New Economic Study Shows Local Businesses return 382% more to the SLC Economy than Chain Retailers

Spending just 10% more at local businesses would keep $487 million in the Utah economy each year

Local First Utah has released a new research study by Civic Economics detailing the amount of revenue returned to the local community by locally owned, independent businesses. The analysis shows locally owned retailers return 52% of their revenues to the local economy. For comparison purposes, national chain retailers return just 14% of revenues. That means every dollar spent at a locally owned, independent business returns almost four times more to the local economy than a dollar spent at a national chain retailer.

The study also looked at restaurants, where Salt Lake City eateries returned 79% of revenues to the local economy. National chain restaurants return just 30%, meaning a dollar spent enjoying a meal at a local restaurant means more than two and one half times as much to the local economy than a meal at a chain restaurant.

The study concluded that shifting just 10% of purchases from national chains to local retailers and restaurants would keep $487 million in the Utah economy – money that currently leaves the state to be spent elsewhere.

Download the Study »

"Most of us have a natural sense that local businesses are good for communities," said Betsy Burton, Co-Chair of the Local First Utah Board and owner of the Kings English Bookstore. "And studies in other parts of the country have borne this out over the past decade. Now we have hard evidence right here in our own city that consumers can have a huge impact on the local economy, just by shifting some of their purchases to local businesses."

The Civic Economics analysis looked at detailed financial reports from 15 retailers and seven restaurateurs from Salt Lake City's neighborhood business districts. Similar studies have been conducted in Austin, Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, Grand Rapids, and New Orleans. Read the results of studies from those cities »

"Every study we've conducted around the country has shown that shopping locally can keep at least three times more revenue in the local economy," said Daniel Houston, Partner at Civic Economics. "Salt Lake City is no exception. If anything, the 'local effect' may be even stronger in Utah."

The first of its kind in the Intermountain West, the study came about as a result of the 2011 Neighborhood Business Conference. The analysis was paid for by Salt Lake City government and Local First Utah, with a matching grant from the American Booksellers Association. The on-going support of Zions Bank and Harmons also made the study possible.

"This study confirms what we've known for some time – that our residents have the ability to make a real difference with their purchasing decisions," said Mayor Becker. "Our local businesses not only help define the character of our community, but embody the source of a real economic stimulus that can have an immediate, positive impact on our City's economy."

Engaging business in rural Utah

In January 2011, the Chamber introduced The Utah Jobs Agenda, a 10-point, private sector plan to create 150,000 jobs over five years. One element of that plan was to create a private-led partnership with representatives of rural Utah. On April 12th, the Chamber took steps toward that goal, hosting the 10th Annual Rural Business Conference in Richfield.

President of Grow America Alan Hall kicked off the conference with a keynote presentation. Grow America is an organization committed to economic growth and stimulation by supporting entrepreneurs—making it very fitting for Hall to lead the group for this conference.

Hall encouraged the conference participants to leverage their entrepreneurial skills and ambitions for the start-up of new companies. He recognized that entrepreneurship requires huge sacrifice, but he explained that such sacrifice creates the potential of huge value to founders, employees and economies. As he “put his money where his mouth is,” Hall invited attendees to register for the Springboard Competition that Grow America is hosting and is also contributing $1 million in prize money.

During the breakout portion of the conference, Utah business leaders had the opportunity to meet with professionals ranging in industries and specialties based on their needs, ranging from start-up financing to email marketing to international exporting.

Following lunch, Pete Codella from Codella Marketing presented a keynote address on social media marketing and its vital role in business today. Between defining terms like “Twitter handle” and “viral video,” Codella shared statistics and strategies for implementing and maintaining a social media presence. He explained that social media marketing is essential, not just a one-time affair but an ongoing active strategy.

Attendees for this year’s Rural Business Conference responded very positively to the event, providing wonderful feedback.

The Salt Lake Chamber along with its many sponsors and supporters look forward to bringing Rural Utah together again next spring to learn of one another’s successes and to share information relevant to rural business in Utah for 2013.

