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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.

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?

After spending 30 years in the banking and financial services industry, SBDC Advisor and Instructor Terry Long shares his expertise to help small business owners set up, understand and utilize their financial information to build a successful business. Here is his story. . .  

Why do you teach & advise? I get great fulfillment when working with Small Business Owners in assisting them with their passion and dreams of taking on this exciting adventure in achieving a successful and profitable business.

Orientations offered by PCC’s Small Business Development Center (at no cost!) are a great way to learn about the opportunities we offer to help you turn your business idea into action. A typical orientation includes a small group of future entrepreneurs – but may also include sole-proprietors and small business owners seeking to find efficient, practical and effective solutions to common business-related challenges. You’ll leave our 2-hour orientation having identified new resources, and with an action plan to guide your next steps.

Starting a small business can be a daunting process, and being underprepared can spell disaster. If you’re thinking about starting a business, ask yourself these questions first.

Developing your value proposition is critical to successfully moving forward with your business. By learning how to create a value proposition you will be making a commitment to appeal to your target audience and draw in new customers. These customers will help ensure you are reaching profit goals and seeing the results you desire.

Updated Feb. 15, 2022

There’s something exciting about starting your own business, especially if it’s something you’re truly passionate about. Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of the American economy, and many people rely on small businesses to provide the goods and services they need, as well as to create jobs for the local economy.

That’s the precise reason that we celebrate National Entrepreneur Week, because it celebrates the benefits of being an entrepreneur. There are numerous reasons it's great to be an entrepreneur, and that’s why we’re celebrating National Entrepreneurship Week. Below we’ll discuss the top ten reasons why being an entrepreneur is so great:

As an entrepreneur, there are many considerations in opening a new business. Considerations may include funding, developing of your product or service, marketing including website development, finding the right location for your business or digital storefront, attracting customers/creating sales and many more. Of course, it’s important to also consider challenges related to the psychology of entrepreneurship. Today’s article provides a snapshot of the top five psychological considerations you could experience which can help to reveal some insights and tips for ways to overcome each.

You have a recipe that everyone loves. Friends and family have told you over and over how great your food is, that you could make a killing selling it. Maybe you’ve even dreamed up the perfect name for your barbecue sauce or cookie dough. You can see the product design in your head. You are ready to make the dream a reality.

Hold on just one second before you spend that money on printing labels and buying equipment. You could be making one of many costly mistakes made by first-time food entrepreneurs... These mistakes can set the production of your product back months, or even years.

Entrepreneurs often want to start their own business because they have a passion for a certain product or service and have some expertise in how to deliver it. However, there are many facets of running a business that are equally important to its growth..