U.S. Federal Government contracts represent a tremendous sales and revenue opportunity for small businesses.
Here are five steps to get started as a contractor:
Qualifying as a Small Business
You may take it for granted that your company is a "small business". The distinction is important if you wish to register for government contracting as a small business.
Did you know the federal government buys nearly $100 billion worth of goods and services from small businesses each year?
Government contracts can offer significant opportunities for small businesses, but selling to the government requires a very different approach than selling to the commercial sector.
Learn how you can leverage small business certifications to diversify your revenue stream and improve your bottom line!
December 2016 Federal Contracting Webinar Series
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While December is a busy time for small businesses trying to end the year on a high note, it should also be a time for introspection and review. After all, December is National Write a Business Plan Month!
You might think this occasion is reserved for new, aspiring business owners. But a business plan is so crucial for success that it’s also a good idea to take time to review your plan on a regular basis. This month is a great time for that.
Here’s how to review your business plan to prepare...
Small Business Saturday is over, but it’s not the only opportunity for local small businesses to capture customers’ dollars this holiday season. Whether you’re a retailer, restaurateur or own a service business such as a hair salon, there are plenty of opportunities to market your biz for holidays. Here are 22 ideas to get you started.
Check in with last year’s customers. Who bought from your business during the 2015 holiday shopping season? Reach out to them with email marketing messages, special offers or direct mail pieces. This is a
As you look to grow your small business, you might want to consider opportunities with our neighbor to the south, the largest market for U.S. small business exports: Mexico.
In October of this year, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet visited Mexico to discuss opportunities for expanding trade with Mexico. She forcefully advocated for encouraging women entrepreneurship, advanced innovation, and business partnerships; increasing access to capital; and improving bilateral regulatory cooperation.
Mexico already offers significant benefits to U.S. exporters and even...
I recently had the honor and great pleasure of participating in the Washington, D.C. portion of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (OCCI) Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) Mission – part of a week-long effort to inspire an HFC conversation around ideas that not only have a positive economic impact, but also hold broader implications for our communities and our planet.
This mission – another milestone in a vibrant commercial relationship – was the result of more than a year’s work between Japan and the United States. Thanks to the combined efforts of the U.S. Department of...
The Minority Business Development Agency shares five reasons local consumers should shop small on Small Business Saturday Nov. 26 and throughout the holiday season:
Support Local Job Growth
Small businesses create two out of three net new private-sector jobs in the U.S. which spurs economic development and job growth.
Make an Economic Impact
The average consumer spent $170 on Small Business Saturday last year for a total of $16.2 billion spent at local Main Street
For the first time, the Census Bureau has collected information about ownership of intellectual property in its 2012 Survey of Business Owners (SBO). We now have data to verify what we’ve known for some time—minority business owners are innovative and forward thinking. Based on 2012 SBO results, minority-owned firms equal the rate of patent ownership of nonminority firms. For both groups, one half of one percent of businesses own one or more patents.
When you look closer at both groups (minority and nonminority firms), it appears that a huge disparity exists. Average earnings...
MBDA celebrates Native American Heritage Month and acknowledges the significant contributions of Native American-owned businesses to the U.S. economy. A key component of the Agency’s services is dedicated to addressing the unique economic challenges and opportunities in Indian Country.
MBDA plans to conduct tribal consultation meetings with federally recognized tribes, American Indian and Alaska Native business/trade/economic organizations, and American Indian and Alaska Native-owned firms, between October 2016 and February 2017...
Any armchair economist will tell you that entrepreneurship is central to a healthy economy. What they probably won’t tell you is that the rate of entrepreneurship in the United States has significantly declined over the last several decades. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that in the late 1970s, at least 15 percent of American businesses were startups. Despite the popularity of business-venture-themed TV shows such as ABC’s Shark Tank, the number of new businesses has fallen to just 8 percent of all U.S. business operations.
The reasons are varied, with both new...
Mark your calendar, now in its seventh year, Small Business Saturday (November 26) is a day where every shopper can play a part to support their local economy and the small business owners who provide the majority of our economic growth.
Join MBDA and the U.S. Small Business Administration in supporting America’s small business and entrepreneur community by participating in the seventh annual ‘Small Business...