2012 Small Business Award Winners for SBA's Utah District

Release Date: 03/21/12                          Contact: Georgia Yoshida (801) 524-3217  

Release Number: 12-04                         Internet Address: www.sba.gov

— Winners to be recognized at an awards luncheon on Monday, May 14, 2012 —

Karen S. Woodbury, President of Woodbury Technologies has been selected as the 2012 Small Business Person of the Year for the Utah District of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 

After over 20 years of technical and managerial experience working in the U.S. Air Force ICBM Program in Utah, Karen Woodbury felt the ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ which takes hold when people believe in themselves and their potential for success.

From humble beginnings in 2003 as a one-woman company, Woodbury Technologies has grown to include nearly 200 employees who support the Air Force, Army, and Defense Information Systems Agency in Information Technology, Training and Courseware, Medical Services, Communications, Aerospace Engineering and Program Management in 10 different states.

Sandra Lanier with Ephraim Co-op, Home-Based Business Champion and Rene Eddy Yurja, Minority Small Business Champion have also been selected as regional winners for SBA’s Region 8, which includes the states of Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Woodbury and Utah’s other award winners will be honored at the annual Utah Small Business Week luncheon on Monday, May 14, 2012, at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  “The Utah District is pleased to recognize these deserving individuals and organizations who represent the best of what small business in Utah is all about,” said Stan Nakano, District Director of SBA’s Utah District Office.

Small Business Week Award Winners:

Small Business Person of the Year

Karen S. Woodbury, President

Woodbury Technologies

Financial Services Champion of the Year

Thomas T. Christopulos, Deputy Director of Ogden City

Community & Economic Development,

ORC Development Officer

Women in Business Champion of the Year

Diana George, Vice President

Zions First National Bank

Home-Based Business Champion of the Year (and SBA Region 8 Winner)

Sandra Lanier, Chair of the board of directors and president

Ephraim Co-op

Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year

Steve Simpson, Barry Simpson and Craig Simpson

William W. Simpson Enterprises Inc., dba Twin Rocks Trading Post and Twin Rocks Café

Small Business Exporter of the Year

Christopher Newberry, CEO/Owner

Export Computer Exchange

Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award

Lennart T. Erickson, Director

St. George SBDC

Minority Small Business Champion of the Year (and SBA Region 8 Winner)

Mr. Rene Eddy Yurja

Independent Contractor

******

Minority Economic Development 8(a) Award Winner:

Minority Small Business Person of the Year

Stan Nakamura

Nex-One Inc.

SBA was created by Congress in 1953 to support and foster the creation and success of small businesses.  SBA offers a wide range of financial and business assistance and disaster relief services.  www.sba.gov 

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City’s Business Loan Program Lends Record Amount in 2011

January 9, 2012

Contact: Dan Velazquez

801-535-7941

City’s Business Loan Program Lends Record Amount in 2011

Revolving Loan Fund aims to enhance neighborhood vitality, grow local businesses

SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake City’s Revolving Loan Fund just completed a blockbuster year, granting over $1.6 million in funding to local businesses in 2011.  It was a record year for the fund, which began in the 90s and has lent over $14 million to Salt Lake City businesses since its inception.

The Fund, which makes low-interest loans available to businesses within City boundaries, is managed to achieve three primary objectives: stimulate business development and expansion, encourage private investment and economic development and enhance neighborhood vitality.

“The number of applicants to this loan program has grown over the years and we expect this to continue,”said Economic Development Director Bob Farrington. “To ensure continued capacity, the City has begun to explore private-public partnerships with banks.”

Businesses applied loan proceeds towards a variety of uses including company expansions, job creation, equipment, building renovations and working capital.

“The program has played a critical role in providing local businesses with working capital, which in turn has helped support new job creation and the City’s continued economic growth,” said Revolving Loan Fund Manager Dan Velazquez.

Recipients of the 2011 Revolving Loan Fund include The King’s English Bookshop, Bluehouse Skis, Liberty Park Concessions, Discrete Headwear, Dolcetti Gelato, Drake Powderworks, Red Iguana, Eiffel Tower Catering and Babinski’s Baby.

“This program does exactly what it was intended to do,” said Bill Coker co-owner of the Red Iguana Restaurants. “It fills a very big gap between credit cards and venture capital that small businesses desperately need. It’s another one of the great things that our City is doing to keep our civic life vital and successful.”

The City’s Revolving Loan Fund was established with funds from a federal grant program separate from the City’s general fund. Additionally, the Revolving Loan Fund partners with state organizations to promote economic development in Salt Lake City. These partner organizations include the Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Salt Lake City is now accepting applications for business loans to be considered in 2012.

