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CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OHIO
Small Business
EDITION 2019-2020
resource guide
How to
Grow Your
BUSINESS
in Central & Southern Ohio
1
2
CONTENTS
Central & Southern Ohio Edition 2019-2020
Local Business Funding
Assistance Programs
8 National Success Story 24 National Success Story
Jerado and Joyce Reynolds Jennifer and Jeff Herbert’s
know their local landscape for meadery has expanded into a
entrepreneurship support. multimillion dollar enterprise
thanks to SBA assistance.
11Local SBA Resource
Partners 27 SBA Lenders
13 Your Advocates 33 Need Financing?
14 How to Start a Business 34 Go Global with
International Trade
17 Opportunities for Veterans
36 R&D Opportunities for
18 Entrepreneurial High Growth Startups
Opportunities
38 National Success Story
20 Write Your Business Plan Cheeseburger Baby owner
Stephanie Vitori persevered
22 Local Success Story through a financial storm and a
Janie Wang and Chris Anderson’s natural disaster.
love of modernist cuisine fed an
entrepreneurial dream that 42 Surety Bonds
has expanded into a thriving
business thanks to SBA assistance.
Contracting
44 National Success Story
Jennifer Rahn steers the course
for Admiral Engineering,
succeeding as a small business
subcontractor.
47 Government Contracting
48 SBA Certification
Programs
49 Woman-Owned Small
Business certification
ON THE COVER Kristen Bailey,
courtesy of the SBA
3
Let us help
give voice
to your
story.
SCOPE OF SERVICES We have all heard the phrase “content is
king.” Creating rich, engaging, and inspiring
content differentiates your brand in the
Brand Voice Catalogs marketplace. But who has time to focus on
Articles Visitor Guides anything other than running their business?
Narrative works with you to develop
Blogs Books
the tools to tell your story across all
Website Content Copywriting
media platforms. Powerful and authentic
Social Media Posts Photography storytelling helps you stand out. It inspires
Email Content Videos action. It creates an emotional impact and
Brochures forges enduring relationships. It separates
you from the competition.
To schedule a meeting or to learn more, contact
Buddy Butler at buddy@newsouthmediainc.com
or call 304.615.9884.
BY NEW SOUTH M E D I A
4
5
Loans
PUBLISHED BY
New South Media, Inc.
304.413.0104 | newsouthmedia.com
PUBLISHER
Nikki Bowman, nikki@newsouthmediainc.com
from the ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Pam Kasey, pam@newsouthmediainc.com
Jess Walker, jess@newsouthmediainc.com
DESIGNER
Hayley Richard, hayley@newsouthmediainc.com
OPER ATIONS MANAGER
Holly Leleux-Thubron, holly@newsouthmediainc.com
ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR
Heather Mills, heather@newsouthmediainc.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Kelley McGinnis, Bryson Taylor
sba@newsouthmediainc.com
Copyright: New South Media, Inc. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohib-
ited without the express written permission of the publisher.
© NEW SOUTH MEDIA, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Marketing & Customer Service directs
SBA lender
the publication of the Small Business Resource Guide under SBA Contract #SBAHQ-
17-C-0018. SBA publication summer 2019 national edition #mcs-0089.
WRITER/EDITOR
Becky Bosshart
(202) 205-6677
in our region.
rebecca.bosshart@sba.gov
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Paula Panissidi Tavares
paula.tavares@sba.gov
The SBA’s participation in this publication is not an endorsement of the views,
opinions, products or services of the contractor or any advertiser or other participant
appearing here. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondis-
criminatory basis.
Directory listings do not constitute or imply an endorsement by the SBA of any
opinions, products, or services of any private individual or entity.
Printed in the United States of America.
While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information con-
tained here is accurate as of the date of publication, the information is subject to
change without notice. The contractor that publishes this guide, the federal govern-
ment, or agents thereof shall not be held liable for any damages arising from the use
of or reliance on the information contained in this publication.
huntington.com
6
SBA Columbus
District Office
401 N. Front St., suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
Cincinnati Office Dayton Area Office
525 Vine St., suite 1030 (614) 633-6372
(614) 469-6860 Cincinnati, OH 45202
sba.gov/oh/columbus (513) 538-1167
@SBA_Columbus
District Director Letter District Director Lead Economic
W
Everett Woodel Development
elcome to the 2019-2020 edition of the U.S. Small Business (614) 469-6860 x287 Specialists
Administration’s Columbus District Small Business Resource Guide. everett.woodel@sba.gov Columbus
The SBA helps make the American dream of small business ownership Shannon Feucht
a reality. We are the only federal agency dedicated to helping our 30 million small Deputy District (614) 469-6860 x244
businesses start, grow, expand, or recover after a disaster. Small business drives Director shannon.feucht@sba.gov
the Ohio economy, employing 2.2 million people, or 46% of the state’s workforce, Scot Hardin
which produces a GDP of more than $656 billion. The SBA wants to help you build on Cincinnati
(614) 469-6860 x261
your hard-earned successes, overcoming the obstacles and challenges you face as Nicole Pickard
scot.hardin@sba.gov
entrepreneurs and small business owners. The SBA provides solutions to those who (513) 562-1661
are looking for business counseling, access to capital, or government contracting Cincinnati Branch nicole.pickard@sba.gov
assistance. We do that by working with an extensive network of business advisers Manager
Economic Development
and lenders to help Ohio’s 950,000 small businesses at every stage of development. Joshua Stutzman
Specialist
Across Ohio in the last year, we empowered the state’s small businesses to: (513) 562-1665
Barry Peel
• Find an ally, advocate or mentor via the 24 local locations of our SBA joshua.stutzman@sba.gov
(614) 469-6860 x232
Resource Partners, which includes SCORE, Small Business Development
Dayton Senior barry.peel@sba.gov
Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and the Veterans Business Outreach
Area Manager
Center, all powered by the SBA. Lead Lender
Alex Kohls
• Access over $589 million in SBA-guaranteed loans using 140 local banks, Relations Specialist
(614) 633-6372
credit unions, community-based lenders, and microlenders. The 950,000 David Townsend
alexander.kohls@sba.gov
businesses that qualified for SBA funding programs then hired thousands of (614) 469-6860 x237
new employees, bought needed equipment, and built or renovated facilities. Public Affairs Specialist david.townsend@sba.gov
• Provide over $2 million in SBA disaster assistance funding to those Brooke DeCubellis
affected by the May 2019 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, Lender Relations
(614) 469 6860 x238
flooding, and landslides. Specialist
brooke.decubellis@sba.gov
• Gain more than $2.2 billion in federal contracting awards. Jerome Jones
Use our Small Business Resource Guide to power your dream of starting, growing, Business Opportunity 614-469-6860 x229
or expanding your small business here in Ohio. Specialists jerome.jones@sba.gov
Stay up to date on SBA events near you and get Jill Nagy-Reynolds
valuable Ohio business information by following (614) 469-6860 x276
us on Twitter at @SBA_Columbus. Register for jill.nagyreynolds@sba.gov
email updates at sba.gov/updates.
