University of La Verne SBDC Small Biz Blog

  In celebration of all the great things SBDCs do to help small business we are going to answer questions that you have out there from calls, requests and comments on social media.  Question #1 I'm looking for funding to grow my business. Im looking to get a grant but I don’t know how to search for them and I don’t want to take out a loan Check out our resource on funding option for small businesses and role grants have in funding small business  5 Ways to Fund your Start Up Get more information on SBIR for research  Resource for federal grants Question #2 I want to get into government contracting but I have no idea where to start. I have signed up for SAM but I don’t know where to go from there. Help! Step #1: Understand what the government buys: Learn About Spend Research  Step #2: Find where the opportunities are: Free Government Search Resources Step #3: Speak with a SBDC consultant near you to understand the contracting process Question #3 Hi start up funding to not use my pe

When delving into the realm of small business ownership, insurance often falls to the wayside amidst the excitement of launching or operating your venture. However, understanding the significance of insurance and its role in safeguarding your business is paramount. In this guide, we'll explore the nuances of business insurance, from essential policies to practical tips for securing adequate coverage. Insurance for Small Business As a small business owner, there are several insurance policies that may be obligatory depending on your location and the nature of your operations. Let's delve into some key considerations: General Liability Insurance:  This policy typically covers bodily injuries, property damage, and liability claims arising from your business operations or products. It's essential for protecting against potential lawsuits and financial losses. Professional Liability Insurance:  Also known as errors and omissions insurance , this coverage safeguards your busin

  Introduction If you are looking to get started in government contracting there are socio economic certifications that can give you an edge in bidding for the federal contracts . In this episode we will cover the federal contracting certifications that you might qualify for and what you need to apply for them. Types of Contracts Set Asides These contracts are like regular competitions, but only small businesses can join! This happens automatically for most government contracts under $150,000. Think of it as a small business playground – plenty of room to swing without giants stomping around. Some set-asides are open to any small business, while others might be exclusive to those in special programs Sole Source Most contracts involve competition, but sometimes there's an exception. Imagine a super specialized project that only your company can tackle. That's a sole-source contract, and it can be awarded without the usual bidding process. The Catch: To be considered for these

We are the University of La Verne SBDC. We are 1 of 1000 local SBDC center all across the country. We are grant-funded to help small businesses start and grow with 1-on-1 consulting and free resources. Im Joshua, a business associate here at our center and besides helping with some administrative duties to run the center alongside my coworker Sophia and our director Sean, I help with marketing our center. I came on in 2019 and by 2020 during COVID hit everybody and affected how we ran our center being mostly virtual. I thought you know it would be easier to create content for YouTube and luckily, our Director Sean had already started a YouTube with just a subscribers. Over the last 3 years we have created practical guides to starting a business, funding, marketing, and managing a business. If you have been following our YouTube channel then you probably have seen many of these video and used them to start your own business. We recently launched our own on demand video library on Lavern