University of La Verne SBDC Small Biz Blog

  Many business owners may have an idea for a small business or multiple competing ideas and are not sure if they want to pursue it. Do you wish you knew what business idea to pursue before you put a lot of time and money into something that may not work? In this guide, I will take you through a simple 3 step process to evaluate your business idea so you can move forward with confidence. Check out the checklist from score and follow along. Let’s get started. Business Concept Our first step is to develop our concept. You want to make sure that your business idea is a skill you have as a service or is valuable as a product, otherwise, people don't want it if you can't deliver on the promise or provide a lousy product. The other thing you need to think about is imitation. Is this a trending product or service? Is everyone doing it? You want to offer a product or service that is valuable but not easily replicated because that just spells more competition for you and your business

Branding is one of the most esoteric and confusing terms, even for those who have actually studied marketing. The American Marketing Association defines a brand as the “name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers.” While that seems simple enough, a brand is about connecting your business to consumers not only on a physical level (by identifying a product) but on an emotional level as well. In this article, I’ll take you through a simple 4 step process to creating a brand as a small business. Step 1. Brand Positioning  Brand positioning is a process of understanding the target market and defining the space that your brand occupies in the minds of customers. It is also about understanding who you are as a company and what you want to be known for. The first step in developing a strong brand position is research. This includes customer research and competitive research, where companies learn about t

Financial projections can often seem daunting when embarking on a business venture. In fact, they can be so intimidating that many individuals prefer to delay addressing them until the need arises. In our upcoming webinar, we will explore the following key topics: 1. Assessing the viability of your business concept. 2. Calculating the break-even point for sales volume. 3. Creating the financial projections necessary for securing an SBA loan. Getting Started Download the Google sheet and follow along  here.   You can view only. [ File > Download > Make a Copy ] so that you can create your own spreadsheet for you to keep and update. or  Download the Excel template  here .  Startup Phase Financial projections are invaluable in answering various crucial startup questions, such as: Will my business idea prove successful and feasible? What is an appropriate compensation for myself? What sales volume is required to attain profitability? How much capital is needed to launch the busines

If you are working professional looking to set out on your own, getting the business started is not in your wheelhouse. You probably are great consulting clients but aren't comfortable with all the detail of setting up your company with any licensing and operations. In this article, I'll show you a way of setting up your business seamlessly from planning to marketing for business growth.  Business Planning As a new consultant, your focus will be on determining how to deliver your services effectively. The industry and space you choose to operate in will dictate how you assist your customers with their businesses or personal lives. Additionally, you should aim to establish a system, which we'll discuss later, to package and market your services. Identifying your target customers primarily depends on the industry you serve, but there are a few key considerations. Firstly, you should create a client profile that outlines your customers' ultimate goals, identifies the chall

If you're a small business owner wondering if the world of government contracting is a viable opportunity for your product or service, you're in the right place. In this article, we will walk you through the essential steps to determine whether government contracting aligns with your business goals.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) has been actively encouraging small businesses to engage with both federal and local governments in the realm of government contracting. However, it's vital to recognize that government contracting isn't for everyone. Several factors come into play, such as government spending in your business industry and your business's readiness. In this article, we'll provide you with a concise guide on conducting research to determine if government contracting is a suitable path for your business and industry. Let's get started. Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with Your NAICS Code Before embarking on any research, you must identify your

In the world of sales, missed opportunities can be a frustrating experience. That feeling of watching a potential victory slip away due to hesitation, miscommunication, or simply not knowing the right approach is a sinking sensation that no one enjoys. But fear not, for in this article, we're about to unravel the secrets of sealing the deal and share proven strategies to ensure that you close your next sale with finesse. Recognizing Buying Signals In the dance of customer interactions, there are subtle cues that emerge like hidden gems, revealing a customer's readiness to make a purchase. These cues , both verbal and non-verbal, are akin to a treasure map leading the way to a successful close.  They range from expressed enthusiasm and positive body language to probing questions about features and pricing. When your customer asks you to repeat a benefit your solution addresses, take note – this is a strong signal that they're validating their interest. Asking for the Sale

  Imagine you have a business, but no one knows about it. With a website, you can reach a global audience and promote your business 24/7. You can showcase your products or services, collect leads, and even sell online. But building a website can be daunting, especially if you don't have any technical skills. In this webinar, you'll learn everything you need to know to create a beautiful and functional website, even if you're a complete beginner. We'll cover everything from choosing a domain name and web hosting provider to creating your website content and designing your pages. DIY or Hire it out to a Designer Should small business owners create their own websites or outsource to a web designer? That depends on a few factors, such as your budget, time constraints, and technical skills. If you're on a tight budget and have the time, you can certainly create your own website using simple web design tools. However, it's important to keep in mind that creating a web

Verus Wellness, LLC. 185 Lexington Ln Costa Mesa, Ca 92626 Karla Andrade is the owner of Verus Wellness, LLC, and her journey began with a vision to address the limited access to registered dietitians faced by the majority of the population. Recognizing the need for health consulting services beyond hospital settings, she expanded her business from personal training to health consulting. Through networking and meeting with other providers, she realized the shared challenges in their respective sectors and sought ways to bridge the gap in healthcare access. Karla's mentor, who had previously received assistance from the SBDC, recommended the University of La Verne and specifically Sean, a business mentor at SBDC, to help Karla with her business plan and marketing strategies. "I have a business mentor, and Sean had helped her in previous years... She put me in contact with the University of La Verne, specifically with Sean,” Karla explained. Having no prior business education, K

Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your marketing efforts? In today's fast-paced digital landscape, email marketing remains a tried-and-true strategy to engage your audience, cultivate lasting relationships, and drive conversions.Stay tuned as we guide you through the intricacies of email autoresponders, teach you effective list-building strategies, and unveil the secrets to crafting visually stunning email designs that convert like never before. Get ready to revolutionize your marketing approach and make a lasting impact with email marketing! Picking a Auto Responder First step to email marketing is to use an autoresponder, a service that holds your contacts and sends mass email campaigns, because the last thing you want to do is mail merge from a from your email account and get busted for spammy activity. Mailchimp Easiest way to get started for most small businesses is Mailchimp , which provides a free account for up to 500 subscribers and sends 1000 emails a month be

La Forme 238 N. CItrus Ave Covina, Ca www.Laformefit.com Christina Lemaire is the owner of La Forme, a boutique wellness studio that offers Barre, Pilates, and Yoga that caters to women's health and fitness. Christina was originally a Barre instructor until 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when all the classes moved online. She then started teaching classes virtually from a courtyard. Christina’s first introduction to the SBDC was finding workshops in the LA Regional Network for starting and managing a business. “I’m pretty positive I googled ‘small business resources’ and it led me down a little rabbit hole to seminars online for the SBDC,” Christina explained. Christina was connected with the University of La Verne SBDC and was able to schedule an appointment with business advisor Mark Hicks within a week. Like most new business owners, Christina didn’t have a background in business and did not know how to plan a business or even where to begin. “The challenge was understanding