Small Business depends on networking as much as any other size business, and it becomes even more essential to get the help to grow.  

Building upon the same principles of Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA successful model for job seekers helping each other as peers, We launched Business-helping-Business USA where business owners can meet and share best practices and form alliances that could help them grow faster than attempting to go at it alone would accomplish.

We continue to face in a very difficult local economy which requires a much stronger effort by small business to be successful than it did in the past economy. 

How to Develop Strategic Business Partnerships That Flourish Long-Term

​As a small business owner, you recognize the immense value of forging collaborations with other businesses. These partnerships are pivotal for mutual growth and success. Yet, the path to successful collaborations is filled with nuances and demands strategic planning and astute considerations. This guide, courtesy of Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors USA, offers essential insights and straightforward strategies to navigate these business alliances effectively.

Diligent Partner Evaluation
You must diligently research potential partners before commencing a collaboration. Delve into their business history, assess their reputation in the market, and evaluate how their business goals align with yours. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will enable you to gauge the potential synergy between your businesses. This level of insight is instrumental in making informed decisions and setting the stage for a successful partnership.

Optimal Business Structure Selection
When it comes to partnering, the structure of your business plays a crucial role. Consider the benefits of forming an LLC (e.g., limited liability, tax advantages, less paperwork, flexibility). This structure provides you with significant legal and financial advantages and positions your business for more streamlined collaborative ventures. Researching and reading reviews of formation services will guide you in choosing a cost-effective and efficient way to establish this structure.

Cultural Compatibility Assessment
Ensuring a cultural match with your business partner is as critical as aligning business goals. Seek partners whose values, missions, and operational styles resonate with yours. This harmony in culture and ethos is a cornerstone for smooth collaboration. It fosters an environment of mutual respect and understanding, which is crucial for navigating challenges and leveraging opportunities together.

Clarification of Partnership Goals
Clarity in partnership objectives, roles, and expectations is non-negotiable. Document these elements meticulously. This practice serves as a reference point throughout the partnership and helps prevent potential misunderstandings. Clear, well-defined objectives ensure that both parties are on the same page, working cohesively towards common goals.

Legal Agreement Formulation
When establishing business partnerships, opting for PDFs is the optimal choice for creating and formalizing legal agreements. PDFs serve as a versatile file format, preserving document formatting and making them an excellent option for sharing across various platforms and devices.

They offer ease of editing, facilitating efficient updates as your collaboration progresses. This method guarantees that all involved parties possess a transparent and uniform comprehension of the agreement terms, making it the best option for drafting agreements.

Effective Communication Strategies
Regular and transparent communication is the lifeline of a successful business partnership. Establish robust channels for consistent and effective communication. This openness fosters trust, allows for timely updates, and ensures swift resolution of issues. Remember that in business collaborations, the quality of communication can often determine the quality of the outcome.

Resource Management and Sharing
When entering a collaboration, it's imperative to define how resources will be shared and managed clearly. Whether it's financial investment, assets, or workforce, a transparent and fair resource allocation strategy is key. This clarity prevents future conflicts and ensures a balanced investment from all parties, leading to a more productive and equitable partnership.

Strategic Exit Planning
Even with the best plans, sometimes collaborations do not unfold as expected. Hence, having a predefined exit strategy is essential. This strategy should outline the process for an amicable disengagement, safeguarding the interests of all parties involved. Planning for such eventualities ensures that the partnership can be dissolved with minimal disruption and conflict, should the need arise.

The Bottom Line
Your strategic planning, comprehensive research, and deep understanding of partnership dynamics are crucial when navigating business collaborations. As a small business owner, adhering to these guiding principles empowers you to lead your collaborative ventures to triumph and notable expansion.
Your approach and mindset in these alliances are pivotal in transforming them into a dynamic force for your business's success. Mastering the art of collaboration will unlock new opportunities and foster substantial growth for your business. Each successful partnership you engage in can be a stepping stone to greater achievements in your entrepreneurial journey.
 
If you enjoyed this article, you can find more helpful content at NHNUSA.org!

