First, let’s talk about the importance of small business to the nation. I’ve heard you speak at several events in the past year, and you seem to be adamant that without the contributions of small businesses, our economy would be in even worse shape.

Small businesses cannot be more important to the nation. President Obama has been very clear that he believes small businesses are the foundation of the economy. Small business owners are the job creators — 67 percent of new private sector jobs over the last 20 years were created by small businesses. And 50 percent of people in the workforce today are employed by a small business. assist you with preparation of a plan and access to research information.”

We’re here at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for the Urban Economic Forum, which is a series of events the SBA is putting on all across the country. Can you tell me more about these events?

The Urban Economic Forum is a multi-city series [taking place in New York City; Birmingham, Alabama; Los Angeles; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Chicago; Kansas City; Las Vegas; and Phoenix] designed to help urban business owners create an economy built to last. The purpose is to create a bridge connecting the SBA and local communities, and to raise awareness of the SBA among the people in these communities. Through the Forums, we’re connecting entrepreneurs to local resources, and connecting entrepreneurs to one another. We want to create stronger, deeper relationships across the board. Mentoring is an important part of that. It’s exciting to see young people coming to events like this and being so focused on learning. We’re helping create the next generation of entrepreneurs, and we’re tapping into the energy these young people have. It’s heartening to see young people doing such incredible things. Theirs is a generation of digital kids; they’re comfortable with the [technology] infrastructure, and at ease in digital platforms.

You just talked about mentoring. How important do you think is it to find a mentor and maintain that relationship?

The importance of mentoring cannot be measured. When starting a business, most [entrepreneurs] think about “What should I do to get money?” Don’t think about the money first. Your first thought should be “Where can I find a good mentor?” The answer, and an important first step, is to start with the SBA and our resource partners—the Small Business Development Centers, SCORE and the Women’s Business Centers. Mentoring is not just about teaching. It’s about showing [entrepreneurs] the tools that will boost their business efforts and teaching them how crucial it is to look at the big picture first, before they go granular.

The Forum events are geared toward helping minority entrepreneurs. You spoke today about how important minority and urban business owners are as we emerge from the recession, so I know that’s an important issue to you.

Small businesses are leading the way out of the recession, and minority-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing businesses in the country. But we [at the SBA] noticed that though a recovery was underway, it was uneven. We realized we needed to focus on underserved markets like urban communities, rural communities, veterans and minority-owned businesses, which include the African American community, the Hispanic community, woman-owned small businesses and young entrepreneurs.

In addition to mentoring, what do these business owners need to help them succeed? I was at an event last year where you were speaking, and you mentioned the “three C’s.” Can you explain the “three C’s?”

The “three C’s” are vital to a small business owner’s success. They are access to capital, helping businesses learn more about federal government contracting, and access to the counseling and technical assistance that, as we talked about earlier, businesses need in order to be successful.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her blog, SmallBizDaily.com, to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

Small Business Development Center hosted by Long Beach City College

Savor Flavor Dining • Long Beach, CA

Before:
Karen Kostrinsky had always loved cooking and entertaining. She wanted to leave the corporate world and start a business around her passion, but wasn’t sure where to begin. In November 2010, a local business owner recommended the Small Business Development Center hosted by Long Beach City College. “I had all these ideas in my head, and she said the SBDC would help me streamline them,” Kostrinsky recalls.

Best Advice:
SBDC Business Advisors Samantha Sproson, Ryan Smolar, Laura Lara, Megan Fate and Carolina Marin-Henriquez helped Kostrinsky develop a business plan, marketing plan and website. Her business and life partner, Deb Gangwer, learned to use QuickBooks, and the partners got help choosing a legal structure for their business and obtaining a business license and DBA.

