fusion
by Wagon Trail Foods
Nut-Fusion Peanut Spread by Wagon Trail Foods is a delicious peanut spread that can be used for savory and sweet cooking and baking. Owners Mike and Genie Gilliam founded there company on the mission to provide good food, with simple understandable ingredients. Mike and Genie wish to build a legacy for their family and our community.
Genie was familiar with the Southern Oregon University Small Business Development Center from her 40 year career in banking. Genie saw a difference in the success of small business owners who worked with the SBDC and those who did not. Genie said, "The SOU SBDC won't do the work for small business owners, but rather gave them the tools, contact and accountability to do it on their own". She believes that if more entrepreneurs took advantage of the local resources they would see better and faster success rates.
With hearts centered on giving back to the elders of our community, Mike and Genie chose the Medford Senior Center, which rents space in its commercial grade kitchen, as their production site. Space is still available and for more information contact Patti Proctor at the Medford Senior Center 541-772-2273. You can purchase these delicious spreads at local Growers Markets, Food 4 Less, Ashland Shop 'n Kart or at the website where you'll also find fun recipes. Pick up a jar today and start spreading the love!
Wagon Trail Foods
P.O. Box 1113
Jacksonville, OR 97530
(541) 210-8688
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Better Smarter Richer
7 Business Principles for Encore, Creative and Solo Entrepreneurs
Where: RCC/SOU HEC in Medford
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $39
Solopreneurs need to BE the business and DO the work they love...not hire other people to do it for them. The problem? Traditional business advice is all about building a "pyramid" of employees. Learn how to create an enterprise that supports you financially AND allows you to make a living doing what you love.
Topics
- Focusing on your deep and narrow niche
- Articulating your unique value proposition
- Fending off mission creep
- Developing a business mindset
- Avoiding the time-money squeeze
- Understanding your target market
- Marketing every day
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Lunch, Learn & Launch:
When: Thursday, September 18
Where: RCC/SOU HEC in Medford
Time: 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Cost: FREE
Invest in Yourself
*Develop a healthy attitude towards spending money.
*Learn creative money management tools that work
*Evaluate if business image is professional or amateurish
Presenter: Leslie Caplan
Leslie is a professional Writing Coach and Editor, who specializes in all levels of writing. Her expertise stretches from books, essays, web and brochure content as well as all projects of the heart. Leslie is also a facilitator of therapeutic writing as a tool for healing and self-discovery. She has started several successful businesses with few resources. CourageousHeartInMotion.com
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Soccer Mom Business Millionaire World Cup
Featuring Cheryl Rose
You may remember Cheryl Rose from our Client Spotlight back in August 2013 (click here to read article). Now only one year later, she is being nationally recognized by One Million In the Bank. This article reviews the steps that Cheryl took when starting her small business. It covers her ponderings, stages of seeking advice, marketing plan, cost and revenue as well as her plan to get one million in the bank. She is well on her way to $1,000,000.
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Kick-off Networking Event:
Where: Rogue Regency Inn
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Come join WESO to kick-off there new year of programs and networking events! This month, the program is YOU and YOUR BUSINESS.
You will have the whole evening to network, get to know each other, and benefit from your WESO community (both members and non-members).
There will be activities to meet new business contacts and learn more about each other's products and services. Bring your business cards and brochures!
You'll munch on an informal buffet so you can meet a variety of people and get more from the evening. A cash wine bar will be available.
Win door prizes, too!
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Preferred Workers Program:
The Preferred Workers Program Gives Businesses an Edge on Their Competition
By Dan Long, Oregon Workers' Compensation Division
Running a business these days can be daunting. The cost of labor is ever-increasing, as are insurance costs. There are costs for equipment, maintenance, rent. The list goes on.
For smaller businesses and start-ups, profit margins are razor-thin. One miscalculation, one distribution disruption, one accident, and the once black ink can start running crimson red.
Accidents, by their very nature, are impossible to plan for, and their effects can often run deeper and last longer than originally thought. After an accident, productivity decreases, equipment could be damaged or destroyed, and then of course there are the personnel costs. Injuries, lost work time, workers' compensation claims, and retraining staff all take a toll on the bottom line.
