STEPS IN THE LIFE OF AN SBA LOAN
This summary of the SBA loan process is designed to provide an overview of the basic steps involved in obtaining an SBA loan.

1. Small Business Owner prepares business plan
2. Small Business Owner meets with a lender
3. Small Business Owner completes loan application
4. Lender reviews loan application and performs credit analysis
>Read more
 

Affordable Care Act Questions and Answers
By SBA Regional Administrator Patricia Brown-Dixon and HHS Regional Director Stephene Moore

Q.- Can you can sign up for healthcare from the Affordable Care Act by calling a toll free phone number?

A.- Absolutely…Individuals may call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) 24/7 and businesses may call for SHOP information at 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 1-800-706-7915) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

SBA St. Louis Staff Out & About

o Gary Alexander, Business Opportunity Specialist, will be at the Missouri PTAC on December 5, 2013, to discusss the benefits of being in the 8(a) Business Development Program. For more details, contact Gary at gary.alexander@sba.gov/314-539-6612.

o Tom Daiber, Lender Relations Specialist, will participate in a Phelps County Business Resource event on January 9, 2014. The Meramac Regional Planning Commission is planning the event. Contact Tom at thomas.daiber@sba.gov/314-539-6614 for more details.

o Nicki Massie, Public Affairs Specialist, and Mary Timmel from the Small Business Majority will participate in an What Every Small Business Owner Should Know about the Affordable Care Act seminar in Rolla on January 14, 2014. This event, which is sponsored by the Rolla SBTDC, will be at Matt's Steakhouse from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Contact Nicki at nicholson.massie@sba.gov/314-539-6606 for more details. 

Q. Where can I find a list of SBA lenders?

A. Here is the Active SBA Lender List for Eastern Missouri. We recommend you check first to see if your lending institution is on the list as you already have an established business relationship. Be sure to ask for a Commercial Lender (one who specializes in SBA loans is ideal.)

Timely Tax Tips

Check these out before it's too late!

http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/use-%E2%80%98em-or-lose-%E2%80%98em-5-tax-breaks-set-expire-year

http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/which-tax-form-should-you-file-schedule-c-or-easier-schedule-c-ez

http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/how-take-advantage-small-business-health-care-tax-credit

http://www.sba.gov/content/getting-your-small-business-ready-tax-filing-season

2013 St. Louis Emerging Leaders graduates

SBA St. Louis Graduates Largest Emerging Leaders Class to Date

The SBA St. Louis District Office is proud to announce the largest Emerging Leaders (formerly e200) class to date graduated on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. >Read More 

Affordable Care Act Seminars and Webinars

o Free Seminar: What Every Small Business Owner Should Know about the Affordable Care Act. December 4, 2013, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., SBA St. Louis District Office, 1222 Spruce Street, Suite 10.103, St. Louis, MO, 63103 (map). Contact Nicki Massie at nicholson.massie@sba.gov/314-539-6606 to RSVP. Guest presenter is Mary Timmel, Small Business Majority. This event is in a federal building. Allow extra time to find parking and get through security.

o Free Webinar: What the Healthcare Law Means for Your Missouri Small Business. January 28, 2014, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Hosted by Small Business Majority with SBA St. Louis' Nicki Massie as a guest speaker. To register for the event, visit https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=jbswes9db7on.

SBA's Encore Entrepreneurs - Getting Inspired at 50+

- Aged 50 or older? 
- Interested in starting your own business as a second (or third) career?

This FREE workshop is for you!

When: December 12, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Where: St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Clayton, MO (map)

RSVP: Required to Gary Alexander at gary.alexander@sba.gov or 314-539-6612.

How to Get a D-U-N-S® Number from Dun & Bradstreet

Credit is the lifeblood of business, and establishing good credit is vital to business viability.  To establish credit for your business, and make managing credit easier, you should obtain a Data Universal Number System (D-U-N-S®) number from Dun & Bradstreet. 

To apply for a DUNS number, go to http://www.dandb.com/free-duns-number/.  If you are unsure whether your business has a DUNS number call 800-700-2733 first.

See this article on SBA's site and this article on Dun & Bradstreet  for more on obtaining a DUNS number.

SBA St. Louis District Office Is Now Seeking Nominations/Applications for Emerging Leaders 2014

Angie Wells, Economic Development Specialist and Emerging Leaders Project Officer is looking for a few good businesses. Businesses can self-nominate and lenders or resource partners can make recommendations. For an overview of the SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative, click here. Contact Angie at angela.wells@sba.gov/314-539-6613 for more information.

How Your Small Business Can Benefit from SBA’s Federal Contracting Programs: A Free Webinar

-Do you sell goods or services that the federal government will buy?
-Could your bottom line be boosted by federal sales?
-Do you need to know how to get started selling to the federal government?

Have you wondered who or what SAM is or why you need a DUNS number? (Hint: SAM is not a guy down the street.)

This is the webinar for you!

On January 9, 2014, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. SBA St. Louis staff will present a government contracting program webinar. The program will address SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, the HUBZone Program, the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program and the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program. Program requirements, eligibility, benefits, and application procedures will be discussed.

Please contact Angie Wells at angela.wells@sba.gov/314-539-6613 or Gary Alexander at gary.alexander@sba.gov/314-539-6612 for further details and call-in information. You must RSVP so we can be sure enough phone lines are available.

Free Monthly Seminars Offered on 8(a) Government Contracting Program

Gary Alexander, SBA St. Louis Business Opportunity Specialist, offers monthly seminars titled How to Win Government Contracts through the 8(a) Program. These seminars are designed for individuals interested in applying for 8(a) certification. If you would like to attend an upcoming seminar or would like to schedule a seminar in your community, contact Gary at gary.alexander@sba.gov or 314-539-6612. The next seminars will be on February 20 and March 13, 2014, from 10 a.m. - noon.

SBA St. Louis Wants Small Business Week Nominations

The online portal is now open at http://nationalsmallbusinessweek.sba.gov/. More information can also be found at the Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri site.  Contact Patti Guttmann, Economic Development Specialist and Small Business Week Coordinator, at patricia.guttmann@sba.gov/314-539-6615 for information on award categories and nomination procedures.

SBA on YouTube

The SBA YouTube channel is chock-full of videos pertaining to small businesses. Bob Newman, Mid-Missouri Senior Area Manager and resident export expert, recommends Where Will Your Next Customer Come From? For more information on exporting contact Bob at robert.newman@sba.gov/636-358-5941 or visit SBA's Exporting page.

Support Your Local Small Businesses during the Holiday Season!

While you're out and about over the holiday season, shop at your local small businesses and eat at your local restaurants. You'll be supporting job growth in the community and get some great gifts and food, too!