For more information regarding the Revolving Loan Fund visit www.slcgov.com/ED/rlf.htm.

###

SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION

451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 306

P.O. BOX 145474, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5474

WWW.SLCGOV.COM

Chamber presents 3 small business events next week

Growing Small Businesses and Strengthening Utah's Economy
Sponsored by Sam's Club - Small Business Forum - October 12th, 8:00 a.m.

The world, national and Utah economy face considerable uncertainty. The stock market is a roller coaster. Global events such as those transpiring in Japan, Greece, North Africa and the Middle East cause concern. Unemployment in the U.S. and Utah remains perilously high. Yet through it all, Utah continues to outperform the nation with an economy growing at two-and-a-half times the national average.

Can this Utah exceptionalism last? Can Downtown Rising, TRAX expansion, and marquee relocations continue to keep the Utah economy above the fray? What can small business do to succeed in a tough and rapidly changing environment?¨Hear from Natalie Gochnour, Executive VP and Chief Economist of the Salt Lake Chamber, how Utah’s economy is faring during these uncertain and unique economic times
REGISTER at www.slchamber.com

__________________________________________________
October 11th, 11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon
Business Women's Forum

Join us at our next BWF luncheon on topic, “Breast Cancer Awareness."

We welcome three presenters, Debbie Mintowt, executive director, Salt Lake City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure; Lisa Schneider, board president, Salt Lake City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure; and Brenda Price, breast cancer survivor and thriver.

The luncheon will be going over Breast Cancer as an ongoing challenge, Komen as a national organization and its impact globally, the local affiliate, the race and its local impact and last hear from Brenda Price from a breast cancer survivor's perspective, the role Komen plays for her and her amazing outlook on life.
REGISTER at www.slchamber.com

____________________________________________________
October 13th & 14th
New program from Google - is an easy, free, and fast way to get your business online
Utah Get Your Business Online

If you don't have a website or Google Places listing, you'll find everything you need to get started - web professionals at your side every step of the way. We'll also provide the computers or a plug-in for your own laptop.

If your business is already online, you'll find tools and resources to help your business succeed online.

At these events you can:

- Get a free website and Google Places listing
- Get 1:1 advice and tips
- Learn more about online marketing
- Network with your fellow small business owners
REGISTER at www.utahgetonline.com

GETTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS “UNSTUCK”

Dex One Brings National and Local Small Business Experts to Northern Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, August 16, 2011 ― The Northern Utah business community will have the opportunity to learn from business author, entrepreneur and radio host, Barry Moltz, and a panel of local business leaders at the Northern Utah Local Leaders Forum on Aug. 30 and 31. Dex One Corporation (NYSE: DEXO), an expert in helping connect consumers with local community businesses, is hosting the event as part of its ongoing commitment to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Moltz’s seminar, “Getting Your Small Business Unstuck,” will offer advice geared specifically to small businesses on how to leverage the power of social media, online marketing and word-of-mouth marketing. A panel of local business leaders will discuss key issues in today’s small business community and explore new marketing ideas and approaches specifically tailored to the Northern Utah market. Panel members include Beth Holbrook Director, Zions Business Resource Center/Zions Bank; Matt Monson State Coordinator Local First Utah; Craig Ogan, Director of Sales Dex One; Pamela Okumura, Program Director, Salt Lake Chamber Women’s Business Center.

“Northern Utah is recognized among the best metros to start and grow a small business, and it's exciting to be part of this local event with Dex One," said Moltz. "This is a great way to discuss challenges and opportunities facing area entrepreneurs and to share some of my learnings as an entrepreneur."

"Small businesses are critical to Northern Utah, and the Northern Utah Local Leaders Forum is designed to give them new ideas to be successful and grow," said Michelle Middleton, director of marketing communications for Dex One. "Dex has been a trusted resource for local marketing expertise in Utah for decades, and we’re pleased to bring this seminar and panel of business leaders together for an opportunity to learn from each other."

Dex One’s insight and local marketing experience provides small businesses with the tools and resources to support their business goals. The company’s combined offerings of marketing consultation, print directories and online solutions that drive trackable results offer a strong partnership and resource that can help small businesses in Northern Utah achieve success.

