Submitted by BOWLING GREEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce (BGCC) announced the publication of a new webpage aimed at helping entrepreneurs find the information they need when starting a business in the Bowling Green area.
This webpage, available at bgchamber.net/new-business-resources/, can be the first stop for those looking to start or purchase a business. The page provides direct links to agencies, departments and resources, saving individuals time while referencing accredited entities.
The BGCC prides itself on all it does for local businesses, including offering guidance on startups. Previously, all that information was in printed format. The Chamber is very project-team-driven, so when the suggestion to create a webpage to replace the printed documents was suggested to the BGCC Business Council Project Team by a Chamber investor, they took the time to listen.
Dusty Pendleton of Retro Detailing presented the idea to the project team and suggested topics that she felt would be most beneficial. Those topics included how to register a business, keep track of finances and file business taxes.
Through discussion at business council meetings, the idea grew into a full-fledged, one-stop shop for new businesses, broken down into four phases: the Idea Phase, the Planning Phase, the Launch Phase, and the Marketing Phase. The Chamber communications team has been hard at work compiling credible resources available to entrepreneurs in Northwest Ohio.
Pendleton was provided a link to review the completed page before it went live. Her reaction was: “This is going to be such an amazing resource and I will be interested to see how it is received. I am proud of the part I played in getting a project started on how the chamber could deliver these resources more effectively. Our Chamber has always been a beneficial resource for local businesses; this is another example of how they continue to empower BG businesses to thrive.”
Information in the Idea Phase section includes instructions on how to write a business plan; the legal requirements for starting a new business; how to register with the IRS, State, and city of Bowling Green; and information on the pros and cons of starting your own business versus buying an existing business or franchise.
Resources in the Planning Phase include guides to financing a business, recordkeeping, pricing products, finding a target demographic through market research, and creating financial projections.
The Launch Phase section helps new businesses navigate securing business loans, find a brick-and-mortar location in or around Bowling Green, recruit and retain employees, and develop sales or marketing plans.
Finally, the Marketing Phase guides new business owners through the basics of marketing, from building their brand to online and social media marketing.