Shanda Harris
Sincerely, (614) 469-6860 x236
shanda.harris@sba.gov
Everett Woodel
Columbus District Director
7
LOCAL BUSINESS
ASSISTANCE
How We Did It
Made
to Last
Joyce and Jerado Reynolds used SBA
support to succeed.
Written by Micaela Morrissette
COURTESY OF SHANA SURECK PHOTOGRAPHY
8
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
R 5
eynolds Welding &
Tips for
Fabrication has grown
steadily, building a loyal
customer base, since
Jerado Reynolds founded
the company in 2005. Success
COURTESY OF SHANA SURECK PHOTOGRAPHY
“At first the company was just Jerado,”
recalls his wife and co-owner, Joyce
Find a great business mentor.
Reynolds. “Then it was him and me part To find your local SBA office and
time.” During the day she worked as a resource partners in your area, visit
nurse and spent her evenings doing all sba.gov/localresources.
the company’s paperwork. The Reynolds
sank everything they earned into the
business—money, time, and energy. She Have a healthy view
remembers with pride helping Jerado
of competition.
weld a stair railing at a local school. Her
We’re not always competing.
son later attended that same school,
We’re a competitor, but if a similar
and she watched her child and others business has extra work, they’ll send
SBA Resource Partner, where “from day
using the rail, benefiting from the it to us and vice versa. That’s the
one it was, Eureka! Everyone wanted
hard work the couple did together. It relationship to have.
to see us win.” Women entrepreneurs
was then Joyce decided as much as she
receive essential business counseling and
loved her day job, she wanted to devote
training from this national network of
herself full time to the family business Record everything you do.
community-based centers. Most helpful
in Windsor, Connecticut. She wanted Navigating business relationships
was the detailed personal attention
to work side-by-side with her husband, in this age means keeping an email
available through free one-on-one
fully focused on administration and record of everything you do. Leave a
business counseling. Joyce also learned
business growth. As they both hoped, clear paper trail.
about workshops offered by providers like
word of mouth spread; clients made
the Metropolitan District, a Connecticut
referrals. Joyce was soon overwhelmed
nonprofit municipal corporation offering
with paperwork. They brought on two
water and sewer services. At a meet- Sacrifice to ensure quality.
employees—doubling up in the busy We don’t cut corners. Sometimes you
and-greet, Joyce understood how much
seasons. They were able to maintain four have to lose money to do quality work—
the SBA could help her business. An
full-time employees by 2009. After this, it’s rough, but nothing is more important.
SBA professional walked Joyce through
Joyce says, they saw that “things were
the extensive paperwork and, crucially,
not moving.” She wanted to scale up.
helped her register the company in
the System for Award Management
Seek SBA assistance to
Challenge
The company wasn’t growing in part (sam.gov), positioning the company for see if you qualify for
because it wasn’t certified with the new federal contracts. business certifications.
state department of transportation or “Resources like the Entrepreneurial We used to look for jobs. Now that
prequalified with the Connecticut State Center and the SBA will train you from we’re on the SBA Subcontracting
Department of Administrative Services, bottom to top,” Joyce says. “They have Network database, SubNet, and
Joyce says. She decided to tackle the finance classes that open your eyes sam.gov, we have a continuous flow
regarding taxes. You'll learn how to of contractors reaching out to us.
certification problem full time, leaving
her nursing career. This was the change register your business. They’ll help
she'd been wanting to make, but since with a contract or your website or on two bridges—a lifelong dream. Joyce
her background was in health care, accountability statements. Everything!” continues to move forward, getting
Joyce didn’t feel fluent in the languages Before the SBA, Reynolds Welding Reynolds qualified for the SBA 8(a)
of construction or business. Joyce attempted the DOT certification on five Business Development Program, which
wanted to learn, and she had incentive: separate occasions, always falling short provides free business development
they needed the certifications to bid because the process was so complicated. education to small businesses so they
on bigger jobs. “Never be afraid to ask Joyce secured the certification with SBA can better compete in the public sector.
questions,” she says. Joyce needed to guidance on the first attempt. “When I came on full time, I set a goal
find people with answers. for what I would like for the company,
Benefit and I’ve achieved 80% of that,” Joyce
Solution Reynolds Welding now employs more says. When she secures 8(a) certification
She and Jerado connected with the than 15 workers, constructing stairs, for Reynolds, she’ll have hit all her
University of Hartford Entrepreneurial rails, structural beams, and columns objectives. Then, she admits, she’ll
Center & Women’s Business Center, an throughout the region. Jerado is working probably come up with some new ones.
9
LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
SBA Resource Partners
No matter your industry, location, or experience, if you have a dream, the SBA is here to help you achieve it. Our SBA
Resource Partners offer mentoring, counseling, and training to help you startup and thrive at all stages of the business
life cycle. These independent organizations operating across the United States and U.S. territories are funded through SBA
cooperative agreements or grants.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
950+
Achieve your dream of business ownership and remain
competitive in an ever-changing global economy with assistance
from your local SBDC. Access free counseling and free or low-
cost training on topics like regulatory compliance, technology
Small Business development, and international trade. Find an SBDC adviser at
sba.gov/sbdc.