The two-day event will be held at Sundance Resort on Tuesday, August 30, 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 31, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Complete details and registration can be found at: http://www.dexone.com/Utahleaders.

About Dex One Corporation
Dex One Corporation (NYSE: DEXO) is a leading marketing solutions provider helping local businesses and their customers connect wherever and whenever they choose to search. Building on its heritage of delivering print-based solutions, the company provides integrated products and services to help its clients establish their digital presence and generate leads. Dex One’s locally based marketing experts offer a broad network of local marketing solutions including online, mobile and print search solutions, such as DexKnows.com. For more information, visit www.DexOne.com.
# # #

Certain statements contained in this press release regarding Dex One Corporation's future operating results or performance or business plans or prospects and any other statements not constituting historical fact are "forward-looking statements" subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements reflect only Dex One's current beliefs and assumptions with respect to future business plans, prospects, decisions and results, and are based on information currently available to Dex One. Accordingly, the statements are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies, which could cause Dex One's actual operating results, performance or business plans or prospects to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements.

Bad economy good for Utah business — start-ups?

By Donald W. Meyers

The Salt Lake Tribune

First published Jul 14 2011 06:00PM
Updated Jul 14, 2011 08:48PM

Orem » A recession may seem the worst time to start a business, but Omniture’s co-founder believes it’s the best.

John Pestana, quoting social-network LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, told the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum on Thursday that, when the economy’s down, “partnerships are easier, hiring’s easier, and the competition starts later.”

Pestana, who sold his online analytics company to Adobe for $1.8 billion in 2009 and has since started two new companies, was the keynote speaker at the forum’s “25 under 5” awards ceremony.

The event honored 25 Utah businesses less than five years old that have made significant strides. Forum Chairman Cary Snowden said those companies created a total of 800 jobs and $189 million in revenue last year — despite a sluggish economy.

Pestana said it is easier to find talented people during a slow time. He noted he put out an ad for a designer and had 35 résumés within a half-hour.

The key, he said, is not clinging to old business habits, especially as markets and technologies change.

“Recessions put people into categories,” Pestana said. “Those who are willing to change and move fast to adapt will succeed.”

The CEO of the No. 1 company on this year’s “25 and under 5” list agreed.

READ MORE

TWO VIEWS: Obama's proposed reforms are too few and too flimsy Will the Obama administration’s regulatory reform proposals boost private-sector job growth?

Posted at 12:00 AM on Saturday, Jun. 25, 2011
By Evan Bayh and Andy Card

WASHINGTON -- As the country emerges from one of the most serious economic downturns in recent history, the last thing we need are more regulations that impose burdens on job creators.

One way to get Americans back to work is by removing excessive and costly regulations that make it harder for businesses to grow.

It appears in the early going that the Obama administration's executive order requiring a review of existing regulations "that are out-of-date, unnecessary, excessively burdensome, or in conflict with other rules" has encouraged some regulatory agencies to make recommendations that will save businesses time, money, headaches, and resources. But more must be done.

That's because the order exempts from review the huge flow of regulations in the pipeline generated by the health-care and financial reform laws, as well as the large number of major rules generated by the Environmental Protection Agency over the past two years.

This enormous onslaught of new regulations could well cost hundreds of billions of dollars, hamper our recovery, undermine our competitiveness, and cost jobs. The regulations are being promulgated under the same system that generated the ones the administration found necessary to review. And the "look back" plans do not appear to fix this problem.

If we don't take necessary steps now, our competitiveness and the success of America's small businesses are at risk.

Businesses with fewer than 20 employees incur regulatory costs 42% higher than companies with up to 500 employees. The average regulatory cost for each employee of a small business exceeds $10,000 per year.

The Small Business Administration priced the total cost of federal regulation compliance at $1.75 trillion in 2008 -- $15,000 for each U.S. household.

Consider the case of Ronald Myers, the former owner of Hot Shot Equipment Co. in Prescott, Ariz. Meyers was forced to shut down his iron gate manufacturing shop because overly burdensome workplace safety and health regulations prevented metalworking from being done by hand. Unable to compete against foreign suppliers, his only option was to let his workers go and close his business.

Make no mistake -- we need some regulations. Businesses require certainty and "rules of the road," and we need adequate protections for health and public safety. But when regulations suck the vitality out of our economy, it's time we take a hard look at restoring balance and accountability to the process.

