Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast: Recent Episodes
University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service
A business podcast designed to keep you informed and entertained about resources from the Small Business Administration (SBA), Arkansas Business Navigator, and other opportunities available to small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start, grow, or reimagine their business. Co-hosts Brandon L. Mathews and Kam Gomez will breakdown everything happening in 15 minutes or less with two episodes a month, so you don't have to! That's less time reading emails. You're welcome. The Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast is funded through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
This interview is a bonus episode of the Arkansas Business Navigator podcast featuring Eric Howerton, co-founder of Whyte Spider and Head of Walmart Innovations at Flywheel. This video podcast is a candid conversation about entrepreneurs' emotional wellbeing and emotional intelligence (EQ), and the challenges they face starting and running a business.
Today's episode is the last one for the Arkansas Business Navigator podcast. Co-hosts, Kamelle Gomez and Brandon L. Mathews linked up to record this episode to share some of the statewide program outcomes, a new funding opportunity that is available for small business owners and entrepreneurs that have been involved with the program anytime during the last we months, and an upcoming day-long workshop on hiring your first employee. This marks our 22 episode on the pod, and we are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to support Arkansans through this project.
*SHOW NOTES***
Arkansas Business Navigator Resource Page
On Ramp Funding Application
Nov 7 HR Event with Glenda Caton Registration (Register by Nov 3 to guarantee lunch. This is a hybrid event.)
Today’s episode features an update from the SBA Office of Advocacy regarding U.S. Department of Labor proposed changes for salaried workers; a review of national disaster resources from SBA; and a round up events were hosting at University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, which includes a save the date for a big workshop opportunity about Human Resources, but we’ll get to that later. Let’s dive in.
* SHOW NOTES***U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Proposed Rule Change SBA Disaster Preparedness Checklists and Resources
Events
October 2 - Digital Marketing Workshop, Hybrid (in-person and Zoom)
October 23 - Digital Marketing Workshop, Hybrid (in-person and Zoom)
November 7 - Save the Date, HR Workshop with Caton Consulting, LLC, Little Rock, AR
Today's episode features a special focus on small business owners and how developing digital skills can be a game changer for their success. Whether you're a small business owner or just curious about boosting your digital know how stick around because we have some valuable insights for you.
* SHOW NOTES
*SBA Learning Center
Ascent
Google applied skills
LinkedIn Learning
MailerLite
Mailchimp
Events
Today’s episode covers some changes that happened this month to the SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs and what that means for you. We finally have a date and specific details for the inaugural Arkansas Latino Business Awards. Spoiler Alert, I hear your favorite Latino Food Truck is supposed to get an award... We also have a number of events to cover happening around the state, so stay tuned.
* SHOW NOTES***
Biden-Harris Administration Launches Small Business Loan Program Improvements to Expand Access to Capital
Arkansas Latino Business Awards
Events
August 29 – AR Biz Assist – Pine Bluff
September 14 – AR Biz Assist – Harrison
September 18 - How to Use Your 401(k) or IRA to Start or Buy a Business
Additional Links
ABN UADA Website
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
In today's episode, we will be discussing the essential steps involved in starting a business successfully. If you're considering embarking on this exciting journey, listen closely as we outline a clear path to your business launch. Then we'll get into events around the state.
* SHOW NOTES*SBA Business Guide
Business New Daily
EventsAugust 14 - Strategies for Food Service Startups
August - 17 AR Biz Assist - Bentonville
August 22 - Small Business Podcast Fundamentals
TBD - Beyond the Idea: Start Ups and their Stories
Additional LinksABN UADA Website
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Today’s episode features a special conversation with Trish Villines of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and she and I discuss a new resource they developed called Small Business Breaks. We’ll talk about what these are, how to access them, and some of the topics they feature. After that, we’ll take a quick look at a new entrepreneurship training course designed for military spouses and how you can tap into that resource. And finally, we we’ll wrap up with workshops offered through the ABN program.
* SHOW NOTES***Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Small Business Breaks Video Series
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives
EVENTSAugust TBD - Small Business Podcast Fundamentals
August 8 - Food Service Start Up, Part 1
August 11 - Food Service Start Up, Part 2
Additional Links
ABN UADA Website
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Kamelle focuses on ways A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) can impact a small business in a meaningful way through customer support, analyzing data, and sales.
