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Small Business Success Story - FABSCRAP

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Each year the  New York Small Business Development Center  recognizes outstanding small businesses in a variety of ways.  This Success Story from the   Manhattan SBDC  appears in our  2016 Annual Report . Jessica Schreiber   FABSCRAP Manhattan SBDC FABSCRAP, a 501(c)3, was founded by Jessica Schreiber, a self-described “trash nerd” who previously managed the NYC Department of Sanitation’s e-waste and clothing recycling contracts, and earned a Master’s degree in Climate and Society from Columbia University. Jessica recognized that fabric and other textiles made up a significant percentage of the waste stream. She developed a business model through which FABSCRAP charges a modest service charge to cover operational costs associated with picking up the textile waste and redistributing it for reuse. Jessica sought advice from the SBDC about how to grow as well and how to monetize the environmental, financial and public relations benefits her...

Top Research Channels and Loyalty Drivers

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Obtained from:   MarketingProfs  IT buyers tend to research products/services across a wide range of online channels, prefer to be contacted by vendors via email, and favor firms with excellent customer support, according to recent research from Spiceworks.  The top factors that drive whether IT buyers will respond to a new sales/marketing outreach effort are the relevance of the product/service and the inclusion of detailed pricing information in the message. IT buyers say the top factors that drive their brand loyalty to vendors are great customer support, consistently fair pricing, and a history of reliable products/services.

Why Disclosure Is Essential with Influencer Marketing

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Obtained from: eMarketer It’s been called a fad, a bubble, a waste of money. But influencer marketing will remain immensely popular in 2018, and it’s important to put the discussion of disclosure in the context of just how important the tactic has become—not just for the usual suspects (marketers of fashion, beauty and gaming products) but increasingly for marketers in other categories. Marketers and influencers that don’t disclose put themselves at risk for Federal Trade Commission (FTC) scrutiny and consumer backlash, both of which are rising.

Steve Bulger is Named SBA's Region II Regional Administrator

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Obtained from: SBA U.S Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon announced the appointment of Steve Bulger as the SBA Regional Administrator for Region II, the area that encompasses New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.   According to McMahon, Bulger will be responsible for managing and overseeing the agency’s lending, economic development and procurement programs over five district and six branch offices. Combined, these offices total 64 employees and assist nearly 3 million small businesses employing over 6 million workers in Region II. SBA has 10 regions covering the United States and U.S. territories. These offices, which are managed by politically appointed administrators, play a part in supervising the 68 district offices and promoting the President’s and SBA Administrator’s policies, messages and priorities throughout the region. “I am very pleased that Steve is in place to help support me and the President in ser...

Some Retailers Worry Location Tracking Is Creepy

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From eMarketer : Using location data has helped many retailers target their marketing and advertising more precisely to better reach consumers. But new data finds there are several inhibitors keeping US retailers from taking advantage of location-based analytics. The study, from Retail Systems Research (RSR), found that roughly half (47%) of retailers surveyed said concerns about the "creepiness" factor in tracking consumers was one of the top barriers to using location-based analytics. And there's also the issue of privacy.

New Global Proximity Mobile Payment Figures

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From eMarketer : Consumers across the globe are warming up to proximity mobile payments. In 2018, for the first time, more than one-third (34.9%) of smartphone users ages 14 and older will use a mobile phone to pay for a purchase at a physical point of sale (POS) at least once every six months... Overall, most proximity mobile payment user growth worldwide will be driven by the expansion of the big three global providers—Android Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay—as well as Alipay and WeChat Pay. Growing retailer acceptance of mobile payments and spreading smartphone usage will also fuel growth.

Small Business Success Story - Deb's Hash and Mash

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Each year the  New York Small Business Development Center  recognizes outstanding small businesses in a variety of ways.  This Success Story from the   Oswego Satelitte SBDC  appears in our  2016 Annual Report .  Debora Backus   Deb's Hash and Mash Oswego Satellite SBDC Debora Backus had been looking at a closed diner for months and determined that the location was sufficient to warrant re-opening. She had business experience, but did not have any restaurant experience, so she hired an experienced chef who was interested in working with her to re-open the diner. Under Debora’s management and utilizing her marketing skills, she tied together the menu, décor, atmosphere, and logo to develop her brand. Debora was referred to SBDC Advisor John Halleron by Operation Oswego County, a local development agency. They met to discuss the business plan needed for the purchase and establishment of the diner in the town of Volney. Debora prepared...