In celebration of National Entrepreneurship Week, the February issue of the SC Small Business Dispatch is focused on resources and advice for South Carolina's entrepreneurs.

News and Features

Top State and Federal Online Resources for Small Businesses

With all the small business-related sites on the web, a basic Google search won't always lead you to the online resources that can really help business owners and start-ups. That's why we've compiled some of the best South Carolina and federal government websites for almost any business need.

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Today Through Thursday: SBA Crowdfunding Webinars

The SBA is holding a series of webinars February 19-21 on how entrepreneurs can leverage crowdfunding as an alternative financing option to start or grow their businesses.

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Words of Wisdom | Advice for Business Success Ramona Fantini, owner of Pino Gelato and the 2012 South Carolina Small Business Person of the Year, shares her tips for small business success. > Read more

Biz Best Practice | Listen to Your Business

Small businesses often branch out into many different directions, doing whatever it takes to keep the lights on. Of course, a jack-of-all-trades is a master of none, and this approach can stunt the business's development.

Rich Hagins, founder and CEO of Greenville firm US&S, offers an intuitive solution based on his own experience: "Ask yourself, 'What does the company say you are?'" In other words, focus on and develop your business's core strengths.

SBA Lender Activity in SC | FY 2013 through January

40 lenders and certified development companies have been active in the 2013 fiscal year. Find out which institutions made the list for October 2012 through January 2013. (Note: The lending report is cumulative. Therefore, the activity shown through the link below changes each month.)

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District Office Update

> What We Are   |   > Where We Are   |   > Who We are

SBA Administrator Visits South Carolina Karen Mills, Administrator of the SBA, visited Charleston on January 24 to highlight local small business UEC Electronics for its expansion and job creation. UEC is a manufacturing and engineering firm in the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program. Administrator Mills also visited the South Carolina Women's Business Center, where she heard from several women about how the Center had helped them start and grow their businesses.

Senior Area Manager of Charleston Office Retires The South Carolina District Office bids farewell to Paul Thomas, Senior Area Manager for the SBA’s Alternate Worksite in Charleston. Mr. Thomas retired on January 11 after 34 years with the SBA

Gregg White Named New Deputy District Director R. Gregg White has been named Deputy District Director of the South Carolina District Office. Mr. White, who joined the office in August, was previously the Lead Lender Relations Specialist.

Author: Anna Huntley | Got a question, comment or suggestion regarding the newsletter? Let me know at anna.huntley@sba.gov.