SHOW NOTES
10 AI Tools To Run Your Business from A to Z
7 Different Ways To Use ChatGPT For Your Business
Events
Jul 18 - Small Business Interest Meeting Fordyce
Jul 25 - Start Small Think Big
Aug 8 & 10 - Food Service Start Up
TBD - Latino Business Awards
Other ResourcesABN UADA Page – https://uaex.uada.edu/abn
Podcast – https://uaex.uada.edu/abnpodcast
ABN State Website – https://arbusinessnavigator.com
SBA Website – https://sba.gov
ASBTDC website – https://asbtdc.org
In Today’s episode, Brandon L. Mathews explores the details of a new law that will change disaster declarations for rural businesses, ASBTDC and ABN are hosting the inaugural Arkansas Latino Business Awards on July 10 in Little Rock, and the ABN Human Resource Guide is available!
* SHOW NOTES***
SBA Implements Law Enhancing Ability to Declare Disasters and Deliver Support to Rural Communities
Arkansas Latino Business Awards
Arkansas Business Navigator Human Resource Guide
Events
Getting Started With Podcasting – July 20 | Virtual
Additional Links
ABN UADA Webste
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Kamelle hosts today's episode covering easy social media marketing efforts for your small business, events going on around the State, and feature some Q&A about small business marketing.
*SHOW NOTES
*Essential digital strategies traininghttps://uada.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=767f88dc-d9c5-4385-9d4f-af0e0154fd86
Events
https://asbtdc.org/asbtdc-events/
QA segment
https://learn.sba.gov/learning-center-market
ABN UADA Page – https://uaex.uada.edu/abn
Podcast – https://uaex.uada.edu/abnpodcast
ABN State Website – https://arbusinessnavigator.com
SBA Website – https://sba.gov
ASBTDC website – https://asbtdc.org
In today’s episode, Brandon L. Mathews gives an update on Tornado Disaster Relief efforts; discuss SBA rule changes to address persistent capital access gaps among key demographics; and the new hire at the Arkansas District Office!
SHOW NOTES
SBA Business Recovery Centers
UADA Tornado Relief Resource Page
SBA Rule Changes for Loan Programs
EventsMay 8 - Essential Digital Strategies for Small Businesses Online. Online only Contact Person, Kamelle Gomez. kgomez@uada.edu or 501-671-2158
May 23 - Start Small. Think Big: Capital. In-person only. Contact Person, Kamelle Gomez. kgomez@uada.edu or 501-671-2158
May 24 - Women Empowering Women - Starting and Growing Your Business. In-person only. Contact Person, Adriana Fuentes. alfuentes@ualr.edu or 501-804-6232
Today's episode is in response to the storms and tornado recovery resources for the impacted communities across Arkansas that affected central Arkansas March 31, 2023. You can see a full list of these resources on our UA System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas Business Navigator page. Resource and notifications are also available in Spanish.
*SHOW NOTES
Primary Topics*
FEMA Arkansas Disaster page
UADA Disaster Resources Page
ASBTDC Disaster Resources Page
ABEL
APEX Intake Form
Events
Food and Beverage Series
Where to Find Candidates & Other Hiring Strategies
ABN UADA Page – https://uaex.uada.edu/abn
Podcast – https://uaex.uada.edu/abnpodcast
ABN State Website – https://arbusinessnavigator.com
SBA Website – https://sba.gov
ASBTDC website – https://asbtdc.org
* SHOW NOTES***Join Brandon in today’s episode all about new things. The Arkansas SBA District Office hired a new employee. Our friends at Arkansas PTAC have a new name. Spoiler alert, it’s the ‘APEX’ of all names. And lastly, the Arkansas Business Navigator program has brought on a new Spoke seeking to bridge the gap between English- and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs.
PTAC Name Change to APEX Accelerator
ABN Announces Partnership With Conexión de Negocios Latinos
SBA New Lender Relation Specialist
Events
Creating a Brand Guide for your Business: The Basics
Food & Beverage Startup Series: Product R&D + Licensing
SBA Arkansas District Office Upcoming Events
Want to get emails from SBA Arkansas District Office?