Development Centers
SCORE
300+
Join the ranks of other business owners who have experienced
higher revenues and increased growth thanks to SCORE, the nation’s
largest network of volunteer business mentors. Experienced
executives share real-world knowledge to fit your busy schedule.
SCORE chapters SCORE mentors are available for free as often as you need, in person,
via email or over video chat. Find a mentor at sba.gov/score.
WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTERS
100+
Women entrepreneurs receive essential business counseling and
training from this national network of community-based centers.
Each center tailors its services to help you navigate the challenges
women often face when starting or growing a business. To learn
about SBA resources for women visit sba.gov/women.
Women’s Business
Centers
VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTERS
20 +
Veteran and military entrepreneurs receive business training,
counseling, and referrals to other SBA Resource Partners at
a Veterans Business Outreach Center, sba.gov/vboc. Receive
procurement guidance to better compete for government
contracts. VBOCs also serve active duty service members,
Veterans Business National Guard or Reserve members, veterans of any era, and
Outreach Centers military spouses.
10LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Our Local SBA
Resource Partners
SBA’s Resource Partners are independent organizations funded through SBA cooperative
agreements or grants.
SCORE
Visit sba.gov/score to start working on your
business goals. Contact your local office to
schedule an appointment.
Cincinnati Chapter
Chair Patricia McKay
525 Vine St., suite 1030
(513) 684-2812
greatercincinnati.score.org
Columbus Chapter
Chair Randy Zipfel
401 N. Front St., suite 200
(614) 664-7267
columbusoh.score.org
Dayton Chapter
Chair Ann Riegle-Crichton
200 W. Second St., suite 104
(937) 225-2887
dayton.score.org
East Central Ohio Chapter
Chair John Carlson
14 N. Park Place
Newark
(740) 345-7458
eastcentralohio.score.org
Marietta branch office
308 Front St.
COURTESY OF THE SBA
(740) 373-5150
North Central Ohio Chapter
Chair Shil Chawla
55 N. Mulberry St.
Mansfield
(419) 522-3211
HOW THE SBA HELPED ME SUCCEED northcentralohio.score.org
◀
The SBA gave Rachel Upton the tools she needed to keep scooping delicious ice cream in Ashland branch office
Columbus. Cream & Sugar operates in the low income area of Hilltop, which is revitalizing 211 Claremont Ave.
thanks to the help of entrepreneurs like Rachel. She revised her business plan and (419) 281-4584 x1011
designed a growth strategy with the help of Finance Fund counselor John Rush. The SBA
Mt. Vernon branch office
awarded Ohio’s Finance Fund Capital Corp. a $150,000 grant to support and strengthen
400 S. Gay St.
new entrepreneurs like Rachel, who employs six local seasonal workers.
(740) 393-1111 x24
11LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Small Business Development Centers Women’s
ASHLAND
Ashland University SBDC
HAMILTON
Hamilton Mill SBDC
Business Centers
CINCINNATI
Director Michalina Lacy Director David Riggs
401 College Ave. 20 High St. Union Hall
(419) 207-6910 (513) 737-6543 Executive Director Ella Frye
mlacy@sbdc6.com driggs@butlercountysbdc.com 1311 Vine St.
(513) 608-6107
ATHENS LEBANON
COLUMBUS
Ohio University SBDC Warren County Port Authority SBDC Executive Director Shaundretta Boykins
Regional Director Lissa Jollick Director Mike Stater 1655 Old Leonard Ave.
The Ridges Warren County Career Center (614) 732-0574
19 E. Circle Drive, suite 110 3525 North State Route 48
(740) 593-0473 (513) 932-8145 x5317
O'Connor Belting, a Delaware family-
jollickl@ohio.edu mike.stater@warrencountysbdc.com owned business, expanded with the
help of an SBA-guaranteed 7(a) loan.
CAMBRIDGE LIMA
Ohio University-Cambridge Branch SBDC James A. Rhodes State College SBDC
Director Cindy Voorhies Director Kathy Keller
Willett-Pratt Training Center Keese Hall
9900 Brick Church Road 4240 Campus Drive
(740) 588-1331 (419) 995-8184
voorhiec@ohio.edu keller.k@rhodesstate.edu
CINCINNATI MARIETTA
Clermont County Chamber Ohio University-Marietta Branch SBDC
of Commerce SBDC Business Advisor John Voorhies
Director James Buckner 2163 State Route 821, building 6-A
4355 Ferguson Drive, suite 150 (740) 373-9056
(513) 576-5007 voorhies@ohio.edu
james.buckner@clermontchamber.com
Ohio SBDC at Urban League of Greater PIKETON
Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) The Ohio State University-South
Director Charolette Harris
Union Institute & University
Centers SBDC
Director Brad Bapst
Veterans
440 E. McMillan St.
(513) 487-1155
Endeavor Center
1864 Shyville Road
Business
charris@ulgso.org (800) 860-7232 Outreach Center
bapst.4@osu.edu Veteran entrepreneurs or small business
owners can receive business training,
COLUMBUS
counseling and mentoring, and referrals
Columbus State Community College SBDC SPRINGFIELD to other SBA Resource Partners at a
Director Mike Bowers Springfield SBDC Inc. Veterans Business Outreach Center,
320 N. Grant Ave., suite 1062 Director Rob Alexander sba.gov/vboc. This is also the place to
(614) 287-5294 receive procurement guidance, which
100 S. Limestone St., suite 411
mbowers3@cscc.edu can help your business better compete
(937) 322-7821
for government contracts.
ralexander@springfieldsbdc.com
VetBiz Central
DAYTON
Executive Director Matt Sherwood
Miami Valley SBDC 1401 E. Court St.
Director Kim Woodbury RTC 3118
714 E. Monument Ave. Flint, MI
(937) 281-0118 (810) 767-8387
kwoodbury@tecdayton.com vetbizcentral.org
12LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Your To report how a proposed federal
regulation could unfairly affect you,
Advocates
find your regional SBA advocate at
sba.gov/advocacy.
To submit a comment about how
your business has been hurt by an
existing regulation, visit
The SBA’s offices of advocacy and ombudsman are sba.gov/ombudsman/comments
independent voices for small business within the
federal government.
