Small Business As Usual

WOWRadioCT Jim Bzdyra May 12 by Community Economic Development Fund

Find out why nonprofits with $500K+ recurring revenue can and should use debt capital from CDFIs (like CEDF) to bridge funding gaps and manage operational needs. Learn how to break down the "business first" mindset, debunk common myths about nonprofit profit and donor perception, and hear an explanation of the "Match Principle" for debt structure. Discover through real-world case studies of an edu...

Making a successful start of a new business requires not only creativity and hustle but a certain discipline to do things the right way. Compliance with regulatory expectations can trip up a new business owner who doesn't follow the checklist for doing it the right way. Google’s Notebook LM is the tool we used to voice the podcast. Dialogue was created by AI but based on our published booklet avai...

Thanks to our free enterprise system, it’s still relatively easy to accumulate at least a small amount of capital to launch a venture. And whether it’s called a “side hustle,” “part time gig” or small business, it’s still subject to the market forces and foundational truths that ultimately separate those who succeed from those who don’t. Take advantage of our accumulated wisdom and learn the inesc...

Learn how small businesses typically get funded, and the seven most important concepts to have locked down to know you are prepared to take an entrepreneurial journey. Google’s Notebook LM is the tool we used to voice the podcast. Dialogue was created by AI but based on our published booklet available at this link, or in printed form at our public access to capital events.

This podcast episode is based on CEDF’s Ready for Business Success course and applies to borrowing from a bank or a community lender. Enrolling in the free course on the CEDF website at CEDF.com/inquiry will provide you with a good understanding of small business funding and a questionnaire to help you learn if you are ready. And CEDF will provide you with an appropriate referral to get more prepa...

Get a checklist for your understanding of what a community lender or even a bank is looking for as it evaluates applications. Preparation of your business is the key to success on your first try.

There are many different sources for borrowed small business capital. But the terms can be very different and the net costs to the borrower can vary enormously. Be careful and be sure you understand how the products differ from traditional business lending from banks, credit unions or community lenders like CEDF.

Nonprofit community lender organizations, just like banks and credit unions, provide responsible, affordable small business lending. Learn the reasons why some applicants stumble and how to prepare for success.

Nonprofit community lender organizations, just like banks and credit unions, provide responsible, affordable small business lending. Learn the important factors to consider when you prepare to apply.

Learn about CEDF's approach to financial competence to help small business owners.

Some people appear to be born entrepreneurs. Others seem to end up owning businesses having never contemplated that career. But is that the same as being an entrepreneur?

What do you do when you lose 85% of your business? Stephen Richmond of Painting with a Twist in Hartford describes his approach.

Karen Hinds of Workplace Success Group explains why small business owners need to be engaged with diversity, inclusion and equity and how it can improve their success.

What makes some entrepreneurs better suited for the most emotionally challenging part of business ownership -- uncertainty? Dr. Len Wysocki has insights into the skills required.

Michael Cervellino of Belle Academy had figured out how to deal with COVID-19 long before the pandemic hit through charity events and old fashioned public relations.

As a small business owner, it’s likely you’ll have to deal with change on a daily basis. Ralph Mesite shares how he prepared for facing COVID-19 in a way that few others had the opportunity.

Episode 20-2: Employee personal problems. Organizational development consultant and author Bruce Tulgan explains you can be be humane, thoughtful and take the right approach to dealing with employees who bring personal issues to work.

Lots of people are attracted to owning their own businesses. But not everyone stops to make a truly informed assessment of whether it’s right for them. Mary Kay Della Camera, advisor for the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, specializes in helping her clients ask the right questions.

We've all heard stories about how the challenges of small business ownership cause personal crises. In contrast, Jennifer Acuna, owner of Loafing Around, LLC explains the profound difference that starting a business made in getting her life back on track.

Michael Mongillo of Eleven Arrows Consulting points out the solutions are surprisingly straight forward and lie in good information and honest, candid and effective communication.

Small business owners might wonder what happened to the world where they could dial their banker on the phone and arrange for a loan in a snap. As CEDF celebrates its 25th anniversary, President and CEO Jim Bzdyra looks back over the changes that impacted commercial banking.

Problems in business with money? Maybe it's all in your head. Corrin Gibbs Burke, CFP, explains the emotional side of what none of us can live without, and how using archetypes helps us understand pitfalls and tendencies that interfere with small business success.

Imagine racking up big debt and betting all on opening a small store only to find out the next day a big box competitor had come to town. Nick Tarzia, explains how he survived by finding out what his customers wanted and how it eventually led to success owning Awesome Toys & Gifts in Stamford and Westport.

Richard Portelance, CEO of CareerPath Mobile, developed a great solution that users loved, but the paying customers weren't ready to adopt it. What he did next explains how to move your business into the right place at the right time for the right customer. Thanks to Nelson Merchan of the CT SBDC for introducing his client.