October 2011
CareerTips
Clemson’s SBDC,
a Great Resource for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
by Myles Golden
 Plato said, "It is the beginning that is the most important part of the work." And, the same may be said for the beginning of someone considering or pursuing entrepreneurship. The Clemson Regional Small Business Development Center is all about beginnings. Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in plain sight (located in the heart of downtown Greenville), the SBDC is a resource to any potential or existing small business owner. Offered at little to no cost, the SBDC provides marketing analysis, business plan preparation, financial feasibility as well as personal and confidential guidance. There are many valuable workshops and seminars on the business of small business, too. Melissa Thomas, Greenville Area Consultant with the SBDC, recently spoke to our Monday Morning Roundtable. While she may not have a crystal ball, she does have some insight on 2012 Small Business Trends after attending a national conference in San Diego. “One thing I love about Greenville is the entrepreneurial climate it offers that is unlike any other area in SC. Greenville has proven itself to be one of the best places to start and grow your small business," says Thomas. Here is something to consider before getting started:
- Every business should have a website and it should be optimized for mobile use. Consumers want value and expect a deal. 68% of people shop with coupons; 69% of consumers go online to comparison shop before making a purchase and 41% of those consumers go directly to a retailer's site.
- Age 85 and up is the fastest growing demographic. In-home non-medical care is big business. 33% of people 75 and up live alone (40% of them have a disability). There are currently 4,600 adult day-care centers. However, this is not going to be enough. There will be a very steady need for handy-man services, cleaning, lawn maintenance, and companies that provide home-proofing for seniors. Gyms have seen a 300% increase in membership in people ages 55 and up, but they are not catering to them.
- There are presently 85 million Baby Boomers. They spend more money on online shopping than any other age group. Because most Baby Boomers are almost retired there is a huge need for financial planners. 46% of women in this group were raised to believe men would handle financial planning. Now, 3% of those women say they agree with that... but 49% of women have no financial advisor.
- There are 75 million children 18 years or younger. There were more kids born in 2007 in the United States than ever before. The U.S. has the largest toy market (other countries are buying our toys). There has also been a trend in certified green toys. Tweens (ages 8-14) have what Thomas calls "pester power". They spend $2,000/year of their own money on clothes, electronics, food, computer games, home furnishings, etc.
- Popular Businesses:
- Weddings - consolidated services and wedding rentals (for every aspect of the wedding) are becoming increasingly popular. 60% of people today are paying part of the wedding cost on their own.
- Men's Health & Beauty - Barbershops have seen a 10% increase in the last 2 years. Yoga studios have seen a rise in male participants. Currently, there are 19 million men's grooming products on the market. By 2014, studies expect that number to be at least 28 million.
- Retail - By 2015, online shopping will be a 279 billion dollar business.
- Plus-size - 60% of adults 20 and older are overweight. Bridal wear (2.1 billion dollars/year), bikes, and nightclubs geared toward plus-size people are just a few of the many products and services for which this group will continue to demand.
- Pets - 62% of families have one. In 2010, 55 billion dollars were spent on pets - this does not include food or veterinary costs.
- Food - Butcher shops are making a strong comeback. Gluten free food sales have grown 74% from 2004-2008. Food trucks - like the ones in Wisconsin offering pizza after 10 p.m. in the bar districts - are in demand. 91% of people surveyed said they would eat from a food truck. 70% of people eat dessert once a week and it is predicted that pie on a stick will be the next big hit.
- Cyber security is a 75 billion dollar industry.
- By 2015, mobility/apps will be an 8 billion dollar business.
- Translators are a 2.5 billion dollar industry.
Our GCS Career transition program titled The Entrepreneurial Path is a good resource for any aspiring entrepreneur. This is an intensive, yet simplified and organized approach to managing the journey. Kyle Pertuis, one of our adjunct senior consultants and Owner of MindFit Coaching, authored and delivers most of the program with a little coaching on my part in the Marketing Your Business portion of the program. Kyle says “In a challenging economy, we are reminded that neither government nor corporate America can provide us with the ‘job-security’ we may be looking for.” All jobs are temporary and more people are deciding to make things happen on their own! Recent studies have shown that as much as 50% of the workforce would leave their current position tomorrow if they could! How many of these individuals have a great idea for a new business? There is no way to know but what we do know is that there are many individuals that have great ideas that never pursue them because they are not sure how to begin the process of starting a business. As we see the popularity of personal, career, small business and executive coaching continue to grow, The Entrepreneurial Path creates an opportunity to help guide future entrepreneurs through this process. The benefits of working with a professional coach through this type of transition include increasing the individual’s awareness, helping them to engage more fully in the process, and perhaps most importantly, serve as an objective accountability partner to helping them accomplish their goals! Our country was built by innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit-- we can and will see it grow again in the same way!”
Click here to contact Golden Career Strategies about our
Entrepreneurial Path program!
Your New Job Security
by Virginia Sole-Smith
A stable work future isn’t about finding a lifelong employer. It’s about being able to land the next professional opportunity—which means mastering the digital job hunt
. Click here to read this recommended article.
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