Advocacy
When you need a voice within the federal »» when you need economic and small »» reduce unfair penalties and fines
government for your interests as a small business statistics »» seek remedies when rules are
business owner, the SBA’s regional advocates inconsistently applied
are here to assist. The advocates analyze the The SBA’s Office of Advocacy also
effects of proposed regulations and consider independently represents small business and
»» recover payment for services done by
government contractors
alternatives that minimize the economic advances its concerns before Congress, the
burden on small businesses, governmental White House, federal agencies, federal courts, Make your voice heard by participating in a
jurisdictions, and nonprofits. Find your and state policy makers. Regional Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
regional advocate at sba.gov/advocacy. Roundtable or a public hearing hosted by the
Ombudsman SBA’s national ombudsman. These events
Your advocate helps with these small
Entrepreneurs who have an issue with an are posted periodically on the ombudsman
business issues:
existing federal regulation or policy can website, sba.gov/ombudsman.
»» if your business could be negatively receive assistance from the SBA’s national To submit a comment or complaint through
affected by regulations proposed by the ombudsman. the online form, visit sba.gov/ombudsman/
government comments. Your concerns will be directed to
The ombudsman’s office helps you:
»» if you have contracting issues with a the appropriate federal agency for review. The
federal agency »» resolve regulatory disputes with federal SBA will collaborate with you and the agency
agencies to help resolve the issue.
13LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Thanks to both SBA-backed
funding and contracting
assistance, mechanical
engineer Troy Crawford
expanded his business in the
Columbus area. Crawford &
Associates Services secured
its first government contract
after gaining 8(a) Business
Development Program
certification. For socially or
economically disadvantaged
entrepreneurs, the program
provides extensive business
training and contracting
assistance. Troy, an Army
veteran, says he is proud
to serve clients like the
Ohio National Guard,
providing construction
management and project
management services.
COURTESY OF THE SBA
How to Start a
Business in Ohio
Thinking of starting a business? Here are the nuts & bolts.
The Startup Logistics search by business type and location to »» Ohio Secretary of State
view data on your potential customers, 180 E. Broad St., 16th floor, Columbus
Even if you’re running a home-based
including consumer spending, and a (614) 466-2655
business, you will have to comply with
summary of existing businesses, available sos.state.oh.us
many local, state, and federal regulations.
as a map and a report.
Do not ignore regulatory details. You may
Taxes
avoid some red tape in the beginning, but
your lack of compliance could become an
Business License & Zoning As a business owner, you should know
Licenses are typically administered by a your federal tax responsibilities and make
obstacle as your business grows. Taking the
variety of state and local departments. It is some business decisions to comply with
time to research regulations is as important
important to consider zoning regulations certain tax requirements. The IRS Small
as knowing your market. Carefully
when choosing a site for your business. Business and Self-Employed Tax Center,
investigate the laws affecting your industry.
Contact the local business license office go.usa.gov/xPxYR, offers information on
Being out of compliance could leave you
where you plan to locate your business. You a variety of topics including: obtaining an
unprotected legally, lead to expensive
may not be permitted to conduct business Employer Identification Number, paying
penalties, and jeopardize your business.
out of your home or engage in industrial and filing income tax, virtual workshops,
activity in a retail district. forms, and publications.
Market Research
As the IRS continues to implement some
Need to do research on your clients and
location? View consumer and business
Name Registration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, your
Register your business name with the tax obligations may change. Visit the Tax
data for your area using the Census
county clerk where your business is Reform Provisions that Affect Businesses
Business Builder: Small Business Edition,
located. If you’re a corporation, also page on irs.gov for the latest tax reform
https://cbb.census.gov/sbe. Filter your
register with the state. updates that affect your bottom line.
14LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
»» IRS Tax Assistance Centers information reported on Form I-9. It’s the to obtain healthcare coverage as if
Cincinnati quickest way for employers to determine they were a single large employer. For
550 Main St. the employment eligibility of new hires. information, visit dol.gov/general/topic/
(513) 263-3333 Visit e-verify.gov, call (888) 464-4218 or association-health-plans.
email e-verify@dhs.gov. »» Unemployment Insurance
Columbus
200 N. High St. Ohio Department of Job and
Health & Safety
(614) 280-8691 Family Services
All businesses with employees are
(877) 644-6562
Dayton required to comply with state and federal
unemployment.ohio.gov
200 W. Second St. regulations regarding the protection of
(937) 610-2182 employees, visit dol.gov for information. Environmental
The Occupational Safety and Health
Lima
Administration provides information on
Regulations
401 W. North St. State assistance is available for small
(419) 223-5873 the specific health and safety standards
businesses that must comply with
used by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Mansfield environmental regulations under the Clean
Call (800) 321-6742 or visit osha.gov.
180 N. Diamond St. Air Act. State Small Business Environmental
(419) 522-9204
»» Cincinnati U.S. Department of Labor Assistance programs provide free and
Wage & Hour Division confidential assistance to help small
Mansfield alternate by appointment only 550 Main St., room 10-409 business owners understand and comply
(419) 522-9204 (513) 684-2908 with complex environmental regulations
»» State Taxes »» Columbus U.S. Dept. of Labor and permitting requirements. These state
Ohio Department of Taxation Wage & Hour Division programs can help businesses reduce
4485 Northland Ridge Blvd., Columbus 200 N. High St., room 646 emissions at the source, often reducing
(888) 405-4039 (614) 469-5678 regulatory burden and saving you money.
tax.ohio.gov To learn more about these free services visit
»» Cincinnati OSHA Area Office
nationalsbeap.org/states/list.
Social Security 36 Triangle Park Drive
If you have any employees, including (513) 841-4132
Accessibility and ADA
officers of a corporation but not the »» Columbus OSHA Area Office Compliance
sole proprietor or partners, you must 200 N. High St., room 620
For assistance with the Americans with
make periodic payments, and/or file (614) 469-5582
Disabilities Act, call the ADA Center at (800)
quarterly reports about payroll taxes »» Toledo OSHA Area Office 949-4232 or the Department of Justice at
and other mandatory deductions. 420 Madison Ave., suite 600 (800) 514-0301. Direct questions about
You can contact the IRS or the Social (419) 259-7542 accessible design and the ADA standards
Security Administration for information,
assistance, and forms, at (800) 772-1213 »» Ohio Bureau of Workers’ to the U.S. Access Board at (800) 872-2253,
Compensation TTY (800) 993-2822, ta@access-board.gov
or visit socialsecurity.gov/employer.
