Monroe Township, NJ – The New JerseySmall Business Development Centers(NJSBDC) presented Success Awards to theowners of 13 diverse small businesses acrossNew Jersey, from those focused onimproving air quality and technologicaladvances, to those who have launchedadult day care centers and health clinics, atits annual Small Business Growth Success

Awards. The awards program took placeon Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at the ForsgateCountry Club, in Monroe Twp. from 11:30a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“The annual Small Business GrowthSuccess Awards allows us to recognizethe efforts and success of smallbusinesses in the state, and to share theirstories about the power of ideas, visionand perseverance,” says Brenda Hopper,NJSBDC state director. “It also is atestament to the value and effectiveness ofthe services and expertise that the NJSBDCnetwork provides to assist small businesseswith their development and growth.”

Serving as gold sponsors for this year’sceremony are Verizon, NJ Shares and PNCBank; NJBIZ was also an in-kind sponsor.Curt Clinkinbeard, the executive director ofthe Famee Foundation located in Kansas,addressed the audience. He spoke aboutthe challenges of business developmentand growth, and the strategies related to

growing business operations. Hereferenced “gratitude” to employees,partners and customers and balancingcompeting interests, which he called“paradoxes.”

"Through the NJSBDC, small businessowners are provided with the guidance andtools they need to launch their ideas andovercome the obstacles and barriers theytypically encounter during various growthstages,” notes Hopper. “Such guidance iscritically important during any period, butespecially so in this time of economic

While there have been pockets ofimprovement in the economic landscape,New Jersey continues to suffer from highunemployment, with the state rate at 9.7percent in November. To help reverse thattrend and fuel economic growth, the NewJersey Small Business DevelopmentCenters (NJSBDC) offered a full slate ofreasonably priced programs to assist stateresidents with starting or growing theirown businesses.“Last year, the NJSBDC’s 11 centersthroughout New Jersey helped to start 879new businesses and assisted with savingand creating 12,021 jobs,” said NJSBDC State

Director Brenda Hopper. “This year, we arebuilding upon those numbers so peoplecan find a way to survive and prosper in thestate as they also help to create new jobs bygrowing their own businesses. Thisrecession, while challenging, also offersnew business opportunities to restructurebusiness operations.”State residents and small business ownersat all stages of development have found awealth of resources and services for startingand expanding their own businesses attheir regional NJSBDC center. Servicesinclude individual counseling with privateexperts, workshops on all aspects of

running a small business, and skillstraining and certification programs. “There are many people in the state whoare now wondering about starting theirown business and how, and whether, they

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TheSmall Business Voice

Volume 5, Issue 2 December, 2009NJSBDC Presents Success Awards to Small Businesses Making a Difference inNew Jersey Along with its First-Ever “Most Valued Partner Award”

(Continued on page 3)

NJSBDC FALL PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON SMALL BUSINESS GROWTHTO JUMP-START NEW JERSEY’S SLUGGISH ECONOMY

(Continued on page 2)

NJSBDC State Director Brenda Hopper at dais with key sponsors and other partners.

NJSBDC Associate State Director Deborah Smarthmakes acknowledgements at annual luncheon

awards event.

In this Issue:Special Recognition Award.. ....3Client Success Stories...................4NJSBDC Third Quarter2009 Impact.....................................9NJSBDC in the News...................12

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can make that happen, while existingbusiness owners are looking for strategiesto survive and maintain growth in thiseconomy,” noted NJSBDC Associate StateDirector Deborah Smarth. “To meet thoseneeds, each of the NJSBDC’s regionalcenters provided an extensive schedule ofaffordable fall programs, covering topicsranging from getting started as anentrepreneur, to putting together awinning business plan, to maximizingcustomer/client satisfaction.”

Workshops were offered for a nominalfee and attracted state residents andbusiness owners throughout the state.Workshops scheduled for this past fallincluded:NJSBDC at Bergen Community College –The Entrepreneur Certificate Program,designed to position small businesses in ahighly competitive market for successfulreturns. Financing A Small Business, forthose looking to start or expand abusiness..

NJSBDC at Centenary College (Morris,Sussex and Warren counties) –Foodpreneur Boot Camp, an intensiveseries of workshops for those who have a

specialty food idea but are uncertain aboutthe next steps. Quality Basics, covering themost frequently used analytic andmeasurement tools to maximize customersatisfaction. NJSBDC at The College of New Jersey(Mercer and Middlesex Counties) –ComoIniciar Su Pequeño Negocio de A-Z (Howto Start a Business A-Z), a workshop offeredin Spanish covering all of the essentials ofstarting a small business. Doing Businesswith Mercer County: Products andServices, a session on how to get started ingovernment contracting on the local level.

NJSBDC at Brookdale CommunityCollege (Monmouth and Ocean counties)– Financing a Small Business for thoselooking to start or expand an existingbusiness. Business Start-Up Workshop,covering everything from legal forms ofownership, to bookkeeping and payroll.

NJSBDC at William Paterson University(Passaic County) – Non-profit Basics,covering the essentials of starting andrunning a non-profit. Como Empezar SuPropio Negocio (Business Startup), aworkshop offered in Spanish covering all ofthe essentials of starting a small business.

NJSBDC at Raritan Valley CommunityCollege (Hunterdon and SomersetCounties) – Real Estate LicensingPreparation, a 30-session course to qualifyto take the New Jersey real estate licenseexam. The FoodPreneur CertificateProgram, an intensive two-day workshopfor those who have a specialty food ideaand want to know how to proceed.

NJSBDC Rutgers-Camden – Financing aBusiness, a workshop explaining thecriteria used by lenders to evaluatepotential borrowers. Marketing Researchand Strategies, a two-part sessionexplaining marketing research techniquesand tools.

NJSBDC Rutgers-Newark – Introductionto Entrepreneurship, a question andanswer session on what it means to be anentrepreneur in today’s economy. OpenHouse Networking, a free business-to-business opportunity for small businessowners to showcase their products andservices.For a full listing of future seminars andprograms taking place in your area, pleasevisit www.njsbdc.com.

