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Event To Showcase 7 Awesome Marketing Tools

April 3rd, 2013

You can learn about 7 Awesome Marketing Tools for Small Business Owners at the AZSBDC Network’s next Coffee & Connections networking event. The program will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 18 at the Innovations Science & Technology Incubator, 145 S. 79th Street in Chandler.  The event is free, but registration is required due to limited seating.

The program will be presented by Dow Media Group. Owner Leigh Dow will discuss several emerging tools in the online marketing space that are available to help entrepreneurs market their small business.

To register for this event go to: https://clients.azsbdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=10330019

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Success Awards To Honor 14 Small Businesses at Capitol

March 5th, 2013

AZSBDC Success Awards Cover 2013TEMPE, AZ - Fourteen Arizona small businesses and their achievements will be honored at the 2013 Success Awards and Legislative Lunch on March 18.

The event is hosted by the Arizona Small Business Development Center Network (AZSBDC) and scheduled to take place from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on the House Lawn of the Arizona State Capitol Complex, 1700 W. Washington Street in Phoenix. Arizona Capitol Times publisher Ginger Lamb will serve as emcee of the event, which is expected to attract more than 300 guests, including members of the Arizona Legislature and government, business and community leaders from across the state.

“The Success Awards provide an annual opportunity to recognize and applaud the achievements of Arizona small businesses,” AZSBDC State Director Janice Washington said. “The winners represent a wide range of industries and come from every part of this state. Their accomplishments are impressive, given the continuing challenges of the national and global economies.”

The 2013 Success Awards winners include:

2013 Master Award Winner
Odle Management Group, Inc. – Scottsdale 
Lisa S. Odle

2013 Success Award Winners
Mariscos Mar Azul – Yuma AZ
Hortencia Rosales, Alex Morales   

Papazona Pizza, Inc. – Apache Junction
Michael Chastek, Chester Chastek

Munsey Contract & Development – Sierra Vista 
Norman Munsey, Mark Berg, Rick Berg, Kathi Johnson

Mother Road Brewing Company – Flagstaff 
Michael Marquess

Caboose Frozen Treats – Thatcher 
Wendy Skinner

Cellulars Conexion – Mesa 
David Carrizosa 

MarTek - Tempe
Mark James

Paideia Academies – Phoenix     
Dr. Brian Winsor

Bottom Line Tax, Accounting & Business Services - Tucson
Lou and Anna Ciurca

Delectables Restaurant & Catering – Tucson 
Donna DiFiore

Budget Blinds – Kingman
Ed and LeeAnn Benton

Loan Prairie – Lakeside
Mike Sattinger, Eric Grossman, Robert Fee

Quality Vans & Specialty Vehicles – Prescott
Vicki Reber, Doug Reber, Gary Reber 

“Each of these entrepreneurs has a story to share about what it takes to create and grow a successful small business in today’s environment,” Washington noted. “Their collective achievements demonstrate the dedication, resourcefulness and energy that has always characterized the Arizona small business owner.”

Success Award winners worked with an AZSBDC Network Center to achieve their goals and are chosen for their accomplishments during the previous year (2012). “Each winner’s story is a good example of how the AZSBDC Network is helping Arizona businesses succeed,” said Washington. “We are a very strong Network with statewide reach.”

 The Network is also the host of the Arizona Procurement Technical Assistance Center (AZPTAC) network, which is headquartered in Glendale and has satellite locations in Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson and Yuma.

 A map of all Network locations, including the new AZPTAC sites, can be found online HERE. 

 More information on the 2013 Success Awards can be obtained by calling (480) 731-8720.

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Free Investor Pitch Event

January 25th, 2013

The AZSBDC Network is excited to announc Investor Pitch! at the Chandler Science and Innovations Incubator. You can participate as an attendee at either (or both) of these two events, or apply to go through the investor pitch experience and receive valuable feedback on your business from a panel of experts.

Registration is free but due to limited seating, you MUST register for either (or both) of these two events at the following link. If you want to learn about the investment process and what it takes to put together an Investor pitch, you are encouraged to attend both of these events.

1. Investor Pitch workshop: Do’s and Don’ts (Tuesday 2/26; 7:30-9 AM)

2. Investor Pitch Clinic: Panel feedback (Thursday 4/4; 1-5 PM)

For those of you who would like to get feedback from a panel of experts on their investor pitch, you will need to apply for this event by attending the 1st event on 2/26.