Contact Arkansas_DO@sba.gov
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Additional Links
ABN UADA Webste
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Conexión de Negocios Latinos
In this episode, Kam talks about the five professionals that business people should know and have symbiotic relationships with. He details the benefit and types of services you should be looking for. Additionally, suggesting shopping methods and things you should intrinsically consider during the shopping process.
* SHOW NOTES
*Events
Small Business Interest Meeting Monroe and Surrounding Counties - 03/14
Elevate Your Business on Arkansas.com - 03/21
ABN UADA Page – https://uaex.uada.edu/abn
Podcast – https://uaex.uada.edu/abnpodcast
ABN State Website – https://arbusinessnavigator.com
SBA Website – https://sba.gov
ASBTDC website – https://asbtdc.org
Today's episode is all about business plans. Brandon discusses the purpose of a business plan, why you need one, and how to write one. We also cover some free resources and materials to help you get on the right track.
* SHOW NOTES***
Business Plan Resources
ASBTDC “To the Point” Business Plan
Events
3.14.23 Small Business Interest Meeting – Monroe and Surround Counties
3.21.23 Navigating and Learning to Use Arkansas.com
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Additional Links
ABN UADA Webste
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Today we're going to discuss the Employee Retention Tax Credit and answer some FAQs regarding this program and talk about how you can access it when you file this year. Additionally, we're going to highlight some events that are happening around our state.
SHOW NOTES
Main Topic Links
IRS Employee Retention Credit
Events
Essential Strategies for Small business
2023 East Arkansas Small Business Development Conference
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Additional Links
ABN UADA Webste
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Today’s show features Brandon L. Mathews speaking with Doug Cortes. Doug, Director of the Business Innovations Legal Clinic for the University of Arkansas at Little Bowen Law School. With nearly 20 years of practice as an attorney, he’s worked in legal aid with Center for Arkansas Legal Services and has experience with business bankruptcy. Doug also has worked IT network administration and is a military veteran. He’s also started a couple businesses himself, so he knows what it is like to be an entrepreneur. Doug is an incredibly knowledgeable individual whose breadth and depth of experience provides immense value to his work at the clinic, and at the core of all that is a sincere desire to help people. Doug shared what resources clinic offers entrepreneurs, and some of the pitfalls startups and small business owners early on.
*SHOW NOTES***
EventsShould I Start a Business in 2023?
Building a Marketing Plan for an Existing Business
UA Little Rock Bowen Law SchoolBusiness Innovations Legal Clinic
Arkansas Grown and Arkansas MadeArkansas Grown Conference and Expo
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Additional Links
ABN UADA Webste
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Welcome to 2023 as we kickoff a new season talking about the tools that will help you complete some of your entrepreneurial New Year resolutions and business goals. Our primary focus will be free self-guided education platforms that you have access to through the SBA and resource partner organizations. On top of that, we are going to cover events happening around the spokes this month and answer a question or two about the navigator program.
*Show Notes
Online Learning Platforms*
SBA Learning Center
Ascent
Events
Are you Credit Worthy?
Small Business interest meeting Monroe and surrounding counties
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Additional Links
ABN UADA Webste
Arkansas Business Navigator Podcast
ABN State Website
Small Business Administration
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Today’s episode is going to review a recent SBA article discussing some of the top business trends to look for in 2023 that YOU need to be aware of; some positive changes happening to the SBA Disaster Assistance Loans (spoiler, it’s about interest rates); and segments from a conversation I had with Arkansas Procurement and Technical Assistance Center Director, Melanie Berman. This also marks our last episode of 2022.
SHOW NOTES
SBA’s 2023 Business Trends
SBA to Offer Disaster Loans with No Interest and No Payments for First Year
Arkansas Procurement and Technical Assistance Center
Phone: 501.671.2390
Email: PTAC@uada.edu
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce:
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Events
Arkansas Business Navigator Event Page
Access to Capital: Mammoth Spring
Build an e-Commerce Website with Weebly
Are you Credity Worthy?
Small Business Administration and Arkansas Business Navigator Resources
UADA ABN Website
ABN Podcast
ABN Website
SBA Website
ASBTDC Website
In the spirit of the holidays, this week's episode is about grants available to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Arkansas.
