Wyoming Business Tips for Nov. 8

A weekly look at Wyoming business questions from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (WSBDC), part of WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.

By Sarah Lancaster Hamlin, WSBDC Fremont County business adviser

“How can I position my business to take full advantage of the coming holiday season?” Tom, Riverton

November is a great month to be a small business owner and entrepreneur.

Regardless of whether you are ramping up for the holiday selling season, or are starting to look at the last year in review, events like Small Business Saturday (Nov. 28) and Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 16-22) help connect you to your customers, community and fellow business owners.

Small Business Saturday was first observed in 2010, the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the United States. Designed to be a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to turn around and stay in town -- spending holiday gift dollars in local communities.

Want to get involved? Check out all of the free resources that American Express offers to participating businesses. These services include being added to the #SmallBusinessSaturday map, as well as #ShopSmall logoed gift bags, window signs and door mats. They also will help you plan and promote an event in your store or community.

Check with your local chamber of commerce to see what they have planned for the big day.

Nov. 28 is just around the corner; will your business be ready?

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a weeklong opportunity to interact with other business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, mentors and investors through everything from global startup classes to local networking events. Events are happening all over the world. Isn’t it time to get your idea off that Post-it note and into action?

How will you celebrate this November?

A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments are available at http://wyen.biz/blog1/.

The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY, 82071-3922.