February’s Ohio Business Profiles

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Featured companies all minority-owned businesses in Ohio

COLUMBUS – Secretary of State Jon Husted today announced that as part of an ongoing effort to recognize the impact Ohio businesses have on our state, February’s Ohio Business Profile features minority-owned businesses.

“These companies are a testament to the welcoming business climate in Ohio for entrepreneurs who provide quality services and products to their customers,” Secretary Husted said. “These businesses are an integral part of our communities and their continued success has a positive impact on our state.”

The companies being featured this month offer a wide variety of products and services, ranging from IT support to fishing gear.  

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  • Executive Security Group – Cleveland, Ohio – Founded in 2008, this company offers armed and unarmed security, private investigations, BCII and FBI electronic fingerprinting and more.
  • Salamander Sinkers – Cincinnati, Ohio – This sporting goods company specializes in drop shot, freshwater drift and salt water drift fishing sinkers.
  • OCG Telecom – Cincinnati, Ohio – This IT and telecom equipment and software company began in 2008 and specializes in computers, software and routers.
  • Dane’s Dessert Cafe – Columbus, Ohio – Started in 2011, this company offers sweet treats such as specialty crepes, Belgian waffles and sundaes.

SBA Live Web Chat Will Focus on How to Start a New Business

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Advice and Tips on Starting a Business Offered In SBA’s February Web Chat

Thursday, February 16, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., ET

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s February web chat will offer business start-up advice for entrepreneurs.  If you are considering starting a business in 2012, SBA can be valuable resource to help you find a mentor, improve your business skills and get training to help boost your ideas.

WHO:  Janice Washington, state director of the Arizona Small Business Development Center Network, will host the February web chat on “New Year, New Business: How to Start it Right.”  An experienced business consultant and former business owner, Washington will answer questions about the early steps to take when starting a business, and the tools and resources that can help to get a small business idea off the ground.

WHAT: SBA’s web chat series provides small business owners with an opportunity to discuss relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs.  Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the web chats via questions they submit online in advance, and during the live session.  Participants will gain valuable information on how to participate in the program to gain increased access to government contracting opportunities.  

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National Small Business Week Event Set for May

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SBA to Honor Small Businesses at National Small Business Week May 20-22 in Washington, D.C.

Event Features Awards, Forums and the Naming of National Small Business Person of the Year – Events Open to the Public

WASHINGTON – The nation’s top entrepreneurs will be honored at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week events May 20-22 in Washington, D.C.  A series of award ceremonies, small business events and educational forums will mark the 59th anniversary of the agency and the 49th annual proclamation of National Small Business Week.

National Small Business Week is cosponsored by the SCORE Association as well as numerous corporate and trade sponsors to be announced.

More than 100 outstanding small business owners from across the country will receive awards while gathering for three days at the city’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel.  They will meet with top administration officials, congressional representatives and national business leaders.  The highlight of the celebration will be the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year.  

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SBA/Agility Offer Webinar on Small Business Crisis Communications

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Are you Ready to be an Effective Communicator during a Crisis?

Get Tips on Disaster Planning During Free SBA/Agility Webinar

WASHINGTON – Because it’s easy for even the best leader to be overwhelmed when a crisis hits and misinformation shows up in a twitter feed, managing the flow of information about your company is crucial when an emergency occurs.

Get tips on how to plan a communications strategy that will eliminate confusion and support your recovery efforts during a free webinar on February 14, hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions.

The discussion will help you assess your company’s needs, identify a good spokesperson and develop fact sheets and talking points.

SBA has partnered with Agility to offer business continuity strategies through its “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access past webinars and get additional preparedness tips.

The SBA provides disaster recovery assistance in the form of low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

WHO: Bob Boyd, President and CEO, Agility Recovery Solutions

WHAT: “Crisis Communications Planning—The Keystone of Disaster Recovery Response” will be presented by Boyd. A question and answer session will follow.  

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