The holidays are right around the corner and that means food, fun, parties, and lots of online shopping. Online shopping can be a great solution, allowing you to find the perfect gift and saving time, but it can also end with identity theft, malware, and other cyber unpleasantness. Rather than letting it ruin your holiday season, you can take a few simple security precautions to help reduce the chances of being a cyber victim.
When purchasing online this holiday season - and all year long - keep these tips in mid to help minimize your risk:
Do not
With the U.S. population poised to shift to ‘majority minority’ status during the next few decades, the topic of inclusive innovation in global high-growth industries took center stage at an MBDA event in Chicago on October 27.
Dubbed “Inclusive Innovation in Action,” the informative event was located at an award-winning Chicago technology incubator, BLUE1647, and drew a mix of entrepreneurs, investors, and community residents. Coinciding with the annual conference of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and with Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED...
Want something old and something new, all in one? Check out the FTC’s updated “Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business.” It’s the same principles that we’ve relied on for years, but with a new twist.
You’ll find the latest tips about technologies that have emerged since we last published the guide. And a fresh look to match the Start with Security business education...
The face of America – and of American agriculture – is changing. The number of farms in the United States has grown 4 percent and the operators of those farms have become more diverse in the past five years, according to results of USDA’s most recent Census of Agriculture. The 2007 Census counted nearly 30 percent more women as principal farm operators. The count of Hispanic operators grew by 10 percent, and the counts of American Indian, Asian and Black farm operators increased as well. In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the number of minority-owned businesses grew more...
B & B Manufacturing, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, manufactures wiring and electronic equipment for motor vehicles. B&B Manufacturing has maintained its leadership in a changing industry through supplying its clients with an extensive O.E.M. type product line, which provides reliability and improved performance to its end user. Established in 1985, this family-owned small business relies on exports for 68 percent of its sales. It has customers in Latin and Central America as well as the Caribbean.
For more than 15 years, the company has been using a small business multi-...
It all starts with an idea. Sometimes it can be as simple as a “what-if” lodged in the back of our minds that can spark the next great invention. A simple idea, when coupled with ingenuity and opportunity, can transform the world we live in for the better. That’s the awesome power of innovation.
Innovation, one of the Commerce Department’s five strategic goals, is defined as “the invention, improvement, and commercialization of new products, processes, and services ...” It plays an integral role in the mission of all 12 bureaus housed within the department.
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The rapid growth of the Hispanic population in the United States during the last several decades, which is projected to continue increasing in the years ahead, presents significant challenges as well as huge opportunities for our country. At the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) 2016 Annual Policy Conference, the Department of Commerce (DOC)...
Join the U.S. Commercial Service and the Illinois District Export Council for Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities. This conference for U.S. exporters brings together trade experts, industry professionals, and U.S. commercial diplomats via panels and executive meetings to address opportunities and demand for new technologies to make cities more sustainable. Your firm will leave this conference with the critical next steps needed to transform market potential to market success in markets of interest across the world.
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Guest blog post by George Laws Garcia, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency
As part of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) I work to engage Congressional, state and local officials to help create favorable conditions for minority businesses and entrepreneurs to grow and prosper. In this role I have the opportunity to support capacity development in Hispanic and all minority communities to build and grow our own businesses, create good jobs in our communities, provide needed goods and services in our...
To Venture or Not To Venture
A Look at Venture Capital
Often times, minority business owners are reluctant to apply for business loans for fear of receiving too little credit, having to pay outrageous interest rates, putting up higher collateral, or total rejection. So, the question is asked – what can you do as a business owner to get the necessary working capital to take your business towards the next level of success?
Venture capital (VC) may be the solution. Simply put, VC is a type of private equity - a form...
The Business Opportunities in Central America Webinar Series will provide valuable insight to new and experienced exporters who will gain knowledge of export opportunities in this dynamic region. Companies will learn about best prospects, legal considerations, global logistics, export financing, eCommerce, leveraging CATA-DR, and export tax incentives in 7 countries in Central America. Participants will also understand and appreciate the cultural differences, economic conditions, and technological capabilities of potential partners.
This seven-part webinar series is also a venue...
