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Posts
Business Tips
- Using Artificial Intelligence to help your small business with tasks like improving SEO can save you time and effort.
- Management Myth Busting
- Mission Impossible: Learn to love your meetings
- The Essential Ingredients of a Good Termination
- What Are The 7 Rules of Alignment and Why Your Business Needs Them?
- The Business Model Canvas
- Business Plan: Appendices
- Business Plan: Financials
- Business Plan: Operations
- Business Plan: Marketing
- Business Plan: Management
- Business Plan: Company Description
- Business Plan: Outline and Layout
- Business Plan: Overview
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Finances: Funding Options
- Finances: Cash Flow
- Finances
- Growth Strategies
- Business Essentials
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Charts: Forms Documents & Timelines
- Bradlee Frazer, Intellectual Property, Requisite Monkey Intention and Hedy Lamarr
- Understanding Marketing
- Business Accounting Requires a Professional
- Customer Service Pet Peeves
- Customer Service Tips
- How Efficient is Your Energy Use?
- Rethinking Environmental Compliance
- It’s Time to Check Your Check Policy
- Getting Help from the SBDC
- What Makes Employees Happy
- Finding Great Employees
- Are You a Good Boss?
- Appearance is Everything
- Surviving in Tough Times
- How to Choose a Location
- How to Evaluate a Commercial Lease
- Why Do I Have to Write a Business Plan?
Consulting
Cyber Tips & News
- Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams
- Cyber Security Packet
- New Cybersecurity Campaign for Small Business
- The Biggest Risk to Your Business: Inadequate Cybersecurity
- Guidance for compliance with NIST SP 800-171
- Ransomware: An Idaho SBDC Client’s story
- NIST Releases Cybersecurity Guidebook
- The Basics of Backing Up Your Data
- 14 Tips to Protect Your Business from Ransomware Attacks
- Introducing Free SBA Cyber Training
- Lessons learned from the WannaCry Cyber Attack
- Senator Risch cosponsors MAIN STREET Cybersecurity Act
- Securing your passwords: Wh@t’s a p@$$phra$3?
- Idaho Department of Labor faces breach on IdahoWorks page
- Idaho Company Falls Victim to Spear Phishing
- Social Engineering: Digital Con Artists
News Articles
- Three Essentials of Employee Feedback
- What Are The 7 Rules of Alignment and Why Your Business Needs Them?
- Corporate Tranparency ACT and how it can affect your small business
- Idaho SBDC Client Comfort Keepers Featured in the Business Journal of North Idaho
- 2022 Idaho SBDC State Star Award
- 2022 Idaho SBDC Milestone Awards
- 2022 Statewide and Regional Impact Reports
- Beth Freeman Elected to Leadership Post in National Association
- Lori Manning receives APTAC’s 2023 Becky Peterson Human Impact Award and the 2023 APTAC Economic Impact Award
- How can ChatGPT help small business?
- What is ChatGPT?
- 2021 Statewide and Regional Impact Reports
- Leadership and Management – Both are Important to the Success of Your Business
- BSU Study Shows Idaho SBDC creates $773.8 Million in Statewide Impact
- Idaho SBDC Consultants Sales Increase Milestones
- Idaho SBDC 2021 State Star Nominees and Winner
- Register for The Biggest Government Contracting Event in Idaho
- Judy Schumacher to retire from Idaho Small Business Development Center
- Idaho Hispanic Foundation awarded the SBA Community Navigator grant
- Idaho SBDC Statewide Impact Report YTD 2021
- Marie Baker Moves into the Director Position for the Southwest Idaho Region
- Kyle R. Guelcher to Become New State Director for North Central Idaho Region
- Idaho SBDC Graphic Designer Creates Award-Winning Logo for Local Small Business
- Idaho PTAC Counselor Dr. Bamidele Omotowa Earns Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) Endorsement
- Idaho PTAC Director Lori Manning featured on nationwide panel sponsored by Defense Logistics Agency
- SBDC Day is March 17, 2021 — Save the Date!
