Business Transition & Valuation Session Recap
Last week, BCDA welcomed Odee Ingersoll from the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) for an informational session on Business Value & Transition for Boone County business owners. “Ingersoll is the Director of NBDC – University of Nebraska at Kearney, and the statewide Nebraska Center for Business Value and Transition. He has 22 years of experience […]
Emerging Leaders Session 1: Rising Strong
Last week, the Boone County Emerging Leaders welcomed Molly Brummond to kick off the first session of their 2023 program series: Communicating with Impact. Brummond is the assistant dean of student development at the University of Nebraska College of Law and has helped countless young adults establish more effective communication skills. During the Communicating with […]
Cedar Rapids State Bank is Banking on Community with Petersburg Expansion
Growing a business is challenging in any area, however, expanding an organization’s footprint in a rural area takes on a more literal meaning. To offer its banking and lending services to a wider population, Cedar Rapids State Bank recently constructed a branch on Highway 14 in Petersburg. Why Petersburg is a Good Fit for Cedar […]
Energizing the St. Edward Community Through Diverse Programming
While the St. Edward Public Library is a quiet and welcoming place to find a great book, the space has also become a hub for elevating the sense of community. Director, Vickie Fritzges, continues to see and fill needs by creating a unique assortment of programming that brings people together to learn and build friendships. […]
When Is The Right Time To Start Thinking About Business Transition Planning?
At some point, all businesses will need to transition due to choice, opportunity, or necessity. However, many small business owners in Boone County have yet to think about their business transition plans. When starting a business, owners are mostly thinking about the beginning and how to grow and sustain throughout the years. But in reality, […]
Why Marketing Budgets Are Vital To Small Businesses
During many conversations with local Boone County businesses, we are often asked for help with marketing guidance. In order to get a better understanding of each business, we ask what their marketing budget is. Some common responses we receive are: My business utilizes free social media posts as our way to market our brand. I […]
What is BCDA’s Business Loan/Gap Financing Program
Over the years, BCDA has implemented numerous programs to help Boone County entrepreneurs get their start or grow their businesses. One of our most used programs is our Business Loan (gap financing) Program. So, what is gap financing? In general, gap financing is used when a buyer requires financial assistance to cover a gap in […]
Why Small Businesses Fail And How To Set Yours Up For Success
Running a small business is extremely rewarding, yet demanding at the same time. As a small business owner, you end up wearing many hats. You’re the marketing department, HR, customer service, bookkeeper, etc. It’s easy to see why so many small businesses fail when owners are being pulled in 100 different directions. “Studies have shown […]
Does My Small Business Need a Website
A common question we get asked a lot from small business owners in Boone County is, “Does my business need a website?” The short answer is that each business and its needs/goals are different, depending on what you want to accomplish. But nobody likes to answer a question with another question. So, we put together […]
How To Set Your Small Business Up For Success When You Don’t Have A Big Team
Small business owners are constantly being pulled in a thousand different directions, and in small communities like ours, it seems like every person wants to speak to the owner. By the end of the week, you have worked tirelessly to help your customers, but there is still a laundry list of things that need to […]