Do you own an Export Business? You could win this contest

The SBA(Small business administration) has partnered with Visa to sponsor a contest to share your small business success in exporting.

The challenge is to make an original 3 minute video informing small businesses the value of exporting and providing awareness of government programs that are available to support small business exporters.

To learn more, check out this video from the SBA channel on Youtube.

Video submission started August 1, 2011 and entries must be received by Sep, 3, 2011. See complete details at http://www.sba.gov/exportvideocontest

Want to Start A Business? Have You Done Your Homework?

Recently, I have become more determined than ever to start my own business. I have been doing a lot of online research to find business ideas and advice. In the course of my research I found out that, in the USA, immigrants start businesses at twice the rate of native born Americans.

For some immigrants it is because well paying jobs are difficult to come by even for those who are well-educated. Some of the barriers are limited English, lack of familiarity with the American culture and lack of access to networking opportunities. Other immigrants choose to leave their relatively stable, well paying jobs to start their own businesses to fulfill their life-long dreams. In the current economy, where many people are still unable to find work, you may be thinking of striking out on your own.

Whatever your reason for starting a new business, you need to do your homework to increase your chances of success in your new venture.

One powerful resource that I have come across is the Small Business Administration (SBA), a treasure trove of information and support for both prospective and current business owners.

Through their website and Small Business Development Centers, the SBA is focused on providing:

§ access to capital

§ assistance in applying for government contracts

§ counseling & training for both new and existing business owners

A good starting point for anyone thinking of starting a business is to take this SBA test, “20 Questions Before Starting a Business”.

What other questions should one answer before they start a new business?

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