- America’s SBDCs Offering Grow With Google Training to Help Small Businesses
- Idaho SBDC Announces Associate State Director of Finance Deanna Berry
- North Central Idaho SBDC Client Featured in Tribal Business News
- Idaho SBDC’s 2020 State Star Award Recipient and Nominees
- Idaho SBDC Client Idaho Journee Featured in Marie Claire
- North Idaho SBDC Director William Jhung Talks Export Opportunities for Idaho Small Business
- Idaho SBDC Statewide Impact Report YTD 2020
- Idaho SBDC Makes Big Impact on Small Business with Free Statewide Webinars
- Maintain Eligibility for DoD Contracts: Required Assessment Deadline Nov. 30, 2020
- Fraud Alert: EIDL Loans & Identity Theft
- Veterans Bring Unique Skills to Business Recovery in Pacific Northwest
- SBA, Idaho SBDC Connect Clients to Resources
- Idaho Small Business Development Center Hard at Work
- Is Your Business Ready to Thrive During the Tough Times?
- 7 Time Management Tips for New Business Owners
- Working Capital, Orange Barrels and the Magic “3”
- Idaho PTAC’s Gary Moore Elected to Leadership of National Association.
- Value of a Business
- Congratulations to Idaho PTAC & Winspear Contruction!
- SBDC Generational Study
- Selling your business
- Guest Content: How do I determine what a business is worth…to me?
- Advocacy Recommends that DOL Adopt a Lower Salary Threshold for Overtime Regulations to Minimize Small Business Impacts
- CPSC’s Proposed Rule on Safety Standard Addressing Blade-Contact Injuries on Table Saws
- Department of Labor Requests Information Regarding Overtime Exemptions under the FLSA
- IRS Announces that it will Review whether to Rescind or Modify Estate Valuation Proposed Regulations
- US Department of Agriculture Seeks Information on Existing Rule
- Calling Applicants: InnovateHER 2017 Submissions Due June 2nd
- Alphabet Soup
- Small Business Development Center in ISU’s COB hires Claudia Allen
- New Success Story Video – WMDTech
- New video celebrates the 35th Anniversary of America’s SBDC
- Success Story Video – Boise Guest House
- TECenter clients’ kickstarter campaign: Chase Innovations
- Boise State TECenter Client Featured on 6 on Your Side and Fox 9
- SBA’s Boise District Office Names 2014 Idaho Small Business Person of the Year
- North Idaho Business Journal – Mike Wells
- North Idaho Business Journal -George Atchley
- SBDC provides free consulting to small businesses
- Well Done, Coach
- Idaho One of the Best States for Entrepreneurs
- Integrity Ballistics -Greenhouse Tenant
- Dan Todd of Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Won Award
Podcasts
- Go Nanooks! Alaska SBDC, Surprise Guests, Thank You and Goodbye.
- Will Jenson, the Research & Business Development Center, and the Diminishing Marginal Value of Flowers
- Greg Anderson, Hotels, Used Cars, and special guest Dougmantis!
- FBI Special Agent Clark Harshbarger, Cyber Security, SWAT Teams and The Nanooks
- Mary Cardon, Utah’s USTAR SBIR Center, Passive Voice and Butch Cassidy
- Tom Walker, the Bozeman Montana SBDC, Giant Steer and The Adventure Zone
- Ken Koller, Advanced Ceramic Fibers, Nuclear Submarines and Singing Dogs
- Mark Melni, Shark Tank, Small Business Investment and 20-year-old MRE Food Packets
- Amazing Glaze Donuts, Donut Trivia, “Donut Lassies” and Doughnuts!
- Bryan Matsuoka, Twin Falls, the All Business Conference and a Brand New Trivia Segment!
- Ann Swanson, Claudia Allen, Treasurer Trivia and the Women’s Business Symposium
- Brad Shantz, Innovation, Lean Startups, Sticky Notes and Picnic Flies
- Bryan Magleby: Idaho Innovation Center, Cell Phones, Online Marketing and Triathlons
- Christy Anna Gerber, the Ketchum Innovation Center, Facilities and Batman
- Kelly D. Williams, Brand Management, Billy Dee Williams, and The Pixies vs. Weezer.