Lessons Learned:

• Focus. Sproson listened to Kostrinksy’s many ideas, then helped her hone in on goals and create a business plan. Kostrinsky decided to focus on cooking parties, kitchen coaching and dinner parties in clients’ homes, and cooking classes at establishments such as the We Olive store in Belmont Shore. “There were so many different things I wanted to do,” says Kostrinsky. “I never would have been able to structure all of my thoughts and ideas had it not been for the SBDC.”
• Have a Web presence. Fate and Smolar helped Kostrinsky create a website and start blogging. “I had tried to [build a website] myself, but I didn’t want it to look like a template,” Kostrinsky says. “Megan has amazing design skills and really understood our sensibility.”
• Get social. Kostrinsky learned to communicate effectively with customers using social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and Yelp. “[Social media] has given us exposure and credibility,” she says.
• Track your financials. Lara showed Gangwer how to use QuickBooks to keep accurate financials and invoice. “By helping figure out our cost of goods and tracking expenses,” says Kostrinsky, “QuickBooks has really helped us get a sense of how the business is doing.”

After:
Five months after its February 2011 launch, Savor Flavor Dining had already surpassed monthly projections and was halfway to its first-year sales goal. The partners are currently fine-tuning their target market and assessing the best ways to educate prospects about their services.

As their business grows, Kostrinsky and Gangwer plan to explore new avenues for expansion, possibly including a cooking school, commercial kitchen or catering, with the ultimate goal of opening a bed and breakfast inn. Along the way, they’ll continue turning to the SBDC.

“The SBDC provided amazing resources, support and direction,” says Kostrinsky. “I don’t know how people start businesses without it.”

1. Consult a professional. The CROWDFUND Act seeks to lower the cost of raising capital by exempting companies raising $1 million or less from registering their offering with the SEC. But although you are exempt from registration, you’re not exempt from regulation. Always consult with a professional investment consultant or attorney versed in securities law before embarking on any crowdfunding venture.

2. Understand the two types of crowdfunding. Previously, crowdfunding sites could be used only to get donations (or pledges). The CROWDFUND Act expands the options by allowing entrepreneurs to solicit investments of up to $1 million annually via crowdfunding websites. Unlike donors, these investors actually own a piece of the company and can realize a return on their investment if the company succeeds.

3. Don’t jump the gun. The process for crowdfunding donations hasn’t changed, but the SEC regulations regarding crowdfunding investments and nonaccredited investors won’t be set until January 2013. You will be able to crowdfund from accredited investors (those whose net worth, excluding the value of their primary residence, is over $1 million) beginning July 4, 2012, but you will have to wait until after January 2013 to solicit nonaccredited investors.

4. Research your options. Make sure the crowdfunding site you choose meets the requirements of the CROWDFUND Act. Crowdfunding investments must be solicited through sites that are registered with the SEC, conduct background checks on companies seeking investments, and screen investors to confirm that they understand the risks involved.

5. Beware of scams. Interest in crowdfunding is high, and the CROWDFUND Act is not yet implemented, which means the market is ripe for scam artists. Be very cautious about anyone claiming they can help you raise capital online for a fee.

6. Create a compelling pitch. If you’re crowdfunding donations, your fund-raising pitch should focus on emotions and get donors excited about your business, your product or service and your entrepreneurial passion. If you’re crowdfunding investments, your approach should focus on the bottom line and the potential for investors to make money.

7. Offer rewards. For investors, the reward is the profit they make from your company, but for donors, you’ll need to offer rewards such as product samples, T-shirts or promotional items, or discounts. Develop different rewards for donors depending on how much they contribute.

8. Spread the word using social media, marketing and PR. Don’t limit your search for funds to the people who frequent the crowdfunding site you choose. Create an integrated marketing campaign that tells everyone you are looking for financing—and makes it simple for them to tell others.

9. Create a video. Make your company stand out from the pack by creating compelling pitch videos—one for donors and one for investors. Post them on your website, the crowdfunding site and YouTube—and increase your chances of going viral.

10. Share information. If you crowdfund investments, the SEC regulates how you communicate with investors. Even if you crowdfund donations, you’ll want to regularly update donors on how your company is doing, the progress of your product or service, and any other news that makes them feel part of your success.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit her website SmallBizDaily.com to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.

