April 2015
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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Wishing you had been better prepared for this tax season?

Hello, 

Some of us can hardly wait to do our taxes, while others of us drag our feet. One differentiation between the groups is good bookkeeping. 

To start you off on the right foot for next year's tax season, attend our April 16 Lunch, Learn & Launch seminar: Bookkeeping for Small Business Owners   

This Part I seminar, along with Part II - Budget & Ratios, will also provide you with some tools you may need to provide a bank with information they need to grant a business loan. You can find out even more to prepare before applying for a business loan by attending our April 22 seminar:
Access to Capital: R U Bankable?

See the seminar announcements below with links to get registered.

Be well, 

Jack Vitacco, Director
SOU SBDC
Lunch, Learn & Launch:

When: Thursday, April 16
Where: RCC/SOU HEC in Medford 
Time: 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Cost: FREE
 
Bookkeeping for Small Business Owners 
  • Understand the differences between Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Statement of
                                Owner's Equity
  • Identify what numbers are most important and how to use them
  • Grow business based on real numbers and not hunches
  • Part II (Budget & Ratios) will be offered on May 21.
Dr. Paul Fisher 

 

Paul has taught accounting and business courses at Rogue Community College and is currently teaching at Western Governors University. In addition to consulting with small businesses, he offers workshops on organizational collaborations, learning techniques for students, and teaching techniques for instructors.

wgu.edu
  

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

Access to Capital: R U Bankable?

When: April 22, 2015
Where: RCC/SOU Higher Education Center
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
The RU bankable workshop is designed for the entrepreneur looking for capital from the bank. The business may be a startup or an established one. In today's economy, your presentation to the banker is critical in getting approved for the loan.

NO COST EVENT!

The workshop is divided into three parts:

 

Part I - Lenders introduce their financial institutions and explain what kind of loans options they offer.

 

Part II - Panel discussion among the lenders and the audience can ask questions.

 

Part III - "Banker Speed Dating" each participant has the opportunity to briefly meet with a lender then move on to the next lender.
 

Topics: 

  • What are lenders looking for when deciding to loan money
  • How to best prepare for a bank meeting
  • What are the red flags lenders look for
  • How detailed should the business plan be
  • Which industries do lenders like and not like to work with typically
  • What if you're denied access to capital

Space is limited! 

Pre-registration is required!

Women Entrepreneurs April Program: 
The Entrepreneur Mindset

When: April 9, 2015
Where: Rogue Regency Inn
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 
Prosperity is an inside job!  No matter how much office equipment or how many marketing managers we have, attitude is everything. Success requires a positive attitude to create workability and good outcomes. Attend to find out what speaker and WESO member, Kathi Kali, has to share on the 6 practical keys to the entrepreneur mindset.

Registration fees are as follows:

  • Member - $20 ($23 at door) 
  • Non-member - $25 ($28 at door)
  • Program (no dinner) only - $15









April  
2015 SBDC Workshops: 
April 16, 2015
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM 

April 24, 2015
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
April 30, 2015
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.
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
Monthly 
5:00-7:30 pm

BizCenter Dashboard 

Have you accessed your dashboard on BizCenter.org
 
The Ashland Chamber Business Resource Portal:


Open the doorway to the Rogue Valleys Business Resources with the Ashland Chambers Business Resource Portal.  
 

www.ashlandbusinessresource.com

 

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

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.

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. 

 
The SOU SBDC advisors are now GrowthWheel Certified. 
The RCC SBDC is committed to providing low cost training opportunities for both existing and prospective business owners in Jackson and Josephine Counties. 

 Click Here For Schedule of Upcoming Classes 

 

OMB Releases Interim Final Rule to Implement Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards -

Written By: Moss Adams LLP

 

On December 26, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued new rules affecting the scope of single audits. It contains a number of changes that affect states, local governments, and not-for-profit organizations that receive federal funding or grants. Among the key changes is an increase in the single audit threshold from $500,000 in federal award expenditures to $750,000, an increase in the major program Type A threshold from $300,000 (or 3% of total expenditures, whichever is greater) to $500,000 (or 3% of total expenditures, whichever is greater). It also provides for a consolidation of several different OMB cost circulars, reduction in the possible compliance requirements below the 14 that currently exist, and a number of other changes to auditee and auditor requirements. The effective date for observing these new rules is for years beginning on or after January 1, 2015. Individual agencies are to issue their implementing guidance by December 31, 2014 so auditees can prepare for the changes.

On December 19, 2014, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), together with federal awarding agencies, released a joint interim final rule to implement the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. The purpose of issuing this final rule was to make a few technical corrections to the uniform guidance previously issued December 2013 and to provide the implementing guidance for each federal awarding agency. The interim final rule is over 1,140 pages long, and in the coming months we'll provide more information on the changes OMB and federal awarding agencies made to the previously issued guidance, including changes to both "must" items (requirements) and "should" items (best practices). In the meantime, we wanted to make you aware of the issuance of this new guidance as early as possible.

We can help you determine the impact of the uniform guidance on your organization and guide you through any changes. For more information, contact your Moss Adams professional.

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. 
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
https://www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center/search/training

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? 
  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?

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! 

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.