Several years ago, Robert Weingarten was looking for resources for small businesses, and he found the SBDC. He immediately contacted them and scheduled an appointment to meet with Ken Fakler and Camille Pendleton. He said that first meeting was invaluable as they took time to think of ways to overcome the many challenges growing businesses encounter in their day-to-day operations..
Warwood had very little money to start her entrepreneurial journey, and she says the free, quality consulting from the SBDC was an incredible gift. She recommends that anyone considering a startup begins with the SBDC. “Don’t reinvent the wheel or try to do it all on your own,” she says..
At the time, Greg and Tim were both working as employees at EarthTec when they learned the owners were seeking to sell. Greg again contacted the SBDC, and over the course of several months, Shaun Wilson helped with the business valuation, SBA financing preparation, and negotiating the purchase of the business. Greg explained how the SBDC’s coaching and support through the acquisition was a tremendous help in making this lifelong dream become a reality.
After building a successful business with the support of SBDC resources between 2014 to 2017, Spencer Barclay knew he would go back to them when he was ready to start another company. In February 2019, that time came. Turning to the SBDC for assistance, he started to brainstorm business plans. He knew they could help him tap into the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem in the valley and help him apply many of the business concepts he had learned.
People often struggle at knowing how to create an ethical culture within their business. Mountain America President Sterling Nielsen outlines the mission, vision, and core values that every business needs to create an ethical culture. He also discusses accountability, stewardship, integrity, and trust as critical values for any business wanting continuous growth and improvement.
CEO Randy Woodbury emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing in business. Doing the right thing means that you behave morally in your treatment of others regardless of the consequences. He also emphasizes to have an ethical business; the leader of that business must first embody ethical behavior. Randy also presents a 4-way test to assess if you are being ethical in any situation.
Dr. Marty VanWagoner lays out the framework needed to create ethical accounting practices within a business. As a business owner, looking long-term and never taking shortcuts, is critical to avoiding a ruined reputation and jail time. The fraud triangle and other tools he discusses will help you avoid making unethical decisions in your business.
A guide to writing and using a code of conduct for your business is explained by two experts. This essential document will help you make daily decisions and help lay the foundation for ethical behavior within your business. Ethical conduct sets you apart with customers and in your industry.