Small Business Development Center hosted by Long Beach City College
Kuhi Comfort • Sierra Madre, CA

Before:
Business inspiration struck Diane Campbell on an international flight in 2007. Struggling to get comfortable, she had an idea for a plush, high-end travel pillow. When she returned home, the homemaker and part-time lab assistant began researching the travel pillow industry, came up with a design and patented her product. But when it came to getting Kuhi Comfort to market, “I wasn’t sure where to begin,” she recalls. So Campbell contacted the Small Business Development Center hosted by Long Beach City College.

Best Advice:
When Campbell visited the SBDC in March 2010, she had no business experience. Over the next year, Business Advisors Mike Daniels, Phil Glover, Laura Lara, Bret O’Connor and Ryan Smolar helped Campbell create a business plan, price her product, incorporate, develop a marketing plan, launch a website and bring her product to market.

Lessons Learned:

• Business planning doesn’t have to be scary. “I had been told I needed a business plan, and that was intimidating,” Campbell recalls. “Phil gave me homework—six questions to answer—and by answering those questions, I had the framework of a business plan.”
• Take it one step at a time. With lots of ideas, but no experience, Campbell sometimes felt overwhelmed. “I had this big mountain to climb, and I didn’t even know where the trail was,” she says. “The [Business Advisors] showed me the ‘trail markers’ and helped me know the next step to take.”
• Do the math. O’Connor and Daniels showed Campbell how to figure out her costs and price the product. “If you don’t have any business background, it’s good to have someone walk you through this,” says Campbell. Lara introduced her to QuickBooks to create financial projections and invoices.
• A website is essential. “Retailers want to see who you are,” Campbell explains, “so before I take the product to a store, I send [the buyer] to my website. It saves time.” The website Smolar created was also instrumental in finding a U.S. manufacturer. After seeing Campbell’s website, the manufacturer was impressed enough to make a small production run instead of the larger order typically required.

After:
In March 2011, Campbell officially launched Kuhi Comfort at a major travel trade show; she received several orders and dozens of inquiries. Available in faux suede, satin, and adult and child sizes, the pillows are sold online and at retail stores in New York and California; they’ve also been featured as a hot new product by USA Travel.

Campbell’s next step: establishing a strong brand identity for Kuhi Comfort. She’s also exploring making a lower-cost version for mass retailers. Wherever the business takes her, Campbell says, “I will definitely keep going to the SBDC!”

Small Business Development Center hosted by Long Beach City College
beachgreens • Long Beach, CA

Before :
When Long Beach native Aliye Aydin was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease at age 15, her doctor recommended changing her diet. Little did she know this advice would change her life in more ways than one. Fifteen years later, Aydin is free of kidney disease and shares her passion for healthy, natural food with others via her business, beachgreens, which delivers organic, sustainably and locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables to homes and businesses in the Long Beach area.

Best Advice:
When Aydin came to the Long Beach City College SBDC in the summer of 2007, she had plenty of food industry experience—including working on organic farms, in restaurants, as a personal chef and caterer, and as a cooking instructor. She was bubbling over with ideas for a business that would combine her love of cooking, farming and gardening, but wasn’t sure where to start. SBDC Business Advisors helped her clarify her business ideas, figure out what permits and licenses she needed, choose a legal structure for the business, make financial projections and develop a marketing strategy.

Lessons Learned:

• Focus. “I went in with quite a few ideas,” Aydin explains. “[The SBDC Business Advisor] asked me some hardball questions: ‘Are you going to make money with that? Is that a hobby, or a business?’ That really helped me narrow down what I wanted to do and didn’t want to do.”
• Use word-of-mouth. Word-of-mouth was Aydin’s most useful marketing tool when she started her business, and SBDC Business Advisor George Mehale advised her to “keep doing what you’re doing.” In 2009, she took word-of-mouth to the next level by enlisting social media. “I started a blog, started Tweeting and started Facebooking—and that has definitely helped,” Aydin says. “I’ve seen my following grow, as well as my customers.”
• Find a cheerleader. SBDC Business Advisor George Mehale provided invaluable encouragement. “George had been in the food business and spoke my language,” Aydin recalls. “He was always positive from the get-go, even when I only had 10 customers. I didn’t have formal [business] training and I felt pretty self-conscious about that. His support and gentle prodding really helped me.”