30 W. Spring St., Columbus or visit access-board.gov.
You can file W-2s online or verify job
(800) 644-6292
seekers through the Social Security
info.bwc.ohio.gov Child Support
Number Verification Service.
»» Ohio Department of Commerce Employers are essential to the success of the
Employment Eligibility Division of Industrial Compliance & Labor child support program and are responsible
for collecting 75% of support nationwide
Verification 6606 Tussing Road, Reynoldsburg
(614) 644-2223 through payroll deductions. The Office
The Federal Immigration Reform and
com.ohio.gov of Child Support Enforcement at Health
Control Act of 1986 requires employers
and Human Services offers employers
to verify employment eligibility of
new employees. The law obligates Employee Insurance step-by-step instructions for processing
Check with your state laws to see if you income withholding orders for child
an employer to process Employment
are required to provide unemployment support. Download the fact sheet about
Eligibility Verification Form I-9. The U.S.
or workers’ compensation insurance for the Employer’s Role in the Child Support
Citizenship and Immigration Service offers
your employees. For health insurance Program at the Office of Child Support
information and assistance through uscis.
options, call the Small Business Health Enforcement’s website at acf.hhs.gov/
gov/i-9-central. For forms call (800) 870-
Options Program at (800) 706-7893 programs/css > employer responsibilities.
3676. For the employer hotline call (888)
or visit healthcare.gov/small- You can also find information about other
464-4218 or email I-9central@dhs.gov.
businesses/employers. employer responsibilities and tools that can
E-Verify, operated by the Department
Department of Labor Association make meeting those responsibilities easier,
of Homeland Security in partnership
Health Plans allow small businesses, such as electronic income withholding
with the Social Security Administration,
including self-employed workers, to orders and the Child Support Portal. Send
electronically verifies the Social Security
band together by geography or industry questions to employerservices@acf.hhs.gov.
number and employment eligibility
15LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
»» Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services
Office of Child Support
(800) 686-1556
jfs.ohio.gov
Intellectual Property
Patents, trademarks, and copyrights are
types of intellectual property that serve
to protect creations and innovations.
The United States Patent and Trademark
Office is the federal agency that grants
U.S. patents and registers trademarks.
For information and resources about
U.S. patents and federally registered
trademarks consult uspto.gov. Call the
patent and trademark office help center
at (800) 786-9199 or visit Elijah J. McCoy
Midwest Regional Office in Detroit,
Michigan, uspto.gov/detroit.
A patent for an invention is the grant
of a property right to an inventor, issued
by the U.S. patent office. The right
conferred by the patent grant is the right
COURTESY OF THE SBA
to exclude others from making, using,
offering for sale, or selling the invention
in the United States or importing Reeves Clippard used the business
the invention into the country. For knowledge he acquired in the SBA
Emerging Leaders program to grow A/R
information visit uspto.gov/inventors. Solar in Seattle, WA.
There are three types of patents:
• Utility patents may be granted to
anyone who invents or discovers any »» State Trademarks Ohio Development Services Agency
new and useful process, machine, Ohio Secretary of State 77 S. High St.
manufacture, or composition of matter, 180 E. Broad St., 16th floor, Columbus Columbus
or any new and useful improvement. (614) 466-2655 (800) 848-1300
sos.state.oh.us development.ohio.gov
• Design patents may be granted to
anyone who invents a new, original, Copyrights protect original works of
authorship including literary, dramatic, Exporting Assistance
and ornamental design for an article
of manufacture. musical and artistic, and certain other Columbus
• Plant patents may be granted to intellectual works. Copyrights do not Ohio Export Assistance Network at
anyone who invents or discovers and protect facts, ideas, and systems, Columbus State
asexually reproduces any distinct and although they may protect the way they Director Roberta Winch
new variety of plant, other than a tuber are expressed. 320 N. Grant Ave., suite 1062
propagated plant or a plant found in an For general information contact: (614) 287-5294
uncultivated state. »» U.S. Copyright Office Dayton/Cincinnati
A trademark or service mark includes any U.S. Library of Congress Ohio Export Assistance Network at the
word, symbol, device, or any combination, James Madison Memorial Building Entrepreneurs Center
used or intended to be used to identify 101 Independence Ave. SE Director Kathy Marshalek
and distinguish the goods/services of one Washington, DC 714 E. Monument Ave.
seller or provider from those of others (202) 707-3000 or Dayton
and to indicate the source of the goods/ toll free (877) 476-0778 (937) 531-6612
services. Trademarks and service marks copyright.gov
Southern Ohio
may be registered at both the state
Ohio Export Assistance Network at Ohio
and federal level. The U.S. Patent and Economic Development
State–South Centers
Trademark Office only registers federal Ohio Chamber of Commerce Director Kelly O’Bryant
trademarks and service marks. Federally 34 S. Third St., suite 100 1864 Shyville Road
registered trademarks may conflict with Columbus Piketon
and supersede those registered only at the (614) 228-4201 (740) 289-2071
state level. Visit uspto.gov/trademarks. ohiochamber.com
16LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Need financing?
Loan Fee Relief
To encourage lending to members of the
military community who want to start
or grow their business, the SBA reduces
upfront guarantee fees on select loans. That
means the cost savings will be passed down
to you, the eligible veteran or qualifying
COURTESY OF LIFEHEALTH
military member. Ask your local SBA district
office or SBA Lender about the Veterans
Advantage program.
Have an employee who was called to
active duty?