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Andrea Giraldo
Vice President, Sr. Business Consultant | J.P. Morgan Chase | Chase for Business Focus on Minority Entrepreneurs |
 New York City, NY | T: (845)413-7086 
 Andrea.Giraldo@chase.com | 
Platinum Business Services 877-425-8100 7am-7pm |

NYS launches $30M pre-seed and seed matching fund program

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today the launch of the Pre-seed and Seed Matching Fund Program, which will offer early-stage companies $50,000 to $250,000 in growth assistance, with matching funds from private sector investors.
 
The program, funded by the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), is a program created by the 2021 American Rescue Plan. It is meant to help the development of businesses in high-growth industries and create jobs for the future.
 
The program will be managed through Empire State Development’s NY Ventures, the state’s venture capital arm. It will be focused on technology markets, including agricultural tech, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Companies must secure at least $1 of private sector investment for every $1 invested by NY Ventures.
 
"For early-stage startup companies, access to capital is critical to ensuring the vitality of those businesses and sustaining them in the long term," Hochul said in a statement announcing the launch of the program. "The Pre-Seed and Seed Matching Fund Program will help these businesses gain their footing and create the jobs of the future while expanding access to funding in traditionally underserved communities. I thank our federal partners for helping to secure this funding and extending a lifeline to New York's small business ecosystem."
 
To qualify, applicants must have raised less than $2 million of dilutive funding to date. All applicants must be registered to do business in New York state and agree to create economic impact in New York by having its headquarters and at least one C-suite employee in the state.
 
The program is focused on expanding access to venture capital across the state, particularly for historically marginalized individuals, entrepreneurs of color and underserved regions.
 
For more information on the program and instructions on how to apply, click the button below or email NewYorkVenturesPreSeed@esd.ny.gov

Click here to learn more

November 17, 2022

NEW JERSEY INNOVATION FELLOWS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING AND MENTORSHIP TO FIRST-TIME ENTREPRENEURS

Newly-Approved Program Will Help Entrepreneurs Focus Full-Time on Building Their Startups
​
TRENTON, N.J. (November 17, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced plans to create a competitive program – the New Jersey Innovation Fellows (NJIF), which will offer mentorship and grants of up to $400,000 to teams of first-time entrepreneurs. The program will provide income replacement so that entrepreneurs can devote their full-time attention to building out their startups. The announcement follows yesterday’s NJEDA Board approval of this new program.

“New Jersey is committed to ensuring that passionate entrepreneurs are equipped with the resources they need to turn their innovative ideas and vision into a viable enterprise,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By supplementing the income of startup founders, we are helping to remove the barriers that too often exist on the path to success. The NJIF Program will be a game-changer by supporting innovators in overcoming the financial obstacles associated with advancing early-stage companies.”
Through the NJIF Program, the NJEDA will support teams of at least three entrepreneurs with mentorship, training, and income replacement capital over a two-year period. The grant funding is designed to replace a stream of income an entrepreneur might forgo to launch an early-stage business. The NJEDA anticipates that support from the NJIF Program will attract innovative ideas and entrepreneurs who would otherwise be unable to pursue the launch of a new venture due to the needs for income or, in the case of a recent graduate, who would choose to accept employment in lieu of entrepreneurship due to socio-economic constraints.
“Building a successful company takes both financial resources and guidance from seasoned subject matter experts,” said Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), who sponsored legislation establishing the NJIF Program. “Funding and mentorship are the two most sought-after commodities by entrepreneurs and the NJEDA is packaging both into the NJIF Program to help New Jersey’s innovators thrive.”