After:
Aydin made her first delivery in October 2007. Since she began meeting with the SBDC,  beachgreens has grown from five customers to 120. Aydin now has two part-time employees, and in 2009 alone, her sales grew 20 percent.

Aydin recently met with an SBDC Marketing Consultant, and plans to refine her Web site, enhance her use of social media and start advertising on local radio. Her long-term goals? “To keep growing.”

Small Business Development Center hosted by Long Beach City College
Jumpstarter BodyFuel • Long Beach, CA

Before :
When Linda Ikeda was diagnosed with lupus and could no longer eat wheat, she developed a healthy snack bar that was wheat-, dairy- and cholesterol-free. Friends convinced her to take samples to local coffeehouse chain It’s a Grind, where they were a hit. Suddenly Ikeda had a business—and a new mission in life. “I want to show people they have choices in healthy eating,” explains the founder of Jumpstarter BodyFuel. In early 2008, after attending a marketing seminar sponsored by Long Beach City College SBDC, she signed up for counseling with instructor Phil Glover.

Best Advice:
Glover recognized the potential of Ikeda’s business immediately. “Linda’s bars reach out to a niche market of people who are allergic to wheat products,” he says. Glover helped Ikeda write a business plan and marketing plan, identify potential clients and find manufacturing help. Taking full advantage of the SBDC’s resources, Ikeda learned from other counselors how to fine-tune her Web site, obtain a trademark and get publicity.

Lessons Learned:

• Pinpoint your target market. At first, Ikeda thought her target market was “everyone who wants to improve their eating habits.” Glover helped refine her focus, explaining that since she didn’t have a retail store, her target customers were not consumers, but retailers.
• Streamline processes. At first, Ikeda handled every step of manufacturing herself — from blending ingredients to packaging. Glover suggested hiring a blending company to mix ingredients, saving a step. Now, she’s seeking co-packers to automate packaging.
• Use the power of PR. After learning how valuable PR could be, Ikeda enlisted a friend who wrote press releases, garnering publicity in two local newspapers. “Local people responded to the articles and went to It’s a Grind to try the bars,” she says. “It definitely led to more sales.”

After:
Since she began visiting the SBDC (“For a year, I was going there almost every week!” she recalls), Ikeda’s sales have increased by 50 percent. She now rents a commercial kitchen and has four part-time employees. Jumpstarter bars are sold in nine Southern California Whole Foods locations and 32 coffeehouses nationwide, as well as in spas and gyms.

Ikeda’s goal is to get the bars in Whole Foods nationwide, then expand to other chains. She also plans to apply for a loan from the city of Long Beach. Along the way, she will keep turning to the SBDC for assistance.

“I had no sales experience when I started this business,” says Ikeda. “Phil gave me pointers for approaching companies, but what helped the most was his encouragement. It meant a lot to get some affirmation that I was going in the right direction.”

1. Give a speech. Find organizations that your target customers belong to—whether the local marathon runners’ training group, PTA or Rotary club—and offer to speak at their meetings.Create a relevant handout to leave behind, and bring business cards and brochures, too.

2. Start a blog. Adding a blog to your business website is a smart tactic for companies that provide information and expertise, such as accounting or consulting firms. Blog about industry news, timely advice for your customers, or new developments in your business.

3. Comment on other blogs. If you don’t have the time or skill to blog, build your reputation by commenting on your industry’s leading blogs. Make sure your comments are thoughtful and add to the conversation. Don’t be overly promotional, but do include your name and business name.

4. Use Twitter. Use Twitter not just to promote your business, but also to share interesting links and retweet useful information. Focus on quality, not quantity. By consistently sharing good information, you’ll build a reputation as a knowledgeable source.

5. Get LinkedIn. If you own a business-to-business company, LinkedIn Groups and Answers are great ways to share your expertise. Join Groups related to your industry and participate in discussions. Look for LinkedIn Questions related to your business and answer them.

