Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC)

It's the final stretch! The end of the year is soooo close but we have a few final business tips to help you close out the year on a strong note! 🔸 Strategic planning for 2025: Operations, Financials, Marketing. In each of these areas, evaluate data from this year and create a plan for next year. What went well? What needs to improve? What deserves most of your attention in Q1? 🔸 Show customer & employee appreciation! Thank you notes and small gifts are a great way to show your appreciation to clients and employees. 🔸 Take time to unwind. Trust that you’ve put the right systems in place so that you can take a few days off. Clear your mind so that you can start 2025 with a fresh perspective.

Happy #SmallBusinessSaturday! Today, we celebrate the heart of our communities: YOU, the small business owners. You're the backbone of our economy and have a have a determination unlike anyone else! 💪 Just remember, you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to help your business thrive with no-cost consulting and resources. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, we’ve got your back! Request an appointment here: https://lnkd.in/e67472rW 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the TSBDC to you and yours! 💝

As the end of the year approaches, have you considered your tax-deductible expenses? If you’ve been waiting to buy new equipment, office supplies, or software... Maybe now could be the right time! Just to be clear, we don’t advise that you make purchases just for the sake of lowering your tax liability. We recommend asking your CPA about tax-deductible expenses, how to maximize deductions, and if buying those items right now makes sense for your situation.

At the TSBDC, we're all about professional development! 👏 The Murfreesboro team recently spent an afternoon learning more about artificial intelligence, how to use it internally, and how to guide clients on integrating it into their workflows too. And a special shout out to Brooke, who led the session!

Charles Alexander is the Director of the TSBDC at Vol State in Gallatin. In fact, he’s been the Center’s first and only Director since its inception in 2007! He has worked with over 1,700 clients, and this is what some of them have said about working with him: 🔹 "Charles is always ready to listen and never judgmental. He has ideas that I’ve never considered and resources I may have never known." 🔹 "Working with Charles has been so helpful. He's answered questions, given us advice, and even collaborated with us to provide resources/training to our members and community." 🔹 "Charles is always available and helpful with whatever I ask. If he doesn't know, he'll ask for time to get more information back to us. We truly appreciate the help." Charles, we are so glad you’re part of the TSBDC team! 👏

Updates from SBA regarding Hurricane Helene disaster funding! 📣 The deadline for filing applications for physical damages related to Helene has been extended to January 7, 2025 - an extra month to submit your application! The Economic Injury Disaster Loan application deadline is still July 2, 2025. Please also note that while SBA is accepting and reviewing disaster loan applications, new loan offers will be delayed due to a lapse in Congressional funding.

As we approach the end of the year, now could be a great time to review your pricing structure and supply costs! 💸 Think about your customers’ behavior. Did they quickly buy, or did it take awhile for them to say yes? This could be a good indicator of how they feel about your pricing. If every customer says yes immediately, that’s a clear sign it’s time to increase prices! 💸 Review your competitors’ pricing. We don’t recommend copying your competition, but it’s good to know where you stand in the market so you can be confident about your value propositions. 💸 Consider your profit margins! If you don’t feel comfortable going up on your prices right now, is there a way you can cut your supply costs? If you'd like to discuss your pricing and costs, you can always request an appointment with a consultant on our website! https://lnkd.in/gdbYPUFr 

For this week’s Staff Spotlight, we’d like to highlight Aundrea Salyer, Senior Business Counselor with the Kingsport TSBDC, who has been part of the network since 2011! Her specialties include business plans, access to capital, and business expansion. Our Kingsport Center is also known as KOSBE - Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship. In 2004, the Kingsport Chamber and the City of Kingsport jointly formed the KOSBE to support startups and existing small businesses in Kingsport. Seven years later, TSBDC joined the partnership, and now KOSBE is part of the TSBDC network as the ETSU Kingsport Affiliate office. In addition to her role as Senior Business Counselor, Aundrea is also the Chief Business Development Officer with the Kingsport Chamber. She is a certified Economic Developer and earned her Masters in Business Administration. Is there anything she can’t do?! 🤩 Aundrea, we’re so glad you’re part of the TSBDC team!

Getting ready for Small Business Saturday? Here are a few things you can do to make the most of it: ⭐ Promote your offers and discounts now so customers plan to shop from you instead of the big box stores! ⭐ Create a festive shopping experience with holiday music and decorations. ⭐ Collaborate with other local businesses for cross-promotions. ⭐ Share your own story of why shopping "small" is important to you and your business!