NJSBDC FALL PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH TO JUMP-START NEW JERSEY’S SLUGGISH ECONOMY(Continued from page 1)

Small Business Quick Facts• There are 205,321 small employers in

New Jersey (less than 500 employees), accounting for 98.5 percent of the state’s employers and 51.1 percent of private sector employment(2006);

• There are 590,485 non-employers or sole proprietors in New Jersey (2007), increasing from 573,819 in 2006;

• Sole proprietors’ income generates $36.5 billion (2008), increasing from $35.7 billion in 2007.

Source: US Small BusinessAdministration, Office of Advocacy

(October 2009)

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turmoil when so many small businesses arestruggling for survival, and those who findthemselves unemployed are looking tolaunch their own ventures. The NJSBDC ishere to help keep New Jersey strong byassisting with the growth of smallbusinesses in the state.”

Each year, the 11 centers in the NJSBDCnetwork and its two statewide specialtyprograms nominate their best candidatesfor awards.

In recent years, the Small Business

Growth Success Awards also haveincorporated recognition of key statelegislators and members of the New JerseyCongressional delegation who have takenactions to enhance the NJSBDC mission insupport of the small business sector.

“When state lawmakers understandand support the efforts of the NJSBDC,including job creation and retention, andthe development of green technologies,small business growth in New Jersey is ableto progress at a faster pace,” says DeborahSmarth, NJSBDC associate state director.

“Our desire is to recognize and thank thosekey state public policy makers on bothsides of the aisle who have supportedNJSBDC’s mission and who recognize therole small business owners andentrepreneurs play in sustaining NewJersey’s economy.”

This year’s NJSBDC success awardwinners represented a wide variety ofindustries. Their companies’ products andservices are highlighted on pages 4 - 5,along with photos of receiving their awardsat the Forsgate event.

NJSBDC Presents Success Awards to Small Businesses Making a Difference inNew Jersey Along with its First-Ever “Most Valued Partner Award”(Continued from page 1)

Monroe Township, NJ – In addition topresenting Success Awards to theowners of 13 small businessesfrom across New Jersey who have metsignificant benchmarks in eitherlaunching or growing an existingbusiness, the NJSBDC also recognizedCongressman Frank LoBiondo andCumberland County during its annualSmall Business Growth Awardsluncheon at the Forsgate Country Clubin Monroe Township.

The NJSBDC announced its “BusinessAdvocate Award” to CongressmanFrank LoBiondo (District 2) for hislong-time support for NJSBDC’smission of assisting small businessowners. During the past year,

LoBiondo supported and called on theGovernor to restore state fundingfor the NJSBDC program to preventjeopardizing the receipt of matchingfederal dollars. The national SBDCprogram is funded by Congress, andNew Jersey receives federal funds toprovide technical assistance to smallbusinesses and entrepreneursthrough the NJSBDC.

While the Congressman could notattend due to his congressionalschedule, he asked that his award bepresented to NJSBDC's small businessaward winner from CumberlandCounty. Accepting on his behalf wasSteve Wilson of the Sweet Life Bakeryin Vineland, who was also beingrecognized for the growth his bakeryhas experienced with the help ofNJSBDC.

“We are deeply grateful toCongressman LoBiondo for hisongoing support of small businessesin the state,” said Deborah Smarth,NJSBDC associate state director. “Smallbusinesses and entrepreneurs are theengines that can help jumpstart oureconomy and their success depends onthe work of state lawmakers whosupport the efforts of the NJSBDC tohelp business grow and create jobs.The Most Valued Partner Award waspresented in recognition of the role

Cumberland County played in creatinga partnership to assist the NJSBDC atRichard Stockton College withstrengthening small business servicesduring the current economicdownturn. “Cumberland County FreeholderDirector Louis N. Magazzu played aninstrumental role in forging a county-wide partnership with the NJSBDC atRichard Stockton College, headed byJoe Molineaux,” said Brenda Hopper,NJSBDC state director. “Each of thepartners contributed different levels offunding to ensure that special trainingand counseling sessions provided bythe NJSBDC regional office at Stocktoncould be customized for CumberlandCounty small business owners to helpthem manage their growth as well assurvive in this economy.”

“We have so many valued partnersacross the state, but the speed withwhich this partnership advanced, andcoming at a time when the need wasgreatest, made a real difference,” addedHopper. “The Cumberland Countysupport came just as state funding wasbeing cut and helped the NJSBDCnetwork to reach the matching fundrequirement needed to receive federaldollars.”

NJSBDC Gives Special Recognition to CongressmanFrank LoBiondo and Cumberland County

(Continued on page 6)

Congressman Frank LoBiondo(Second Congressional District)

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2009 Success Award Winners Represent a Variety of Industries:

The NJSBDC at Bergen Community CollegeTim’s Auto & Truck Care Center, LLC, Sussex. NJSBDC at BergenCommunity College assisted Tim’s Auto & Truck Care Center withpreparing and repairing a 504 loan to purchase a building in Sussexfor the auto and truck repair business then located in Unionville,NY. In January 2009, Tim’s Auto & Truck Care Center, LLC movedto Sussex, resulting in the hiring of three full-time and two part-time employees.

The NJSBDC at Raritan Valley Community CollegeMr. Tod’s Pie Factory was started in 2002 by Tod Wilson. Wilsonreceived counseling from the NJSBDC at Raritan Valley CommunityCollege on marketing, sales and organizational issues. In September2009, he appeared as the first business client on a new ABC show,“The Shark Tank,” to convince a panel of millionaires to invest in hisbusiness. He was offered $425,000 by two panelists.

The NJSBDC at Centenary CollegeSteve Carter, owner of Handyman Connection of Greater MorrisCounty, came to the NJSBDC at Centenary College after launchinghis franchise with the goal of obtaining funding to ease the start-upcash flow pressures of a new business and to learn how to deal withincreased competition during this economic downturn. His recordto date has been very impressive, as he has come to focus on“managing to the numbers.”