First, Congress should wrestle back the unprecedented power that it has yielded to bureaucratic agencies over the past few decades. Today, nearly all major regulations go into effect without the people's representatives in Congress ever voting on them. Congress needs to play a larger role by exercising more vigorous oversight regarding the implementation of the sweeping laws that it passes.

A good place to start would be to pass legislation pending in Congress to guarantee an up-or-down vote, with no Senate filibuster, on regulations with an economic impact of more than $100 million.

Second, we need more rigorous cost-benefit analysis. Major rule proposals should require independent verification and public disclosure of economic and employment impact studies. Existing rules should be periodically reviewed by independent parties and those deemed ineffective or unnecessary should be phased out.

Finally, citizens should have the judicial access and tools they need to hold federal agencies accountable for limiting regulatory burdens. With appropriate access to courts, citizens help enforce transparency, check bureaucratic power, and hold government decision makers accountable.

We need to restore balance, restraint, and common sense to the regulatory process. It's time to open America for business again.

O.co (a.k.a. Overstock.com) Celebrates Its Main Street Revolution's One-Year Anniversary

By PR Newswire
SALT LAKE CITY, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- O.co also known as Overstock.com, Inc. today announced the one year anniversary of its Main Street Revolution Store, a national marketing and distribution platform for U.S.-based small businesses to sell their goods. In its first year, the Main Street Revolution has integrated 161 vendors and now carries over 3,700 products. To learn more visit www.o.co/mainstreet-anniversary.
"Our Main Street Revolution Store provides small businesses with a platform for national visibility," said O.co CEO, Patrick M. Byrne. "The country's current financial woes will be best remedied when small Main Street businesses begin to grow. Any small business owner who is looking to grow his or her business should join the Main Street Revolution."
The Main Street Revolution Store also allows O.co customers to 'shop local' by searching for Main Street Revolution products produced and sold in a particular state. The Main Street Revolution Store currently carries a wide range of products from jewelry to clothing to gourmet food and has vendors from 30 states.
"The current success of our products with the Main Street Revolution allows us to see a few more cars in our parking lot belonging to Americans at work," said Rocky Medina, Internet Sales Manager of Thirstystone manufacturing in Texas. "We are grateful to O.co and its CEO Patrick M. Byrne for the opportunity to be involved with the Main Street Revolution. It is having a positive impact on lives in Gainesville, Texas, U.S.A."
"My business' profits prior to partnering with O.co's Main Street Revolution were steady, but did not compare to the salary I had been previously earning working fulltime at a loan servicing company," said owner of Florida based Bleek2Sheek Jewelry, Laileni Mercer-Ayala. "However, after partnering with the Main Street Revolution my sales and profits have grown at least three times what they were - if not more. Working with the Main Street Revolution has been relatively easy and the friendliness of the O.co staff is outstanding. O.co provides many useful tools like inventory control and sales and forecasting reports which helped with growing our business. The sales growth from Main Street alone has allowed my husband to quit his fulltime office job and partner with me! Now both of us are able to have the flexibility with our son and, soon, our little addition expected in July."

Small businesses have real advantages over larger companies

Some owners fail to recognize and pursue these advantages. Large companies are trying to shift their cultures and processes toward this small business mindset.

BY BILL FOURNET Oklahoman    0

Published: May 29, 2011

This past week, I attended the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s America’s Small Business Summit, where companies from all over the country — ranging from loggers to dry cleaners to chocolate makers — attended to share lessons learned from experience. Small businesses have a real advantage over larger companies today, but some owners fail to recognize and pursue these advantages. Large companies are trying to shift their cultures and processes toward this small business mindset.

So, what are these advantages? Here are three that small businesses have:

•Agility. Small businesses rely on their people and their ability to work together daily. The great thing about being small is that you know everyone — their personalities, their families, their personal goals. This enables them to know who to call upon when a crisis occurs, who to help build the new product or service and to change quickly when the market demands it. Larger companies formalize processes and procedures — which they often must do to scale their operation — but in doing so, these processes create “baggage,” where the process or form often takes precedence over “getting it done.” This means larger companies cannot change as quickly, and sometimes leads to failure to support the market changes.

