This post first appeared in the Alexandria Times on May 27, 2016. Frequently during an election year — at both national and local levels — we hear about the need to reduce burdens for small businesses. In many instances, this refers to the regulations and requirements to operate these businesses. Small businesses are acutely aware… Read more »

The April Small Business Roundtable featured a lively discussion on how to deal with challenging customers. Whether it is a one-time issue or a constant complainer, all agreed that this is one of the most difficult issues of being a small business owner. Usually, you do not want to lose them as customers, but someone… Read more »

In February 2016, Maurisa Potts of Spotted M+P presented on the top marketing trends for 2016. This video recaps her presentation and talks about the top three trends that small businesses should be aware of this year. If you would like to learn more about our marketing resources, you can visit our Interactive Resource Library, which… Read more »

The January Small Business Roundtable discussion topic was advertised as “Ideas for a Healthier, Happier Workplace”. While several concepts were raised, most of the discussion centered on reducing stress. Small business owners wear so many different hats and are pulled in so many directions that the concept of “stress-free productivity” may seem unreachable. Pulling back… Read more »

This post first appeared in the Alexandria Times on January 29, 2016. You may have read recent articles about store closings at the start of the new year. Several of the notable closings were due to retirements, and we should celebrate their long and successful runs. However, as a city, we have several resources available… Read more »

As a small business owner, you have already figured out who is your “perfect customer”. Your next challenge is to determine how to communicate with that customer in the most efficient and productive manner possible. The efficiency part of that determination is very important both from your point of view and that of your customer…. Read more »

Over the years, we have recommended resources that Alexandria small business owners can access to become more productive, make contacts or solve problems. We believe it is important to focus on one of those resources this month — the Small Business and Residential Facilitation Office of the City’s Permit Center. Alexandria city government recognizes that obtaining… Read more »

Over the next several months, Gloria Flanagan, our Assistant Director, will be writing several posts based on information that she learned at the America’s SBDC Conference in September of this year. This is the first post in this series. How well do you know your customers or clients? Whether you are a brick and mortar… Read more »

This week’s blog features guest poster Savannah Brown of LSMGuide.com. By now you already know that late summer/early fall is the best time to get a jump start on your holiday marketing planning, but what about your operational planning? While it may seem like drafting holiday job descriptions, ordering supplies or other equipment are tasks you… Read more »

This week’s post was written by Ray Sidney-Smith of W3Consulting, social media consultant and facilitator of the monthly Roundtable for the Alexandria SBDC.  “Big box retailers, at some point, define the competition,” said Retail Architect Bridget Gaddis, AIA, Leed AP, and Principal of Alexandria-based architecture studio, Gaddis Architect. With over 20 years of commercial retail… Read more »