The NJSBDC at Kean UniversityAlthough Lorrie Sanchez and Carol Blank had successfully launchedtheir business, Utterly Global, to teach academic professionals andstaff about their nationally recognized bullying preventionprograms, they realized they needed assistance to take their businessto the next level. After working with the NJSBDC at Kean University,the company's contract sales this year increased by five times theirinitial level.

The NJSBDC at New Jersey City UniversityDr. Hyacinth Ucheagwu came to the NJSBDC at New JerseyCity University in August 2007 with the goal of starting hisown clinic – the Urban Medical Clinic – in the Greenvillesection of Jersey City. Two years later and with over $1 millionin funding obtained, Ucheagwu has opened his clinic with astaff of six people, providing pediatric, dental and mentalhealth services to the community.

The NJSBDC at Brookdale Community CollegeMaureen Jerolis, owner of Service Side Air, LLC, in Freehold, metwith the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College to gainassistance with business growth. This air f iltration service companyfocuses on utilizing air f iltration products to provide a morehealthful and energy savings enviroment. Service Side Air hasexperienced a 2,000-percent increase in sales over the three years ithas been in business. It also has grown from one to six employees.

2009 Success Award Winners

The NJSBDC Procurement Program Elizabeth Borsuk-Bellonio, president of WCI Grounds MaintenanceServices, LLC began working with the NJSBDC Procurement Program onstrategies for growing the business. The business today now holds a three-year contract with the US Department of Energy, a municipal contract,and has built a client base consisting of Fortune 500 companies, hotelchains, conference and expo centers, and healthcare facilities.

The NJSBDC Technology Commercialization ProgramBionex Pharmaceuticals, LLC in North Brunswick worked withthe NJSBDC Technology Commercialization program on aNational Institutes of Health (NIH) proposal for development ofan intra-oral transmucosal thin-film for treatment of alcoholdependence. The proposal resulted in the receipt of a $165,000Phase I grant award for its alcohol treatment technology.

The NJSBDC at William Paterson UniversityJason Martin started his photography and design services company,Jus Pray Productions, in his house in Paterson. Working with theNJSBDC at William Paterson University, he now occupies officespace in downtown Paterson, is a member of the Paterson UrbanEnterprise Zone and was one of the first recipients to takeadvantage of the Paterson Restoration Corporation micro-loanprogram developed for Paterson residents with businesses in thecity.

The NJSBDC at Rutgers-CamdenRoosevelt Nesmith and Dr. Sean Hubbard opened HaddonRenaissance Adult Day Care in 2006. With the assistance of theNJSBDC at Rutgers University-Camden, the owners obtainedfinancing to purchase and renovate a building and beginoperations. The business has experienced steady growthincreasing from six employees to 14 employees and is on target togenerate approximately $1 million dollars in sales this year.

The NJSBDC at Richard Stockton CollegeStephen Wilson and Jill McClennen turned to the NJSBDC atRichard Stockton College to fulfill their dream of opening abakery. Since opening two years ago in Vineland, the bakery nowhas two part-time pastry chefs and four part-time employees. Itsexpansion plans will create additional full-time and part-timepositions.

The NJSBDC at The College of New JerseyThe American Disabilities Corporation (ADC) was founded inNovember 2005 by Neil Campbell Tucker to offer unique medicalproducts for people with disabilities facing simple to complexhealthcare issues. Having worked with the NJSBDC at The Collegeof New Jersey, ADC is quickly becoming a leader in Mercer Countyand the State of New Jersey and is now thriving in Princeton, NJ

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The NJSBDC at Rutgers-NewarkNatives of Newark, Tangela Stewart and her mother, Barbara“Bobbie” Stewart, wanted to bring a premium daycare center –Bobbie’s Babies – to the city. The NJSBDC at Rutgers University-Newark assisted the two with business and marketing counselingand today the center enrolls 43 children and employs nineteachers and aides,providing specialized educational services.

NJSBDC Director at Richard Stockton College Recognized as a “StateStar” by the National Association of Small Business Development Centers

Joseph Molineaux, director of theNew Jersey Small BusinessDevelopment Center (NJSBDC) at

the Richard Stockton College of NewJersey, was recognized as theNJSBDC’s “State Star” at the nationalAssociation of Small BusinessDevelopment Centers (ASBDC) annualconference for his contributions toNew Jersey’s statewide 11-center smallbusiness network.“Joe Molineaux was successful inobtaining important funding throughthe strong public and privatepartnerships he has built over theyears. These funding commitmentsmean small business owners servedby his regional center will be able toreceive a greater level of directservices through the NJSBDC,” saidBrenda Hopper, NJSBDC state director.“This award was greatly deserved."The ASBDC presented the State StarAward, at it annual national meetingheld in Orlando, FL on September 17th.

The State Star Award is given to SmallBusiness Development Center (SBDC)professionals who have madesignificant contributions to their state’sSBDC and demonstrated a strongcommitment to assisting smallbusinesses.“Joe Molineaux has done a terrific jobof publicizing and promoting the smallbusiness assistance services of theNJSBDC at Stockton, and he worksvery energetically to provide qualityassistance to entrepreneurs and smallbusiness owners who visit his center,”said Deborah Smarth, NJSBDCassociate state director. ”I am both humbled and motivated bythis recognition. To receive this honorduring one of the most challengingbusiness climates in our center’shistory means more to me thanreceiving it when times were lessdifficult for the clients we serve,” saidMolineaux. “With the needs of smallbusinesses greater than ever and

continuing to grow, being recognizedthis year for the work we do is someaningful. An award like thisinspires me and I am hopeful that thisState Star Award will help to shine amuch needed spotlight on the NJSBDCnetwork and also on the regionalagencies, business organizations andindividuals that are working everydayto help drive economic development inNew Jersey,” he added. The NJSBDC at Richard StocktonCollege serves small business ownersin Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberlandcounties. In 2008, the center providedone-on-one counseling to 549 clients,sponsored 64 training events attendedby more than 1,000 entrepreneursand existing businesses, facilitatedmore than $1.3 million in loans forcenter clients, and helped start 93 newbusinesses, as it also assisted clientswith creating and retaining more than500 jobs in the state. The SBDC atStockton is on pace to surpass thosenumbers in 2009.