You may receive funds that enable your
business to meet ordinary and necessary
HOW THE SBA HELPED US SUCCEED operating expenses when an essential
Margot Adam Langstaff, left, and Elisa Hamill, right, sought assistance from their employee is called up to active duty in the
local Veterans Business Outreach Center, which helped them better compete for military reserve. Ask your local SBA district
government contracts. LifeHealth of Littleton, CO has expanded to more than 30 office or SBA Lender about the Military
states with offices in Washington, DC and San Antonio, TX. Their clients include the Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
Department of Defense, the National Guard, and the Indian Health Service. They
also expanded their business using an SBA-backed line of credit for $350,000. Margot Interested in contracting?
started her career as an Army medic, eventually running one of the largest outpatient Veteran-owned and service-disabled
clinics in the Northeast at Ft. Devens, MA. veteran-owned small businesses interested
in federal contracting receive training from
Opportunities
the Veteran Institute for Procurement,
which offers a platform with three
training programs to assist veterans. Visit
for Veterans nationalvip.org.
VIP Start
Members of the military community can start and grow their small Enter the federal market and become ready
for procurement. Nearly 200 veteran-owned
businesses with the help of SBA programs.
businesses from 29 states plus Washington,
Need entrepreneurship training? For women veterans DC have graduated from the program.
In Boots to Business, you explore Receive entrepreneurial training geared VIP Grow
business ownership and other self- toward women veterans, service members, Strategize to expand and operate within
employment opportunities while learning and spouses of service members through the federal marketplace. More than 700
key business concepts. You will walk away these SBA-funded programs: veteran-owned businesses from 42 states
with an overview of entrepreneurship plus DC and Guam have graduated from
»» Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of
and applicable business ownership this program.
Entrepreneurship in Syracuse, New York
fundamentals, including how to access
»» LiftFund in San Antonio, Texas VIP International
startup capital using SBA resources.
Enter or expand your federal and commercial
Boots to Business is conducted on all
For service-disabled veterans contracting opportunities overseas.
military installations as part of the
Learn how to start and grow a small business
Department of Defense’s Transition Get certified
using these SBA-funded programs:
Assistance Program. Learn about the service-disabled veteran-
»» Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans owned small business certification program
Who’s eligible? with Disabilities in Syracuse, New York on page 49.
Service members transitioning out of
»» Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at For more assistance
active duty and military spouses.
the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship,
Are you a veteran or member of Veteran and military entrepreneurs
Spears School of Business, Oklahoma
the National Guard or Reserve or a receive business training, counseling, and
State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma
military spouse? Boots to Business: referrals to other SBA Resource Partners
Reboot teaches this entrepreneurship »» Veteran Entrepreneurship Jumpstart at at a Veterans Business Outreach Center,
curriculum off base and in local St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, sba.gov/vboc. For veterans business
communities. Register for either B2B Pennsylvania information visit sba.gov/veterans.
program at https://sbavets.force.com. »» Dog Tag Inc., affiliated with Georgetown
University in Washington, DC
17LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Entrepreneurial
Opportunities
Regional Innovation Clusters
Create jobs and grow the economy through an SBA Regional
Innovation Cluster. Online Resources
Find free short courses and learning
Who should join
Small businesses driving innovation in one of these tech industries: tools to start and grow your small
• advanced composites business at sba.gov/learning. The
free SBA Online Learning Center is a
• agTech
great resource for every entrepreneur,
• bioscience
especially rural business owners looking
• food processing
for easy access to vital business training.
• data sciences
• medical sciences Courses include:
• power and energy • writing your business plan
• unmanned aerial systems • buying a business
• water tech • financing options
• wood products • digital and traditional marketing to win customers
• disaster recovery
How it works
• understanding your customer
Each industry cluster is based in a geographic region. Your small
business must be located in or near that region in order to join the
cluster. For example, the AgLaunch Initiative cluster, which focuses
on agricultural technology, is located in the Tennessee area. A
small agTech business in or near Tennessee will connect with
other agTech suppliers, service providers, and related institutions
through that innovation cluster.
Native American
Workshops
How it benefits you
Network with other industry innovators and connect with
resources that will help your small business find funding. You’ll
Tribal enterprises and business organizations
also receive guidance on how to better compete for government
contracts and other opportunities so you can grow and expand. can receive training at an SBA Entrepreneurial
Receive free technical and legal assistance to develop your tech Empowerment Workshop. These workshops
and get it to market for government and industry buyers. cover business concepts important for starting,
Get involved growing, or expanding a small business. RedWind
Find an SBA Regional Innovation Cluster near you by visiting instructors identify and help participants avoid
sba.gov/localassistance. Select the regional innovation clusters common pitfalls. Learn how to prepare a business
on the drop-down menu.
plan, gain access to capital, and basic book
keeping. Request a workshop in your area by
visiting nativesmallbusiness.org.
18SBA Regional Innovation Clusters
Autonomous & Unmanned S ystems
Cluster – Emerging Tech Ventures Integrative Business Services Inc.
(Industry focus: Optics)
The Ozarks Cluster – Startup Junkie
(Industry focus: Food processing, supply Great Plains Technology &
chain, & logistics) Manufacturing Cluster
The Water Council Cluster Montana Bioscience Cluster – Montana
Technology E
nterprise Center
Marine Industry Science & Technology Cluster
AgLaunch Initiative
BioSTL: St. Louis Biosciences Cluster
Utah Advanced Material
Oklahoma-South Kansas Unmanned Aeri- Manufacturing Initiative
al Systems Cluster
Defense Alliance - LSI Business
The Appalachian Ohio Wood Products Cluster Development Inc. (Industry focus:
Advanced Power and Energy)
Conductor RIC in Healthcare, Education
& Data/Decision S
ciences – Startup
Junkie Consulting
19LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Write your
Business Plan
Your business plan is the foundation of your business. Learn how to write a business plan with the help
of an SBA Resource Partner.
TRADITIONAL BUSINESS
PLAN FORMAT
When you write your business plan, you don’t have to stick to the
exact business plan template. Instead, use the sections that make
the most sense for your business and your needs.
Executive Summary
Briefly summarize your company and why it will be successful.
Include your mission statement, your product or service, and basic
information about your company’s leadership team, employees,
and location. You should also include financial information and
high-level growth plans if you plan to ask for financing.
Company Description
Go into detail about the problems your business solves. Be specific
as to audience and location. List out the consumers, organizations,
or businesses your company plans to serve.
