GRANGEVILLE — What’s your business vision? Do you have a value statement? What about goals and objectives?
“Small businesses are the heart of the community and critical to the economy, and these are things you need to think about, to plan,” said Joel Nania, economic development specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Nania spoke to a crowd of more than 20 at the Grangeville Chamber of Commerce “Thrive in ’25” educational event Jan. 8 at Super 8. The chamber plans to sponsor monthly events throughout 2025, said chamber president Maria Gresham.
Nania went over the various outreach programs administered or offered through SBA, including SCORE (a consultant program for small businesses), SBDC (Small Business Development Center), VBOC (Veterans Business Outreach Center), APEX accelerator procurement technical assistance center, the 8(a) Business Development Program and SBA loans (SBA is not a direct lender, but guarantees loans).
Many of the services, with the exception of some workshops, and, of course, loans, are free programs and mentoring for business owners.
Nania introduced Tim McDonald of Harpster, who previously headed Ida-Lew. He is now the SBDC representative for the area (www.idahosbdc.org).
“SBDC is attached to the SBA but not an employee of it,” Nania explained.
Tim McDonald of Harpster is the local Small Business Development Center representative.
Free Press / Lorie Palmer
McDonald said he’s available to help entrepreneurs and businesses expand, sell, or “whatever they want to do.”
“I want your calls; I want to help. I want to be overworked,” he smiled. He works out of his home and services are offered at no cost.
Nania went on to let the group know a vision for their businesses is an important step.
“It is critical for employee retention,” he said. “Employees leave because they don’t know about opportunities for the future.” He said obtaining and retaining employees is a bigger problem for small businesses now than even the financial considerations.
He discussed value statements, the guiding principles by which a business makes its decisions, and described the importance of attracting customers who share your values.
“Goals and objectives of businesses are driven by its visions and values,” he said.
Nania discussed marketing and branding, the importance of logos and tag lines/phrases.
“Nothing should leave your office that doesn’t have some expression of your brand — nothing,” he emphasized.
