dc women's business center sponsored by: u.s. small business administration operated by:...
TRANSCRIPT
DC Women's Business Center
Sponsored by: U.S. Small Business Administration
Operated by:
Business at the Next Level:Starting and Growing
Your Business
Intro Activity: Your True Colors
DC Women's Business Center
DC Women's Business Center
Who We Are
A business development organization that serves women entrepreneurs in the Washington, DC Capital Region.
Advocates for the inclusion of women’s businesses in federal procurement opportunities.
A network of business connections and services that support the growth of women-owned businesses.
DC Women's Business Center
Who We Serve
Women executives seeking operational, financial, and/or market assistance to grow their businesses.
Women entrepreneurs seeking to formalize their business through business planning and operations assistance.
There is a particular focus on assisting economically disadvantaged and minority women entrepreneurs.
DC Women's Business Center
Services Provided
Existing Business
• Business Assessment
• Business Growth Support through Counseling & Training
• Access to Capital
• Mentoring and Networking Opportunities
Start-up Business
• Business Assessment
• Business Planning
• Access to Capital
• Connection to Mentors
DC Women's Business Center
Starting A Business Inspiration
• Identified Need or Solution to a Problem
• Problem + Solution = Opportunity!
Research• Existing Models and Competition
• Feasibility
Business Planning• Company Description
• Market Analysis
• Organization & Management
• Service or Product Line
• Marketing & Sales
• Financial Projections
Your Words are POWERFUL!
DC Women's Business Center
Video clip
Successful Entrepreneurs
Influenced by role models
Parents were entrepreneurs
Key Characteristics
Creativity
Developing newideas and ways tosolve problemsthat provide newor better opportunitiesand products.
DOGGIE WASHERETTE
Key Characteristics
Creative People
• Bright • Adaptable • High self esteem • Challenge-oriented • Idea-oriented • Inquisitive • Curious
Improve Your Creativity
Gather as much
information as you can
• Research
• Read: Newspapers, Trade Magazines
• Talk with experts
Improve Your Creativity
Brainstorm ideas for new
improvements and opportunities.
• Is the solution reasonable?
• If so, try it!
• If not, start thinking again.
• Don’t limit your mind.
• Don’t give up!
DC Women's Business Center
Growing A Business
Business Assessment• What’s working?
• Where are your current challenges?
Increase Capacity• Automation (Online payments, banking, registration)
• Social Media (Marketing, promotion, customer feedback)
• Hiring (Full-time, part-time, interns, volunteers, virtual assistants)
• Joint Ventures/Partnerships
New Markets• Locations, customers, products/services
• Government Contracting
• Exporting
New Markets:Opportunity from Trends
Area of Opportunity Things to Look For Examples
Economic Forces Spending Patterns Disposable Income Economic Climate
Gasbuddy.com to find cheap gas
Jetblue for low cost flights Designer clothes for
Teens with more cashSocial Trends Demographics
Education Fads and priorities for
people
Services for Baby Boomers
Social Networking Green products Healthy organic food
Technological Advances Emerging technologies New uses of established
technology
Cell phone Advances Alternative energies 3D movies and games
Political and Regulatory Changes
New laws Foreign trade rules Change in government
Products that exceed safety standards
Electronic health records Tax on internet sales
DC Women's Business Center
Increase Capacity:Process and Systems
• Streamline SalesMake your business more efficient with a sales/customer service or other process
• DelegateCan the business run
without you?
• Efficient FeedbackStay in touch with your clients, partners and team
by creating a communication plan
• Plan AheadWhat are you doing
today that could/should be done more efficiently when your revenue increases? How do you make that happen faster?
Increase Capacity
Build your team• Mentors
• Investors
• Professional Advisors • Attorney, Banker, Accountant
• Friends/Family
DC Women's Business Center
Building Your Team: Networking
Networking is NOT About:
Money Finding a job Making a sale Collecting business cards
Networking IS About:
Connecting with others Establishing community Finding others who share
your vision Keep your hands open!
DC Women's Business Center
Networking:6 Degrees of Separation Activity
Anyone you meet is 6 acquaintances away from someone you know.
Write the name of someone you want to meet that could help you grow or promote your business (On the top of the page. THINK BIG!)
Pass the papers Write your name on the bottom of the paper if you
know the person or someone who knows the person Make a connection!
DC Women's Business Center
Final Advice: The Most Expensive Real Estate in the World
Look for new ideas Keep it simple Start small Try, try, try again!
What is the most expensive real estate in the world?
DC Women's Business Center
Keep in Touch!V kontakte!
Samira Cook Gaines Vice President of Business Development
Email: [email protected]
Online: www.dcwbc.org, www.ncrc.org
Like us on Facebook: The Washington, DC Women’s Business Center
Follow on Twitter: @TheDCWBC