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Many communities are still feeling the effects of Superstorm Sandy, including power outages and flooding. The importance of listening to instructions and safety information from your local officials and FEMA cannot be understated. Federal response teams are already providing assistance to affected communities. SBA is closely coordinating with our federal partners to share information in the immediate aftermath of the storm. For the latest on the Federal government’s response to Sandy, you can read FEMA’s blog or follow...
When a friend or family member asks what you do to help small businesses, what do you say? I say I work for the Small Business Administration and we are the best resource for someone starting or growing a business. Our SBA office partners with the SCORE Association and we have a counselor in our office every day between the hours of 9 and 3 who will sit down and listen to your idea and thoughts. I can mail you a free startup kit that contains valuable information for starting or developing a business. Here is my...
Earlier today, I joined hundreds of women-owned contracting firms at the Department of Defense Women-Owned Small Business Opportunity Forum in Alexandria, Virginia to announce a new partnership between the SBA and Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc. (WIPP). This partnership is designed to help highlight the benefits of the Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program, educate women business owners on how to participate, and connect them to federal agency procurement officers in industries where women are...
Did you know 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside the US? Are you a small business manufacturer? Have you considered exporting your goods? The “Made in the USA” brand is strong and there’s a huge market out there for your products. All that is great, but how can you break into the global market, grow and be successful? The Small Business Administration can help you. SBA’s mission is to help business start, grow and succeed – this includes helping small business exporters and...
Small businesses are becoming a larger target for criminals seeking to access sensitive data because attackers are well aware that small businesses have limited resources or personnel dedicated to information system security. In an effort to combat cyber-attacks, the Department of Homeland Security established October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month to educate the public about cyber security and to prepare the nation in the event of a cyber-incident. Here are 9 steps your business can take to improve your cyber security: Use the...
Two years ago, SBA pioneered the federal government’s first regional cluster strategy and I’m proud to say we’ve already seen the tangible benefits of these investments: Our research shows small business participation in our 10 pilot clusters increased by more than 275 percent in just one year; Employment grew on average by more than 11 percent in the small businesses that participated in the 10 pilot clusters; and More than two-thirds (69 percent) of small businesses that sought cluster support reported that they...
Government contracting provides the leg-up small businesses need to meet their bottom line and become sustainable. Here at the SBA, and across the Administration, we see government contracting as a win-win. The Federal government gets to work with some of the most innovative, forward-thinking companies. And small firms get tapped into the supply chain of one of the largest buyers in the world. The 8(a) Business Development program is one of the best tools the government has to ensure that more small disadvantaged businesses can...
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at the National Association of Women Business Owner’s (NAWBO) conference in Louisville. It was a chance to talk about the issues and the opportunities that women business owners and entrepreneurs face as they build innovative and successful companies across the United States. Forty years ago, women owned just 5 percent of all small businesses. Today, women own 30 percent, which equals a total of 7.8 million companies generating $1.2 trillion a year in sales. These are entrepreneurs like Rachel...
[Update: the web chats have now concluded. You can view the archive of each chat below.] October is National Women’s Small Business Month. Women-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of the small business community. Today, about 30 percent of small businesses are owned by women, compared to about 5 percent in 1970. This month the SBA officials will host a series of weekly web chats, aimed at helping aspiring and established women business owners learn more about starting or expanding small businesses,...
As Administrator of the SBA, I have the opportunity to travel around the country meeting with small business owners and entrepreneurs. As you talk to these men and women, and walk the shop floor of their facilities, you understand exactly why America’s small businesses are the economic engine of our economy and the backbone of our communities. Our goal at the SBA, and across the Administration, is making sure that more of these businesses have the tools they need to start, build and grow their operations. Over the last three...
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by James Rivera, SBA Official on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 - 16:44