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NJSBDC Gives Special Recognition to Congressman Frank LoBiondo and Cumberland County

Key participants in thepartnership are: the CumberlandEmpowerment Zone Corporation;the Cumberland CountyImprovement Authority; the Citiesof Vineland, Millville, andBridgeton; the CumberlandDevelopment Corporation;the Millville/Vineland UrbanEnterprise Zone (UEZ); theCumberland County Office ofEmployment and Training; and theUEZ Corporation.

“I am delighted that theseagencies have joined forces to

ensure that our businesscommunity receives the bestpossible technical assistance,especially during a time that oureconomy is so uncertain,” saidFreeholder Director Magazzu.These organizations attended thisyear's event and FreeholderMagazzu accepted the award onbehalf of Cumberland County.

(Continued from page 3)

Freeholder Director Louis Magazzucommenting after recieving award on

behalf of Cumberland County

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On November 4 the NJSBDC atThe College of New Jersey(TCNJ) co-sponsored anetworking event with theSchool of Business at the Collegeof New Jersey, followed by a talkwith Jack Dorsey, creator, co-

founder, and chairman ofTwitter. More than 80 individualsattended.Most people at the networkingevent were just starting to“tweet” but there were someattendees like Glen Gilmore,former Mayor of Hamilton,tweeting on his phone atintervals!Dorsey spoke about therudimentary stages of Twitterand indicated that its users areresponsible for most of theinnovations since its inception.Dorsey commented about thewidespread use of Twitter andhow he saw lawmakers on theircell phones during President

Obama’s address to Congress.When his own phone buzzed, henoticed that his Congresswomanwas twittering about herperspective on Obama’s speech.“I’ve never felt closer to mygovernment,” he said.

NJSBDC at The College of New Jersey Co-Sponsors Talk, Taste, TwitterNetworking Event

SPECIAL THANKS TONJSBDC SMALL BUSINESSGROWTH SUCCESS AWARDS

LUNCHEON SPONSORS:

TCNJ Dean William Keep and Lorraine Allen

Jack Dorsey, creator, co-founder, andchairman of Twitter and Lorraine Allen,regional director of NJSBDC at TCNJ

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The NJSBDC atCentenary College isOn The Move

The NJSBDC at Kean University wasawarded its first grant from the City ofElizabeth's Community Development BlockGrant funds. As a result of this award, theCity's low-moderate income individuals willbenefit from the on-site businessdevelopment services of the Center. Whilethe award amount is relatively modest, theCenter is enthusiastic in helping meet thiscommunity's needs for business developmentassistance. “The Center extends its thanksand looks forward to partnering with the Cityof Elizabeth,” Mira Kostak, the center’sdirector stated.

NJSBDC at Kean University

The NJSBDC at Centenary College has movedits offices from the college campus to 207Main Street in Hackettstown, NJ in closeproximity to the offices of the HackettstownBusiness Improvement District (BID).According to the Center’s Director, DoloresStammer, “The move will provide easieraccessibility to local businesses. Our servicesare extremely beneficial to small businessesin our community and throughout the tri-county area.”

Steve Carter, an NJSBDC business client, whoruns and operates Handyman Connection ofGreater Morris County in Flanders, NJ,donated labor to assist with the build-out ofthe new offices. The NJSBDC at Centenaryand the entire network is grateful to Stevefor his craftsmanship, dedication and servicethat he applies to remodeling. Steve’sgenerosity to the NJSBDC at CentenaryCollege has earned him a place ofprominence on the NJSBDC’s Wall ofAppreciation. Steve is also a 2009 SuccessAward Winner for his business developmentachievements

The NJSBDC at Kean is launching its newpartnership with Affinity Federal CreditUnion in counseling NJSBDC clients atAffinity's office in New Providence. Inaddition to NJSBDCs at Raritan ValleyCommunity College and Centenary College,the NJSBDC at Kean University will have anew satellite office at an Affinity branch.Beginning in January 2010, the Center willcounsel clients twice monthly in NewProvidence, more conveniently servingbusinesses in that portion of Union County.

&NJSBDC at BrookdaleCommunity College

Director William Nunnally of the NJSBDC atBrookdale Community College was the keynotespeaker at the October EMACC (EasternMonmouth Area Chamber of Commerce) SmallBusiness Council Breakfast Seminar. Heprovided an overview of the NJSBDC servicesand resources available to small businessesalong with some practical business knowledgethat could be utilized immediately. Theinformation was well received by over 75business representatives who attended.

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Taking on NewJersey’s Regulatory Mess

When the topic of NewJersey’s business climatecomes up, the f irst thing

that leaps to mind is the state’s hightaxes. We have among the higheststate income and corporate taxes, andwe are best known for our highest-in-the-nation property taxes. But forsmall businesses, it may well be thestate’s regulatory system that wreakshavoc on their operations.

Fortunately, that’s about to change.Governor-elect Christopher Christiehas vowed to take on governmentregulations, keeping what we needand getting rid of what we don’t. Andeverything he’s done so far shows heis serious.

Reducing taxes and governmentregulations were major themes of theGovernor-elect’s successful guberna-torial campaign. Christie has alreadyformed the Red Tape Review TaskForce, led by Lt. Governor-elect KimGuadagno, to review state regulationsas part of his transition team. NJBIAhosted a meeting with the task forcesoon after the election to discusswhich regulations impact businessesthe most. Christie has also pledged

to issue an executive ordersuspending the implementation ofany new regulations for 90 days whilethe review is being completed. Thiswill be a welcome respite forbusinesses.

For small businesses, theregulations are especiallyburdensome. Whether it’s the NJDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection, Labor, Health or dozensof other departments, smallbusinesses are bombarded withmountains of paperwork and oftencryptic instructions. Unlike largecompanies, however, smallbusinesses do not have large staffs todeal with complying with theregulations. Often, business ownersthemselves have to sort through thered tape.

Regulations are a big hindrance tosmall business because they are soarbitrary and unpredictable. Often,regulations are f irst proposed forspecif ic and narrowly def inedpurposes, but then are expanded overthe years. Unlike taxes, regulationsare not put to a vote by electedoff icials. They are proposed and

adopted by bureaucrats who facelittle in the way of checks andbalances.