The decision has been made. You have decided that XYZ bank is the bank-of-choice to lend your company some badly needed capital. Now is the time to pay that banker a visit, right? Wrong.
Once you sit down with a business banker, you will need to answer a variety of questions about your financial needs and business goals. If you do a little homework before hand, answering those questions thoroughly may ensure a smoother, and possibly quicker, loan application process. Below are a few of the questions that most commercial lenders will want answered before your...
When large scale disasters hit an area, the infrastructure failure is particularly damaging to small businesses. Recent flooding in Louisiana points to a hard rule: when your business is cut off from clients, vendors and critical staff, the economic losses continue long after the cleanup is done.
The key to protecting your assets and becoming resilient in the face of a natural disaster, cyberattack, or random power outage is having a solid business continuity plan. The cost of developing a plan is low, compared to the long-term financial losses that could occur when you’re...
One of the most effective ways to grow your business is also one of the oldest: networking. While it may not get as much buzz these days as social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, old-fashioned, face-to-face networking is still essential for building a business.
If networking makes you nervous, try these tips to make it easier, more effective and maybe even fun.
1. Set goals for networking. Like any business effort, you need to set measurable goals so you can determine the best networking strategy; such as making X number of new contacts...
The federal government has $2.5 billion that it can give to small business owners every year. Mark Walsh, the head of investment and innovation at the SBA, and Nina Tandon, the co-founder and CEO of Epibone, talk about accessing this funding.
Watch the entire video on MSNBC (link is external)
Manufacturing enables our everyday lives, drives our economy and can bring communities across the country together. This infographic represents how manufacturing is diverse, supports 18.5 million U.S. jobs and has a multitude of career opportunities including engineers, designers, machinists and computer programmers.
Just in time for this year’s Manufacturing Day on October 7th, it’s been updated to represent the amazing results of MFG Day 2015.
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September is National Preparedness Month. When disaster strikes, it’s only natural to want to protect your family and loved ones. Before disaster strikes, it very important to safeguard your small business, particularly if it’s your main source of income.
Think about the following questions:
Are you a small business owner with an amazing success story to tell? If so, submit your nomination today for the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week awards.
National Small Business Week has served as our nation’s salute to small business owners. That’s more than 50 years of celebrating small business owners who create two out of every three new jobs for Americans. Many household names were previous National Small Business Week award winners, including Ben and Jerry’s, Calloway Golf, Chobani, Dogfish Head, Stoneyfield Farm, Pacifica and Tom’s of...
Now more than ever, U.S. businesses know how important it is to take advantage of export opportunities around the world. From coast to coast, businesses are selling their world-class goods to the more than 95 percent of potential customers who live outside our borders. The 2015 Metropolitan Area Export Overview is a clear indicator of this movement, as many cities have increased exports or even set records. And along with the nation’s largest metropolitan areas sending out more American goods, many smaller areas have also set...
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Created on August 25, 2016 |
The U.S. Commercial Service will head to Latin America in September with about 100 U.S. companies and organizations, to cultivate trade and investment deals between the United States and some of our key regional partners.
The Trade Winds trade mission and business forum is one of our flagship events in the Commercial Service. Trade Winds has taken more than 800...
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Created on August 23, 2016 |
Connecting, Innovating, and Sustaining with 21st Century Infrastructure
Chicago, IL • November 1-3, 2016
Join the U.S. Commercial Service and the Illinois District Export Council for Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities. This conference brings together trade experts, industry professionals, and U.S. commercial...
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Created on August 24, 2016 |
Since approximately 2006 the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has been mired in a persistent recession which has now escalated into an all-out fiscal, economic and demographic crisis of unprecedented proportions. Although the effects of the crisis are being felt most intensely by ...
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Created on August 18, 2016 |
Small business exporters can learn how EXIM products can empower them to increase foreign sales by clicking here or visiting the homepage at...
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Created on August 18, 2016 |
After decades of civil unrest, the Colombian government reached a ceasefire with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on June 23, 2016. The ceasefire deal was the last major step in reaching a final peace agreement, expected by the second half of August, according to Colombia’s Minister of Post-Conflict, Rafael Pardo....