Explain the competitive advantages you have that will make your
business successful. Are there experts on your team? Have you found
the perfect location? Your company description is the place to boast
about your strengths.
Market Analysis
Demonstrate a solid understanding of your industry outlook and tar-
get market. This is where it pays to partner with an experienced busi-
ness counselor from your local Small Business Development Center,
SCORE, Women's Business Center, or Veterans Business Outreach
Center—all these SBA Resource Partners provide free or low-cost
business assistance. Competitive research will show what other busi-
nesses are doing and their strengths. In your market research, look for
trends and themes. What do successful competitors do? Why does it
work? Can you do it better? Now's the time to answer these questions.
Business plans help you run your business.
A good business plan guides you through managing your business. Organization and Management
You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, run, Explain how your com-
and grow your new business. pany will be structured
Business plans can help you get funding or bring on new and who will run it.
business partners. Investors want to see a return on their Describe the legal Want to see an
structure of your busi-
investment. Your business plan is the tool you’ll use to convince
people that working with you—or investing in your company—is ness. State whether you
example of a
a smart investment. Brain storm with a business counselor (visit have or intend to incor- business plan?
one of our SBA Resource Partners detailed on page 8) and write porate your business as View examples of business plans
a traditional business plan, which uses a standard structure a C or an S corporation,
at sba.gov/business-guide/plan/
and detailed sections. Once you've got it all down, you can then form a general or limited
write-your-business-
condense it to a lean startup business plan, which typically partnership, or if you're a
plan-template
contains key points on only one page. sole proprietor or limited
liability company.
20LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
TRADITIONAL BUSINESS PLAN CHECKLIST
LEAN STARTUP PLAN FORMAT
Write a lean startup plan if requested from an investor, or if your
❒ Executive summary business is relatively simple or you plan to regularly change and
refine as you go.
❒ Company description
Lean startup plans use more visual organization tools and only a
❒ Market analysis handful of elements to describe your company’s value proposition,
❒ Organization and management infrastructure, customers, and finances. They’re useful for visualiz-
ing your company's fundamental facts. Your business counselor can
❒ Service or product line
help you edit down into the Business Model Canvas, used here—the
❒ Marketing and sales most well known style, or another lean startup template.
❒ Funding request Key Partnerships
❒ Financial projections Note the other businesses you’ll work with--suppliers, manufactur-
ers, subcontractors, and similar strategic partners.
❒ Appendix
Key Activities
List the ways your business will gain a competitive advantage.
Use an organizational chart to show the hierarchy. Explain how
Will you sell direct to consumers or use technology to tap into the
each person’s experience will contribute to the success of your
sharing economy?
venture. Consider including CVs of key members.
Key Resources
Service or Product Line
List resources you’ll leverage to create value for your customer.
Describe what you sell or what service you offer. Explain how it ben-
Your most important assets include staff, capital, or intellectual
efits your customers and the product lifecycle. Share your plans for
property. Leverage business resources that might be available
intellectual property, like copyright or patent filings. If you're doing
to women, veterans, Native Americans, and HUBZone–certified
research and development for your service or product, explain it.
businesses.
Marketing and Sales
Value Proposition
Your marketing strategy should evolve and change to fit your needs
Make a clear and compelling statement about the unique value
in each context.
your company brings to the market.
Describe how you'll attract and retain customers. Show how a
sale will actually happen. You'll refer to this section later when you Customer Relationships
make financial projections, so be thorough. Describe how customers will interact with your business. Think
through the customer experience from start to finish. Is it auto-
Funding Request
mated or personal? In person or online?
If you're asking for funding, outline your funding requirements.
Specify whether you want debt or equity and the terms you'd like. Customer Segments
Your goal is to clearly explain how much funding you’ll need over Name your target market. Your business won’t be for everybody;
the next five years and how the investment will be used. it’s important to have a clear sense of who you serve.
Specify if you need funds to buy equipment or materials, pay Channels
salaries, or cover specific bills until revenue increases. Explain how List the most important ways you’ll talk to your customers.
you'll pay off the debt.
Cost Structure
Financial Projections Will your company focus on reducing cost or maximizing value?
Supplement your funding request with a prospective financial Define your strategy, then list the most significant costs you’ll face.
outlook for the next five years. Show how your business will be a
Revenue Streams
financial success.
Explain how your company makes money: direct sales, member-
If your business is already established, include income state-
ships fees, selling advertising space? If your company has multiple
ments, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for the last three to
revenue streams, list them all.
five years. List collateral you could put against a loan.
Include forecasted income statements, balance sheets, cash
flow statements, and capital expenditure budgets. For the first
year, be even more specific and use quarterly—or even monthly
—projections. Make sure to clearly explain your projections and LEAN STARTUP PLAN CHECKLIST
match them to your funding requests. ❒ Key partnerships ❒ Customer segments
Use visual organization tools--graphs and charts—to tell your
❒ Key activities ❒ Channels
business's financial story.
❒ Key resources ❒ Cost structure
Appendix
Here you'll attach supporting documents or other requested ❒ Value proposition ❒ Revenue streams
materials. Common items to include are credit histories, CVs, ❒ Customer relationships
product pictures, letters of reference, licenses, permits, patents,
legal documents, and other contracts.
21local success story
Kristen
Bailey
PRESIDENT/OWNER, SWEETS AND ME ATS
Cinc innat i, OH
Kristen Bailey’s love of barbecue fed an entrepreneurial dream that has expanded into a thriving business
thanks to SBA assistance. She smokes brisket, pulled pork and chicken, rib tips, chicken wings, and baby back
ribs. Homemade sides include macaroni & cheese, BBQ baked beans, and collard greens. Adding the “sweets” to
the business name, Kristen also serves sweet potato casserole (her grandmother Carolyn’s recipe), banana pudding,
and crunch cake. The SBA helped Kristen expand her business so she could create jobs and contribute to her local
economy. From a backyard operation in 2014, Sweets and Meats has grown to include a food truck and a take-out
location, becoming a locally owned and family-run favorite. “Barbecue brings people together,” Kristen says.