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan cited the high correlation between socio-economic background and entrepreneurship as one of the main drivers for the creation of the program.
“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, we are working to level the playing field for prospective New Jersey entrepreneurs by ensuring they have access to capital and mentorship, regardless of their socio-economic status,” said Sullivan. “Providing grants through the NJIF Program will give more individuals the financial flexibility to take calculated business risks and follow their entrepreneurial dreams.”
The NJIF Program will award grants of $200,000 per team. In keeping with Governor Murphy’s vision for inclusive economic growth, teams may access an additional $50,000 award on top of the $200,000 base award if one entrepreneur verifies residency in a designated Opportunity Zone in New Jersey. Teams may be awarded an additional $50,000 for each entrepreneur leader who self-certifies as a minority or female entrepreneur or is a graduate of a New Jersey college or university. Qualifying teams may receive additional bonuses of up to $150,000 in aggregate for certifying team members, resulting in a total $400,000 award. To be eligible for the NJIF Program, at least half of the team must certify as “first-time entrepreneurs” and at least two-thirds of the entrepreneur team must be coming directly from the workforce.
In addition to the financial benefits of the program, all entrepreneur fellows will participate in a mentorship program. The NJEDA plans to enter into agreements with the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s (NJIT’s) New Jersey Innovation Institute and Rowan University’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for these universities to design and implement mentorship programs for the fellows. The initial curriculum will train entrepreneurs in such subjects as managerial finance, accounting, and financial statement preparations; human resources development and management; business model design; marketing and customer development; and more. The mentorship will last for the duration of the two-year NJIF Program.
“The personalized expertise NJIF Program participants will receive from NJIT and Rowan University will position them well for future success,” said NJEDA Chief Economic Transformation Officer Kathleen Coviello. “Through the NJIF Program’s mentorship and financial commitments, we are unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs to follow their passions and turn their ideas into startups and ultimately into thriving companies.”
 Coviello noted that the NJEDA expects to open the NJIF Program application semi-annually in 2023 and 2024.
About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the state’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the state and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
​John R. Fugazzie
LinkedIn Profile  
Founder
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA 
​www.helping-brands.com

Cell: 551.204.5667
 www.johnrfugazzie.com
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Uniform Certification Service​
​Help
Who to contact for help?
What is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Registration?
Can I compete for a Small Business Set Aside contract if I get my SBE registration after the bid opening date?
My company was considered ineligible to be a SBE under the old rules and regulations. Do the new rules and regulations take into consideration new industries or sizes?
What is NJSAVI?
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Who to contact for help?
If you have questions about The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program, rules and regulations, or your application(s), contact the NJ Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services Small Business Registration & M/WBE Certification Services Unit
Phone: 609-292-2146 E-mail: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/revgencode.shtml
If you are having technical difficulty, contact the New Jersey e-Government Services Help Desk Phone: 609-292-2146 or Contact Us
​#BlackLivesMatter: How to Support Black-Owned Small Businesses
Businesses Started by Older Workers

Studies show that 50+ can be the best age to start a business:
  • Research indicates that more mature people have more innovation potential than a 25-year-old.
  • A new report says that 3 in every 10 entrepreneurs are over the age of 50 today. 
  • The number of entrepreneurs over age 50 is surging in the United States, having increased by 50 percent since 2007, according to a new research report.


If you need examples, role models, inspiration - that’s out there, too: 
​
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
‌
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Eligible entities who have experienced pandemic-related revenue loss include:
  • Restaurants
  • Food stands, food trucks, food carts
  • Caterers
  • Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
  • Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
  • Bakeries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Breweries and/or microbreweries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Wineries and distilleries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Inns (onsite sales of food and beverage to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
  • Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products


Funds may be used for specific expenses including:
  • Business payroll costs (including sick leave)
  • Payments on any business mortgage obligation
  • Business rent payments (note: this does not include prepayment of rent)
  • Business debt service (both principal and interest; note: this does not include any prepayment of principal or interest)
  • Business utility payments
  • Business maintenance expenses
  • Construction of outdoor seating
  • Business supplies (including protective equipment and cleaning materials)
  • Business food and beverage expenses (including raw materials)
  • Covered supplier costs
  • Business operating expenses

Apply through SBA-recognized Point of Sale Restaurant Partners or directly via SBA in a forthcoming online application portal.
Registration with SAM.gov is not required. DUNS or CAGE identifiers are also not required.

If you would like to prepare your application, view the sample application form. You will be able to complete SBA Form 3172 online. Please do not submit RRF forms to SBA at this time.

Additional documentation required:
  • Verification for Tax Information: IRS Form 4506-T, completed and signed by Applicant. Completion of this form digitally on the SBA platform will satisfy this requirement.
  • Gross Receipts Documentation: Any of the following documents demonstrating gross receipts and, if applicable, eligible expenses
  • Business tax returns (IRS Form 1120 or IRS 1120-S)
  • IRS Forms 1040 Schedule C; IRS Forms 1040 Schedule F
  • For a partnership: partnership’s IRS Form 1065 (including K-1s)
  • Bank statements
  • Externally or internally prepared financial statements such as Income Statements or Profit and Loss Statements
  • Point of sale report(s), including IRS Form 1099-K

For an initial 21-day period, the SBA will prioritize awarding grants for small business concerns owned and controlled by women, veterans, or socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns.

