The COVID-19 pandemic forced many small business owners to move online in order to keep up during the shut down. However, some small business owners have avoided making real strides in developing an online presence because of uncertainty about how to design a website or use social media in a meaningful way for your business.
But, you can't afford to put off going online any longer!
Topics: Small Business, Retail, Growing a Business, Sales & Marketing, social media
Leslie Hildula of the PCC Small Business Development Center offers a presentation on the guidelines set forth by the Oregon Health Authority for re-opening restaurants, retail, and personal service businesses following the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Coronavirus shutdown. In these two videos Leslie provides information on compliance requirements for the re-opening of small businesses that have been impacted by the Governor's orders.
Topics: Small Business, Retail, Restaurants, Oregon, Retail Small Business Management, Retail Business Builders, coronavirus, Covid-19
Being forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to pivot sales to 100% online was tough for Rita Hudson-Evalt (owner of Portland's Union Rose), but she was able to make it work with the help of her customers, staff and PCC SBDC Advisers. Now, as the state of Oregon begins to open back up, she faces a similar set of challenges. This is how she is responding to them.
Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Retail, Retail Business Builders, coronavirus, Covid-19, Resilience
Celeste Sipes joined the PCC SBDC team in February of 2020 -- Just in time for a global pandemic to hit Portland that has dramatically influenced small retail businesses. But Celeste, who also owns a successful online retail business, is up to the challenge! These are indeed difficult times for brick and mortar retailers who are trying to figure out how to continue to operate without the normal flow of physical customers. Below is the story of how Celeste is able to provide a sense of sanity in a time of upheaval.
Topics: Small Business, Retail, Restaurants, Retail Small Business Management, Covid-19
Leslie Hildula has been around entrepreneurs all of her life, but nothing she has experienced could have fully prepared her for what's happening with small businesses during this time of global pandemic. Leslie and her team are working diligently to help Portland restaurant owners weather the storm of Covid-19 and the Oregon Governor's "Stay Home, Save Lives" orders.
Topics: Small Business, Retail, Restaurants, Retail Small Business Management, Covid-19
Earlier this month, Barneys filed for bankruptcy, joining a growing list of other large retailers to file in recent years including Toys “R” Us, Radioshack, Sears and Sports Authority. Another story in the Guardian newspaper last week reported that tourists in NYC are surprised by the shuttering of retailers. However, the same isn't necessarily true in Portland—there are many reasons why retail will survive here.
Topics: Small Business, Retail, Retail Business Builders
Carmen Ripley Wilson approached the PCC Small Business Development Center seeking help with her new retail business. She was going through a career shift, having spent 15-years working as a naturopathic doctor. Combining her passion for small business retail with an emphasis on sustainability, Carmen came up with the idea for Beanstalk Children's Store.
Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, CLIMB Center, Retail, Retail Small Business Management, Retail Business Builders, PCC Stories
Holiday season is quickly approaching, and for many retail businesses this time of year has the potential to make or break the entire year financially. It’s vital to start preparing as early as possible, so you don’t leave any potential sales or revenue on the table after the holidays are over.
Holiday sales make up about 18 percent of overall annual retail sales, and in 2016 those numbers are expected to grow around 3.7 percent. Combine this with recent evidence that a growing majority of American consumers favor buying and shopping local, and it’s no wonder holiday craft fairs have seen a boom in recent years.
Topics: Small Business, Retail, Starting a Business, Growing a Business
The Holidays are such an important time of year for small businesses. For many, especially in retail, the Holidays may make or break the entire financial year. Craft fairs and holiday markets have become popular among both consumers and small businesses during this time. But are businesses doing all they can to maximize their retail sales from holiday markets?
Topics: Small Business, Retail, Leadership, Management, Starting a Business, Growing a Business
Starting, running, and maintaining a retail business can be a rocky road. The hard truth is that only 47% of retail businesses survive longer than four years. The good news is, mistakes can be avoided if you learn from others’ mistakes!
Topics: Small Business, Retail