Small Business Week – One Week of Many – Supporting Small Business Owners
Contact: Jody Calendar
(973) 353-1927 or (732) 245-9181
May 15, 2014 (Newark, NJ) Every business day of the year, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers network’s experts provide the guidance necessary to advance small business aims. If it’s not personalized one-on-one counseling, there are training seminars on topics and issues with which small businesses must grapple like business planning, marketing strategies, financial analysis, customer service, procurement opportunities, export markets, moving technology innovation from the lab to the marketplace, competitive pricing, strategic planning, and establishing a visible e-commerce presence, etc.
The 12 centers of the network have promoted initiatives and events during national Small Business Week (May 12 through May 16). Some highlights in the north and south follow:
–On May 13, the NJSBDC at Richard Stockton College conducted and co-sponsored an event titled “Get Real about Funding Possibilities” in cooperation with Main Street Atlantic City, The Greater Atlantic City Chamber, The Atlantic City Business and Community Association, and UCEDC. The event was designed to discuss issues relating to realistic planning and business development strategies to help grow small businesses and access capital in and around Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“This collaborative effort in Atlantic City and the surrounding area is a clearinghouse of knowledge and resources for small business owners located in the area,” said Center Director at Richard Stockton College, Joe Molineaux. “It was well received.”
–On May 14, the NJSBDC at Bergen Community College launched its new program titled “The New Client Business Clinic” at the Center’s location in Hackensack. This offering will provide new small business clients a unique opportunity to receive entrepreneurial training and receive financing criteria and guidance directly from an SBA lending partner – TD Bank, as well as obtain a full understanding of risk mitigation and insurance from Otterstedt Insurance Company.
“This clinic aimed at new business clients of our Center really provides hands-on information and knowledge that business owners need to know in order to succeed in an optimal way,” said Acting Center Director at Bergen Community College Vincent Vicari.
“Our centers across the state are involved with businesses in the communities all year long and we have sponsored special events this week,” Brenda Hopper, chief executive officer-state director commented. “We’re there for small business owners and with our vast infrastructure and intellectual capital, we help them achieve success.”
“Our network’s activities during Small Business Week are an extension of what we do all year long to help small businesses understand, develop, and excel at their business operations,” added NJSBDC Chief Operating Officer-Associate State Director Deborah Smarth. “In a weak economy, they need our help even more as the challenges are great.”
In addition to the special events being held at the individual centers during Small Business Week, advocacy at the State Legislature and Governor’s Office by the network– highlighting its economic impact statewide and how the network has helped small business clients create and save jobs — is another key task. In 2013, the network assisted its 5,351 clients, providing 22,699 total counseling hours and helping them create and save more than 16,000 jobs.
“We always provide our accountability report,” said Smarth. “What better week to do it than during Small Business Week!”
About America’s SBDC New Jersey (NJSBDC)
This non-profit network is a federal-state-educational partnership. Its expert staff and business practitioners help small business owners and entrepreneurs with every stage of business development and growth. The network headquarters is located at the Rutgers Business School in Newark. Its major funding partner is the U.S. Small Business Administration. The New Jersey Business Action Center is an additional funding partner of the NJSBDC program as well as other public and private grants/sponsorships. The NJSBDC network (America’s SBDC New Jersey) is an accredited member of the national network of SBDCs, with more than 1,000 centers and satellite offices throughout the country serving and assisting small businesses and saving and creating jobs across the nation. For more information, visit www.njsbdc.com.