To learn more click here.
​
Dear Colleagues,

Thank you again for registering for yesterday’s web briefing, “COVID-19 and Government Assistance for New Jersey Non-Profits,” presented by the Office of United States Senator Cory Booker in partnership with the Center for Non-Profits.  We thank Senator Booker, Kaitlin McGuinness and the rest of his team for making the session possible. We are especially grateful to Senator Booker for taking the time to share his insights on the call, and for fighting for New Jersey, for non-profits and for the communities we serve.  

We would also like to thank Alfred Titone, New Jersey District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration; Elizabeth Limbrick and John Costello, Senior Advisors, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, for generously sharing their time and expertise.

1)    Recording Link, Slides, and Referenced Documents
·         The full webinar recording is available HERE.
·         The slides used in the presentation are attached and are also posted on the Center for Non-Profits’ website at  https://njnonprofits.org/Slides_SenBookerWebBriefing04092020.pdf. 
·         A Coronavirus Pandemic Resource Guide for New Jerseyans, compiled by the Senator’s staff, is attached and available online at www.booker.senate.gov/coronavirus
·         SBA FAQs for faith-based organizations - attached

2)    SBA and NJEDA
·         U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
·         U.S. Department of Treasury site: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses
·         Disaster application Page (NOT PPP): https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
·         Disaster Assistance by Phone: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339)
By email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

·         State of NJ (including NJEDA and links to the Eligibility Wizard)
https://cv.business.nj.gov

3)    Survey Reports – The Covid-19 Crisis and New Jersey’s Non-Profit Community
·        Report #1 (March 13-17, 2020)
·        Report #2 (April 3-7, 2020)

We are grateful to the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers for partnering with us on both surveys.

4)    COVID-19 hubs
·         State of NJ main Coronavirus Hub:  https://covid19.nj.gov/
·         Center for Non-Profits COVID-19 Resource Page: https://njnonprofits.org/COVID-19.html

5)    Private relief funds, philanthropic response:
·         Council of NJ Grantmakers (NJ-focused):  www.cnjg.org/nj-focused-response-funds
·         Candid. (U.S. and beyond): https://candid.org/explore-issues/coronavirus
·         (Also check the Center’s page above.)

6)    COMPLETE YOUR 2020 CENSUS AND SPREAD THE WORD.  
One of the best ways to help get more resources for NJ is to complete your 2020 Census. https://my2020census.gov/ 

Stay Connected – Sign up for the Center’s email and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest news and updates.  

Consider Joining the Center as a Member – If you’re a non-profit in New Jersey, consider becoming a member of the Center for Non-Profits. Membership supports the Center’s work, to advocate for the non-profit community, and to provide timely information, guidance and to connect non-profits with critical resources and with each other. 

Finally, and above all, please stay safe and stay in touch.
Send us your questions, comments, concerns and suggestions.  We are here for you, and ready to help however we can. Together we will make it through this very challenging time.  

THANK YOU for everything you are doing to make our communities and state stronger.

With best wishes,

Linda
​-------------------------------------------
Linda M. Czipo | President & CEO
Center for Non-Profits
3635 Quakerbridge Road, Suite 35 | Mercerville, NJ 08619
center@njnonprofits.org

Guest Writers Articles

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​Shipping Mistakes to Avoid If You Want
​to Be Successful Selling Online

Marcus Lansky
​Founder, Abilitator.biz
marcus.lansky@abilitator.biz

NJBusiness.gov    list of minority and local vendors 
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​NJEDA’s COVID-19 NJ Business Initiatives Applications to Open Soon
We Can Help You Apply NOW

This week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board announced a package of initiatives that include grant and loan programs to help small- to medium-sized businesses, and non-profits who face economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Taken together, they will provide more than $75 million of state and private financial support, with the opportunity to grow to more than $100 million if additional philanthropic, state, and federal resources become available. The initiatives will support between 3,000 and 5,000 small and midsize enterprises and are meant to complement recently announced federal economic recovery initiatives.

