University of La Verne SBDC Small Biz Blog

By Joshua Botello Transcript: In this video I’ll show how to get and use a resale certificate.  Im Josh from the University of LaVerne Small Business Development Center. Here at the SBDC we provide small business owners with free one on one consulting and business tip videos just like this one. So if you are new here, consider subscribing to our channel.  And check out the companion article and resources in the description below.  Many people who are looking to start selling retail products will eventually come across this issue. That’s why it is one of the most frequently asked questions we get about licenses and permits: How do I get a resale certificate?  So in this video I'll go into what a resale certificate is and how it’s different than a seller’s permit; how to get one and fill it out; and how to use it when purchasing products for resale. And check out the companion Article for all the resources in the description below  So what is a Resale Certificate?...

by Joshua Botello  We continue videos on social media marketing and this time we are delving into Instagram. Instagram is the photo-sharing site that is owned by Facebook. Instagram offers creative filters effects, live video, stories, and its own Youtube-like video platform IGTV. Businesses can take advantage of Instagram’s younger demographic to share photos, videos and engage with their audience. Instagram is primarily phone-based, so this entire how-to will be done through a smartphone. I'll show you how to set up an Instagram account, convert it to a business account and show you some business features. So grab your phone and let's dive into Instagram for Business.  Open Your Instagram Account The first thing I need to do is to preface this guide with this: you need to have your Itunes account up and running to download the app. That’s it. Ok? Ok. So let's go to the app store and search Instagram and click get to download the app. Since I just need to update it, I ca...

by Joshua Botello If you are starting a business and need some start up funding for you may feel limited in what is available for getting your business off the ground.  Traditionally a prospective business owner would create a business plan like we do here at the SBDC and that client would take it to a bank, angel investor or VC to get their venture funded. Unfortunately, because this method narrows your chances to a few major players, the likelihood of getting the capital you need diminishes when pitching to those few people.  Enter Crowdfunding.   What is Crowdfunding? What exactly is Crowdfunding? Crowdfunding is a way to raise the capital for your business or project through the collective efforts of family, friends and investors. The hallmark of crowdfunding is using small amounts from "the crowd" to invest enough collectively to fund the business. This is usually done through efforts in campaigns coordinated on social media and video media.  Don’t worry we...