•Adaptability. Small businesses take risks — risks that may lead to failure. But often, these risks will lead to innovation. And that innovation drives changes in the market.

In today’s economy, the only certainty is this: things will change. Small businesses must adapt to their consumer needs, and that adaptation is what enables some of them to grow in scale — creating a “survival of the fittest” economy.

This is the fuel of capitalism. Most large companies have research and development departments, but these companies often are slow to see and embrace change, seeking to stick by their current plan amid a sea change. There are a lot of changes occurring today in our workforce — fundamentally new approaches to lead and leverage our workers — yet, many companies resist adapting to these changes and are seeing younger workers leaving.

•Walking the Talk. Most importantly, a small business has the advantage of knowing what it stands for, and ensuring that those values are shared with its customers and staff every day. This advantage exists mainly due to their size and the “flatness” of their organization (there may be only one or two levels in the hierarchy).

Read more: http://newsok.com/small-businesses-have-real-advantages-over-larger-companies/article/3572315#ixzz1O2Fw8IIB



Utah Health Exchange growing as more small businesses sign on

By Lois M. Collins, Deseret News

Published: Monday, May 30, 2011 11:06 p.m. MDT

SALT LAKE CITY — More than 100 small-business employers now use the Utah Health Exchange to allow their employees to access health insurance benefits, and state experts say they're hoping to have 10 times that many companies using it by the end of the year.

It's attracting a lot of attention by states that are trying to figure out how to create their own health exchanges, something required by the Affordable Care Act. Both Utah and Massachusetts tackled the task early. Massachusetts, which was first, has a more regulatory approach than Utah's. The Beehive State, says Norm Thurston, health reform implementation coordinator in the Utah Department of Health, looked closely at and learned some things from that exchange, but opted for a more free-market approach.

The exchange now has 114 small-business employers enrolled, providing coverage to 1,035 employees and their dependents, a total of 2,985 people covered, according to Patty Conner, director of the Utah Office of Consumer Health Services, which manages the exchange within the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

The health insurance itself is provided by four of the five largest health insurance companies that do business in the state — Humana, Regence, SelectHeath and UnitedHealthcare

READ MORE

Salt Lake City Seeking Feedback

Please click on the link below to let us know how you feel about mobile food trucks in our community and forward to all whom you feel may be interested.

New Topic on Open City Hall: "Mobile Food Businesses aka Food Trucks", currently, Salt Lake City ordinances regulate food carts and mobile food trucks differently. Where do you want to see food trucks in the community? Let us know on “Salt Lake City Open City Hall” http://www.peakdemocracy.com/706     



UtahSmallBiz.com Congratulates the SBA's Utah District 2011 Small Business Award Winners

The SBA recently held their annual small business award luncheon and recognized the following for their outstanding contributions to our small business community:

Small Business Person of the Year

Andrew Caprio, CEO/President

Monet Medical, Inc.– Salt Lake City, Utah

Financial Services Champion of the Year

& Region VIII Winner

Harris Simmons, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Zions Bancorporation – Salt Lake City, Utah

Women in Business Champion of the Year

& Region VIII Winner

Diana Kirk, Executive Vice President

Zions Bank – Salt Lake City, Utah

Small Business Exporter of the Year

& Region VIII Winner

Elend LeBaron, President

LiquaDry, Inc.

Abraham, Utah

Home-Based Business Champion of the Year

& Region VIII Winner

Jay M. Tanner. Owner/Partner

Box C Guest Ranch

Grouse Creek, Utah

Minority Small Business Champion of the Year

Gonzalo Palza, Chief Executive Officer

Centro de la Familia de Utah – Salt Lake City, Utah

Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Center Award

Sandy SBDC

Sandy, Utah

Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year

Johnnie B. Janes

Salt Lake City, Utah

Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year

Scott and Allen Frost, Owners

Monticello, Utah

Harris Simmons of Zions Bank, Diana Kirk of Zions Bank, Elend LeBaron of LiquaDry, Inc. and Jay M. Tanner of Box C Guest Ranch have been selected as Regional winners for SBA’s Region VIII, which includes the states of Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

SBA Introduces New Mobile Application for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs

SBA Introduces New Mobile Application for

Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs 

New SBA mobile application brings enhanced access to

information and resources

WASHINGTON – Smart phone users interested in starting or growing a small business can now find helpful resources at their fingertips via a new SBA mobile application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

“Increasingly, smart phones are the vehicle through which Americans access information.  This is certainly true of many entrepreneurs and small business owners and this new application ensures they will have access to SBA’s resources and programs – literally at their fingertips,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.  “Greater mobility fits with the new user-focused SBA.gov launched recently, and is another example of the steps we are taking to do a better job of connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools to help them start or grow their businesses and create jobs.”