6. Write articles. Blogs and online publications are influential, but print media still carries more weight with most people. Contact trade publications and local newspapers and ask if you can contribute articles related to your industry, or even write a regular column.

7. Become a trusted source. Being quoted in print or online cements your reputation as an expert. Seek out journalists who cover your industry, then make yourself a resource by commenting on their articles and sending them information related to their “beat”…and your business.

8. Lead the way. To become an industry expert, you’ve got to be active in your industry. But don’t just attend industry events and conferences—take a leadership role by offering to head committees, speak at events or develop programs.

9. Network. Be an active networker, both online and offline. Focus not on what you can gain, but on how you can help others by connecting them and sharing valuable information. People will come to view you as a reliable and trustworthy resource.

10. Get involved in your community. Keep a high profile in your community by participating in local events. For instance, if you own a health club, you could sponsor a fitness fair or get a booth. The more active you are in your community, the more business will come your way.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder CEO and President of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit SmallBizDaily.com to sign up for her free TrendCast reports.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/job-growth-client-sales-soar-221600534.html

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

According to a recently completed annual report, California Small Business Development Centers are reporting substantial small business growth in 2011 – helping entrepreneurs create 5,900 new jobs and retain an additional 3,200 jobs that were previously slated for elimination.

Every year, through its 38 individual centers in the state, the California SBDC provides free one-on-one consulting to more than 27,500 entrepreneurs and low-cost training to 38,000 of California’s 1.3 million business owners.

According to the annual report, one key growth area in 2011 was a 55 percent increase in new jobs created in California over 2010. Capital investments also increased to more than $211 million, up from $129.3 million in 2010, resulting in a nearly 40 percent increase in loans and equity for small business clients.

“California Small Business Development Centers are programmed to produce positive economic impacts,” said Priscilla Lopez, state chair of the California SBDC. “The changes from 2010 to 2011, however, were substantial, and primarily attributable to the commitment and investments made by the State of California. We listened to the legislature and were laser-focused on job creation by assisting business owners obtain capital and to increase their sales because that is where job creation originates.”

She added that the state financial assistance was a one-time contribution to the Small Business Development Centers and anticipates that without new resources those reported economic growth areas are likely to decrease next year. For now, she said, the California SBDC is focused on keeping the momentum going and pacing services with client needs. Lopez said additional funding from the Federal Jobs Bill through the U.S. Small Business Administration, and an improving economy also contributed to the 2011 increases.

“At a time when job creation is the highest priority, the Small Business Jobs Act helped the California Small Business Development Center Network (CA SBDC) maximize the number of jobs they created or retained in 2011,” said U.S. SBA District 9 Regional Administrator Elizabeth Echols. “As an important SBA partner, we are proud of the role the California SBDC is playing in our state’s economic recovery.”

Individual centers reported spending more than 100,000 hours assisting small businesses with business plans, loan applications, cash-flow management, government contracting and other needs. As a result of SBDC services, small business clients increased sales by $243.9 million, which resulted in the creation of $37 in new taxable revenue for every $1 invested by the state. Further, clients attributed 815 new business starts to the assistance they received by the California SBDC in 2011.

For more information on the California SBDC or to find a Small Business Development Center near you, go to www.californiasbc.org.

Contact:

NorCal Small Business Development Center Network
Ann Johnson-Stromberg, 707-599-6146
Manager, Communications & Marketing
or
California Small Business Development Centers
Michele Gault, 916-319-9947
Director, Outreach & Partnerships

