Small business week took place from April 30 through May 6, 2017, hosted by the Small Business Administration. What is Small Business Week? “Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories.”
Startup Production, as a proud small business, supports and works regularly with so many local, hardworking small business owners on a daily basis. As we work closely with each small business owner, we learn about their business, their products and services, their mission statement, their business plan as we develop their website presence and internet marketing plan. And each time, I’m continually amazed the uniqueness of each business but also the similarities.
Entrepreneurs are a unique breed … they are born leaders, aren’t afraid of hard work, with a passion for their product, are innovative, flexible and hungry, are energetic and excited by a challenge, take great pride and ownership in their accomplishments, have never been one to follow the crowd, are creative with a limitless supply of ideas, logistical thinkers that are always looking for ways to improve upon the standards, are optimistic and resilient in the face of failure, have a great sense of humor when all else fails, with a strong desire to make more than just a living but leave a legacy.
And most business owners I know are often too busy, wearing too many hats to stop and celebrate their accomplishments. Likewise, Startup Production has been swamped with projects, meetings, client trainings, and presentations to set aside a week to commemorate Small Business Week properly but during the first quarter of 2017, our team has been busy.
On March 14th, Startup Production was invited to presentation at the Commerce Lexington’s @330 Series: “It’s Not You, It’s Your Website” – Building an Effective Web Presence. The presentation went over all the components of each business’ online footprint including their website, social media, SEO (including keywords, backlinks, content, PPC), blogging, content marketing and analytics. The room was packed, with an engaged audience with great questions throughout the hour and half. I thank Liz Bennett of Commerce Lexington for inviting me and help in promoting the event.
On April 10th, Startup Production was invited to present on “Promoting your Brand on Social Media” at the Kaufman FastTrac New Ventures class of new entrepreneurs in Berea, KY, hosted by Berea Economic Development and MACED. I always enjoy meeting new business owners, learning about their business ideas, products and services which include a broom artist, a tee shirt quilter, a bed and breakfast, and other artists as part of the Gallery 1, 2, 3 project. The FastTrac program is an excellent and comprehensive guide to all aspects of running a business. For more than 20 years, Kauffman FastTrac programs have provided aspiring and established entrepreneurs the information, frameworks, resources and peer networks they need to successfully start and grow companies through a global network of affiliates.
In April, we added six new sites to our portfolio of custom designed, responsive (mobile-friendly) content management system websites that the clients have all been trained on how to update themselves. Each website proposal includes a one hour training session on content management of their website, basics of SEO, and how to blog.
Current in May, we’re having a record-breaking month working on 5 logos, 8 websites, PPC campaigns as well as social media and blog management for nearly a dozen clients concurrently. How? Thanks to my tried and true, hardworking and skilled team of professionals, we are able to accomplish quality work and give special attention to our clients’ needs. “No man is an island”, and this is especially true for small business owners. We cannot do it all, not successfully or sanely, everyone needs a team for growth, an interchange of ideas and support. Thanks to my team!
