Posted by Bill Harnden on July 23, 2010
The Small Business Development Center main office, formerly at the main campus of Raritan Valley Community College, is now in a new location: RVCC@Bridgewater, at 14 Vogt Drive, Bridgewater, NJ 08876.
The new site (formerly the Somerset County Technical Institute) is also the new home for the RVCC Corporate and Continuing Education offices.
Our contact information remains the same:
Phone: 908-526-1200, ext. 8516 Fax: 908-725-9687 Email: sbdc@raritanval.edu
We look forward to assisting you with your small business needs. Please scroll the website for information about the resources and services we offer, and contact our office for additional assistance or to schedule a counseling appointment.
The SBDC Staff
Larry, Bill, Allison and Kathy
Posted by Bill Harnden on July 23, 2010
Destinations owner Susan Kibler and SBDC's Bill Harnden
Destinations recently celebrated their first anniversary. Destinations is located at 47 Maple Ave., Flemington, NJ. Visit their website for more information about Destinations personal fitness coaching.
Posted by Bill Harnden on July 23, 2010
ZPi, Inc. owners Bruce Potter and Robert Crosby
SBDC clients Bruce Potter and Robert Crosby, of Zeta Potential instruments, Inc. (ZPi), recently signed a global distribution agreement with Quantachrome Instruments to sell their zetaREADER, a device that analyzes particles in liquids.
Posted by Website Administrator RR on May 27, 2010
The Self Employment Assistance (SEA) entrepreneurial training program is an intensive training program for anyone who wants to start his or her own business, taught by experienced professionals in their respective subject areas. It’s a Cooperative program with:
- Raritan Valley Community College
- NJ Department of Labor
- Small Business Development Center
If you are unemployed and collecting benefits, contact your NJ Employment Service counselor. The tuition and fees may be sponsored by the NJ Dept. of Labor if you are determined eligible. Private Pay individuals are also welcome. For more information about the program and are currently unemployed, please contact your LOCAL COUNTY NJDOL office.
For all other information, please e-mail us.
Posted by Website Administrator RR on April 1, 2010
Listen to Kathy Ormosi and Vicki Lynn Morgan discuss how retailers can improve sales and create a rewarding experience for their shoppers.
Presented by the Small Business Development Center at Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey
To listen to this audio podcast, simply click on the play button. Use this RSS link to subscribe to the podcast feed.
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Posted by Website Administrator RR on March 15, 2010
Mr. Tod on Shark Tank
Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory was started in 2002 by Tod Wilson. The business currently has two locations. Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory located at 1760 Easton Avenue in Somerset and. Mr. Tod’s Coffee Shop is located at 752 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick. Corporate offices are located at 7 Cedar Grove Lane in Somerset.
Tod Wilson is owner and operator of the business. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Richmond. The company produces a variety of pies and various desserts. He proudly uses the phrase AMERICA’S NEXT GREATEST FOOD BRAND to describe his company.
Mr. Tod has been seeking counseling at the Small Business Development Center at Raritan Valley Community College over the past year. The Center assisted him with loan packaging for a mid six figure loan. He recently received financing from the United States Small Business Administration through Affinity Federal Credit Union to finance improvements, equipment, and working capital due to the increase in sales of his product. Mr. Tod has continually approached the center for advice in marketing, sales, and organizational issues. I.e. Patent
In September 2009 Tod appeared as the first business client on the new ABC show produced by Mark Burnett,THE SHARK TANK. This is a show where the business person tries to convince a panel of millionaire’s to invest in his business. Tod had to compete with over 30,000 applications all over the United States to be selected for this show.
Mr. Tod was offered a mid six figure injection of capital by two of the panelists which he accepted on the show but ultimately turned down because of the significant portion of ownership he had to relinquish. This in retrospect was a wise decision. Nevertheless the panelists who are millionaire businessmen and women saw the potential of his business and wanted in. The producer Mark Burnett, (yes the same one who produced “The Apprentice”) has ordered pies from Tod all the way from California which Tod ships to him by overnight delivery!
Following his success on SHARK TANK he was approach by QVC television to put his products on their network. They place an initial order of approximately 13,000 pies of which approximately 7,000 were sold on the stations “Happy Hour Show” during the premiere of his product (1 Hour). Mr. Tod’s Pies are sold at select McDonalds restaurants in New Jersey and in CROWN /Kennedy Chicken a fast food chain that operate approximately 300 locations in New Jersey, Upstate NY and Philadelphia. He is currently making preparation to comply with a proposal offered by SODEXHO for distribution of his product by this major food distributor. Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory sales have exceeded 1 million dollars.
Mr. Tod was the recipient of the SCBP (Somerset County Business Partnership) 2006 10th Annual Quest for the Best Culinary Invitational where he was voted Somerset County Best Dessert at the competition.
He has been featured in the Courier News (05), Home News Tribune (07, 08), Star Ledger (06) and most recently again in the Home News.
His product line features an assortment of pies, cheesecakes, fruit cobblers, and muffins. His store locations also offer a selection of ice cream and breakfast sandwiches to diversify his menu. His signature product, however, is the sweet potato pie which is produced from a recipe that he and his mother have perfected over a 15 year period.
His innovative product is a box of 10 assorted pies which can be selected by the purchaser no pre packaged. He has applied for a trademark for his pie assortment.
Mr. Tod has an innovative website as well www.WhyBake.com which describes all of his products and has excellent streaming video testimonials.
Posted by Website Administrator RR on March 1, 2010
Alison Gill and Karen Katcher discuss why a business plan is critical for a small business owner to realize their vision of how their business needs to grow.
Presented by the Small Business Development Center at Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey
To listen to this audio podcast, simply click on the play button. Use this RSS link to subscribe to the podcast feed.
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Posted by Website Administrator RR on February 1, 2010
Sue Johnson, Vicki Lynne Morgan and Karen Wessel
Small Business Marketing hosted by SBDC RVCC Regional Director Sue Johnson (left) and presented by SBDC RVCC Counselor Vicki Lynne Morgan (center) and Candy Bouquet owner Karen Wessel (right).
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Posted by Website Administrator RR on August 1, 2009
Michele Walten and Karen Vitale
SBDC at RVCC clients Michele Walten and Karen Vitale teamed up to develop a new boutique concept called Philosophy. They offer a variety of unique clothes, accessories and home furnishings. Philosophy specializes in the Etcetera clothing line. The shop is located at 15 Perry Street in the heart of Chester, NJ. For more details call 908-879-0055 or write to info.philosophy@earthlink.com.
Posted by Website Administrator RR on July 1, 2009
Candy Bouquet owner Karin Wessel
Candy Bouquet, owned by Karin Wessel, has evolved from a gift boutique featuring floral-like arrangements made from candies and chocolates from around the world to much more.
Candy Bouquet creates gift baskets utilizing many domestic and international gourmet products and carries 52 flavors of homemade fudge, 45+ different varieties of Asher’s Chocolates, Kosher chocolates and candies, Allergen-Free products, Quotable Cards, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, History & Heraldry Occupational mugs, and Gourmet Pretzels.
For some sweet deals call the Candy Bouquet at 908-704-7222.
Visit the Candy Bouquet website.
Candy Bouquet's Delicious Variety
Next Page »
