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Five-Step Operating Plan for the New Year

In December many businesses find themselves busy with year-end sales and shipments, holiday parties, tax and inventory considerations, and many other priorities. Finding a little time to plan for the New Year can put you in control in 2018. Create an operating plan now to map out the priorities for 2018. Many small business owners […]

2017 Women’s Business Expo in Athens, Oct. 5th

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Learn . . . Connect . . . Grow . . . Succeed at the UGA SBDC in Athens 6th Annual Women’s Business Expo. New Date: Thursday, October 5th A regional favorite is back, just in time for National Women’s Small Business Month! Join us at the beautiful UGA Special Collections Library to connect […]

Small Business in the Craft Beer Industry

Small Business and Its Impact on Georgia

Craft beer breweries have sprung up across Georgia in recent years. Currently, there are 45 craft beer breweries in the state. Demand is expanding for high quality and full-flavored beers, and Georgia craft breweries are helping meet this demand. In 2014, the economic impact of craft beer hit over $1 billion. There are 365,015 barrels of craft beer produced per year in Georgia.(1)

What Business Can Learn from Pokemom GO

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pokemon GO is the new internet phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. While I was on vacation last week I downloaded the app to play with my 13-year-old daughter. I confess that I have never played a game on my smartphone before, so why now? I admit I was a little curious as […]

Are you a Grasshopper or an Ant?

A favorite of mine is the story of The Grasshopper and The Ant. If you do not recall, the premise of the fable is that the Grasshopper is enjoying the summer day, hopping, chirping and singing away when the Ant passes by, working away, storing food. The Grasshopper asks the Ant why it is working so hard when everything is so easy, foods plentiful, and states that the Ant should be enjoying the sunshine. The Ant replies that he is planning for the winter, by continuing to work when everything was going well. Of course, winter comes and the Ant is well prepared while the Grasshopper is out in the cold, starving. The moral of the story is:

SBDC Recognized as a “Best Place to Work”

Georgia Trend Best Place to Work - The University of Georgia

The UGA SBDC has been recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the 2016 “Best Places to Work in Georgia.” The SBDC program, part of the university’s Public Service and Outreach arm, has 17 locations across Georgia and provides business training and consulting to small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs. The evaluation process was managed by the Best Companies Group in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and analyzes organizations based on criteria that includes employee’s views on leadership and planning, corporate culture and communications, role satisfaction, work environment, and overall engagement.

Three Types of Small Businesses

Three Ways to Start a Small Business

You have a small business but you’re not making a profit and haven’t in some time. You may have an employee or two, and you pay them before you pay yourself. You either aren’t paying yourself or are paying less than you could make working for someone else. You may be adding your own money to the business to keep it afloat. […]