Investor Pitch workshop: Do’s and Don’ts
Place: Innovations, City of Chandler Science and Technology incubator
Tuesday 2/26
7:30 AM -9 AM

“You Only Get One Chance to Make a Good First Impression”
presented by Tom Swann, SBDC Business Analyst

An entrepreneur never knows when he or she may be called upon to pitch their company to a potential investor. It may be verbal, Internet based or printed media. It may come at a social gathering or meeting someone in the hallway at a conference who is just looking for a place to get some coffee. Or, it may come under very controlled conditions like pitching to a group of Angel or Venture Capital Investors at an Investor Event. However it may happen, you will only have one chance to make a good first impression. Tom will explain what you need to have to always be ready!

“Preparing Client Companies for Investment Funding”
presented by Sanjay Dhole SBDC Technology Coordinator and Business Analyst

An entrepreneur needs to understand the overall business process, be able to recognize when the company is ready for outside investment, the critical communication tools and how to outline a standard 10-minute pitch. Sanjay will also identify the top 10 investor pitch mistakes.

Speaker(s)
Maricopa SBDC Business Analyst Tom Swann and Maricopa SBDC Technology Coordinator and Business Analyst Sanjay Dhole

Special Instructions
Seating is limited. For more information contact Sanjay Dhole at
sanjay.dhole@domail.maricopa.edu or phone him at 480-784-0591

To register for this event: https://clients.azsbdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=10330011
Place: Innovations, City of Chandler Science and Technology incubator
Thursday, April 4, 2013 1 pm – 5 pm

Companies (up to 8) interested in making their investor pitch to an experienced panel who will critique your presentation at this event will need to attend the first event on 2/26/2013 and submit their name for consideration. Under the guidance of an SBDC Counselor, create an investor pitch presentation consisting of an executive summary, using the template provided, and a slide presentation per the guidelines. This exercise will prepare entrepreneur on how to prepare investor pitch. even if you are not interested in putting together the pitch you can still attend this event and learn from other’s experience.

All other attendees for this event are welcome to attend to learn and participate in the event.
To register for this event: https://clients.azsbdc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=10330012

 

 

 

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SBA Initiatives That Are Helping Our Veterans

December 10th, 2012

From the SBA.gov website:
The men and women of our military sacrifice so much for our freedom, and when they return after years of serving, it is a difficult transition for them and their families starting the next chapter in their lives.

The number of veterans early in their careers is on the rise: 74 percent of service-disabled veterans over the last 10 years is under 30 years old. They are equipped with unique skills as a result of their service, and their veteran status offers distinct business advantages. For those veterans and their family members with the entrepreneurial spirit, there are now several programs aimed at helping them leverage their skills and talents and start a business. With the help of these initiatives, veterans have a greater chance of achieving success and once again, providing critical support for our country as one of the many small businesses that are the backbone of our nation.

  • Joining Forces: Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families opportunities and support. The mission is to integrate existing services and offer new forms of business support, knitting them all together and making it work for each veteran’s individual needs.
  • Operation Boots to Business: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognizes the contributions that veterans make by owning and running businesses that employ millions of Americans.  According to the most recent U.S. Census Data, veteran-owned firms represent 9 percent of all U.S. firms. These 2.45 million veteran-owned businesses employed over 5.8 million individuals. Transitioning service members are natural entrepreneurs, possessing the training, experience, and leadership skills to start businesses and create jobs. SBA is dedicated to help even more veterans grow their businesses and create jobs.  Through the Boots to Business initiative, service members will learn the nuts and bolts of how to start and grow a business. They will also be introduced to the SBA’s nationwide Resource Partner network for support throughout the lifecycle of their new business.
  • Veterans Business Fund: The Veterans Business Fund (VBF) is a not-for profit organization,  established in response to the high unemployment rate among veterans, many of whom are well qualified through their military experience to become successful small business owners but lack sufficient equity capital to qualify for a small business loan.  The VBF assists veterans by providing them with the supplemental capital required to satisfy the equity requirements for a small business loan, providing capital to veterans in the form of a non interest bearing loan with favorable repayment terms.
  • Operation Endure and Grow: Aimed at National Guard and Reserve members, Operation Endure and Grow gives them, their families and business partners access to online training courses focused on the fundamentals of launching or growing a small business. This program offered by the Whitman School of Management, in cooperation with the SBA, offers service personnel courses on crafting a business or nonprofit plan. In addition, they’ll receive ideas for presenting to investors, lenders or other financial backers.

You can read the entire post and access additional information HERE.

Learn more about AZSBDC Veterans Assistance programs HERE.

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Be A Better Chess Master for Your Business

December 10th, 2012

Watch Maricopa SBDC Business Analyst Brenda McCaffrey talk about the value of research and how it will make you a better ‘chess master’ for your business on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFpk3qbzXLM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Brenda appeared on the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation’s (CEI) Smartboard Tuesdays show (Episode 11).

You will also learn about SBDC services and some of the exciting programs offered through CEI.

