The world is changing, and the KU SBDC is changing with it.  In today's economy and environment, entrepreneurs are searching for new business and communication outlets. 
The KU SBDC E-Journal is now available!  
Click here to view the E-Journal!


Click here to visit our new, exciting blog where you'll have the opportunity to read rich content, see current videos and share your thoughts and ideas with fellow entrepreneurs in these challenging economic times.

Click here to access a PDF of our new Consulting Services and Learning Opportunities Guide


Do you have your own success story?  Would you like to share your business triumphs with the entrepreneurial world?  Here's your chance!
Click here to submit your story today!  

"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."  -M. Scott Peck

 Helicopter Tech, Inc. Takes Flight with Direction from the KU SBDC

Pioneering the aviation parts and equipment industry since 1995, Helicopter Tech, Inc. (HTI), with President and CEO Rachel Carson, is no stranger to leading the pack.  This year HTI took the lead when awarded one of four primes for the Landing Gear Prime Vendor Contract by Hill Air Force Base, located in northern Utah.  And helping along the way was KU SBDC government procurement services consultant, Goerge Boehm.

Click here to read more about Helicopter Tech Inc.'s success, and how KU SBDC consulting helped them land a very competitive government contract.

Surviving In Challenging Economic Times
Special Edition Conference Call

Over the past six months you've heard a number of stories about how the downturn in the economy is starting to impact our small business clients.  In response to our clients need for information and planning during these times the KU SBDC is hosting a conference call for all of our clients to join us for an update on the current banking environment and practical tips about how to survive in an economic downturn. 

David Dickson, Philadelphia Regional SBA District Director will be joining us for this conference call, as will, several commercial lenders and many of our SBDC consultants with expertise in government marketing, international marketing and business planning. 

"It is during times like these that reconnecting with customers and former contacts can be especially helpful. With that in mind I wanted to share something that came across my desk last week from
the Kauffman Foundation, which has been one of our key stakeholders over the past decade." -Ernie Post, KU SBDC Director

The Kauffman Foundation commissioned a national poll concerning the general public's perceptions about the national economy, corporate ethics and the importance of small business. The following is a question from that poll:

Who do you have more faith and confidence in to guide the U. S. economy- CEOs, from Fortune 500 companies, owners of successful small business, or members of Congress?
--"Respondents selected the small business owners 56% of the time, the CEOs 14% and Congress 14%. With the upcoming elections less than three weeks away, I encourage each of our small business clients to get out and exercise your right to vote. After all, America's future depends on what happens to our small businesses." -Ernie Post

So mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM for a FREE conference call entitled, "Surviving In Challenging Economic Times." Click here to register for this free conference call.

If you have any questions, please call our toll free number 1-866-458-7232 or (484) 646-4003.

Listening to Your Business
FREE Four Hour Workshop for
Business Owners

This FREE, four hour live workshop will help you chart your three year strategic vision, determine what stage of development your business is in today given the current economic reality, identify areas in your business that need to be strengthened to support growth and translate your goals into action steps in an interactive program developed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

The workbook used during the Listening to Your Business workshop will help you implement a plan to grow and prosper. You will be provided with access to On Demand E-Learning that will help you as you plan the future of your business. In addition, we will grant you access to a FREE two hour live webinar on building a "PITCH" for your business following the workshop.

Click here to register for this FREE conference call on Tuesday, November 11th from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (KU SBDC). 

For information call the KU SBDC, toll free at 1-866-458-7232 or
(484) 646-4003.

 

Quick Links

Workshop Registration

Newsletter Archives

PA Department of Community and Economic Development

US Small Business Administration

SBDC News

Trade Finance Webinar

-This webinar focuses on the essentials of financing exports and obtaining export insurance in challenging economic times. Sponsored by the KU SBDC, this interactive, informal webinar addresses key questions on how to obtain export working capital, finance exports and mitigate the risk of non-payment from overseas buyers. You must register in advance, the webinar is limited to 15 attendees.  Click here to register for this FREE webinar and reserve your spot today for the October 28, 9:30 to 11:00 AM session!

Certification Made Simple

-This FREE, 3 hour informational session discusses and reviews the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Minority Business Enterprise/ Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) certification application. Participants will be lead through the application line by line by a representative from the Department of General Services Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities (BMWBO).  Click here to register for the November 5, 9:00 AM to noon session! (To be held at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber).

Selling to the Federal Government

-Presented by the SBA and the Kutztown University SBDC, this FREE workshop covers: the first steps a small business needs to take when selling to the Federal Government, an overview of the small business certification, potential strategies small businesses can use when approaching this market, tips for marketing your firm to federal agencies and what to expect from federal government solicitations.  Click here to register for the November 17, 9:00 AM to noon session! (To be held at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber).

Learning Opportunities:

 
-The KU SBDC recently added bilingual learning opportunities to its already extensive online library.  23 On-Demand Spanish modules, which cover topics such as sales, marketing, financing and business planning. The new modules are funded by VISA in San Francisco, CA.  They are available to entrepreneurs in the U.S., Central and South America.  Click here to access the new Spanish library!

-The Pitch is a business planning webinar based on one of the bestselling books for small business by Guy Kawasaki,
The Art of the Start.  Sign up today for sessions on October 29 from 6:30-8:30 PM, and November 12 from 6:30-8:30 PM.  Click here to register!

 -The First Step:
This live 90 minute CONFERENCE CALL uses the phone to deliver an interactive experience. We will provide you an hour and a half overview of all the SBDC client services, learning resources and we will direct you to the SBDC services you need.  These sessions are held once each week for all individuals who want to use the services of Kutztown SBDC. We will provide you with an 800 number. The outcome of the session will be a clear understanding of your next steps to take. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW-YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR MISSION.