Portland State University Business Outreach Program
PSU Business Outreach Program  
Newsletter
Fall Edition 2013
 
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In This Issue
Program Updates
Client Spotlight
Fall Term Student Projects
Welcome New Clients!
Upcoming Events
Donate to Our Mission
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Program Updates   

Chase Grant

Thanks to Chase Bank for their commitment to small businesses in Portland! JP Morgan Chase has given $40,000 to the Business Outreach Program, which will help fund 15-20 entrepreneurs in our Business Development Support Program (BDSP), a one-year intensive business support program emphasizing a cohort-learning model. 
 
The grant will help pay for an expansion of current program offerings. The pilot for the Business Development Support Program was launched in February.  Due to the generous gift from JP Morgan Chase, the second-year cohort will begin this month.

 

"We are very pleased to support the expansion of the Portland State University's Business Outreach Program.  Small business growth is key to economic growth. They are core to job creation and the health of our communities," said Cree Zischke, Regional Executive JPMorgan Chase Foundation, "This grant is to ensure that small business have access to technical resources and capacity-building tools to strengthen their businesses. We look forward to the continuation of our collaboration with Portland State University's Business Outreach Program support small businesses in Portland."   

 

Black Friday & Small Business Saturday
 
Shopping for gifts (or yourself) on Black Friday? Keep it local and check out small shops before heading to the big chains. Have you heard of Little Boxes? This Portland blog promotes a different way to shop on Black Friday & Small Business Saturday. Check it out!
Client Spotlight
 
The Bug Chicks
Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker are The Bug Chicks, two entomologists who teach about the world of insects, spiders and other arthropods. Using video, blogging, and in-person workshops, they inspire people of all ages to get involved in science. They combine their backgrounds in theatre, art, and science to create a unique and entertaining learning experience.

 

They are current producing a new web series, The Bug Chicks: Sofa Safari. For this project, they are teaming up with fellow BOP client Peter Blanchard of Manifest Photography to capture America's bugs in beautiful detail.  Through this web series, they will inspire you to get off the couch and explore America's backyard wilderness and the amazing arthropods that live there. 
 
Manifest Photography
Peter Blanchard and The Bug Chicks have teamed up to capture bugs across America. Peter is pictured with The Bug Chicks (above) in his photograph taken at the Grand Canyon while on the Sofa Safari. Peter's photo is a finalist in a national competition to get his photo on the 2015 Annual Federal Recreation Lands Pass. Manifest Photography is a rotational art leasing service that puts new original art on your business or residential walls up to twice per year.

Fall Term Student Projects

PSU Business students engage with local small businesses

Read about the BOP clients that are currently being served by PSU students:

MeRae's

BOP client Marie Larkins is currently working with a PSU Student Consulting Team to develop a fresh growth and marketing strategy for her business, MeRae's on 42nd, a full-service salon specializing in working with textured hair. Marie is excited to grow her business, update her space, bring on new technicians and reach new market segments.

 

Top Bumper Stickers

Topbumperstickers, a division of Bad Habits, is currently participating in PSU's Business Administration 495 course. The company is working with several business student consulting teams as part of their senior capstone projects. The students are completing a review and analysis of the company's social media, search engine, web site, and general marketing strategies. To date, Topbumperstickers is excited by their new Facebook page and is looking forward to implementing the student's recommendations. Like their new Facebook page at Top Bumper Stickers and check out their cheap and meaningful stickers online.

 

Paul Gerald, Second Cup Productions

Paul Gerald has been writing and publishing informative and entertaining guidebooks for hiking, camping, travel, and restaurants for five years. Paul's student team is developing a marketing plan that helps Second Cup Productions increase its audience, website traffic, and newsletter subscriptions while accomplishing a number of financial goals in 2014.

Welcome New Clients!

  

Meet the BOP's newest businesses. These small businesses have been selected for our second year-long cohort in our Business Development Support Program (BDSP). We are excited to be working with this group of entrepreneurs!

 

Balm Chicky is the maker of Balm Chicky Balm Balm all natural, 70s inspired lip balms that are sexy, fun, eye catching and packaged in our freshly patented tube called The Friend End. 

  

EmmaRoo Designs is a children's clothing and accessory company. We are dedicated to handcrafting unique designs for children and their grownups to help make childhood more beautiful and enjoyable.

  

Lara Media Services provides business consulting, marketing, and market research services specializing in the Latino market. Our mission is to communicate, create and inspire. 

  

Lilka, Inc is dedicated to creating lasting impact through connecting businesses, non-profits, and their communities. 

  

Maids By Trade is the professional house cleaning service Portland residents trust, with over 15 years of experience, a wide coverage area, quick response times, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

  

M�bius Microfarms manufactures and installs automated systems that grow organic, high-value greens in restaurants. Our systems offer a tastier green, grown on-site at half the current cost, using 90% less water than traditional soil methods and without the use of pesticides. 

  

Mr. Green Beans is a retail shop that caters to coffee lovers. Whether you are looking to roast you own coffee at home or just need some new filters, we have it. We sell a wide selection of coffee brewing devices and related products, and have over 40 varieties of raw coffee beans from all over the world on the shelf.

  

I am a licensed esthetician providing skin care products and services. I specialize in treating acne and health-compromised skin due to chemotherapy and radiation.

 

St Johns Coffee Roasters offers small batch artisan roasting of exclusively organic and fair trade coffees. 

 

Ten2Midnight Studios creates contemporary textured brass jewelry with a funky, modern edge. Each piece is crafted with an eye for detail and attention to quality. 

 

The Gaufre Gourmet is a food cart serving authentic Liege style waffles. We operate both the food cart downtown and do private catering events. 

 

The Greenhouse Grill 
The Greenhouse Grill is a stationary mobile food cart focusing on fresh organic, whole, locally sourced ingredients, prepared fresh daily, supporting local business, and the environment. 

 

Tula is a dedicated gluten free bakery serving a full line of fresh baked pastries, breads, soups, panini sandwiches, salad, coffee, tea & other locally sourced beverages. 

 

Waterknot offers custom graphic design services and produces a line of letterpress printed greeting cards. Our cards showcase our original design and writing and are printed by hand on antique letterpresses. 

  

Upcoming Events

 

Intro to Bookkeeping for Small Businesses

Dec. 12, 2013 - One night only!

 

Tired of spreadsheets and boxes of receipts? The BOP launches a new class on bookkeeping for current long term support clients. If you are a BOP client, check for a recent email from us with more info on this (free) class taught by the BOP Accounting Team. 

 

Business Development Workshop Series

Begins Wednesday January 8, 2014 

6:30 - 8:30pm

 

Do you know of an entrepreneur who could use assistance in further developing their business or business idea?

 

PSU BOP's Business Development Workshop Series is a forum to develop current or potential business ideas. The 5-week series is designed to provide participants with a better understanding of general business concepts and participate in an assessment of the feasibility of the business idea. The workshop format allows for an exchange of ideas and individual participation.

  

Contact us at bop@sba.pdx.edu to register.

For more details, download our informational PDF here.

Donate to Our Mission
 
PSU Business Outreach Program's mission is to help local small businesses, including emerging, minority and women-owned businesses, achieve their potential while providing students with opportunities for community-based learning.
  
PSU Business Outreach Program is a self-funded program that relies on support through various governmental agencies, public and private grants, and private organizations and individuals.   
 
If you, your organization or a friend would like to show your support of the Business Outreach Program please donate here.
 
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Thank you for your participation and support of PSU Business Outreach Program.
Lara Damon, Director 
Business Outreach Program
School of Business Administration
Portland State University

503-725-9820 office 
www.pdx.edu/business-outreach