1. Create a personal Google+ profile. Google+ offers business profiles too, but you need a personal profile first. Signing up is free. Fill in your personal page with as much information as you can about yourself, your business and what you do.
2. Create a Google+ business page. Provide as much information as you can about your business. Consider what potential customers might want to know, including your business address, directions, hours and phone number, photos of your location or product photos.
3. Create circles. Google+ allows you to categorize different people into “circles” and specify which information you share with a particular circle. You can create circles for clients, potential clients, employees, business associates and more; you can also include people in more than one circle.
4. Go public. In addition to posting content to specific circles, you can also post it to the public. This means it will show up when someone does a Google search. Public posts are a great way to expand your audience by exposing your business to people who may never have heard of you.
5. Be engaging. Before posting anything to Google+, consider how it will benefit your audience. Content that gets attention usually includes questions, calls to action, photos or videos, or thought-provoking comments. Try to limit directly promotional posts about your business to about 10 or 20 percent of what you post.
6. Interact. The more you interact on Google+, the faster you build connections and increase your audience. In addition to posting your own content, share and comment on others’ posts (you’ll see them in your Stream). When you share something, credit the originator and add your own thoughts to spark further conversation.
7. Add video. Since Google+ is integrated with YouTube (which is owned by Google), putting video on Google+ can attract more followers. Post how-to videos explaining how to use your product or service, or interview someone on your team about a current industry trend.
8. Promote it. Use the Google+ logo and/or the +1 icon on your website, signage and marketing materials to help people find you on Google+. Download Google+ logos and icons and learn how to use them at http://www.google.com/+/business/brand-guidelines.html.
9. Measure results. The free Google Analytics tool can help you measure engagement on your Google+ page. See who is following your business, what information they like best and what they’re sharing.
10. Use third-party tools. Looking for tools to help integrate your Google+ account into the rest of your social media plan? Currently, only a few tools exist, but more are being developed all the time. Visit http://www.google.com/+/business/3rdpartytools.html to find third-party tools and get updates.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder CEO and President of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit SmallBizDaily.com to sign up for her free TrendCast reports.

1. Understand their expectations. Know what Millennial employees hope to gain from working for you. Chances are, Millennials will make that clear during the job interview—but if they don’t, ask them.
2. Challenge them. Millennials want to make a difference in their jobs from the get-go. Encourage that enthusiasm by assigning them challenging projects from the start, and adding more responsibility as they learn.
3. Define tasks and goals. It may seem contradictory, but while Millennials enjoy independence, they also grew up with “helicopter parents,” teachers and coaches micromanaging their lives. Be crystal clear when assigning tasks. Set incremental deadlines and check in regularly to review progress.
4. Provide ongoing feedback. An annual performance review isn’t enough for Millennials, who want to hear how they’re doing—both good and bad—on an ongoing basis. This may be a more hands-on approach than you’re used to with older employees, but it’s essential for Millennials to thrive.
5. Offer flexibility. Millennials expect work-life balance, and view working remotely and flexible hours as essentials, not extras. Bonus: Offering these options not only attracts and retains Millennials, but pleases older employees, too.
6. Provide continuing education. Millennials want to improve at their jobs. Sign them up for webinars or seminars in their areas of interest; send them to conferences and events to learn from more experienced peers; or simply provide on-the-job training and education.
7. Match them with a mentor. Millennials welcome mentorships, and pairing a Millennial employee with an older, more experienced worker benefits both of them. It also cements bonds, which can help eliminate generational misunderstandings at work.
8. Tailor benefits and rewards to their interests. Millennials may be less interested in benefits like dental insurance and more interested in perks like continuing education. In a 2011 PriceWaterhouse Coopers survey, the majority of Millennials said they would like to customize their benefits.
9. Let them BYOD. (That means “bring your own device.”) Tech-savvy Millennials often prefer to use their own laptops, cellphones or tablets for work instead of a company-issued device. This can save you money; just make sure devices are secure and sensitive information isn’t compromised.
10. Use their social skills. In the 2011 Cisco Connected World Technology Report, 56 percent of Millennials said they wouldn’t work for a company that banned social media in the workplace—or they’d sneak around the policy. Instead of shutting down Facebook or Twitter on the job, enlist Millennials’ social media expertise to enhance your company’s online presence.

Rieva Lesonsky is founder and President of GrowBiz Media, a media company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Before launching her business, she was Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva, read her blog at SmallBizDaily.com, and visit her website SmallBizTrendCast to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for free TrendCast reports.