Worst of all is the potential loss of good employees due to the inability to continue doing their job with limitations caused from an injury.
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September 
2014 SBDC Workshops:
September 18,2014
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
September 26, 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.
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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
Metro Medford Downtown Association Bi-Annually in May & October
Jefferson Grapevine
Monthly
5:00-7:30 pm
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BizCenter Dashboard
 Have you accessed your dashboard on BizCenter.org?
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Women Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon (WESO)
 WESO is a not-for-profit association dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners. WESO offers ongoing support, networking and education in a dynamic monthly forum.
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AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Will these new laws and mandates affect your small business?
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Oregon OSHA FREE safety and health education:
Oregon OSHA offers
FREE safety and health education Online and in-person.
Go to www.orosha.org and click on the "Education" link.
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TEDx Ashland Live
The world is changing fast. Fresh thinking can be found in every direction, in emerging geographies as well as in the western hemisphere. Prepare to have your world turned upside down: Join us for a live Telecast of TED Global from Brazil to explore the realities of tomorrow. for more information
CLICK HERE
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Twelfth Annual Rogue Valley Business Resource Fair: 
This is the twelfth annual Rogue Valley Business Resource Fair, a free informational event for small business owners and those thinking about becoming entrepreneurs. This is a special opportunity to get free consultations and attend seminars on topics critical to small businesses. Information booths will be staffed by representatives from banking, insurance and government as well as local trade organizations.
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 2014RogueValleySymposium
Looking for best practices and new strategies to meet your company's financial and operational challenges? Join Moss-Adams LLP as we explore the changing business environment for manufacturers,distributors, food processors,and other companies.
For information on speakers and topics or to register please CLICK HERE.
DATE: Wednesday, October 1
TIME: 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (Social to follow)
LOCATION: Bigham Knoll, 525 Bigham Knoll Jacksonville, OR 97530
COST: $45 per person (CPE credit is available upon request)
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SBDC Online Training
Click on workshop title for registration information.
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.
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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/
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers various online trainings for small businesses. Most of which are free or low cost.
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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!
- Do you live in Jackson or Josephine counties?
- Is your GROSS household income at or below the income limits for the program?
- Does your total household net worth equal less than $20,000 (not counting your home if you own one and one vehicle)?
- Are you eighteen years of age or older and an Oregon resident?
- Can you afford to save money and commit to making a deposit monthly for one to three years?
To learn more or to request an application contact ACCESS at 541-779-6691 ext 355 or Neighborworks Umpqua at 541-601-7771 and speak to Roxana Zepeda.
Dream$avers allows eligible participants to save up to $3000 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!
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Prohibited Transactions in Employee Benefit Plans By Jason Lukaszewicz and Liana Felix, Moss Adams LLP Employee benefit plans may engage in business transactions with companies and individuals who are considered parties in interest-but certain transactions are prohibited. Parties in interest include all entities and individuals that provide services to the plan, such as: * Plan sponsors * Third-party administrators * Plan trustees * Legal counsel * Fund managers * Auditors * Certain owners and shareholders of plan sponsors At the very broadest level, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) prohibits the use of a plan's assets for the benefit of a party in interest or a plan fiduciary. ERISA requires plan fiduciaries to maintain independence from transactions involving a plan and prohibits transactions between plans, parties in interest, and plan fiduciaries such as: * The sale, exchange, or lease of property * A loan or other extension of credit (including late deposits of employee deferrals to the trust) * The furnishing of goods, services, or facilities * The transfer of plan assets to a party in interest for the use or benefit of the party in interest * The acquisition of employer securities or real property Regardless of the amount, prohibited transactions must be disclosed to the Department of Labor on the plan's annual Form 5500, and the plan fiduciary is responsible for any necessary corrections, compensating the plan for any losses, and returning any profits made using plan assets. Monetary penalties may be assessed against the parties in interest. These rules are meant to protect plan participants and beneficiaries, and they require that one's decisions as a plan sponsor are always in the best interest of participants. To avoid potential penalties, plan sponsors should take time to understand the rules for prohibited transactions and establish procedures and controls for identifying, accounting for, and reporting transactions with parties in interest. |
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.
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