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Small Business Impact on Economic

November 19th, 2012

Small Business Saturday is 11/22. You can learn more about this event at www.shopsmall.com. Here are some fast facts about the impact of small business on the national economy:

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Register Now for Statewide Technology Conference

November 7th, 2012

The AZSBDC Network is a co-sponsor of the TechEDge 2012 statewide technology conference, which will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 7 at Chandler City Hall. 

TechEDge2012 is designed to equip technology entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies with the practical tools and innovative resources that they need to succeed. Tech entrepreneurs from across the state will learn from subject matter experts and industry peers who will share real-life stories and practical tips that facilitate launch and growth.

Featured topics include:

  • Fostering Innovation
  • Incubator Advantages
  • How to Win SBIR Awards and Commercialization through Strategic Partnerships
  • Crowdfunding and the JOBS Act
  • IP/Patents
  • Resource Pitches
  • Interactive Lightning Round

 

The conference will also showcase resources that are available to help new and aspiring entrepreneurs, including the AZSBDC Network, the Chandler Science & Innovations Incubator and other business and technology incubators, partner groups and organizations such as the AZ Technology Council and ASU Venture Catalyst.

TechEDge2012 is supported by Fennemore Craig, and event sponsor, ASU. It is hosted by the City of Chandler’s Innovations Incubator in partnership with the Arizona Business Incubation Association (AZBIA).

Cost for the full-day event is $50, with fees waived for students and incubator clients. For detailed information and to register visit http://www.chandleraz.gov/ed.

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Lunch & Learn Event To Focus on Intellectual Property for Startups

November 7th, 2012

The AZSBDC Network’s November 14 Lunch & Learn event will begin at noon and will feature a presentation on ‘The Entrepreneur and the Attorney’. Entrepreneur (and Maricopa SBDC Business Analyst) Tom Swann and Attorney A. J. Moss of Squire Sanders LLP will help technology entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of the role that intellectual property plays in their businesses. The event will also provide a preview of the Patent Clinic that will be held on February 13.

Lunch and Learn is held at the Chandler Science & Innovations Incubator in Chandler. The event is free, but seating is limited and advance registration is required. To register, email Tom Swann or call (480) 784-0586.

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Vet Conferences To Focus on Contracting, Business Building Basics

November 7th, 2012

The AZSBDC Network and the Arizona Procurement Technical Assistance Center (AZPTAC) will host a Statewide Veterans Conference on November 16 at Phoenix College in Phoenix. The event will focus on Government Contract Training and is designed for Veterans who are looking to start a business, expand a business or enter the business of government contracting. Topics will include federal contracting basics, Procurement 101 for Vets and proposal development. Admission is FREE to all Veterans, family members and Active Service Members. Call (480) 784-0590 to register.

The Microbusiness Advancement Center SBDC will hold its 3rd Annual Veterans Conference in Tucson on December 6. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tucson Police Department West Side Service Center in Tucson. Admission is FREE to all Veterans, family members and Active Service Members. Register by calling (520) 620-1241 or email HERE for details and registration.
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Learn more about the AZSBDC Network’s Veterans Assistance program on the AZSBDC website HERE.

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Chandler AZ Ranks High on Startup List

October 12th, 2012

Chandler, Arizona ranks #4 on a new list of Best Startup Cities, according to American Express OPEN.  Interestingly, all 10 of the cities on the list are located WEST of the Mississippi River, in America’s west and southwest.

According to the list’s creator, SizeUP, Chandler produces 5.1 startups for every 100,000 residents. SizeUP is a San Francisco–based provider of free business intelligence for small and mid-sized businesses. The company identified companies less than five years old in the fields of computers, software, medical devices and electronics that were located in the top 100 cities by population. The result is a snapshot of independent, youthful enterprises engaged in a wide range of technological pursuits.

According to SizeUP, the city of Chandler (population 240,000) created its own entrepreneurial advantage by energetically embracing business incubation. The city-sponsored Innovations technology incubator is home to 20 early-stage companies in biotech, software, hardware, sustainability, mobile devices and other fields. Entrepreneurs can tap legal, accounting, marketing and fundraising help as well as sub-market rent.

The AZSBDC Network provides support services to Innovations, and is a partner in many events there, including the populat Coffee and Connections networking events and our Lunch & Learn events.

The City of Chandler provides a funding source for a downtown workspace called Gangplank to give entrepreneurs free space to get their visions underway. “At any given time 100 or more people can be found working in this space,” says Christine Mackay, Chandler’s economic development director. Startups thus blessed get hooked up to conferences, pitch nights and crowdfunding opportunities.

You can read the full release on American Express OpenForum HERE.

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