Applications are anticipated to be opened during the week of March 30th.

If you need assistance in preparing your application, please contact us at (908) 295-5926 or email regionaldirector@sbdcnj.com 

For more information, including full eligibility criteria, click on the program names below.
  • Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program – A $5 million program that will provide grants up to $5,000 to small businesses in retail, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service, and other services – such as repair, maintenance, personal, and laundry services – to stabilize their operations and reduce the need for layoffs or furloughs.

  • Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program – A $10 million program that will provide working capital loans of up to $100,000 to businesses with less than $5 million in revenues. Loans made through the program will have ten-year terms with zero percent for the first five years, then resetting to the EDA’s prevailing floor rate (capped at 3.00%) for the remaining five years.

  • Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) Emergency Loan Loss Reserve Fund – A $10 million capital reserve fund to take a first loss position on CDFI loans that provide low interest working capital to micro businesses. This will allow CDFIs to withstand loan defaults due to the outbreak, which will allow them to provide more loans at lower interest rates to microbusinesses affected by the outbreak.

  • CDFI Emergency Assistance Grant Program – A $1.25 million program that will provide grants of up to $250,000 to CDFIs to scale operations or reduce interest rates for the duration of the outbreak.

  • NJ Entrepreneur Support Program – A $5 million program that will encourage continued capital flows to new companies, often in the innovation economy, and temporarily support a shaky market by providing 80 percent loan guarantees for working capital loans to entrepreneurs.

  • Small Business Emergency Assistance Guarantee Program – A $10 million program that will provide 50 percent guarantees on working capital loans and waive fees on loans made through institutions participating in the NJEDA’s existing Premier Lender or Premier CDFI programs.

  • Emergency Technical Assistance Program – A $150,000 program that will support technical assistance to New Jersey-based companies applying for State and US Small Business Administration programs. The organizations contracted will be paid based on SBA application submissions supported by the technical assistance they provide.


Additional details on the NJEDA’s new programs, including complete eligibility requirements are available here: https://cv.business.nj.gov
NOW is the time to apply for the assistance you need. For help applying, call 908-295-5926 or click here to email regionaldirector@sbdcnj.com
Articles
How to help small businesses survive the coronavirus
​​https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-crisis-help-small-businesses/
Our economy continues to transition to a digital service based economy and trends in business and industry that helps those who also make this transition but harm those who are slow to adapt.  This is a shifting consumer trend which will accelerate each month.  The Corona Virus has only moved this process into high gear.
​
While many people have the desire and many of the skills to work for themselves and can create their own jobs to have more personal control over their lives and work.

There is higher risk in this approach and one must have the ability to handle failure as 1-20 ventures fail for one reason or another and the average entrepreneur has and average of three ventures before finding success.
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​A good business plan guides you through each stage of starting, growing, expanding or recovering your business. It’s a way to think through the key elements of your business. This December, SBA celebrates National Write a Business Plan Month with tips and templates to help you create a plan for your business.
Learn more
​Free Course: How to Write a Business Plan  SBA's free self-paced training course explains the importance of business planning, defines and describes the components of a business plan and provides access to sample plans and resources that can help you develop a business plan.
Launch the course

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce List

​Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce
Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce
Avalon Chamber of Commerce
Brick Chamber of Commerce
Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce
Brielle Chamber of Commerce
Brigantine Beach Chamber of Commerce
Burlington County Chamber of Commerce
Camden County Chamber of Commerce
Cape May Chamber of Commerce
Cape May County Chamber of Commerce
Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce (Borough)
Cranford Chamber of Commerce
Denville Chamber of Commerce
Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
Edison Chamber of Commerce
Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce
Englewood Chamber of Commerce
Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce
Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce
Hackensack Chamber of Commerce
Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
Hoboken Chamber Of Commerce
Howell Chamber of Commerce
Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
Jackson Chamber of Commerce
Jefferson Township Chamber of Commerce
Lambertville Chamber of Commerce
Lower Township Chamber of Commerce
Mahwah Chamber of Commerce
Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce
Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce
Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce
Morris County Chamber of Commerce
Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce
North Essex Chamber of Commerce
​​North Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
Ocean City, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce
Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce
Paramus Regional Chamber of Commerce
Patterson Chamber of Commerce
Paulsboro Chamber of Commerce
Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce
Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce
Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce
Ringwood Chamber of Commerce
River Edge Chamber of Commerce
Ruthersford Chamber of Commerce
Saddle Brook Chamber of Commerce
Somerset County Business Partnership
Southampton Township Business Association
Southern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce
Southern NJ Chamber of Commerce
​Suburban Chamber of Commerce
Sussex County Chamber of Commerce
Teaneck AChamber of Commerce
Tri County Chamber of Commerce
Tuckahoe Merchants Association
Union Township Chamber of Commerce
​Vernon Chamber of Commerce
Warren County Chamber of Commerce
Washington Township Chamber of Commerce
West Cape May Business Association
West Milford Chamber of Commerce
Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Wildwood Chamber of Commerce
Wyckoff Chamber fo Commerce