Christie has made removal ofsenseless regulations a high priority.Businesses can help. Christie hasasked businesses to share with hisAdministration which regulations arethe most burdensome. If you aredealing with state regulations thatyou think are particularly unfair andburdensome, please e-mail theinformation to either NJBIA VicePresident David Brogan,dbrogan@njbia.org, or DirectorChristopher Emigholz,cemigholz@njbia.org, and we willforward it to the Governor-elect’soff ice.

Some narrowly drawn regulationsare certainly necessary. But too often,New Jersey’s regulations go wellbeyond the scope and intent of theunderlying laws, and this rightlycontributes to New Jersey’sreputation as an anti-business state.Now, under Christie’s leadership, wehave an opportunity to change that.

By Melanie Willoughby, NJBIA Senior Vice President

THIRD QUARTER DATA DEMONSTRATES NEW JERSEY SMALL BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT CENTERS' STRONG IMPACT ON STATE ECONOMY

Newark, NJ – Despite State fundingcuts, NJSBDC’s private-networkexperts are helping small business

owners survive in this weak economy.New Jersey Small Business DevelopmentCenters (NJSBDC) State Director BrendaHopper indicates that NJSBDC’s economicimpact data through the third quarter of2009 shows that despite a weak economythe network has helped establish hundredsof new businesses and assisted smallbusiness owners across the state withsaving and creating more than 8,000 jobs. “The numbers on financing, job creationand retention, and business starts show areal impact in a weak economy,” Hoppersaid. “Our network, even with reducedresources as a result of state funding cutsin the recent state budget, is doing its jobeffectively.”The NJSBDC’s network of 11 centers,which also provide specialty programs onprocurement, international trade,

technology commercialization, and e-commerce, achieved the following duringthe period running from January 1, 2009 –September 30, 2009:

- Provided 4,808 entrepreneurs and small business owners with one-to-one customized, management consulting and counseling, 51 percent of which were established businesses;

- Sponsored and instructed hundreds of training events with 10,176 individualsand business owners attending the sessions;

- Facilitated the creation of 525 new businesses;

- Assisted with obtaining more than $24 million in business loans and equity investment for small business clients;

- Helped small business owners procuremore than $4 million in federal, state and local government, and private contracts for goods and services;

“New Jersey has shed more than 165,000

private sector jobs since 2008, but ournon-profit network has helped save andcreate thousands and thousands of jobs,”noted Deborah Smarth, associate statedirector. “The return on investment in thisprogram is invaluable to the state economyand to the success of small businesses inthe state.”“We urge public policymakers includingGovernor-elect Christie to pay specialattention to small businesses statewide,”Hopper said. “The facts reflect that smallbusiness employ the majority of people inthe state and create the most employmentfor New Jersey residents.”Final NJSBDC economic impact numbersfor all of 2009 will be analyzed andreleased sometime in February 2010.

For many years, those in the economic developmentsphere including business membership groups wholobby Trenton Legislators, have advocated for a

better business climate through less taxes and moreregulatory relief.In 2006, the NJ Small Business Development Centersnetwork issued a Report to the Legislature and Governorwith 26 policy recommendations, aimed at nurturingsmall business ownership and entrepreneurship. Somereport recommendations were turned into legislation butdid not receive f inal enactment. Other recommendationswere executed through executive order. These recommen-dations need to be revisited for potential implementationin order to strengthen business retention and expansionin New Jersey. Retaining businesses should be a toppriority and strengthening small business developmentand expansion should rank just as high.But, here we are in 2009 witnessing the same calls for lesstaxation and less regulation on businesses. Yet, New Jerseyhas fallen further in position, ranking last among thestates in terms of its business climate, taxation inparticular.With the change of guard soon to occur in Trenton, wecan only hope that the new Governor - - and those towhom he entrusts his public policy advice - - initiates newstrategies to turn around New Jersey’s businessenvironment. Governor-elect Chris Christie’s transition teamcommittees have been busy taking inventory and makingrecommendations for the New Administration to improvethe state’s business climate, and confront the State’s largestructural budget def icit. It appears that Christie understands that the state has tostart growing private-sector jobs. But, to take it anotherstep further, 205,321 small employers (less than 500employees) account for 98.5 percent of the State’semployers and 51.1 percent of private sector employment.In addition, there are 590,485 sole proprietors in NewJersey. Sole proprietors’ income alone stands at $36.5billion in New Jersey. “Small business” needs to becomefront and center of the next Administration’s policy focus,not on paper only - - but in reality and action, also.

The Christie team champions reducing spending andspecifying long-term spending reductions. At the sametime, Christie and his team need to implement strategicbudgeting – truly analyzing the rate of return on theState’s investment for all State programs and otherprograms that may receive appropriations. Savings thatare being found should be reallocated to high-producing,eff icient, and effective programs that generate largereturns for State Government and its citizens.The NJSBDC attracts $2.9 million in federal monies forsmall business technical assistance but matching fundingis required. If matching funds are not raised through Stateand other investments, then, federal monies will go toother states’ SBDC networks. The NJSBDC infrastructure is deeply entrenched androoted, assisting small business owners and entrepreneursin all 21 counties and helping generate new jobs as well asretaining existing jobs for 31 years. During this past f iscalyear ending June 30, 2009, the NJSBDC network of 11centers helped create 1,753 new jobs and saved anadditional 11,550 jobs through its comprehensiveassistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs.These accomplishments occurred at a time when the stateexperienced massive hemorrhaging of private sector joblosses.New Jersey’s new gatekeepers in the next Administrationmust keep these facts in mind when proposing budgetallocations under the next f iscal year’s state budget. Only,then, can New Jersey’s citizens and business communitybe reassured that the right decisions are being made topromote small business development and growth andmore jobs for New Jersey citizens. Small businesses arewatching and waiting! But, they are also anxious to be realpartners with this new Administration in promoting andyielding more economic development and growth in NewJersey.

