go, entrepreneur, go!

Being an entrepreneur is super exciting…never a dull moment, right? Marketing, branding, designing, SEO-ing, creating, connecting, accounting, making sales…while trying not to forget to eat, drink plenty of water, sleep, reserve some quality “me time”. I am continually learning new ways to improve and build my business. I probably know about 1%, don’t know 20% and don’t know that I don’t know 79% Or something like that. I have met handful of talented, hard working and generally ass-kicking entrepreneurs just in these past couple of months I’ve been in Portland. Whether they are just starting out, brainstorming some business ideas, revamping up their new shop, vending at various trade shows, searching for their niche, I am constantly inspired and impressed by their positive, bright eyed attitude and insatiable appetite to thrive and grow.

So, as I have spent hours reading, reading, reading about how to grow my business, how to connect with my community, how to better serve my customers, how to market to the “right” demographic, etc., I want to share the resources I have collected thus far. If you have other recommendations, please share with us!

“The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.”

They have great resources on business licensing, regulations and permitting, writing up your business plan, loans and grants, investors, step by step approach to starting your business, connecting you with local mentors via email, phone or in person. You can also find your local SBA office and check out their classes and seminars.

Score is another great resources for business logistics. They provides free and confidential one-on-one business consulting with counselors experienced in a wide range of areas and industries. They provide over 100 business workshops designed to help you start and grow your business.

“Business Oregon works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses that provide sustainable, living-wage jobs for Oregonians through public-private partnerships, leveraged funding and support of economic opportunities for Oregon companies and entrepreneurs.”

“Business Oregon also houses the Oregon Arts Commission and the Oregon Cultural Trust in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities.  The Oregon Arts Commission and the Oregon Cultural Trust administer both federal and state investments in arts and culture. Additionally, Business Oregon acts as a fiscal agent for the Oregon Film and Video Office (OFVO). OFVO promotes statewide development of the film, video and multimedia industry in Oregon to enhance the industry’s revenues, profile and reputation.”

Entrepreneur discusses: starting a business; finances; sales & marketing; business opportunities; online business; management; balancing work life. There is also a section called “Ask Entrepreneur” where you can get help and advice on various topics.

I love Megan Auman and her site! She shares a wealth of information for entrepreneurs specifically in the business of design and craft. She write in a personable, easy to understand manner which is both effective and empowering.

“At crafting an MBA, the goal is to help you polish those basic skills (like business planning and bookkeeping), develop a marketing plan (online and off), and help keep you up to date with trends in the business world – while also helping develop skills specific to a craft based business (selling online, craft shows, trade shows, and promoting your portfolio).”

You can also hire her for one on one consulting and coaching.

Carrie Wilkerson is a consultant/strategist for self-employed professionals & small business owners. Her blog is chalk full of information from her professional and personal experiences. I especially enjoyed reading this one.

“CRAVE is all about women business owners. We host business chats, symposiums, and other fabulous parties to connect you with savvy entreprennesses. We spread the word about the need-to-know women in your city with our CRAVE guides. Our blog and social media provide valuable forums for sharing business tips and learning what women all around the world crave. CRAVE is your one stop shop for connecting with smart, successful women business owners and discovering new, innovative ways to boost your business!”

You can find CRAVE for your specific city for local events, businesses and writers.

“Smaller Box was founded by busy indie entrepreneurs like you. We’re not anything like the Best Buys and Walmarts of the world. We’re not big box, we’re smaller box. We’ve combined our years of experience running an online retail outfit to bring you services and information to help grow your business.”

They provide their service through blog (“An invaluable resource for everything you ever wanted to know about running your indie business. Topics covered include marketing, publicity, wholesaling, customer service, advertising, business development, web design and so much more.”); advertising; consulting; and matchmaking.

Here is a useful list of vendors, websites, aps and cool tools for your small business generously provided by Smaller Box.

The Outsourcing Company is a Portland based internet marketing agency founded by Zeke Camusio. Zeke blogs about the struggles of starting and maintaining a successful business, marketing, SEO strategies, conversion rate optimization, social media marketing, importance of authentic customer relationships, pearls of wisdom from his past failed businesses. He also provides a wealth of information through his FREE seminars and webinars. I attended his free class about optimizing websites last November and walked away in awe with all sorts of new information and resources. Zeke is super easy to approach and really cares about the success of each entrepreneur.

OK, I think we all know Design*Sponge is an amazing home and design blog covering everything from DIY, before & after furniture and home makeovers, product reviews, city reviews, trend forecasting, podcasts, recipes, videos, artists interviews…love love love D*S. Can’t get tired of it

Design*Sponge also runs a national series of meetups for women running design-based businesses called the D*S Biz Lady Series. “Grace hosts and speaks at these events designed to connect local designers and provide free advice on the subjects of PR/marketing, legal concerns, business/financial decisions and wholesaling. Meetings have been held in Brooklyn, Chicago, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles and Boston.”

Aahhh, CraftyPod…I am addicted to Sister Diane’s podcasts. Her “craft on everybody” mantra is ever so comforting She talks and interviews about everything crafty. She shares podcasts, videos, tutorials…she has also written for I Heart Art as well as Etsy. Check her out. You’ll get hooked.

“Our mission is to support and advocate for Portland’s vibrant community of makers by fostering dialogue, inspiring activity and offering access to resources that are otherwise difficult to find. Aspiring to be a catalyst for engagement, we serve artists, artisans, students and museum guild members through outreach and education, encouraging participation and collaboration with each other and the greater community as a whole. We are fueled by our love for the arts and our desire for public programming, artist success and professional development.”

They provide professional development workshops, salons discussions, mixer-match speed networking. Affiliate programs: I Heart Art: Baltimore; I Heart Art: San Francisco

“Hello Craft is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association, dedicated to the advancement of independent crafters and the handmade movement, as well as empowering small business owners and educating the public to the benefits of buying handmade.

Founded in 2008 by four crafters/craft fair organizers who share a love of making, Hello Craft actively pursues it’s mission through the educational facets of our website, and various events held throughout the year such as our Field Trips and our annual 3-day conference, the Summit of Awesome.

Hello Craft also shares information concerning small business how-tos and general knowledge of the handmade movement through a variety of media. Utilizing a cadre of bloggers, Hello Craft educates readers on various issues important to small independent business owners and consumers of handmade goods.”

“Wonder Thinking is a blog about living the creative life. It’s about feeding our dreams, turning our hobbies & passions into businesses, growing our indie businesses, finding our spot in the sunshine.”

Tricia McKellar covers topics such as: online shops, business planning, creativity, marketing, productivity, Etsy tips, Etsy shop critiques, and selling your work.

This is a wonderful resource in connecting with your Portland community. Meet other entrepreneurs, artists, vendors…

“Neighborhood Notes offers community-focused news like no other source. We start conversations that encourage participation, action and collaboration. With thoughtful and investigative reporting, we are committed to bringing the stories that are often overlooked, but that matter to the people who call Portland home. We care because this is our city, too, and we strive to be a resource that fosters communication and connections across all 95 of Portland’s diverse neighborhoods.”

There is a collection of really interesting panel discussions about craft in the 21st century, the market place, the definition of craft, various design perspectives…

“The world is in transition economically, politically, environmentally and the changes that are radically transforming how we communicate, what we value, and how we live affect us all. In this transitional moment, the American Craft Council engaged a distinguished group of speakers representing voices from inside and outside the craft field to stimulate your thinking and to investigate the inherent tensions between craft as a lifestyle and craft as a livelihood.”

I am going to end this list of resources with a motivational video by Grasshopper Group - empowering entrepreneurs to succeed! Go, entrepreneur, go!