- Ian Hoey, eCommerce, Christmas Trees and the San Diego Padres.
- Marketing 101, Influencers, Evangelism and Famous Dave Trivia
- Dallas Crum, Online Marketing, Hockey Fights and Betty White
- Startup Accelerators, J.R.R. Tolkien, Buck Rogers and Dave and David’s new product: “The Refridgewoofer™”
- Christmas Special #2: The Business Model Canvas, Lawn Darts, Steel Mills and Leeroy Jenkins!
- Christmas Special! Gary Moore, The Idaho PTAC, Brown Mustard and Eeyore
- Brian O’Morrow, the Boise State MBA Program, Online Gaming and Spaceman Spiff
- Steve Miller, Steve Miller, Kalispell Montana, and the NHL
- Carmen Achabal, Idaho Commerce’s IGEM grant program, Thanksgiving Alligators and the Weather
- Thanksgiving Special! Belinda Breidenbach interview, Listener Mail and Meat Santas
- Introductions, Interviews and Getting Started
Small Business Advocacy
Success Stories
- Success Story – Bunzow Glass
- Success Story – Long Arm Mechanics
- Success Story – World of Martial Arts
- Success Story – Idaho Canvas Products
- Success Story – Sentiments 4D Ultrasound
- Success Story – Floyd Lilly Company
- Success Story – Aguila con el Taco
- Success Story – A&E Engineering
- Success Story – Atomic Threads
- Success Story – Titan Springs
- Success Story – Active NW
- Success Story – Grease Monkey
- Success Story – Topline Revenue Management
- Success Story – Bakety Bake
- Success Story – Cravin’s Candy Emporium
- Success Story – Ramey’s Yard Care
- Success Story – Northside B&B
- Success Story – MaryJanesFarm
- Success Story – One World Cafe
- Success Learning Center – Twin Falls, ID
- Shokota Pow-Wow Supply
- El Secreto Salsa
- Divine Window Solutions
- Firefly
- Washie
- TC Creations
- Solvent Practice Solutions
- La Michoacana Ice Cream Palace – Idaho Falls
- This Liquidation Center – Jerome, ID
- Mountain Madness Soap Co – Coeur d’Alene, ID
- Herbs of the World – Salmon, ID
- Maple Grove Hot Springs – Thatcher, ID
- Silver Creek Hotel & The Stage Coach Inn – Bellevue, ID
- 2TroubleBoys – Nampa, ID
- Twin Rivers Therapeutic Massage Academy – Lewiston, ID
- FiftyFlowers – Boise
- Russell Construction & Excavation – Lewiston
- Slant 3D – Boise
- Matrix Aromatherapy – Boise
- In the Bag Promotions – Boise
- Eagle Rock Dance Studio – Idaho Falls
- AC Electric Motor Service – Kimberly
- Career Index – Coeur D’Alene
- Amazing Glaze Donuts – Pocatello
- Little Wood Vision Clinic – Shoshone
- Terri’s Cafe – Meridian
- Pivot North Architecture – Boise
- Rolla Roaster – Orofino
- Blueprint Specialties – Boise
- Athol Orchards – Athol
- MiWave – Burns, OR
- Partner Steel Co. – Pocatello
- Retrolux Inc. – Boise
- Pitmaster BarBQue – Idaho Falls
- Snake River Travel Plaza – Blackfoot
- Riverside Recovery – Lewiston
- Zeppole Baking Company Revisited – Boise
- Chapolera Coffee – Idaho Falls
- Casiano’s Auto Repair – Burley
- Predictable Ryde
- American Pharma
- Blue Wolf
- Inergy Solar
- Shaw Mountain Technology
- Advanced Ceramic Fibers
- MJ3
- Ear Hero
- Recall Infolink
- Healthy Home Environment Services (HHE) – Idaho Falls
- Winspear Construction – A PTAC Success
- Off the Grid Investigations LLC – Idaho Falls
- Tiny Tots Learning Center – Lapwai
- Bloom Therapy – Pocatello
- Boise Music Lessons
- K & T Steel – Twin Falls
- WMR Environmental – Preston
- Northwest Cultural Resource Consultants – McCall
- Craze Fun Zone
- Melni Innovation Group – A success revisited
- Breckon Land Design, Inc.