​
Check out the New Jersey Directory 

plus other US and state directories at: OfficialUSA.com

​The Truth Behind Government Grants for Small Businesses
Small Business Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks

http://www.onlinemba.com/entrepreneurship-guide

Business Planning Templates Use the templates below, then meet with a SCORE mentor for expert
business planning advice.

Finance Templates Use the templates below, then meet with a SCORE mentor for expert finance advice.

  
Marketing & Sales Templates Use the templates below, then meet with a SCORE mentor for expert sales advice.

Social Media Marketing for Business

Small Business News

Small business is BIG!

The 23 million small businesses in America account for 54% of all U.S. sales.
Small businesses provide 55% of all jobs and 66% of all net new jobs since the 1970s.
The 600,000 plus franchised small businesses in the U.S. account for 40% of all retail sales and provide jobs for some 8 million people.

The small business sector in America occupies 30-50% of all commercial space, an estimated 20-34 billion square feet.

Furthermore, the small business sector is growing rapidly. While corporate America has been "downsizing", the rate of small business "start-ups" has grown, and the rate for small business failures has declined.

The number of small businesses in the United States has increased 49% since 1982.
Since 1990, as big business eliminated 4 million jobs, small businesses added 8 million new jobs.
4.21.14 -
USDA establishes $150 million rural business investment fund to promote jobs, growth

The Entrepreneur’s Checklist: 7 Things You Need To Start A Business

3.4.14 - President Obama’s Budget Priorities for Small Businesses

Business Members 

Articles of Job seekers going into small business

Self-employment: The Answer for an Aging Workforce and a Sluggish Economy? 
American Express OPEN is where you can discover insights, make connections and get exposure to help you grow your business. Tap into the collective ingenuity of other business owners as they discuss and share ways of doing business.
Company Overview
American Express is a global service company, providing customers with exceptional access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.

Headquarters: 
World Financial Center, 200 Vesey St., New York, NY 10285
212-640-2000...See More
Types Small Businesses
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The College of New Jersey SBDC  

New York Entrepreneurship Centers

New Jersey University Entrepreneurship Centers

March 28-30: Startup Weekend New Jersey

NJ Meetups: NJ Tech, Princeton, Scarlet , NJ Entrepreneurs, Madison, Jersey Shore, MSU
The Future Starts HereThe Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship (MCE) is an initiative of the Howard County Economic Development Authority.

The MCE provides a robust, interactive community of innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and advisors collaborating to successfully ignite innovation and launch high-growth, technology-based companies in an entrepreneurial ecosystem abundant with resources.



Centrally located in Columbia, the MCE leverages its position in the heart of the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan corridor to deliver best in class resources and services.

"Getting Shtuff  Done""Getting Shtuff Done" is the tagline gsd@mce indicates. The priorities of the MCE are consistent with that of the HCEDA's goals of starting, growing, and attracting new companies. Specifically Building a Community, Connecting the Ecosystem, and Igniting Innovation

The Top 50 Entrepreneurship Programs

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/228405
Top 25 Graduate Programs
Stanford Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Social Innovation Programs
Stanford Ignite
Top 25 Undergraduate Programs
nyu_entrepreneur_handbook_2013-2014.pdf
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Best Articles of 2012 for Solopreneurs


Entrepreneur Value Chain™: Turning Activities Into a Competitive Advantage for Entrepreneurs Every morning I arrive at work I have the pleasure of walking into a room full of aspiring entrepreneurs.  The possibility in the room is palpable.  The energy in the room is intense.  Some strive to develop their entrepreneurial skill set.  Some focus on conquering their next venture milestone.  Most are struggling to turn a profit for the first time in their life.  Entrepreneurs are an interesting bunch; they are refreshing to be around because they’re doers - my kind of people. 