Developed and donated as a gift by Palo Alto Software, Inc., the SBA mobile app will make the search for extensive resources more efficient, whether users are starting a new business or taking an existing business to a new level.  The app will first be available for the Apple iPhone®, with future versions for other smart phone platforms.

“Palo Alto Software’s mission is to help small businesses succeed.  We’ve developed this mobile application for the SBA because we understand the importance of having the right tools and resources when starting or growing a business,” said Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software.  “Ideas can strike entrepreneurs at any moment, and having useful resources available through mobile devices could be the impetus that begins the next big company.”

The mobile app will help users connect with SBA district office staff and SBA-affiliated counselors and mentors who can provide free, personalized small business assistance.  The user-friendly format of the app will help answer questions such as: How do I start a business? Where can I go in my area to get free help with writing a business plan? And where do I begin finding funding for my business?

The SBA mobile app also features a built-in startup cost calculator to help estimate the costs associated with getting a business off the ground, plus an SBA partner locator to help users find SBA offices, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE.

Users will also have mobile access to SBA video content and social media alerts to provide them with tips on the go.  This will include live updates from the SBA’s YouTube channel and from SBA’s Twitter feeds.  The free mobile app can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/content/sba-mobile-app.

5/11- Expo MarketPlace, Salt Lake Chamber

The Salt Lake Chamber Expo MarketPlace is more than a traditional business-to-business trade show, it's an opportunity to bring members together to show how they can benefit one another. Exhibitors from a variety of businesses display products and services.

Now is the time to reserve your booth space for the May 11, 2011 Expo MarketPlace

 

Propelling Ideas and Solutions

 

We are proud to say we have eliminated the fluff to give you better results in a more efficient package. Join us for the Spring 2011 Expo MarketPlace at the Salt Palace Convention Center

 

The Salt Lake Chamber Expo MarketPlace:  

May 11, 2011

Salt Palace Convention Center

Grand Ballroom, 100 South West Temple

 

Schedule

THE WOMEN'S BUREAU'S NATIONAL DIALOGUE

ON WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY CONFERENCE

8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Cost: Free

REGISTER NOW!

 

EXPO FORUM LUNCHEON

Keynote Speaker - Mark Eaton

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Cost: $300 - Table sponsorship of 8

Two complimentary tickets for every exhibitor ($10 for additional tickets)

$15 per person (Before April 29)

$20 (After April 29)

REGISTER NOW!

 

EXPO MarketPlace

Propelling Ideas and Solutions

1:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Cost: Free for attendees - A simple registration at the door requiring an exchange of your business card is all we ask. Must be 18 or older to attend. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



2nd Annual Neighborhood Business District Conference- May 6, 2011

Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Division and Local First Utah are pleased to announce the 2^nd Annual Neighborhood Business District Conference to be held at Westminster College on May 6^th, 2011 from 7:30am to 12:00pm.  Conference attendees will learn about Salt Lake City’s efforts to support local business, learn strategies to both form and improve local business districts, and network with other local business owners.  Attendees will also hear about similar efforts in Austin, Texas from members of Austin’s Independent Business Alliance involved in the “Keep Austin Weird” Movement.  This event is free and open to the public.  However, registration to the event is required, as seating is limited.  Please call Jessica Thesing at 801-535-7159 for more information.

The 2011 Neighborhood Business District Conference is sponsored in part by: Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Division, Local First Utah, American Express, Westminster College, ISIS, Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund, Zions Bank, University Federal Credit Union, Vest Pocket Business Coalition, Harmons, Wildflowers Bed and Breakfast, Gastronomy, Squatters, Crowell Advertising, and Sugarhouse Coffee.