- Rosewater Kinetics
- Idaho Hydro Tech (IHT)
FAQs
General
- Where can I get money for my business?
- Are contractors required to be licensed in Idaho?
- How can I obtain a loan?
- If I’m thinking of starting a business, what should I do first?
- What kind of registration and licenses are required to start a business?
- Should I have a web page?
- What does marketing involve?
- What is my market potential?
- How can I find and keep qualified employees?
- Does the Idaho SBDC charge for its services?
- How can I protect my customers’ and employees’ data from theft?
Starting a Business
- I want to start a non-profit organization. How do I do that and are there special requirements?
- I plan to start my business in my home. Are there special requirements I need to know about?
- I am starting a handyman business. Do I need to register as a contractor?
Financing Your Business
- I need a grant to start my business. Who offers them and how do I apply?
- What is crowdfunding?
- What loans are available to start a business?
- I’ve heard about venture capital and angel investors but I am not sure how they work or if my business qualifies for their help.
- I would like to issue securities to increase my businesses’ funding. How do I do that?
Operating A Business
- How do I register a trademark?
- How Do I Establish a Temporary Lodging Business and Do I Have To Charge Tax?
- How do I register to sell to the government or become a preferred vendor?
- I have an out-of-state business and plan to do business in Idaho. How can I find out about Idaho regulations?
- My product is made in the U.S., a rarity today. Do I need to do something to be able to advertise it as U.S. made?
- How can I have my product certified as organic or “green?”
- I want to sell my food at our farmer’s market but they won’t let me unless I prepare it in a commercial kitchen. What is that and how do I make my home kitchen into a commercial one?
- What is TERO? My company wants to bid on a project on the Ft. Hall Reservation but they say we must have a TERO permit.
- The company I am currently working for wants me to give them a W-9. What is it and why do I need to do this?
- Planning and Zoning closed my business. They said it was not allowed to be located where it was. Can they do that? What recourse do I have?
- I think my business may be subject to environmental regulations. How do I verify that and find out how to comply?
- How Can My Store Accept Food Stamps?
- I own an autobody shop. I understand environmental requirements for businesses like mine have changed.
Licenses and Permits
- What is a vendor’s license and where do I get it?
- I need a state business license. How do I apply?
- How do I apply for a permit to sell alcohol at my restaurant?
Employer Issues
- How do I establish a retirement plan for my employees?
- Harassment is a touchy subject. What do I need to know to protect my employees and myself?
- I had to fire an employee who used drugs on and off the job. I don’t want this to happen again. Where can I get help?
Other Issues
- Can I advertise on this site or put a link on this site?
- What is a Health Insurance Identification Number and how do I get one?
- How do I obtain a UPC code for the product I plan to sell?
- I am interested in joining a service club where I can help the community and promote my business. Can you recommend one?
Business Certifications
Business Plan
- Do I need insurance?
- I need data for my business plan. What do I do?
- How long will it take to develop my business plan and get financing?
- How do I choose a legal name and organizational structure for my business?
- What is in a business plan? Do I need a formal, written one?
- Will the SBDC write the business plan for me?
- Do I need a business plan? If so, why?
- How do I write a business plan?
- What is Business Model Canvas?
- What is a business feasibility study?
- Why do I need to define my business in detail?
- Can you name a good reference book that can be used in the creation of a business plan for a restaurant?
Buy/Sell a Business
- I’d like to sell my business, what is the first step?
- Can I get financing to buy an existing business?
- What information should I request from the seller? What if the seller won’t provide any financial information for the business?
- I’m buying an existing business that happens to be a franchise. Is there anything special I should know or consider?
- Can you help me value a business that I want to buy/sell?
Cash Flow Management
- Can you help me with cash flow projections?
- How do I estimate my startup costs and cash flow?
- How do I make predictions about future sales and expenses in order to create a cash flow projection?
- How can I figure out my break even point?