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TIME TO SET A NEW COURSE AND MAKEREAL CHANGE HAPPEN

N J S B D C A S S O C I A T E S T A T E D I R E C T O RD E B O R A H S M A R T H worked as a governmentrelations consultant and taught political sciencecourses at the college level. She worked for the NewJersey Legislature for more than a dozen yearsdeveloping policy in diverse issue areas, includingeconomic development.

By Deborah Smarth, NJSBDC Associate State Director

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Both state and national publicpolicy-makers are advocating foran array of green technologies to

spur the creation of jobs and environ-mentally friendly outcomes. Here inNew Jersey, the Department ofEnvironmental Protection (DEP) hasturned to the New Jersey SmallBusiness Development Centers(NJSBDC) to assist with educating andtraining dry cleaning businesses aboutthe value of transitioning to “wetcleaning” as part of a U.S.Environmental Protection Grant tospur green technologies.

The NJSBDC will provide trainingand technical support under the WetCleaning Project by offeringdemonstrations and opportunities fordiscounts for cleaners to convert fromsolvent dry cleaning usingperchloroethylene (PERC) to profes-sional wet cleaning. There are over1,200 dry cleaners in New Jersey. Acolorless, non-flammable liquid thatevaporates easily, the PERC used in thedry cleaning process increasingly hasbeen associated with groundwater andother environmental contamination,and potential health risks. Wetcleaning, on the other hand, does notutilize PERC and is considered anenvironmentally safe alternative to drycleaning. The wet cleaning processesutilizes computer-controlled washingmachines and biodegradable soaps,and according to the EnvironmentalProtection Agency does not generatehazardous waste, air emissions,greenhouse gases or ozone depletingsubstances.

“We want to share this knowledgeabout professional wet cleaning withNew Jersey’s communities, and specif-ically dry cleaning businesses so theycan learn about the economic andf inancial incentives of switching towet cleaning,” said Brenda Hopper,NJSBDC state director.

Personnel from all 11 NJSBDCcenters attended an informationalsession with DEP off icials in August todiscuss the various aspects of wet

cleaning, current dry cleaningtechniques and how to educatecommunities and the industry aboutthe associated environmental impacts.

“This is a massive undertaking andwe thought it would be in everyone’sbest interest for DEP representativesto meet directly with business expertsfrom the NJSBDC’s 11 statewidecenters,” said Ed Kurocka, principal ofOnSight Advisors LLC, seniorconsultant for NJSBDC and WetCleaning Project coordinator. “Thereare many positive advantagesassociated with wet cleaning and weneed to educate New Jersey cleaners asto what they are.”

DEP representatives, who are alsomembers of the Wet Cleaning Projectteam, f ielded questions from NJSBDCbusiness experts at the DEP’s publichearing room in Trenton on East StateStreet. Those attending from the DEPwere Michael DiGiore, Bureau Chief,Off ice of Pollution Prevention andRight to Know; Ky Asral, SupervisingEnvironmental Engineer, Off ice ofPollution Prevention and Right toKnow; Olga Boyko, PrincipalEnvironmental Specialist, Division ofAir Quality; and Erica Snyder, SeniorEnvironmental Specialist, Division ofAir Quality. Wet cleaning equipmentmanufacturer and distributor Mielealso sent a representative to themeeting.

At the meeting, NJSBDC expertsoffered their insights and perspectivesconcerning the project. Some of theissues raised included: addressing thecost of wet cleaning equipment, thenature of equipment discounts beingoffered, the availability of capitalf inancing for conversion, the value ofthe wet cleaning process as comparedto other current cleaning techniques,federal legislative initiatives on thetopic, state regulation of current drycleaning establishments, environ-mental contamination and the healtheffects of current dry cleaningprocesses, and liability issues. NJSBDCoff icials also wanted to know how

businesses in this sector could bebetter prepared to cope with intendedgovernment regulations banningcertain dry cleaning solvents in thefuture.

DEP off icials and equipmentmanufacturers have cited that alongwith environmental advantages thereare cost benef its to be obtained byconverting to wet cleaning in terms ofwater and energy usage and thegeneration of waste. Past studiesprepared by the Pollution PreventionCenter at Occidental College indicatedthat certain dry cleaning businessesthat converted to wet cleaning wereable to reduce their process-dependent operating costssignif icantly (March 4, 2008Professional Wet CleaningDemonstration Project).

“Our non-prof it, statewide businessassistance network is notably involvedwith multiple forms of small businessassistance and strategies to helpbusinesses start-up and managegrowth during all stages of businesslife,” noted Deborah Smarth, NJSBDCassociate state director. “We’relooking forward to this latest strategiccollaboration to advance environ-mentally safe causes with potentialmarket advantages.”

The NJSBDC sponsored trainingsessions across the state with expertpanelists to increase awareness aboutthis important issue.

“Not only will these sessions helpdry cleaning businesses to makeinformed decisions, they will educateour communities and help to fosterenvironmentally safe practices,” saidHopper. “It’s a win-win proposition forall.” For more information, visithttp://njsbdc.com/njwetcleaning/.

New Jersey Small Business Development Centers Tapped byDEP to Help Transition the Dry Cleaning Industry to GreenTechnology

NJSBDC News Abounds….

12

NJSBDC has received a largenumber of press and mediainquiries over the past several

months including information requestsfrom the national media like BBC andPBS outlets. In addition, past andcurrent clients have had theopportunity for some air time includingCorporate Turnaround and Mr. Tod’sPie Factory. Company founder andexecutive Jerry Silberman of CorporateTurnaround located in Bergen Countywas interviewed on MSNBC recentlywhere he lauded the Small BusinessDevelopment Centers national networkas a major force in helping companies,especially during these difficulteconomic times. The NBC Today Showalso highlighted Mr. Tod’s Pies inSomerset NJ for its segment onpurchasing holiday gifts. Highlights of some news articles andcoverage of the NJSBDC network aresummarized:

On December 7, NJBIZ staff publishedthe NJBIZ Newspaper’s “Point of View”entitled “Christie’s Chance to EraseUnkindest Cuts of All.” The editorialrecalls Governor Corzine’s state fundingreductions for NJSBDC in 2008 and2009, calling for any potential savingsfound in Christie’s red-tape reviewteam to be “poured into businessassistance and development programs”like NJSBDC.