SHOW NOTES
ABN Grant Guide
WomensNet
IFundwomen
National Association for the Self-Employed
Warrior Rising
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
ABN Events
SCORE.org Live Webinars
Are you Credit Worthy?
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation: https://arhdc.org/
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce: https://arkansasstatechamber.com/
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab): https://cals.org/rock-it-lab
East Arkansas Enterprise Community: https://facebook.com/East-Arkansas-Enterprise-Community-104790888560528
Phoenix Youth & Family Services: https://phoenixyouth.com/
Small Business Administration and Arkansas Business Navigator Resources
UADA ABN Website– https://uaex.uada.edu/abn
ABN Podcast – https://uaex.uada.edu/abn-podcast
ABN Website – https://arbusinessnavigator.com
SBA Website – https://sba.gov
ASBTDC Website – https://asbtdc.org
On this episode, Brandon L. Mathews discusseses three of the SBA’s most common loan products, requirements, and how to access them. A new Veteran Owned Small Business Certification is emerging and replacing the old program through the VA's Center for Verification and Evaluation. Bad Credit? Check out our upcoming event on how to fix it!
SHOW NOTES
SBA Loan Products
7(a) Loans
504 Loans
Microloans
SBA Lender Match Tool
Veteran Owned Small Business ResourcesVeteran Small Business Certification Program
Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) Transfer: FAQ
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce:
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab)
East Arkansas Enterprise Community
Phoenix Youth & Family Services
Events"Are you Credit Worthy?”
January 19th, 2023
Contact Angela Gardner, 501-804-6759
Small Business Administration and Arkansas Business Navigator Resources
UADA ABN Website
ABN Podcast
ABN Website
SBA Website
ASBTDC Website
On this episode, Kam breaks down SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan features particularly why it’s so great. He tells you about events that are happening in the coming weeks within the navigator program. Kam also, let’s you know where the spokes are located, best points of contact, and what territories the hub and each spoke serves.
Economic Injury Disaster Loanhttps://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/economic-injury-disaster-loans
https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/
EventsNovember 3rdGot Social?November 7thAccess Capital for Your Business: Mountain ViewNovember 8thAR Biz Assist - ClarksvilleRSVP by contacting Trish Villines at tvillines@arkansasstatechamber.com or 501-804-7409
Access Capital for Your Business: Calico RockArkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation: https://arhdc.org/
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce: https://arkansasstatechamber.com/
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab): https://cals.org/rock-it-lab
East Arkansas Enterprise Community: https://facebook.com/East-Arkansas-Enterprise-Community-104790888560528
Phoenix Youth & Family Services: https://phoenixyouth.com/
Small Business Administration and Arkansas Business Navigator Resources
UADA ABN Website– https://uaex.uada.edu/abn
ABN Podcast – https://uaex.uada.edu/abn-podcast
ABN Website – https://arbusinessnavigator.com
SBA Website – https://sba.gov
ASBTDC Website – https://asbtdc.org
On this episode, Brandon L. Mathews breaks down what Arkansas Business Navigator is, who the partners are across the state are, and the goal of the podcast. Brandon also shares what the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is doing to provide drought-relief to small business owners across Arkansas, what the requirements are, and how to apply.
Disaster Relief
SBA Economic Injury Drought Disaster Loan: https://sba.gov/article/2022/aug/05/sba-economic-injury-disaster-loans-available-arkansas-small-businesses
Farm Service Agency USDA Arkansas State Office: https://fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Arkansas/index
Arkansas Business Navigator Spokes
Arkansas Human Development Corporation: https://arhdc.org/
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce: https://arkansasstatechamber.com/
Central Arkansas Library System (Rock It! Lab): https://cals.org/rock-it-lab
East Arkansas Enterprise Community: https://facebook.com/East-Arkansas-Enterprise-Community-104790888560528
Phoenix Youth & Family Services: https://phoenixyouth.com/
Small Business Administration and Arkansas Business Navigator Resources
UADA ABN Website– https://uaex.uada.edu/abn
ABN Podcast – https://uaex.uada.edu/abn-podcast
ABN Website – https://arbusinessnavigator.com
SBA Website – https://sba.gov
ASBTDC Website – https://asbtdc.org