Human Resources/Managing Employees
- Who should I have on my team?
- How do I register to become an employer?
- What financial responsibilities do I have for my employees?
- What is OSHA?
- How do I know if I should hire my first employee?
- How can I effectively interview applicants?
- Which federal posters do small businesses need to post?
Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- What’s the difference between the SBA and the SBDC?
- How does business counseling work?
- Does the SBDC only help start-ups?
- Ok, I see I need an appointment to meet with a counselor. How do I set up one?
- Can we meet in the evenings or weekends?
Legal Issues
- How do I copyright a product?
- How do I file a patent or trademark?
- What legal aspects do I need to consider when starting my business?
- How should I structure my business?
- How can I protect my assets?
Managing Business
- Do I have what it takes to own/manage a small business?
- How do I convert from a Sole Proprietor to LLC
- I need to reinvent my business, how can you help?
- How can you help me grow my business?
Start-Up Assistance
- How do I start an online business?
- Can the SBDC help me start a nonprofit?
- Can the SBDC help me start a marijuana-based business?
- What do I need to do to start my own business?
- What is the best type of business to start? Is it better to buy an existing business or start a new one?
- Where can I find out about licenses and taxes?
- What business licenses do I need to start?
- What basic skills do I need to run a business?
- What business should I choose to start?
- What initial costs should I consider?
- How long will it take to start a small business?
- How can I get my business certified as minority or women owned?
- What insurance should I have?
- Should I buy a franchised business to start?
- Should I buy an existing business to start?
Financing/Capital
- Since I’ve never had any trouble obtaining a home mortgage, credit card, or auto loan, shouldn’t I be able to easily obtain a loan for my small business?
- What is an SBA loan and how do I get one?
- How much money can I borrow? Is it possible to get 100% financing for my business?
- How can I find out my credit score?
- What do I need to get a business loan?
- Does the SBDC offer loans?
- What alternatives are there for financing a business?
- What financing is available when your credit rating is bad or you have a bankruptcy?
- How should I prepare to meet with a business banker?
- What are the risks of borrowing from a lender I located on the web?
COVID-19 General Support
- What is the difference between collecting Unemployment versus PPP?
- What are the best options for capitalization for sole owners/proprietors?
- What requirements are there for part-time employees that have other jobs also? Do I have to pay them the part-time wages during the down time with the PPP loan?
- Does a business owner need to have the same employees in place before February 15 as thereafter? Is this about the specific employees or the number of employees?
- If a small business owner has taken a consistent monthly draw every month for the past few years, but never put themselves on payroll like employees, can the PPP be used for an owners draw?
- How can this help sole proprietor with no employees? I rent space in a salon to run my business, can this help me?
- Does claiming unemployment prevent you from getting PPP?
- Do PPP loans cover paid sick leave?
- What if an eligible borrower contracts with a third-party payer such as a payroll provider or a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to process payroll and report payroll taxes?
- Will workers qualify for unemployment benefits if the coronavirus (COVID-19) causes an employer to temporarily or permanently shut down operations?
- If an employee receives unemployment benefits as a result of a coronavirus-related business shutdown, will my unemployment insurance account be charged?
- Will my employees be required to look for work if I had to temporarily or permanently shut down operations for work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- How can a company get workers back if they are considered attached and the company reopens but the employees would prefer to get unemployment insurance instead?
- I heard about an additional $600 more per week? When does this start?
- If there is a separation due to the coronavirus, am I required to pay accrued vacation/PTO or sick pay?
- What are the specific steps (verification process) to obtain loan forgiveness (conversion to a grant) on the PPP?
- Are there any additional grants or assistance help in Idaho beside the Federal relief fund?
- Are these loans going to be taxable?
- For the self-employed, is the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefit to be based on the sole proprietor’s gross income or based on net profit?
Marketing/Sales
- What does marketing my business involve?
- What kind of market research can you help me with?
- How do I obtain a domain name for my business?
- How can I find profiles on typical industry customers?
- How do I find suppliers for my business?
- What are some resources to help with marketing research?
- What is a Sales Pipeline?
- What is Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business?)