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Created on August 15, 2016 |
Gabriel Ojeda runs a small concrete additive business called Fritz-Pak out of a modest warehouse just east of Dallas with his wife and son. They manufacture 40 different specialty products, including plasters you’d find in swimming pools or sports stadiums. Sales were steady—until the 2008 recession hit. Gabriel had to lay off three of his 14 employees, and was nearly forced to sell off the business. When Gabriel’s...
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Created on August 9, 2016 |
The U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) signed a memorandum of understanding with one of the nation's leading small business lenders, Fundation Group LLC. Signing on behalf of MBDA was Deputy Director Albert K. Shen, and signing on behalf of Fundation was CEO Sam Graziano.
The official signing, which took place overlooking the U.S. Capitol, marks the beginning of a...
Donald L. Mooney is the founder and CEO of Donald L. Mooney Enterprises, and is a quintessential selection for our August Entrepreneur of the Month. Donald L. Mooney Enterprises provides human capital resources and workforce solutions to the public and private sectors, and has built a roster of clients that includes the United States Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Don comes from humble beginnings in Texas, where he was raised by his grandparents. He worked hard to obtain an appointment to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. Don entered the U.S. Army,...
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Created on August 8, 2016 |
This year for the first time, the United States served as...
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Created on August 4, 2016 |
The Minority Business Development Agency's (MBDA) National Director Alejandra Y. Castillo traveled to the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Tulsa, OK, to give a keynote address on increasing Native American entrepreneurship and expanding their business pursuits beyond gaming to include innovative technology.
RES attendees were able to ask questions about federal contracting, obtaining business...
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Created on August 4, 2016 |
Stephen Collier is a Communications Specialist for the U.S. Commercial Service
An acknowledgement of true achievement took place July 26 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: a celebration in honor of the first Native American organization to win the President’s “E” Award for Export Services.
The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association was recognized in May by Secretary of Commerce...
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Created on August 3, 2016 |
Michael Waters is an International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Commercial Service office in Atlanta
In this...
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Created on August 2, 2016 |
The U.S. Small Business Administration released its highly anticipated Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)...
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Created on July 28, 2016 |
Stuart Schaag is a career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Commercial Service. He currently serves as Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi. Barbara Banas is an International Trade Specialist with the Office of ASEAN and the Pacific Basin, where she covers Vietnam. She is based in Washington, D.C.
Before you keep reading, let’s conduct an experiment. Open...
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Created on July 27, 2016 |
Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has the largest seed fund on the planet?
Capital formation or “seed money” is the first infusion of capital to make an idea go from a napkin to reality. America's Seed Fund, otherwise known as SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business...
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Created on July 27 2016 |
Join the U.S. Commercial Service for a series of complimentary webinars focusing on business opportunities in leading and emerging Pacific Rim markets that are included in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The webinars will focus on the 11 TPP countries and will cover:
The top sectors for U.S. exports and the associated tariff reductions under TPP
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Created on July 27, 2016 |
Empowering bold entrepreneurship by inventors and businesses drives the U.S. economy in a global marketplace. We at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office know that entrepreneurs today must keep the challenge of global competition front of mind. That’s why we provide an array of tools and resources designed to assist innovators in ensuring their intellectual property rights are respected across the globe. Check out our...
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Created on July 19, 2016 |
The Grow Her Business: A Resource from Start-up to Scale-up platform is LIVE! Grow Her Business is a searchable repository of nearly 200 premiere, growth-oriented programs. This platform will serve as a resource of valuable information and guidance for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow and scale their businesses. The platform will be an easy-to-use platform functioning as a data repository for relevant tactical...
“Innovative thinkers and early adopters exist everywhere: In Silicon Valley, but also in Sub-Saharan Africa; in the legendary startup garages … and in even more humble venues that may lack electricity,” Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Vice President Judith Pryor wrote this week in the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Pryor highlights two OPIC partners that are participating in the Global...
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Created on July 15, 2016 |
Fernando Gracia is an Intern in the Office of the Western Hemisphere at the International Trade Administration
Four years ago, the United States Colombia free trade agreement went into effect, representing a commitment to trade and prosperity between our two countries. Today, we look back at the four years since the United States-Colombia Trade...