• What challenge did you have? First, I needed expert loan package that helped attract a lender best for me
business guidance at a minimal cost since I was just and my business. The SBA guarantees loans made by
starting up. My partner, Anton, and I were hosting lending institutions to small business that would not
cookouts, serving family recipes to friends in our back- otherwise be able to obtain financing. My business
yard. We wanted to learn how to expand our business qualified for an SBA-backed 7(a) loan in 2018. If it were
concept from just one smoker and only $500. We only not for the SBA guarantee and low interest rate, I don’t
had a volunteer work force and no payroll for the first 18 think we would have all the equipment we need to run
months. I wanted to increase our capability and capac- the take-out restaurant.
ity, but I had to take on financing to do that. Traditional
lenders can be hesitant to take a risk on restauranteurs. • What benefit did this have for you? Sweets and Meats
So many good restaurants, even great ones, fail in the went from a volunteer workforce to 11 local employees.
first year. It’s a hard business and not many lenders Our relationship-driven business strategy has helped
want to take the risk. grow business sales from $42,000 in 2014 to $560,000 in
2018. Our product is relational, our customers know me
• What was the SBA solution? I was accepted into and they know our recipes, it’s not simply transactional.
MORTAR, an SBA-sponsored business accelerator, We’ve had such tremendous community support, we
and this was the first place I felt like my dream was were able to open our Sweets and Meats Barbecue
supported. I connected with a few local SBA Resource in Mount Washington in summer 2016. I believe that
Partners including SCORE mentor Mike Mulligan Sweets and Meats has encouraged the growth in the
and Larry Brown, an adviser at the Small Business Mount Washington neighborhood. My advice to other
Development Center at the Urban League of Greater entrepreneurs is to start with what you have. Start small
Southwestern Ohio. Larry helped me develop a busi- and think big. Don’t get into debt or buy more than you
ness plan, which laid the foundation for my expansion can afford. Find a way to make the resources that you
with a food truck and large-scale catering for corporate have work.
events, parties, and weddings. We also put together a
22If it were not for the
SBA guarantee and
low interest rate,
I don’t think we
would have all the
equipment we need
to run the take-out
restaurant.”
Kristen Bailey
President/Owner, Sweets and Meats
COURTESY OF SWEETS AND MEATS
23FUNDING PROGRAMS
Financing Your Small Business
How We Did It
Crafting a
Business
SBA-backed financing helped Superstition Meadery expand
into a multimillion dollar enterprise.
written by Becky Bosshart
COURTESY OF SUPERSTITION MEADERY
24FUNDING PROGRAMS
J
ennifer and Jeff Herbert’s Solution
home-based brewing has Thanks to guidance from an SBA
expanded into a global, Resource Partner, the Small Business
multimillion dollar Development Center at Yavapai
enterprise thanks to SBA Community College, Jennifer and Jeff
assistance. Using Arizona honey and learned about financing that worked
5
ingredients they’ve sourced from for them. The SBA guarantees loans
around the world (such as Tahitian made by lending institutions to small
Tips for
vanilla and Moroccan saffron), the business that would not otherwise be
Herberts are selling nearly 30,000 able to obtain financing. Their small
Success
gallons annually of their honey-based business qualified for two SBA-backed
fermented beverage. They operate a loans totaling more than $600,000. The
downtown Prescott, Arizona tasting Herberts’ first SBA-backed loan allowed
room and state-of-the-art production them to acquire commercial property to
facility, creating jobs and building design and build their mead production Get guidance.
a local craft industry. The Herberts, facility. Their second SBA-backed loan Develop a working relationship with
founding members of the American provided the funding for professional an SBA Resource Partner (see page 8)
Mead Makers Association, have brewing equipment to complete their to help you find the funding that works
traveled around the world hosting 7,450-square-foot production space. The best for you.
pairing events and pouring at craft Herberts recently purchased a historic
beverage festivals. building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona
to open a mead-pairing restaurant. Define your lending needs.
Challenge
Determine if a loan is right for you. Is
The Herberts wanted to scale up their Benefit
this the right time? How much do you
meadery while also staying true to The Herberts started with two
need? What are you going to use it for?
their values of quality ingredients and employees and now have over 20
craft process. It is often difficult for producing 29,000 gallons this year.
new entrepreneurs or unique concepts From a homegrown setup, Jennifer and
Talk to multiple lenders.
like a meadery to get traditional Jeff are now charting revenue in excess
See who best matches you and your
financing, even though they knew of $2.6 million and distributing to 37
business. Has the lender successfully
they had a great idea, the backing states, across Europe and Southeast
worked with other businesses in
wasn’t there to expand. They say that Asia. They have plans for another your industry?
choosing to do something new breaks expansion, including a shipping
the mold, which can be uncomfortable warehouse to manage their online retail
for traditional lenders. and wholesale orders.
Check all options.
Consult with your lender to see if
you’re eligible for SBA financing
programs, determined by your
industry & experience; collateral;
credit score; and the relationship &
transparency you develop with the
lending agent.
Be ready for the ups
and downs.
Your entrepreneurial endeavor will
be a roller coaster ride filled with
challenges and successes. The path
is all consuming so make sure that
COURTESY OF SUPERSTITION MEADERY
you love what you do. Passion is the
price of admission.
Jeff & Jennifer Herbert, owners of Superstition Meadery, completed their 7,450-square-
foot production space and opened a tasting room in Prescott, AZ with the assistance of
SBA-backed financing. See their story on YouTube by searching for the 2019 National
Small Business Persons of the Year.
25FUNDING PROGRAMS
Lender SBA-backed Loans
Match help small business owners and entrepreneurs who are
creditworthy but don’t qualify for conventional financing.
Find a lender interested
If you cannot obtain a business loan with reasonable rates
in working with you at
sba.gov/lendermatch. and terms, contact your local SBA Lender to see if you are
This matching tool eligible for SBA programs. The SBA works with participating
connects entrepreneurs lenders to reduce their risk, increasing the likelihood your
with SBA Lenders in
loan will be approved with the terms that work best for
your area.
you. The guarantee is conditional on the lender following
SBA program requirements. Just like with any other loan,
you make your loan payments directly to your lender in
accordance with your terms.
26You can also read