When I tell people I teach entrepreneurship, the majority respond with some variation of “how do you do that?”  While I am still not convinced that entrepreneurship can be taught, I do know that success in an entrepreneurial endeavor requires interconnectedness between two critical forces.  In entrepreneurship, it is the entrepreneur and the venture.  These are not opposing forces, but complementary opposites, working together to create value.  How do they do this? What does it take?

Most of my students drink the Michael Porter juice and get value chains.  I like value chains too – really I like anything that uses visual representation to simplify something complex.  So when the 1VBC team set out to create entrepreneur superstars – I naturally suggested a visual representation of what it takes to be a superstar.  What it takes is the Entrepreneur Value Chain. 

Picture
Becoming a superstar entrepreneur is a process with multiple moving parts that often occur in unison, so it lends itself perfectly to a value chain.  Starting at the bottom, the primary activities are segmented into two main cycles: the Entrepreneur Cycle and the Venture Cycle.  Working our way up the diagram, each cycle is sustained by a core group of characteristics.  Then, the entire process is supported by critical activities.  Taken together, the Entrepreneur Value Chain is the visual representation of the activities and characteristics that create a competitive advantage for entrepreneurial superstars.

Successful entrepreneurship begins with the entrepreneur and the venture interacting.  A successful entrepreneur engages in certain activities – thinking productively, setting goals, managing time and tasks – and exhibits specific characteristics that support these activities – integrity, reflection and a strong support network. 

Once the entrepreneur identifies a venture opportunity, we move to the venture side of the Entrepreneur Value Chain.  Here, there are certain necessary activities – validating a problem, solution, and customers, developing a team, creating a sales plan – and specific characteristics that support these activities – the company culture, an advisory board, and customer-focused communications. 

What really excites me about the Entrepreneur Value Chain is the inclusion of some fundamental building blocks of entrepreneurship.  These cut across the individual and the venture cycles, from before the opportunity jumps out until the business scales. 
  • Continuous Action
  • A Burning Desire to Succeed
  • Creative Energy
No matter the stage of the Entrepreneur Value Chain, no matter the activities being enacted at the moment, no matter whether the entrepreneur is in Los Angeles, California or Ulan Bator, Mongolia, these three represent the foundation upon which an entrepreneur superstar builds success.  Without engaging in continuous action, without having a burning desire to succeed, and without creative energy, an entrepreneur’s future is just not as bright.



Women and Minority-Owned Business Resources - Author: Tom Shaw 

Women and minorities are increasingly starting their own businesses. Studies show that within the next decade, the majority of entrepreneurs will be women and minorities. Many resources are available that will help ensure new businesses not only have a good start, but also the best chance at success. It isn't enough to have a great business plan and finances, but there must be resources in place to reduce risk of business failure. There are federal, state, and local organizations that provide resources for women and minority entrepreneurs.

Women
  • National Women's Business Council: Find resources, information, and initiatives with this federal advisory council geared to promote female entrepreneurs.
  • Global Investher: Find financial resources, ideas, and inspiration for female entrepreneurs by networking with successful, professional women.
  • U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce: Find your local chapter of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce and connect to resources in your area.
  • National Association of Women Business Owners: NAWBO provides resources, tools, and tips for female entrepreneurs whether they are just starting out or are established business owners.
  • Ladies who Launch: Find resources for female entrepreneurs and learn how to grow your business through networking.
Minorities
Other Organizations
Financing
  • Amber Grant: Geared towards women entrepreneurs, the Amber Foundation Grant helps ensure women have access to start-up funds for their businesses.
  • Grants: Find open grant opportunities for minorities in business.
  • American Association of University Women: The AAUW provides grants and funding to graduate women.
  • Eileen Fisher Grant Program: Eileen Fisher grants are awarded to women entrepreneurs who own their businesses.
  • NAACP Grants: African American business owners may apply for loans and grants with the NAACP.
Centers
Additional Resources