An article in NJBIZ on December 7,entitled “Nonprofit businessconsultants asking Christie to restorefunds,” also quoted NJSBDC StateDirector Brenda Hopper as saying “Likeeveryone else in the state, we took a hit– and with the economy and deficit, weunderstand that. But, we certainly hopeChristie will at least keep us at$250,000, and we would love to getback to $500,000.”

On December 9, The Daily Journalacknowledged the NJSBDC programand its regional Center at RichardStockton College making a differencefor Cumberland County entrepreneursand small business owners. The article

entitled “Local business Report:Cumberland receives businesspartner award” also acknowledges arecent “Most Valued Partner Award,”presented to Cumberland County forthe collaborative efforts and financialsupport on the part of severalprograms and organizations for theNJSBDC at Stockton. The award waspresented to County FreeholderDirector Louis Magazzu at theDecember 4 NJSBDC Small BusinessGrowth Awards Luncheon at theForsgate Country Club in MonroeTownship NJ.

The Courier News published anarticle, “Franklin baker gets piece ofbusiness pie,” on December 3highlighting this year’s NJSBDC at RVCCsuccess award winner Tod Wilson,owner and operator of Mr. Tod’s PieFactory in Somerset. His business hasbeen assisted in obtaining capitalfinancing to expand operations and theNJSBDC at RVCC is helping his businessget to the next level.

The Press of Atlantic City publishedan article on November 29, “Smallbusiness services seeing big demandin Cumberland,” describes the NJSBDCat Stockton College’s new partnershipwith the Cumberland EmpowermentZone, Cumberland CountyImprovement Authority, theCumberland Development Corporation,the Urban Enterprise Zones of Vinelandand Millville, County of Cumberlandand its Department of Planning andDevelopment as well as the Office ofEmployment and Training. The articlealso mentions that the NJSBDCstatewide network is recognizingCongressman Frank LoBiondo (SecondCongressional District) with its 2009Business Advocate Award because ofhis engagement with the program andhis support for the national SBDCprogram’s federal funding. The articlealso mentions the regional center’ssuccess award winner for 2009, SteveWilson of the Sweet Life Bakery inVineland NJ who has grown hisbusiness with the assistance of NJSBDCat Richard Stockton College. A

newspaper article on November 17 alsoreferences the Sweet Life Bakery’saward by the NJSBDC network.

A November 29 NJBIZ article -“Towns seek edge in attractingemployers”- mentions Steve Wilson ofthe Sweet Life Bakery who started andis growing his business with the help ofNJSBDC at Stockton College and thesupport provided by CumberlandCounty’s economic developmentprograms.

New Jersey.com published“Entrepreneurs gather for week oflearning” on November 17 referencingthe NJSBDC at NJ City University andthe services its center providesincluding helping businesses securefunds for their operations.

On November 17, The Record (inHackensack) cited the recognitionprovided to two small business ownerswho are clients of the NJSBDC network.Jason Martin, the business owner of aphotography studio Jus PrayProductions in Paterson assisted byNJSBDC at William Paterson University,and Dr. Hyacinth Ucheagwu for startinga needed Urban Medical Clinic in theGreenville section of Jersey Cityassisted by NJSBDC at NJ CityUniversity. The Sunday November 8 publication ofThe Star Ledger – “Hoping for help:Frustrated business owners wantJersey’s new governor to bringregulatory relief” - referenced the NJSmall Business Development Centersand its Associate State Director,Deborah Smarth, concerning NJSBDC’spast report recommendations tomaking New Jersey’s business climatebetter. Smarth was quoted as saying:“We put a lot of emphasis on attractingcompanies, but it’s essential thisAdministration make it the top priorityto retain business.” The article was alsopublished in NJ.com and The Times ofTrenton.

(continued on page 15)

NJBIZ Press Clips

NJBIZ

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Rutgers Business School1 Washington Park, 3rd FloorNewark, NJ 07102-1913973-353-1927www.njsbdc.comsbdcinfo@njsbdc.com

E-Business Services 800-432-1565International Trade 800-432-1565Procurement Services 973-353-5960Technology Commercialization 800-432-1565

SBDC at Bergen Community College(Bergen County)CIARCO Learning Center355 Main Street, Room 121Hackensack, NJ 07601Regional Director: Vincent D’Elia201-489-8670SBDC at Brookdale Community College(Monmouth and Ocean Counties) Library, Room 246, 765 Newman Springs RoadLincroft, NJ 07738Regional Director: Bill Nunnally732-842-8685

SBDC at Centenary College (Sussex, Morris and Warren Counties) 207 Main StreetHackettstown, NJ 07840Regional Director: Dolores Stammer908-852-1400 ext. 2136SBDC at Kean University(Union County) 1000 Morris Avenue, Willis 301Union, NJ 07083Regional Director: Mira Kostak908-737-4220SBDC at New Jersey City University(Hudson County) 285Westside Ave Suite 189-191Jersey City, NJ 07305Regional Director: Barbara O’Neal201-200-2156SBDC at Raritan Valley Community College (Hunterdon and Somerset Counties) Route 28 & Lamington RoadNorth Branch, NJ 08876Regional Director: Larry Jenkins908-526-1200 ext. 8516

SBDC at Richard Stockton College in Atlantic City(Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties) 35 South Martin Luther King BoulevardAtlantic City, NJ 08401Regional Director: R. Joseph Molineaux609-347-2174

SBDC at Rutgers Camden(Camden, Gloucester, Salem & Burlington Counties)Waterfront Technology Center200 Federal Street, Suite 435Camden, NJ 08103Regional Director: Gary Rago856-225-6221SBDC at Rutgers Newark(Essex County) 43 Bleeker StreetNewark, NJ 07102Regional Director: Dr. Tendai Ndoro973-353-5950SBDC at The College of New Jersey(Mercer & Middlesex County) 200 Pennington Avenue, Forcina Hall 447Ewing, NJ 08628Regional Director: Lorraine Allen609-771-2947SBDC at William Paterson University(Passaic County) 131 Ellison StreetPaterson, NJ 07505Regional Director: Kate Muldoon973-754-8695