For more information and registration, please visit our events page: http://www.utahsmallbiz.com/events

Westminster College Announces Director of New Ventures

At a time when colleges throughout the country are striving to keep the cost of higher education affordable, Westminster has made the strategic decision to actively pursue new ventures to help offset educational costs. Rex Falkenrath has been named the college’s director of New Ventures, and will work closely with the Strategic Ventures Committee, the Institute for New Enterprise, the Division of New Learning, and the deans and senior administration to identify, develop and coordinate the college's portfolio of new revenue opportunities.

“Given Rex's significant experience in facilitating business development, we are very pleased he has taken on this new assignment,” said Dr. James “Cid” Seidelman, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are confident that he will be an important catalyst in moving the college's new revenue strategy forward.”

Falkenrath joins Westminster after serving as the director of the Miller Innovation Center and the Small Business Development Center at Salt Lake Community College, as well as the executive director of the Park City Business Resource Center. Prior to these positions, he was the CEO/COO of Hi-Tech Engine Components, a very successful national supplier of engine related products. Falkenrath serves on a number of for-profit and non-profit boards both locally and nationally, including the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“In his short time at the college, Rex's extensive network in government and business is already generating new programmatic and fundraising opportunities for Westminster,” Seidelman added.



Lectures in Entrepreneurship - Paul Zane Pilzer

Lectures in Entrepreneurship 6:30 – 8:30 pm: PAUL ZANE PILZER, Serial Entrepreneur and Best-Selling Author  Wednesday, April 6 Lectures are free to the public Economist Paul Zane Pilzer is the author of nine best-selling books, a highly-successful social entrepreneur, founder of five companies in health care and online education, and a former professor at NYU (21 years) where he was voted “best teacher” five times. He was appointed economic advisor for two presidential administrations and has been featured on the cover of more than 100 magazines and the Wall St. Journal. He earned an MBA from Wharton at age 22 and was Citibank’s youngest VP at age 25. www.paulzanepilzer.com Westminster College | 1840 S. 1300 E. | Salt Lake City, Utah | 801.484.7651



How to Hire Employees When You Can’t Afford to Hire Employees

By Fairy Godmothers | Published March 23, 2011

By Kim Flynn
(posed at Startup Princess)

Before we talk about how to hire employees when you can’t afford them, let’s build a little foundation. Think back to when you started your business.

In an ideal world, we would all announce our business was open and immediately customers would come running and line up outside of our establishment. I am the founder of five businesses and so far, this has never happened to me. Nope, I have had to pour money into the business before it is profitable. I have had to spend money on marketing before I made my first dollar. This is a known and accepted fact for most business owners–we know we have to spend $5 on marketing to make $15 in profits. We have to step into the dark, spend some money on marketing and hope that it comes back to us with a nice return. We accept this risk along with millions of other men and women who take this risk every day as they head into the world of entrepreneurship.



Hats off to Javier: 20 years of hard work pay off for owner of restaurant chain

By Jesus Lopez Jr.

Standard-Examiner staff

Last updated

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 - 10:30pm

OGDEN -- Last month, Javier Chavez, owner of Javier's Authentic Mexican Restaurants, celebrated 20 years of being a restaurateur and local success story.

"It seems like it was only yesterday," Chavez says. "So many things have happened."

Through that time, people always ask him, "What is the secret to your success?"

"That is the question, isn't it?" Chavez says with a smile from behind the desk in his office at his Harrison Boulevard location.

A bit of luck, prayer, hard work, trial and error, blessings from above and more hard work have allowed Chavez to be in business for two decades with six restaurants and a recently opened seventh location at 1050 Shepard Lane in Farmington. The new location is doing well so far, he says.

Chavez has several ideas on how he has managed to succeed, including providing every customer with a quality meal every time.

"It is faith and consistency," Chavez says. "We have to be confident that good things will happen."

Even through the tough economy, the community has supported him and his business, and although he feels blessed, Chavez says, there have been many obstacles along the way.

In January, a fire started in the kitchen of his Harrisville location, around the same time that he had to return to Mexico for his father's funeral. He says he plans to reopen the location on May 5.

But long before he was an entrepreneur, Chavez was just a farm boy in the poor village of Zoquite, Zacatecas, Mexico.

He says his family worked from sunup to sundown on the small ranch, but his father instilled in him and his siblings the value of education.

When Chavez got older, he studied to be a civil engineer and became a track star, earning the title of national champion of Mexico in the 1500-meter run. Despite his success on the track, the Mexican Olympic Committee did not select him to represent the country in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

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