June 2012
20 posts
7 tags
4 Surprises Commonly Faced by New Entrepreneurs[[MORE]]
One of my favorite parts of working for NYC Business Solutions is seeing people take a risk and launch a business. It is exciting, exhilarating, and scary all at the same time – a bit like a roller coaster ride.
During the launch, a lot happens really fast. Once you choose and establish your business structure, there is still a lot to do...
9 tags
3 Keys to Marketing to Government
By Denise Rodriguez Lopez, American Express OPEN Advisor on Teaming[[MORE]]
Last month, NYC Business Solutions and American Express OPEN hosted a Marketing Skills workshop, from NYC Teaming, a Compete to Win service, for NYC’s small businesses interested in marketing to the government.
For those of you that missed the workshop, I’m providing a summary of the three...
7 tags
Need New Software?
Struggling to figure out how to pay for new technology AND train your workers?[[MORE]]
NYC Business Solutions Customized Training has funded many businesses in the same situation. In many cases, business owners who didn’t think they could afford to purchase and train on new technology were able to use NYC Business Solutions Customized Training to do so.
The businesses we’ve...
Call for Nominations
Are you a high growth company? Do you need to access growth capital? Do you want to increase your company’s exposure and business opportunities?[[MORE]]
ICIC is seeking nominations for the Inner City Capital Connections program.
Nominate your company: www.icic.org/nominations
(Self-nominations are accepted.) Deadline: September 30, 2012
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Learn to...
9 tags
NYC: The New Media and Entertainment Industry Capital?[[MORE]]
By all accounts the media and entertainment industries are growing in New York City. According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group, New York City’s film sector generated $7.1 billion in 2011, an increase of over $2 billion since 2002 and the sector now employs 130,000 people, an increase of 30,000 jobs since 2004. Additionally,...
NYC GOV: Today, Mayor Bloomberg announced the... →
nycgov:
Today, Mayor Bloomberg announced the launch of the City’s Business Customer Service initiative, which will make it easier for businesses to deal with city government and to create new jobs. The Mayor appointed Tokumbo Shobowale as the City’s first Chief Business Operations Officer who will…
7 tags
Ask an Expert: Legal Considerations for Your Fashion Business
In response to my blog post Three Costly Legal Mistakes Your Business Should (and Can) Avoid, a reader asked two questions: “First, what are three costly legal mistakes to avoid in regards to a fashion line forming an LLC? Second, we intend to have employees and outside investors one day. Does that mean that we would need to dissolve...
5 tags
Foster a Culture of Learning
The last few years have been hard ones for many small businesses in New York City. So, how did some businesses not only survive but thrive? [[MORE]]
Vanguard Direct, a marketing and technology solution provider, located in Manhattan’s Garment District, illustrates one answer: invest in employee growth and create a culture of continuous learning.
Academic and business...
9 tags
New Businesses: 4 Mistakes to Avoid[[MORE]]
As the Center Director of NYC Business Solutions, Bronx Center, I’ve observed a sudden surge in the amount of small businesses that have been opening in New York. Unfortunately, a surge in openings usually is followed by a spike in small businesses failing within the first year.
This spike in failing businesses could be moderated by education. Anyone...
8 tags
One Entrepreneur’s Journey: Perseverance and Gratitude
by Amy DeGiulio, Founder and CEO of Sugar Flower Cake Shop
I’m in my 6thyear of business. Let me repeat, my 6thyear of business! Sometimes it is really hard to believe. [[MORE]]There are days over the past 6 years when I have thought that I have a LOT more growing to do before I could consider myself a “real” business. But...
8 tags
Should You Buy A Franchise?
by Stephanie L. V. Hendricks, owner of Hendricks Law Firm[[MORE]]
Owning a franchise can be an attractive option for the person who wants to own a business, but who also wants to reduce some of the associated risks, including the risk of whether or not the idea is one that works.
This article addresses some of the things that a prospective franchisee should think...
8 tags
Are You Interested in Growing Your Business through State and Federal Contracting Opportunities? [[MORE]]
A great way to grow your business is by winning state and federal contracts. We can help you with this through our Procurement Technical Assistance Center, part of a national association that offers a wide-range of services to companies wishing to do business with the government.
Here is...
11 tags
Event on 6/29: Hiring and Firing - Best Practices and Legal Pitfalls
[[MORE]]Bring your questions about hiring and firing to this FREE event on Friday, 6/29. Labor and employment attorneys from Farrell Fritz will be on hand to answer your questions as well as these FAQs:
What questions should I ask to hire the right person for the job?
What questions can’t I ask when interviewing candidates?...
8 tags
The Benefits of Certification Just Increased: More Corporate Contracting Opportunities[[MORE]]
A study by the Center for an Urban Future (CUF), “Breaking into the Supply Chain,” concluded that Fortune 500 companies spend hundreds of billions of dollars on suppliers – so even a modest increase in the share going to small firms could have a huge impact. The study had several recommendations,...
8 tags
Event on 6/26: Build a Million Dollar Business[[MORE]]
In today’s economy, every business owner wants to know the secret to growing his/her business to a multimillion dollar enterprise. Come hear proven strategies from successful entrepreneurs who have established million dollar businesses from the ground up at this free event.
Our keynote speaker - William Parrish, Jr., President of...
8 tags
Social Media Made Simple
Learn social media best practices - as well as what it takes to quickly implement them - at these free “Social Media Made Simple” workshops.[[MORE]]
Ellen DePasquale, Constant Contact Regional Development Director, will lead the workshops.
All Social Media Made Simple workshops are held at NYC Business Solutions, Queens Center, 168-25 Jamaica Ave, 2nd...
8 tags
No Marketing Budget? Use Networking to Grow.
by Neil Levin, co-founder of herematch and Webline Designs, Inc.
[[MORE]]In 2001, Webline Designs, Inc. opened its design studio in Long Island City, Queens. Up to that point, the majority of our contacts were on Long Island. Very few or our clients were in New York City and none were in Queens.Since 2001, Webline has grown to help over 500 companies...
8 tags
9 Tips for writing an EXCELLENT training grant proposal
NYC Business Solutions offers a grant to help businesses train their employees, build staff skills, and boost company productivity.[[MORE]] NYC Business Solutions Customized Training provides up to $400,000 to businesses to cover 60% to 70% of eligible training costs.
If you are thinking of applying, here are 9 tips for writing a...
11 tags
Finding Your Target Market
Business guru, Peter F. Drucker, often called the father of modern management, once said: “The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.”[[MORE]]Although at the time he was working with multi-national corporations like Coca-Cola and General Electric, Mr. Drucker could easily have been speaking about...
