BDG Small Business Center
June 10, 2009
Eric Villard

Times can be tough for small businesses trying to get by in today's weakened economy; however, for Carroll County businesses the new BDG Small Business Center is local resource to help weather the financial storm.

The center, located at 1532 Liberty Road (near the Little Professor Book Center), is an offshoot of BDG Entrepreneurial Services, a Sykesville-based firm that offers consulting services to local businesses. They give advice on tax management, employee retention, cash flow and budgeting, among other things.

Doug Howard, president of BDG, said the new center will "host seminars, workshops and events exclusively for small business owners" in addition to the services that BDG Entrepreneurial already provides. The focus of small business management, Howard said, is in following with his own ambitions.

"During my college years, I started several small businesses," he explained. "I have always found that small business provides opportunity, but with great challenges and risk."

He added that the risk of starting a small business could put a lot of pressure on the entrepreneur undertaking the large endeavor.

"Having an adviser that knows that pressure, I think, makes a big difference," Howard mentioned. "When we remember that our success only comes from helping others achieve their successes, we find great meaning in our work and great opportunity to contribute to our community."

Upcoming classes at the center include "Smart Advice When Times Are Tough," focusing on short-term goals to help small business owners cope with the current economy, and "Launching Your New Business," a class helping budding entrepreneurs get a foothold in business development.

Howard stressed that these classes and the other services offered are available for any small business. He explained that BDG has worked with a number of enterprises, from retail to manufacturing to professional firms.

"The strategic framework that we use to help a business owner determine the viability of their venture and design a strategy for their business success can be applied to almost any business," he said.

And while he admitted that planning for certain businesses might require "industry-specific expertise," he stressed that BDG was more than willing to help the entrepreneur get in contact with such expertise.

Despite the aforementioned cases, Howard explained that "business fundamentals cut across most industries and business types and we feel very confident working with a wide array of businesses." Such adaptability and variety is likely what led to BDG's success. Proof of this success can be seen in its partnership with Carroll Community College, which, Howard said, has lasted for about six years. Like any good partnership, it aids both parties.

"The college will offer a number of their small business classes at our location," he explained. "We benefit them by offering a visible location that may have appeal to those in South Carroll."

Small businesses, Howard stressed, need to seriously rethink their strategies in order to stay afloat. This includes working with recent and reliable financial information, resisting the urge to cut prices while at the same time lessening expenses and focusing on on marketing, among other things.

"Most businesses could perform better than they are," Howard said. "And for some, improving performance may make the difference between surviving or becoming a casualty of this recession."

Class schedules for the center can be found at http://www.startupcarroll.com/. Additional information regarding BDG Entrepreneurial Services is available at http://www.bdgservices.com/.

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