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15

A November 4 article in NJBIZ,“The morning after: Businessreacts to Christie’s victory,”provided input from businessleaders statewide concerning whata Christie Administration willmean for the Garden State. Variousrepresentatives of business organi-zations and entities commented,including Joel Naroff, president ofNaroff Economic Advisors.Deborah Smarth, NJSBDCAssociate State Director, wasquoted as saying: “Reversing thestate’s ranking of 50th in terms ofbusiness environment and taxclimate can only be achievedincrementally, but, new publicpolicies of less taxes and lessregulation on the businesscommunity will go a long waytoward helping the state economyto recover.”The October issue of New JerseyBusiness, a publication of the NJBusiness and Industry Association,contained an article about smallbusiness resources referencingthe NJ Small BusinessDevelopment Centers compre-hensive services and quotingAssociate State Director DeborahSmarth: “With the credit crunch,financing became very difficult, sowe looked for ways for businessesto leverage other sources, and totap non-traditional financingoptions like credit unions.”

NJBIZ on October 29 referencedAmper Financial’s presentationabout retirement plan strategiesand trends at a conference theysponsored and held at the NJSBDCat The College of New Jersey. Inaddition, an October 28 NJBIZarticle also cited the NJ SmallBusiness Development Centers inconnection with the Elevator Pitch

Olympics expo which attractsearly-stage ventures and theNJSBDC’s technology commercial-ization program which assistsbusinesses in seeking out federalgrants for commercializationpurposes.An October 12 article in theCourier-Post (Cherry Hill) quotesthe owner of an outpatient facilitycrediting the NJSBDC at Rutgers-Camden with guidance andprudent advice in helping themstart their facility. “Mary’s PlacePediatric Rehab” provides individu-alized therapy to more than 100patients with autism, cerebralpalsy, spinal muscular atrophy andother acute physical challenges.

An October 1 Star-Gazette article,“Centenary SBDDC moves toMain Street, Hackettstown,”describes the Center’s move and itsimportance to local businesses’accessibility. The article alsohighlights student-poweredprojects, an NJSBDC-faculty-student collaboration to furtherenhance small business marketingstrategies for NJSBDC clients..On August 18, NJBIZ ran a pieceentitled “Study: More than 7,723New Jersey jobs saved, created in2009” noting that the NJSBDCnetwork’s half-year deliverableshelped facilitate the creation of 342new businesses and assistedbusiness owners in obtainingmore than $14 million in loans andequity investment despite thecredit crunch. The Home News Tribunepublished an op-ed piece on July19 authored by Rutgers UniversityPresident Richard L. McCormick.The op-ed references the NJ SmallBusiness Development Centerseconomic impact on the Stateeconomy in terms of created and

retained jobs, business starts, andthe facilitation of loans to smallbusiness owners around the state.NJBIZ published an article on June22, “Businesses’ love of nonprofitdoesn’t spare it state’s ax,”quoting Brenda Hopper, NJSBDCState Director, and Associate StateDirector Deborah Smarth, whocommented on state budgetreductions to the program. Smarthnoted: “You want to maintain joblevels and not exacerbate theeffects of the recession.”Op-editorials were authored byNJSBDC State Director BrendaHopper and Associate StateDirector Deborah Smarthconcerning why the State’sinvestment to leverage federal andother funding for the NJSBDCprogram is so important toeconomic impact statewide. AnNJBIZ piece was published on June15 and a Herald News piece waspublished on June 14.On June 8, the Courier Newspublished an article citing how theNJSBDC network’s assistance tosmall business owners has a highrate of return for New Jersey. BothHopper and Smarth were quoted.The Home News Tribunepublished a May 22, 2009newspaper editorial, “State foolishnot to invest in the creation ofsmall business,” calling onGovernor Corzine to increaseNJSBDC funding as it is “a crucial,timely, sage investment for thepresent and the future.”

NJSBDC News Abounds….(Continued from page 12)

NJ Small BusinessDevelopment Centers1 Washington Park , 3rd flNewark, NJ 07102800-432-1565

Visit us on the web at:: www.njsbdc.com

You’ve heard it said “It takes afamily, it takes a village….”Well, we at the NJSBDC

network work as one family and actas one village to attend to the needsof every person who walks throughour doors every day of the year.Whether a downsized worker, or apre-nascent or established smallbusiness, we roll up our sleeves –eager to provide the relevantguidance and customized assistanceour clients or prospective clientsneed. It’s because of that dedication,despite fiscal constraints during thispast year, we have been able tosucceed very handily.How did we succeed? We succeededin helping our business clients’dreams come through byperseverance, through self-confidence, through intellectual andproprietary knowledge concerningbusiness strategies that work to

empower entrepreneurs andestablished small businesses todevelop, grow, and manage theirgrowth successfully.This year, we maximized ourleveraged resources throughregional, state, and nationalpartnerships and routinely collab-orated with diverse resourcepartners throughout our Network.A year of challenges for all of us, but,a year of blessings were returned tous at NJSBDC in the knowledgethat those entrepreneurs and smallbusiness owners who came to us forassistance during these tougheconomic times were able to surviveand set the foundation for futureadvancement in the world ofbusiness. Our 2009 Success AwardWinners are proof of how ourassistance translated into privatesector jobs and revenues,enhancing the State economy. Thisnewsletter issue highlights some of

NJSBDC’s small business clientswho were recognized at our annualSmall Business Growth SuccessAwards event for their growthbenchmarks. Their stories areindeed success stories!As we turn the page on 2009, welook forward to working with all ofour clients, prospective clients,partners, and to-be partners in 2010to bolster the cause of entrepre-neurship and small businessownership. Job creation andretention is our business and ourexpectations for the New Year rankhigh!

Brenda’s Blog

B R E N D A B . H O P P E Ris the State Director of theNew Jersey Small BusinessDevelopment Centersnetwork.