Reporting in from the 2005 SBA Expo!
It’s always amazing to come to the nation’s capital. We’re staying in a hotel that’s on ‘Embassy Row’ just down the way from the Embassy of Togo, and across from the Embassy of Venezuala. Very cool for a couple of boys from Michigan.
In any event, we just finished Emcee’ing the kick-off evening of this year’s national SBA Expo. It took place in the National Air and Space Museum. We were joined by over a thousand entrepreneurs. And we’re here to tell you, spirits are running high.
Last year the SBA provided more loan guaranties than in any previous year. And in the first part of this year, the applications from smart entrepreneurs like you are coming in in the highest numbers ever!
Though it’s a misconception that the SBA loans you money directly, the SBA CAN act as a guarantor of the bank loan you seek, and that can mean the difference between starting up with the capital you require versus never getting off the ground at all due to lack of funds.
Most of all, tonight we were reminded about the power of charismatic and committed leadership. Administrator Hector Barreto and Deputy Administrator Melanie Sablehouse are REALLY kicking the SBA into high gear. We love what they are doing for us entrepreneurs!!!
If you’ve received SBA-backed funds or have a question, type in your comment below!
On the road…
Sloan bros
April 27th, 2005 at 2:00 pm
Hey, Rich…
Your humble communications director, here! I would hate for our community of entrepreneurs to think that you incorrectly spelled Venezuela in your recent entry. Since you usually do [i]everything[/i] perfectly - I double checked Encyclopaedia (also spelled Encyclopedia) Britannica - and although some people may spell this country’s name as you did, it is in fact officially spelled Venezuela. Gotcha this time!
April 27th, 2005 at 3:08 pm
Not only can you seek funding thru the SBA, but you can seek government funds through federal grants from each individual agency relevant to your product or service or through the appropriations process.
A good place to start is the SBA but I also recommend looking into the General Services Administration (GSA). You can also contact your member of Congress or an individual consultant (a.k.a. lobbyist) for assistance in finding funding.
Likewise, the hotel that the Sloan Bros stayed at is also next to the EU - U.S. Headquarters, but I bet you both walked past it and did not even know it.
April 27th, 2005 at 6:52 pm
au contraire, dan!
we actually noted the blue flag with the arc of yellow stars hanging on the building nearby.
but personally, we preferred the Togo flag…
and THANKS for the great tip on getting grants and how to use a lobbyist to get heard and get funds!
-Sloan bros
September 22nd, 2005 at 11:26 am
[red]hi I’m very interested in starting a small spa or maybe a chain of these crertain spas. I need some advice from some one in that industry of what would be the best wat to start off in this area Thursday, September 22, 2005[red][/red][/red][c][/c]
March 21st, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Hello, My name ischristy from Colorado. I"m hard of hearing and full time mom with four kids. I have been thinking long hard over my dream that I would like to start my own business. (five years) I really am scared but I don’t know why. I really need some help with the government grant that I need for my business that I would like to start. Right now I don’t know if that would happen. How I make this work? Who am I gonna ask first to help me ? I don’t know who I trust.. I really am very interesting to start this but I don’t have that kind of money. I do please need help finding this grant that I can trust.. Please e-mail me. I hope you can help me and give me advise. Thank you Christy
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:56 am
Hi Christy–
You’ve come to the right place.
There are plenty of resources right here. I’d recommend checking out the "[link=http://www.startupnation.com/pages/start/10Steps.asp' target=''][/link]" section.
Then, work your way through the steps. I think this will answer a lot of your preliminary questions and maybe ease some fears.
Plus, if you hang around, you never know what else you’ll learn… like the correct spelling of Venezuela.
Have a great start!
Matt S.
March 22nd, 2006 at 8:02 am
I’m certain that Matt meant to highlight & link to the "[link=http://www.startupnation.com/pages/start/10Steps.asp' target='']10 Steps to Open for Business[/link]" section in his above comment.
Right on Matt! Way to come to the aid of a new member of the StartupNation community.
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:09 am
Christy, also look up a local small business association in your city/state…there are resources and education programs associated with them as well.
It may be a way to network locally.
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:36 am
Joel–
You are correct, suh!
I must have screwed up the linky-hickey-doo.
Sorry for all the technical jargon.
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:51 am
We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for this important announcement:
[b]
The Pet Set, has just been nominated in two categories in this year’s International Greeting Card Awards competition: The LOUIE Awards.[/b]
This is an honor and a shock as this was our first year as a new business.
Can you believe?!
March 22nd, 2006 at 11:44 am
Outstanding Kim!
Of course, we believe it. We hear your passion for your business in your posts. It’s a no-brainer that it shines through in your products.
I just hope you remember to mention all of us little people during your acceptance speech.
See ya on the red carpet!
Matt S.
March 22nd, 2006 at 12:05 pm
That is kind Steve, thank you.
"It’s an honor just to be nominated" hee.
What a trek to get here though.
March 22nd, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Congratulations Kim - You may be surprised, but I’m not!!
Make sure that you get the word out on that - Send out a press release, post it on your website, put it in your newsletter, email your clients, put it in the signature of your email, etc., etc.